Top 10 Places to Take Photos in NYC

Best places to take photos in New York City

New York City is America’s greatest multitasker. It’s world-famous for pretty much everything, and you could spend many lifetimes trying to experience everything the Big Apple has to offer. 🍎 Famous architecture like the Flatiron Building, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and more make up this iconic skyline that greet you as you cross into bustling Manhattan, and the magic of New York is an unforgettable experience each and every visit. 📸  If you are looking for the best places to take photos in New York City, we’ve rounded up the can’t-miss photo spots around the city into a walking tour just for you, so strap on your most comfortable shoes and let’s go!

Here at Flytographer, we easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots and have captured over three million memories worldwide. Today, we asked our local photographers to show us around all the very best places to take photos in New York City!

TLDR

(A little sneak peek just for you 😊)

1. Central Park: The 840 sprawling acres of nature juxtaposed by the surrounding skyscrapers just may be one of the best photography spots in NYC.
2. Gapstow Bridge & Skyline: A quaint stone bridge with a stunning view of the Manhattan Skyline.
3. The High Line: The city gave this old railroad track a makeover into an above-ground public park.
4. Greenwich Village: This neighbourhood is situated in Lower Manhattan, and Washington Square Park is the cultural hub spot where worlds collide.
5. SoHo: One of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Lower Manhattan is SoHo, an acronym for “South of Houston Street.”
6. Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO: This popular Brooklyn neighbourhood has been revamped from its industrial roots into a hotspot for dining, recreation and shopping.
7. Williamsburg: This trendy neighbourhood is a hipster’s paradise, where live music, artisan-run shops, and galleries bring a creative-cool vibe to every block.
8. Prospect Park & Brooklyn Botanical Garden: In the heart of Brooklyn is another beautiful spot to surround yourself with nature and of course, beautiful flowers!
9. Staten Island: Beaches, wildlife refuges, botanic gardens and a Yankees minor league game are a few activities to check off on a day-trip to Staten Island.
10. Times Square & Rockefeller Center: Rockefeller Center gives you THE BEST view of the Empire State Building.

Photo: Kari in New York City for Flytographer. Bradley and partner capture memories in New York City with a proposal photoshoot at the Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO.

1. Central Park

“Visit Central Park, any time of the day, and just wander as much or as little as you’d like. There is an endless number of sites within the iconic park, but I’d say Bow Bridge is one of my top favourite spots.” —Marilyn, Flytographer

The 840 sprawling acres of nature juxtaposed by the surrounding skyscrapers just may be one of the best photography spots in NYC. 🏙  The iconic Bethesda Terrace and Bethesda Fountain are the heartbeat of the park, and you can’t miss the Metropolitan Museum of Art (known simply as “The Met”) along 5th Avenue. But the best way to enjoy Central Park like a New Yorker? Simply relax under a tree with a picnic and enjoy the views — it’s one of the few spots in “the city that never sleeps” where time seems to slow down. 🌲

Photo: Amanda in New York City for Flytographer. Stacy and family capture memories in NYC with a family photoshoot at Central Park.

2. Gapstow Bridge & Skyline

Within Central Park lies a quaint stone bridge with a stunning view of the Manhattan Skyline. You’ll see iconic New York buildings like the Plaza Hotel, as well as almost-terrifyingly tall and modern skyscrapers being built before your eyes. This bridge feels frozen in time as the rest of the city grows and changes around it, making for especially magical photos. ✨

Photo: Kari in New York City for Flytographer. Michael and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at Gapstow Bridge & Skyline.

3. The High Line

“The High Line is a unique way to take a walk and also see some very interesting and grand apartments along your route! Situated above the street, this old elevated railroad track is now a lovely green space.” —Marilyn, Flytographer

Turning lemons into lemonade, 🍋  the city gave this old railroad track a makeover into an above-ground public park. Art installations, city skyline views, and food and drink options create the most relaxing pedestrian walkway experience in the city. Afterwards, head under the High Line to the Chelsea Market food hall serving up dishes and ingredients from around the world — the globe at your fingertips!🍴

Photo: Amanda in New York City for Flytographer. Meridith and their partner capture memories in NYC with a couple photoshoot at the High Line.

4. Greenwich Village

This neighbourhood is situated in Lower Manhattan, and Washington Square Park is the cultural hub spot where worlds collide. 🌎  A meeting place for the young and young at heart, you’ll find NYU students, musicians, skateboarders, chess extraordinaires and businesspeople on break mingling together in classic New York style. It’s one of those iconic neighbourhoods that you can’t help but fall in love with. You’ll even see these streets and park featured in many films, and don’t miss a photo of the Empire State Building framed perfectly inside the Washington Square Arch. (Local tip: It’s pronounced “gren-itch,” not “green-witch”… or you can just call it “the Village.” 😉)

Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Jacqueline and friends capture memories in New York City with a friends photoshoot in Greenwich Village.

5. SoHo

One of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Lower Manhattan is SoHo, an acronym for “South of Houston Street.” It’s the premiere shopping district of New York, so keep your wallets fully stocked (or opt for some drool-worthy window shopping 👜). Boutique hotels, independent designers and luxury shopping line the sidewalks, so this is the area to don your most fashionable outfits. Perhaps you’ll even be inspired to order yourself a Manhattan after a long day of shopping! 🥃

Photo: Monika in New York City for Flytographer. Hayley captures memories with a friend in NYC on a friends photoshoot in SoHo.

6. Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO

“Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and reward yourself with some Ample Hills Ice Cream at Brooklyn Bridge Park after! Sunset is a great time to walk and catch the gorgeous scenery.” —Marilyn, Flytographer

Is there anything more iconic than a sunrise stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge? 🌅   We recommend starting on the Manhattan side, so you can end your walk in DUMBO (which stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) for views along the water of Manhattan, including the One World Trade Center. This popular Brooklyn neighbourhood has been revamped from its industrial roots into a hotspot for dining, recreation and shopping. Pebble Beach is our favourite photo spot along the East River!

Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Shrushti and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at the Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO.

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7. Williamsburg

This trendy neighbourhood, a short L train ride from Manhattan, is a hipster’s paradise, where live music, artisan-run shops, and galleries bring a creative-cool vibe to every block. 🎶 Locally-made is king here, and it’s a neighbourhood made for wandering. You’ll likely discover a hole-in-the-wall spot or Instagrammable street art that can’t be found in any blog, and that’s the beauty of Williamsburg! 😎

Photo: Marilyn in New York City for Flytographer. Piper captures memories with their partner in NYC with a couple photoshoot near the Brooklyn Bridge.

Piper’s Travel Tip for New York City

“We highly recommend going to a comedy show at the Comedy Cellar. Make reservations ahead of time, grab a slice at Artichoke Basille’s pizza around the corner before and enjoy the show! If you’re up for a surprise or can’t decide which Broadway show you want to see we also suggest buying tickets through Broadway Roulette. We got great seats to a show we otherwise would not have picked but absolutely enjoyed while we were there and the surprise was half the fun! Also, do yourself a favor and book a Flytographer shoot with Marilyn! Not only will you have the best photos to remember your trip, but you’ll spend time with one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet.” – Piper (photographed above)

Read more New York City travel tips from Flytographer customers.

8. Prospect Park & Brooklyn Botanical Garden

Central Park may be the best-known park in NYC, but it’s certainly not the only sprawling green space to be enjoyed in the city. ☀️  Prospect Park in the heart of Brooklyn is another beautiful spot to surround yourself with nature, and it’s certainly less crowded than its more popular counterpart. Don’t miss the Brooklyn Botanical Garden for art installations, fun events and of course, beautiful flowers! 🌻

Photo: Armando in New York City for Flytographer. Michelle and their partner capture memories in NYC with a couple photoshoot at Central Park.

9. Staten Island

“Take the Staten Island Ferry! This might seem underwhelming, but it’s 100% free, and gives you a sweet boat ride with a view of the Statue of Liberty! Skip rush hours like early morning when folks are commuting to work, and take it around midday or later in the evening instead.” —Marilyn, Flytographer

When viewed from Manhattan, the famous Statue of Liberty can be … well … disappointing. Check off a much better view from the water as you make your way to New York City’s greenest borough via the public ferry. 🚢  Beaches, wildlife refuges, botanic gardens and a Yankees minor league game are a few activities to check off on a day trip to Staten Island.

Photo: Armando in New York City for Flytographer.  Instagram couple, Allie and Sam capture memories on their trip to NYC with a couple photoshoot in Brooklyn with the Staten Island Ferry in the background.

10. Times Square & Rockefeller Center

“Visit the top of Rockefeller Center at sunset or nighttime! It’s known to be a bit less crowded later in the night. Most people opt to go atop the Empire State Building, but I always prefer going up Rockefeller Center, because it gives you THE BEST view of the Empire State.” —Marilyn, Flytographer

It’s one of the biggest decisions of the trip for those who love sky-high views of the city: the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock? We always suggest the latter because, as our local expert said, the best view is of the Empire State Building rather than on it! As with most beautiful locations, arrive early to score the beautiful views all to yourself… plus, we love the reward of a morning coffee and bagel after an early wake-up call! 🥯

Friendly reminder: Rockefeller Center is an extremely crowded location. Flytographer customers are encouraged to pick a different spot for their shoot.

Photo: Amanda in New York City for Flytographer. Jody and her daughter capture memories in Times Square on a family photoshoot in NYC.

Capture Memories in New York City

Ready to immerse yourself in the energy of New York? Choose one of your favourite places to take photos in New York City and book a shoot with one of our amazing Flytographers! 📸