New York City has countless Instagram photography spots. This list of 10 New York City Instagram Spots focuses on outdoor photos spots. Even though a global pandemic has limited travel, these are places where you can keep a safe distance from others. These 10 outdoor New York Instagram spots will lead you to beautiful parts of New York City:
1. Central Park
One of the most famous parks in the world, Central Park is a must see. The park is massive, over 840 acres, so be sure to plan which areas you want to see and explore. I recommend the Great Lawn, Loeb Boathouse, Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, and the Bow Bridge. Many of these areas are recognizable as Central Park has been photographed and filmed in countless movies.
2. Iconic Buildings: Empire State and Flatiron
New York is known for several iconic buildings. While they aren’t secret spots, stopping for instagram photos at the Empire State Building and Flatiron Building are classic outdoor photo opportunities!
3. Friends Apartment and Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment
One fun outdoor activity in NYC is to search for buildings filmed in popular TV shows or movies. We planned our own walking tour of the West Village. Here we were able to see the apartment building shown during every intro of Friends (90 Bedford St). You can also see the front steps of the building portrayed as Carrie Bradshaw’s Upper East Side apartment in Sex and the City. The address on the show was fictional, but iconic front steps can be found at 64-66 Perry Street, a short 7-minute walk from the Friends Apartment.
4. The Vessel in Hudson Yards
One of New York City’s newest attractions, the Vessel in Hudson Yards is a unique work of architecture. It photographs beautifully inside and out, but unfortunately it is no longer available to be climbed. You can still take some awesome shots of it from the outside.
5. Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is a great area of NYC to explore, but it is extra special during the Christmas holidays. In December, this part of the city transforms into a winter wonderland. A visit to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree should be on everyone’s winter travel list at least once. Also don’t miss taking photos in front of the famous Radio City Music Hall.
6. Brooklyn Bridge
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is a must for any visit to New York. The Brooklyn Bridge is over 150 years old and was a standout feat of engineering from the 19th Century. The views are stunning from either direction, but I recommend walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan. The bridge is usually packed with tourists, so going early for a morning walk for a more relaxing photography experience.
7. Manhattan Bridge, DUMBO
Photographing the Manhattan Bridge in this popular spot in DUMBO can be added to your walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. This is another spot that is usually jammed with visitors, but an early morning visit may offer the best views.
8. Long Island City – Pepsi Cola Sign
After living on the East Side of Manhattan, I would see the Pepsi Cola sign in Long Island City from afar all the time. One day, I decided to change my running route and go see the sign up close. It was a long run (over 9-miles), but worth it for an alternative view of New York City!
9. The Oculus
The next two locations are technically outdoor and indoor photo locations. They are both public buildings offering enough space to keep your distance from others. The Oculus is a unique architectural structure which is actually a train station and a mall. The World Trade Center terminal of the PATH system and it is one end of the Westfield Mall. Photography fans will enjoy shooting the building both inside and out. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Oculus was intended to resemble a dove leaving a child’s hands.
Bonus: Nearby, One World Trade is a beautiful building to photograph from the outside, but when it is safe to travel again I recommend booking a visit to see the view of New York City from the top!
10. Grand Central Terminal
Another famous transit location to photograph is Grand Central Terminal located in midtown Manhattan. Some of the best photography spots include the celestial ceiling and the 20 million dollar clock information booth found in the main concourse. Be sure to photograph the outside of the terminal including the Tiffany glass clock and 48 foot high statue located above the south facing entrance.
That’s a wrap on 10 New York City Instagram Spots. There are so many more hidden gems to find, but experiencing these outdoor photo spots is a great start to creating a New York City weekend itinerary.
We also have posts highlighting instagram worthy photo spots in Chicago, Austin, and Singapore.
