12 most Instagrammable places in New York City

12 most Instagrammable places in New York City

From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, these Instagrammable spots in NYC are the best places to take the perfect photos.

New York City is the most Instagrammed city in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Day or night, the photo ops across its five boroughs are second to none. From iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty to those spectacular skyline views, there’s nothing like a trip to the Big Apple to level up your IG feed. But where are the best places in NYC for grid-worthy photos?

With so many things to do in NYC, we turned to our favorite travel creators to share their go-to spots for the best shots of New York City, from the most famous sights to their off-the-beaten-path secrets. And because the best Instagram posts are the ones you haven’t seen a thousand times before, they’ve also shared their tips on snapping the perfect picture. Don’t worry about finding them — there’s a Google Maps link to lead you right there.

Ready to get your most likes ever? Here are NYC’s most Instagrammable places.

1. Central Park

“Central Park is a must-visit during any trip to New York, and with every visit comes a pack of photo ops. From its most popular attractions like the Strawberry Fields, Central Park Zoo, and The Mall, which looks completely different in every season, to more unexpected moments like when the skyscrapers peek out behind ancient trees, your phone memory will be full in no time.”-@unfamiliar.land

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2. Tudor City Bridge

“We used to live close to this little gem in Manhattan, an overpass near the UN Headquarters, and would walk to it daily. There are rarely many people around as it's a bit far from major attractions, but the views of 42nd street are really worth making it a stop on your itinerary.”–@yourlocalexplorers

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3. DUMBO

“This might be the most obvious Instagram spot in NYC, but that’s why it has to be on the list. At the intersection of Water Street and Washington Street in this Brooklyn neighborhood, you’ll see exactly where the name DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) came from. There’s a perfect view of the Manhattan Bridge, framed by the warehouse buildings on either side of the street that leads to the river. It’s everyone’s favorite photoshoot location, so arrive before breakfast to see it at its least crowded.”-@daisyromaniello

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4. Pier 17

“Pier 17 offers stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge, East River, and Manhattan skyline. This vibrant waterfront area is also home to art installations and great places to grab a drink or some food too.”-unfamiliar.land

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5. Bethesda Fountain

“Bethesda Fountain is an iconic jewel in Central Park. The centerpiece of Bethesda Terrace is one of the most well-known landmarks in the park. It’s particularly special to photograph at dusk when the sky is golden and the amber lights illuminate the covered terrace.”-@unfamiliar.land

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6. Grand Central Terminal

“Sadly, the famous light beams from vintage photos are a thing of the past as the modern skyscrapers have blocked the sun, but Grand Central Station is still pretty photogenic. Visit during the day to see the concourse and spectacular zodiac ceiling flooded with light, or at night when the chandeliers are lit. For a great shot with the concourse in the background, go upstairs and stand in front of the Apple store. It’s always crowded, so make your peace with not getting a photo without no one else in it before you go and enjoy the energy of the space.”-@camilamontreal

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7. Times Square

“My secret spot to take the best photos in Times Square is right in front of the George M. Cohan statue. The statue is in the heart of Times and for sure is the best view you will ever get. Visit just before the Midnight Moment, the world's largest, longest-running digital art exhibition that happens at 11:57 PM every night. It will be one of the quietest times to see Times Square and certainly the most spectacular.”-@camilamontreal

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8. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

“SUMMIT is one of NYC’s newest observation decks and is packed with stunning metallic and mirrored installations as well as amazing views. When to go is a little more tricky. The quietest time is the first time slot of the day, but the most Instagrammable time is after sunset when the city lights are reflected all around you, it just also happens to be the busiest.”-@marcia.explores

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9. Bow Bridge

“Believe it or not, there are still some quiet spots in the buzz of NYC, many of which you can find in Central Park. It's beautiful in every season, but we probably love it the most during fall. Visit the Bow Bridge near sunset and the golden glow will complement the warmly colored leaves for a spectacular and serene post — the San Remo Building in the background will remind everyone you’re in one of the busiest cities in the world.”–@yourlocalexplorers

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10. Brooklyn Bridge

“A walk across Brooklyn Bridge is a must while visiting NYC and the iconic crossing provides great photo ops. The bridge is open 24/7 and you can get the bridge almost to yourself if you get there early in the morning, but there’s no bad time to visit. If the halfway point is crowded, rest assured there are no bad views for the full mile-long span.”-@realworldrunaway

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11. Edge

“At Edge, you can lean out over the city on angled glass walls for a view like no other. Normally, there's a small line for this photo spot, but the wait time is usually only five minutes to get the hair-raising shot. Go at sunset and watch the city transition from day to night — the perfect Instagram story.”- @petitesfeet

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12. Belvedere Castle

“Discover the enchantment of Belvedere Castle, nestled within the heart of Central Park. A magical destination open to the public, where history and nature intertwine, it had brilliant views across the park, including the nearby Turtle Pond and Delacorte Theater.”-@unfamiliar.land

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