The Most Instagrammable Spots in NYC

Empire State Building Experience

Capture far-reaching cityscapes—this one looks down on Midtown East’s skyscrapers before crossing to Queens—from the [Empire State Building](/attractions/empire-state-building-observatory)’s observatories.  
**Another take:** To get the building itself, spire and antenna included, look up Fifth Avenue from the northwest corner of Madison Square Park.

FDR Drive

The west side of the Manhattan Bridge pedestrian path (enter at Forsyth and Canal Streets) provides an expansive view of the FDR Drive and the Murry Bergtraum Softball Field on Cherry Street.  
**Another take:** Take a 15-minute walk down South Street, which runs alongside FDR Drive, to the [Seaport District](/attractions/seaport-district-nyc) for a peek into the City’s nautical history.

Grand Central Terminal

The setting for countless movies and television episodes, [Grand Central Terminal](/attractions/grand-central-terminal) is more than just a train hub—it’s also a destination for Instagrammers. The twinkling stars on the main concourse’s brilliant blue ceiling and the bustle of commuters provide an only-in-NYC image. The best view is from the concourse’s upper level.  
**Another take:** Have a friend capture video of you at the [Whispering Gallery](/articles/new-york-secrets-slideshow) for some laughs.

The Oculus

During the day, natural light streams into this massive, column-free space two stories underground at the [World Trade Center Transportation Hub](/attractions/world-trade-center-transportation-hub). At night, the inner lights provide a glow for those outside.  
**Another take:** There’s an [Eataly](/articles/visit-eataly-downtown) outpost in the nearby [Westfield](/shopping/westfield-world-trade-center) shopping center. Stop by for gelato and focaccia, which will look great in your feed (and, yes, taste great too).

The High Line

After you walk this [elevated park](/attractions/the-high-line), which begins at Gansevoort Street and ends at West 34th Street, reward your followers with a shot of the lush path and surrounding architecture. This looks north from around West 29th Street.  
**Another take:** Take a break (and another pic) at the wildflower field near [West 27th street](/photo-galleries/high-line#slide-6).

Manhattan Bridge

Head to Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Main Street Park (off of Main Street in Dumbo) to capture Manhattan’s namesake bridge, which looks extra radiant at night.  
**Another take:** The B, D, N and Q trains run over the Manhattan Bridge. Peek through a window for a mobile perspective on the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines.

Rockefeller Center

Stretching from Fifth to Sixth Avenues and from 48th to 51st Streets, Rockefeller Center is expansive. This image, taken inside the sunken plaza at 50th Street, showcases hundreds of international flags that line the plaza’s ground level. In the background is massive gold-plated statue _Prometheus_.  
**Another take:** [Fifth Avenue](/articles/fifth-avenue-shopping) is a shopper’s paradise, and the facades of its buildings are made for photographing.

Times Square

The lights and energy of [Times Square](/attractions/times-square) always dazzle, whether day or night. Stand atop the red TKTS stairs—just below 47th Street, between Broadway and Seventh Avenue—to get a shot pointing downtown.  
**Another take:** Those [stairs](/venues/tkts-discount-booth-times-square) are a great place to hang out and people-watch or to try a panorama shot of all the Times Square lights.

Flatiron Building

It’s almost impossible to get a bad shot of the [Flatiron Building](/attractions/flatiron-building). Our advice: try to get the top of the triangular Renaissance palazzo in the frame. This image was captured from the west side of Fifth Avenue, close to 25th Street.  
**Another take:** All you need is one shot of [Shake Shack](/restaurants/shake-shack)’s burgers to get your followers to adjacent Madison Square Park.

Doyers Street

Chinatown’s Doyers Street is a short block (about 200 feet long), but its hidden bend—close to a 90-degree angle—creates the illusion that it’s much longer when photographed from the top of the block.  
**Another take:** The street has a colorful history. Take in some of it at the [Nom Wah Tea Parlor](/restaurants/nom-wah-tea-parlor), open since 1927.

Top of the Rock

There are three levels at the [Top of the Rock Observation Deck](/attractions/top-of-the-rock-observation-deck) (starting at the 67th floor), which crowns Rockefeller Center’s main skyscraper. You can see almost any part of the City from the different spots up there. Here, the Empire State Building lingers in the shadow at dusk.  
**Another take:** Also at Rockefeller Center: NBC studios. Snap a _Today_ show host at a [taping](/articles/tv-show-tapings) or take a [tour](/attractions/tour-at-nbc-studios) for insider access.

Brooklyn Bridge

Get up early and walk the [span](/videos/brooklyn-bridge-facts). Stop midway and frame the Gothic towers between the supporting cables.  
**Another take:** Check out the plaque on the Brooklyn side that honors Emily Roebling, who oversaw the bridge’s completion while her husband, the chief engineer, was sick.

Statue of Liberty

Wow your followers with a dramatic shot of [Lady Liberty](/museums-galleries/statue-of-liberty-national-monument) from the deck of a boat. This one is at sunset from a [Circle Line](/venues/circle-line-sightseeing-cruises) cruise ship.  
**Another take:** Track your family’s immigrant history at nearby [Ellis Island](/events/visit-ellis-island), which also offers a view of the Statue of Liberty.

East Broadway

The pedestrian platform on the Manhattan Bridge provides a great shot of [Chinatown](/boroughs-neighborhoods/manhattan/chinatown)’s East Broadway. The top of One World Trade Center is visible in the background.  
**Another take:** Walk the busy streets of Chinatown (start at Chatham Square) to shoot colorful Chinese-language signs.

Washington Square Park

The Washington Arch, which marks the Fifth Avenue entrance to [Washington Square Park](/arts-culture/washington-square-park), is a popular subject for photogs in NYC. Stand behind the Washington Square Fountain to get this shot of the of the 72-foot-tall arch’s south face.  
**Another take:** For a camera-ready glimpse into earlier Greenwich Village life, step inside the redbrick gates of historic [Washington Mews](/articles/must-see-washington-square-slideshow).

Greene Street

Home to high-end fashion stores and art studios, [Soho](/boroughs-neighborhoods/manhattan/soho) is one of the City’s most elegant and photogenic neighborhoods. Keep your perspective low to capture Greene Street’s cast-iron buildings and cobblestone blocks.  
**Another take:** Taking photos of all the things you bought in [Soho](/itineraries/essential-soho-shopping-guide) isn’t showing off, right?

Central Park

There are so many spots to photograph in Central Park all year round, but Manhattan’s main green space is particularly picturesque in the wintertime. Capture this image of [Bethesda Fountain](/venues/bethesda-terrace-fountain) and its _Angel of the Waters_ statue from atop the terrace’s stairwell.    
**Another take:** Bring a portable charger, because [Central Park](/articles/fun-things-to-do-in-central-park) has a full day’s worth of photos in it.

Manhattan Bridge (The Sequel)

Washington Street (between Front and Water Streets) in Brooklyn’s [Dumbo](/boroughs-neighborhoods/brooklyn/dumbo) is the place to snap this popular ’gram. Stand at Front Street to get a perfect shot of the Empire State Building framed inside the bridge’s base.  
**Another take:** Refuel for more photography with a pizza pie from [Juliana’s](/restaurants/julianas-pizza-dumbo) or [Grimaldi’s](/restaurants/grimaldis-pizzeria).

The Unisphere

Constructed for the 1964–1965 World’s Fair, this [Flushing Meadows Corona Park](/attractions/flushing-meadows-corona-park) attraction always looks good—but we like it best under a clear blue sky.  
**Another take:** Don’t miss the sea lions and giant bunnies, who will (if you’re lucky) smile for your followers, at the nearby [Queens Zoo](/attractions/queens-zoo).

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