BEST INSTAGRAM SPOTS IN NYC

If you’re visiting New York City, I’m sure you have a few ideas on the best NYC Instagram spots to visit but this guide lists my top favorites and all the tips you need to get you through the list! If you’re visiting New York for the first time, I suggest planning up to five days to see most of the major sites. If you’re short on time, here’s my guide to the best Instagram spots in NYC.

1. TOP OF THE ROCK

In the heart of New York City, the Top of the Rock is the perfect place to see the city from up above offering extraordinary 360-degree views! This is one of the most Instagrammable spots in New York, and it’s perfect for those summer days and a great place to watch the sunset. Although it can get quite crowded, I’d recommend going during the early morning for smaller crowds. To get tickets, you can book them on this website.

2. BROOKLYN BRIDGE

The Brooklyn Bridge offers views of both Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty. It is beautiful at any time of the day, but I’d highly recommend taking a walk during sunset! The bridge is open 24-hours so if you want to get in some good shots, I’d highly recommend going during sunrise or sunset! Make sure to read my post on the Most Instagrammable Spots in Brooklyn!

3. DUMBO

Just off the Brooklyn Bridge located in the Northeast of Brooklyn and across the river from lower Manhattan is DUMBO. You can easily get here by foot, bike, subway, or the ferry. DUMBO is an Instagram-friendly neighborhood with an iconic view of the Manhattan Bridge. The neighborhood offers both hippy and historical spots for you to get some great shots in. Don’t forget to check out my post on the Most Instagrammable Spots in Brooklyn for more ideas!

Washington Street Dumbo — Washington Street

4. SUMMIT ONE VANDERBILT

Summit One Vanderbilt is the newest observation deck in New York City. It opened in 2021 and has become one of the best Instagram spots in NYC. However, it can get very busy so I suggest getting tickets online right when it opens and getting in line early! They have multiple floors and rooms so you can easily spend at least 2+ hours here.

The rooms are made up of all mirrors so it can get pretty bright on a sunny day. They do require you to wear booties but they also allow you to take them off quickly for a photo. Summit Ascent is an additional fee to go up the glass elevator. So if you want to go high and see the city from above you can do this at an additional cost when booking your ticket.

5. CENTRAL PARK

There is so much to see and do in Central Park! The park is so huge that you’d be able to find a photo spot anywhere you walk. If you go on the weekend, Central Park can get quite busy but during the weekdays you’ll see a smaller crowd. Here is a list of my most Instagrammable spots in Central Park:

Bethesda Terrace & Fountain
Bow Bridge
Gapstow Bridge
The Mall
Victorian Garden/Wollman Rink: during the summer this area is set up like an amusement park with Ferris wheels & is called the Victorian Garden. During winter months this area is called the Wollman Rink for ice skating
Belvedere Castle: a castle in the center of Central Park! This castle has been restored and now open from 9 am to 7 pm

Central Park Gapstow Bridge — Gapstow Bridge

6. LITTLE ISLAND

Little Island is New York’s newest attraction to open in 2021. It’s located on the west side near the Highline and Meatpacking District. Visitors can visit for free anytime without tickets from 6 am to 12 pm and anytime after 12 pm to 1 am all visitors need timed entry tickets. Reserve your timed entry here.

7. LOVE SHACK FANCY

There are two locations: West Village & Upper East Side on Madison Ave. Love Shack Fancy is the perfect place to get in some floral shots. The storefront is decorated with flowers that you can’t help but admire the display. Any time is a good time to go since the area is not too busy and the decorations change seasonally.

8. SEZANE

Located in Soho, Sezane is a clothing store that has its storefront decorated with florals. Each season there is a new display.

9. YUMI KIM

Located in between the East Village and Lower East Side, Yumi Kim has a floral wall on the side of the store that makes the perfect photo spot. The wall is beautifully painted every few months with a new design so make sure to check back every so often! It’s currently a pink floral wall for summer 2020!

10. LIBRARIES & BOOKSTORES

New York has some awesome bookstores and it helps when they’re Insta worthy!

New York Public Library (476 5th Ave) – multiple photo opportunities outside and inside
The Morgan Library & Museum (225 Madison Ave) – tickets are $22 for adults and $13 with student ID
Housing Works Bookstore Cafe & Bar (126 Crosby St) – this bookstore has two floors and makes a great photo spot on the stairs
Albertine Bookstore (972 5th Ave) – this bookstore has a stunning purple ceiling, making it super magical!
Alabaster Bookshop (122 4th Ave) – please note while shooting here the staff said no photos but I think iPhone photos are okay.
Mercer Steet Books (206 Mercer St) – cute outside storefront
Casa Magazines (22 8th Ave) – I love all of the magazines surrounding the shop

Mercer Street Books — Alabaster Bookshop

11. FLATIRON BUILDING

The Flatiron Building is a very popular and iconic photo spot located in the Flatiron District. It can be very busy throughout the day but if you want to see less of a crowd, the best time to go is early in the morning.

12. ROOFTOPS

New York is all about the rooftops by my favorite ones are ones that are made for Insta! Check out my post on the Best Rooftops in Manhattan but a few Insta-worthy rooftop favorites are:

Eataly La Birreria changes the decorations seasonally and is one of the prettiest pink places for photos during the summer
PHD Terrace Midtown
The Skylark
Press Lounge
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar has great views of the Empire State Building and during winter months they have igloos to help keep you warm!
Royalton Park Avenue Rooftop is small but has a great rooftop view of Midtown along with a stunning view of the Empire State Building from the pool deck

Royalton Park Avenue Rooftop — 230 Fifth Bar

13. WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK

Known for its stately arch and fountain, Washington Square Park is located in the historic Greenwich Village. I love shooting in this park because of all the different angles and locations to shoot. The best time to go is in the early morning since the park can get very busy and lively during the rest of the day.

14. RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

A classic photo spot is Radio City Music Hall. I love taking photos here for the corner photos with a yellow taxi cab driving by!

15. THE VESSEL

Since its opening, the Vessel has become a very popular and tourist attraction. Although it is not open early enough to catch the sunrise, it is another great spot to watch the sunset! Since it is located right by the water at Hudson Yards, beware because it can be very windy! Unfortunately, it has now been closed to go into The Vessel but still a great location for photos outside.

The two best dining options with a view of The Vessel are also Insta-worthy!

Queensyard: Great for a date night and request for window seating
Estiatorio Milos: The outside terrace with the view of The Vessel is perfect for brunch/lunch
Wild Ink: A great Asian restaurant with views of The Vessel

16. THE EDGE

The Edge is the newest tourist attraction in New York City and will be one of the best Instagram spots for photos. It’s also the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. The best time to visit is at 10 am when they open for fewer crowds and there’s also a glass floor!

17. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

The Empire State Building is an iconic location to visit for amazing views of the city. They offer 360-degree views from two floors including their newest observation deck on the 102nd floor that opened in the Fall of 2019. Ticket prices vary but I suggest visiting both observation decks on the 86th floor which is outdoors and the 102nd floor. I visited during sunrise which is an extra fee but it’s totally worth it! Sunset is also just as magical.

18. MOYNIHAN TRAIN HALL

This is the newest and most updated train station in New York City! The city is spending over $16B for the renovations and it’s about time they finally upgraded this place because it was really old and dirty.

19. GRAND CENTRAL

A world-famous landmark, Grand Central is located in Midtown Manhattan known as a transportation hub. Not only is the terminal used for transportation, but there is also shopping and dining. Grand Central is so big and unique that you’ll find yourself making plenty of Insta-worthy shots inside and outside Grand Central.

20. TIMES SQUARE

As a major tourist attraction filled with entertainment and popular retailers, Times Square is a big and bright neighborhood. The best time to go for fewer crowds is in the early morning or late evening but I’d recommend going in the evening because all the lights and installations are shining bright giving your photos a fun and energetic vibe.

21. HUDSON RIVER PARK AT PIER 40

Pier 40 has great views of downtown and the World Trade Center. It has fewer crowds and it’s a great spot for sunset.

22. PIER 35

Not a lot of people know about this pier! It has great views of downtown Manhattan and the Manhattan Bridge. If you’re lucky you can even enjoy the swings there! It’s usually taken but just wait around and you can get one too!

23. NORTH 5TH STREET PIERS – WILLIAMSBURG

If you find yourself in Williamsburg, head to N5th St Piers for views of the city and direct views of the Empire State Building.

24. LAVENDER LANE (FDR)

One of my favorite colors is lavender and along the FDR is Lavender Lane! A lavender/purple bridge that runs along with Lower Manhattan. I suggest starting around Seaport District that way you have plenty of photo options: the bridge, Seaport District, Pier 1 and explore Wall St.

25. OCULUS

Serving as the centerpiece of the World Trade Center transportation hub, the Oculus is widely known for its memorial and representation of the September 11 attack. The Oculus is open 24-hours so I’d recommend going super early in the morning before everyone starts to travel for work or late in the evening for night photography. There are plenty of insta-worthy opportunities outside and inside.

26. EAST VILLAGE (9th St and Stuyvesant)

This spot is great for photos! The uneven pavement, brick buildings, and greenery give a beautiful rustic feel to your photos.

27. SUBWAYS

New York is known for its subway stations and some of them are pretty insta-worthy. Below are a few of my favorite subway stops for photos:

28th Station inside with floral Mural (4, 5, 6)
23rd Station with Empire State Building (R, W)
Fulton St with Oculus in the background (4, 5)

28. STAPLE STREET SKYBRIDGE IN TRIBECA

Located in Tribeca, this is a really cool spot to get some photos. The structures and brick buildings are a nice touch of detail!

29. HOTELS

New York is full of beautiful hotels, hotels with a view, and even the most Instagrammable hotels are in NYC. Here are a few of my favorite Insta-worthy hotels:

Arlo Soho – outdoor patio changes seasonally
Dream Midtown – rooftop
Equinox Hotel – rooftop pool
Public Hotels – lighted escalator
The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel – interior courtyard of hotel rooms
Mandarin Oriental – the best rooms with Central Park views
NoMo Soho – entrance archway
Novotel Hotel – rooftop views of Times Square
The NoMad – the library
The Plaza – outside shots with taxi and inside interior is just gorgeous
The Ludlow Hotel – major bathroom goals with gold and white marble
The Royalton Park Avenue – rooftop pool with a view of the Empire State Building
Baccarat Hotel – one of the most luxurious hotels in NYC. The hotel is decked out in all white marble with stunning chandeliers
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge – this hotel offers a ton of Instagrammable moments. The rooftop, rooftop pool and the suite with a hammock
The Williamsburg Hotel – major bathroom goals with gold and blue tiles. Splurge on the suite with a tub view of Manhattan

30. CUTE CAFES, COFFEE SHOPS, AND RESTAURANTS

During the pandemic, the city has also offered outdoor dining and you can read more about the Best Outdoor Dining in New York here. Below is a list of Instagrammable cafes in New York:

Maman Soho is one of my favorites for the outdoor garden and floral decorations
Osteria La Baia is new in 2021. It’s a cute Italian restaurant with floral decorations and a cute Italian floral car decorated outside the restaurant
L Room Cafe – glitter lattes and cute pink tables
Luxamor (scheduled to reopen Aug 2020) – cute pink interior and teapots
Jue Lan Club – is located at the Limelight building and has the cutest pink bar and pink umbrellas making it one of my favorite pink locations for photos.
Pietro Nolita – for the pink storefront and one of the most insta-worthy pink locations
Blank Slate Tea – pink seats and really delicious food
Tacombi on Bleecker – cute bar
La Esquina Soho – storefront of soda bottles
Asiate at Mandarin Oriental – views of Columbus Circle
Remi Flower & Coffee – the cutest coffee shop inside a flower store
Estiatorio Milos & Queensyard at Hudson Yards – restaurant views of The Vessel
Marea has a new flower installation arch for outdoor dining
Delmonicos has been open since 1837 and is an iconic restaurant in New York City. The exterior is Insta-worthy and if you’re lucky to capture the image with a yellow taxi driving by

New York can keep you busy for weeks with the endless amount of the best Instagram spots! If you find yourself posting awesome photos from these locations I’ll love to see them! Please make sure to tag me on Instagram @tourdelust.