Where to Take the Best Photos in New York? Our 10 Must-See Spots

The most populated city in the US, New York, is situated on one of the biggest natural harbours in the world at the southernmost point of New York State. Financial, commercial, cultural, technology, entertainment, media, scientific, arts, fashion, and international diplomacy are all centred in New York, which also houses the UN headquarters. It has a ton of beautiful locations! Although it is difficult to pick just ten, we have compiled a list of our top ten locations for stunning photos while you're there.

We're sharing our top picks for breathtaking photo spots in New York in this guide. In order to avoid crowds and capture the ideal light, we also advise you on the best time and method to visit each location.

Let's take a tour of the city's most picturesque locations, ideal for making memories along the way.

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1. Brooklyn Bridge

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The Brooklyn Bridge is a suspension bridge with cable stays that connects the Manhattan and Brooklyn boroughs across the East River. It was the first permanent East River crossing, opening in 1883. With a deck 127 feet above mean high water and a main span of 1,595.5 feet, it was also the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was first opened. Originally known as the East River Bridge, the structure was formally christened the Brooklyn Bridge in 1915. The bridge has been the scene of several assaults and acts of vandalism throughout the years, in addition to stunts and performances.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  One of the most iconic bridges in the world with skyline views.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Sunrise, when it’s quiet and golden light hits the towers.
• Photography tip 📷
  Stand in the middle lane to capture the perfect symmetry of the cables.

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2. Top of the Rock – Rockefeller Center

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The Rockefeller Centre is a 22-acre complex of 19 commercial buildings located in the Midtown Manhattan neighbourhood between 48th and 51st Street. The Rockefeller family commissioned the 14 original Art Deco buildings, which are located between Fifth and Sixth Avenue and are divided by a sizable sunken space and a private street known as Rockefeller Plaza. Four International Style buildings on the west side of Sixth Avenue and 75 Rockefeller Plaza across 51st Street at the north end of Rockefeller Plaza are examples of later expansions.

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• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  The only viewpoint from which you can see the Empire State Building.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Sunset, to catch the city glowing as lights turn on.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot both north (Central Park) and south (Empire State) for contrast.

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3. Central Park Bow Bridge

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The Bow Bridge is a pedestrian walkway that spans the lake in Central Park and is made of cast iron. It has eight planting urns on top of ornamental bas-relief panels and a bannister made of interlocking circles. Beneath the span arch are volutes and intricate arabesque features. Although the balustrade is 43 metres long, the bridge's 87-foot span is the longest of any in the park. The Bow Bridge is designed to stand out from its surroundings, in contrast to the other bridges in Central Park that are not very noticeable. Of the seven beautiful iron bridges in Central Park, the Bow Bridge is the only one that does not cross a bridle path.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A romantic archway and fountain surrounded by nature.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Fall, when the leaves add warm colors.
• Photography tip 📷
  Frame your shot through the arches for a cinematic look.

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4. Times Square

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With an estimated 50 million visitors a year, Times Square is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is a significant business crossroads, a popular tourist destination, a centre for entertainment, and a neighbourhood. It is created at the intersection of 42nd Street, Seventh Avenue, and Broadway. Numerous digital billboards and commercials, together with businesses that provide 24/7 service, brighten Times Square. It is the centre of the Broadway Theatre District and a significant hub for the global entertainment industry, making it one of the busiest pedestrian crossroads in the world.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  The beautiful center of neon lights and nonstop action.
• Best time to visit  📅
  At night, when the billboards light up.
• Photography tip 📷
  Use a slower shutter speed to capture light trails of taxis.

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5. DUMBO, Brooklyn

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Dumbo is a Brooklyn neighbourhood borough that is divided into two parts: one that is located between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, which span the East River and connect Brooklyn to Manhattan, and another that runs east from the Manhattan Bridge to the Vinegar Hill neighbourhood. Brooklyn Heights to the south, Vinegar Hill to the east, Brooklyn Bridge Park to the north, and the Brooklyn Bridge to the west all enclose the neighbourhood. Dumbo is a member of Community Board 2 in Brooklyn. Throughout history, Dumbo has gone by a number of names, including Gairville, Rapailie, Olympia, and Walentasville.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  The Manhattan Bridge is perfectly framed between red-brick warehouses.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Morning, before crowds arrive.
• Photography tip 📷
  Stand at Washington Street for the classic postcard shot.

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6. Flatiron Building

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The Flatiron Building, formerly known as the Fuller Building, is a 22-story triangular structure made of steel that is located at 175 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan's Flatiron District. East 23rd Street grazes the northern (uptown) peak of the triangle created by Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and East 22nd Street, where the building's 87-foot back end is situated. Its triangular shape, which resembles a cast-iron clothes iron, is where the name "Flatiron" originates.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Its triangular shape makes it one of NYC’s most unique icons.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Late afternoon for warm side-light.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot from across 23rd Street for a dramatic angle.

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7. High Line

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A former Central Railway spur on the West Side was converted into the 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park, greenway, and rail path known as the High Line. A "living system" has been created out of the abandoned spur by incorporating elements from ecology, urban planning, and landscape architecture. The Coulée verte, a 4.7-kilometer elevated park in Paris that was finished in 1993 and features tree-lined walkways, served as the model for the High Line. Since its June 2009 opening, the High Line has become a symbol of modern landscape design in the United States.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  An elevated park mixing greenery with urban architecture.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Spring or summer, when flowers are in bloom.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot along the railings to create natural leading lines.

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8. Grand Central Terminal

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Midtown Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal is a commuter train station located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue. Additionally, it provides service to the Long Island Rail Road via Grand Central Madison, a 16-acre station expansion constructed between 2007 and 2023 beneath the Metro-North rails. At the Grand Central–42nd Street station, the terminal also has a connection to the New York City Subway. After Toronto Union Station and New York Penn Station, the terminal is the third-busiest rail station in North America.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A Beaux-Arts masterpiece with a stunning celestial ceiling.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Midday, when light beams through the giant windows.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot from the balcony to capture motion of commuters below.

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9. Edge at Hudson Yards

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Situated close to Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea, and the Penn Station neighbourhood, Hudson Yards is a supertall skyscraper on the West Side. It is a component of the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project, which aims to renovate the West Side Yard owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. It is the ninth-tallest structure in the US and the seventh-tallest in New York City. The structure features a bar and event area on the 101st story, and a triangular observation deck called The Edge that protrudes from the 100th floor.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  It’s the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere with jaw-dropping panoramic views.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Sunset — when the skyline glows golden and city lights begin to sparkle.
• Photography tip 📷
  Step onto the glass floor for a shot straight down to the streets below.

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10. Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry

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Liberty Island is home to the enormous neoclassical statue known as the Statue of Liberty. A French sculptor created the copper-clad statue, which the French people gave to the United States. The dedication of the statue took place on October 28, 1886. The statue depicts a woman in a classical drape, probably drawing inspiration from Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty. She is posing contrapposto, holding a torch above her head with her right hand while holding a tabula ansata bearing the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in her left. Following its consecration, the statue came to represent freedom and the United States, serving as a welcoming sign for immigrants who arrived by sea.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  The world’s symbol of freedom—free to see from the ferry.
• Best time to visit 📅
  The world’s symbol of freedom—free to see from the ferry.
• Photography tip 📷
  Use a zoom lens to frame Lady Liberty with Manhattan behind.

Final Thoughts

These are the top photography spots you won't want to miss in New York. However, there is much more to see and enjoy, as the city offers endless photo opportunities. Take a walk and explore more, and make both your day and your photos amazing. Hopefully, this guide will help you capture your best moments in New York.

Ready to explore?
Don’t forget to bring extra storage, as you’ll be taking a lot of photos.

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