25 Most Instagrammable Places In New York City

Last Updated on 19th July 2024

This post about the most Instagrammable places in New York City contains affiliate links.

Are you planning a trip to the Big Apple and looking for the most Instagrammable places in NYC? I’ve got you covered with my ultimate list of the best New York Instagram spots below!

New York is one of the most photogenic cities in the world. From the iconic Empire State Building to the impressive views of the New York skyline from the Staten Island Ferry to the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Central Park, NYC is home to so many incredible photo spots!

If you’re heading to the city soon and you want to find the top NYC Instagram spots, I’ve got just the post for you!

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Top tours and attractions in New York – Instagrammable Places In NYC

1. Summit One Vanderbilt Observation Deck
2. Manhattan Island Helicopter Tour
3. Top of the Rock Observation Deck
4. Empire State Building Observation Deck
5. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Cruise
6. Edge Observation Deck
7. 9/11 Memorial and Museum Tour
8. One World Observatory
9. Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
10. Broadway Show

Read more: NYC Pass Comparison – Which New York City Pass Is Best?

The 25 most Instagrammable places in New York City

I’ve compiled some of my favourite Instagrammable places in New York in this post; let me know in the comments if you’ve visited any and which ones are on your New York bucket list!

1. The Rockefeller Center

For those of you who’ve been reading my blog for a while and following me on social media, you’ll know that The Rockefeller Center is my favourite place in the entire world.

My personal bias aside, it’s also one of the most Instagrammable places in New York, especially at Christmas time when the Rockefeller Tree sits proudly looking down on the ice rink below.

Regardless of the time of year you visit, The Rockefeller Center is always teeming with tourists admiring the impressive building complex and it makes for an incredible Instagram shot if you can manage to get the whole of the Top of the Rock building in!

Read more: The Best New York Observation Decks For Amazing Views

2. The Top Of The Rock observation deck

While you may think this point is the same as the one above, I can assure you that it’s actually quite different (and arguably the most Instagrammable place in the whole of New York City!).

The view from the Top of the Rock will provide you with the most mesmerising views of the whole of Manhattan, including the Empire State Building, Central Park, One World Trade and even the Statue of Liberty in the far distance.

This is my favourite place in the world and every time I climb to the top of the viewing platform, I honestly have to hold back tears as it’s just so breathtakingly beautiful, especially at sunset.

Buy your tickets to the Top of the Rock here!

3. The Empire State Building – Instagrammable places in New York City

The Empire State Building is a defining attribute of the Manhattan skyline and you’d be hard-pressed not to take at least a dozen pictures of it during your trip to New York City!

Whether it’s from the ground looking up at the towering skyscraper above, or you check it out from one of the city’s other observation decks or viewpoints, the Empire State Building cannot be missed during your trip to New York!

Buy your tickets to the Empire State Building here!

4. Summit One Vanderbilt

Summit One Vanderbilt is one of the five observation decks in NYC and it’s arguably one of the best in terms of the views it offers, as well as the incredible immersive attractions and exhibitions featured throughout.

The views of the Manhattan skyline obviously make it one of the most Instagrammable places in New York City, but the observation deck at Summit itself is also an iconic NYC Instagram spot!

Read more: Is Summit One Vanderbilt Worth It? Observation Deck Review

5. Central Park

Central Park is world-renowned for being super photogenic as it’s home to an abundance of stunning statues, sculptures and gorgeous park areas.

There are also the likes of Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge and Central Park Zoo to snap pictures of during your visit to the Park. Wherever you are in Central Park, and regardless of the time of year that you visit, you’re sure to find dozens of Instagram photo opportunities as the whole park itself is a picturesque dream.

Read more: 7 Days In New York Itinerary – Ultimate 7-Day NYC Itinerary

6. The Statue of Liberty – Instagrammable places in New York

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous things in New York City, so it’s no wonder that it’s made its way onto this list of the most Instagrammable places in NYC!

Whether you enjoy the Statue of Liberty from the water on a cruise or you visit Liberty Island and see the iconic monument up close and personal, make sure you’re equipped with your camera when visiting one of the best Instagram spots in New York!

Read more: 10 Best Ways To Visit The Statue of Liberty

7. The High Line

The High Line is a beautiful elevated park/garden area that’s built upon an old railway line that runs for 1.45 miles along the west side of Manhattan.

Comprising stunning botanical features, views of the streets and buildings of Manhattan, as well as various vendors and street performers, the High Line truly is a stunning place to visit for some of the most Instagrammable shots of New York.

Read more: 37 Best Free Things To Do In New York

8. Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is also one of my favourite places in New York City. Known for its cinematographic appearances, as well as its offering of spectacular views of both Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge certainly doesn’t look out of place on Instagram.

It can get incredibly busy with tourists, especially during the summer months, but it’s still well worth the pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of the beautiful views of the Hudson River, the Manhattan skyline and a brief look into Brooklyn itself.

Read more: 1 Day Brooklyn NY Itinerary

9. Brooklyn Bridge Park – most Instagrammable places in New York City

Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre park area that sits on the waterside of the East River and is a stunning place to visit at any time of year.

While it’ll be much busier during the summer months, it’s definitely worth a visit to catch a glimpse of the views, as well as to enjoy spending time in the park itself. It’s one of the most Instagrammable places in NYC thanks to the incredible views of the Manhattan skyline, as well as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge.

Read more: One Day In NYC Itinerary For First-Time Visitors

10. Squibb Park Bridge – most Instagrammable places in Brooklyn

Squibb Park Bridge connects Brooklyn Bridge Park to Squibb Park and as you can see from the epic Manhattan skyline views above, it’s one of the most Instagrammable places in Brooklyn!

It’s worth visiting both during the day and at night to see the Manhattan skyline at different times of the day; I’m honestly not sure which view I prefer!

Read more: 30 Most Romantic Things To Do In NYC For Couples

11. DUMBO

DUMBO is another one of the most Instagrammable places in New York City thanks to the epic shot you can get of the Empire State Building hiding behind the archways of the Manhattan Bridge.

The streets at this viewpoint get super crowded with people all trying to snap a picture of one of the most Instagrammable spots in New York, but if you can brave the crowds, it’s worth it to get a shot of this incredible viewpoint!

12. Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is yet another incredibly iconic place in New York that’s been made even more famous thanks to its appearance in dozens of Hollywood movies and TV shows.

The colossal train station deserves a spot on this list of most Instagrammable places in New York as it looks as if it was designed purely to look photogenic in pictures. The domed ceilings, intrinsically detailed patterns and paintings, as well as the marbled flooring and walls all make for such a beautiful shot.

Read more: What Is New York Known For – What Is NYC Famous For?

13. Flat Iron Building – Instagrammable places in New York City

The Flat Iron Building absolutely deserves its place on this list as it’s one of the most beautiful and unique buildings in the whole of New York City.

Its distinctive shape is recognisable from a mile away, but up close is when you truly get to experience the uniqueness of the Flat Iron. My personal preference when capturing this iconic structure is to be slightly higher up – I love the shots I take of it when travelling on one of the many bus tours in New York.

14. Times Square

Times Square is famed for being one of the busiest places in the whole of the city, and while that seems to bother a lot of people, it’s actually one place that I feel most at home when in New York.

The blinding billboard lights of Times Square illuminate the whole of the square, whether it’s nighttime or during the day.

The street performers and the people dressed up trying to con you into getting your picture taken are best avoided, but the steps, the billboards and the overall overwhelming atmosphere of Times Square are definitely something you need to try and capture on camera.

Read more: 40 Best Hotels Near Times Square

15. 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar

230 Fifth Rooftop Bar is not only one of my favourite rooftop bars in New York, but it’s also one of the best New York Instagram spots!

From this remarkable rooftop, you can enjoy some of the best views of the Empire State Building as it’s just a few blocks from the city’s most notable skyscraper. The rooftop itself at 230 Fifth is also super gorgeous and very Instagrammable!

Read more: 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar NYC – Dress Code, Menu & Brunch

16. Vessel

Situated in Hudson Yards, at one end of the High Line, Vessel is a giant beehive-like structure with intertwining staircases positioned throughout.

Unfortunately, you can no longer ascend the staircases at Vessel due to a number of people jumping off the huge structure, but it can still be admired from the ground.

17. Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is one of the best places to hang out during the summer months in NYC. You’ll see a whole manner of different people going about their daily lives, and when you get the positioning right, you can see the Empire State Building through Washington Square Arch.

It’s also a beautiful Instagram spot in New York during the festive season when the Christmas Tree is lit up at Washington Square Park.

Read more: 4 Days In New York Itinerary – Ultimate 4-Day NYC Itinerary

18. Time Out Market New York

Time Out Market New York is another one of my favourite rooftop bars in New York City and it’s yet another one of the best Instagrammable places in NYC that can be enjoyed both during the day and at night.

The rooftop bar offers spectacular views of the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge and you can also see the towering One World Trade Center sitting proudly on the Manhattan skyline!

Read more: 50+ Best Places To Eat In New York City – NYC Best Restaurants

19. Fifth Avenue – Instagrammable places in New York City

Fifth Avenue itself is one of the most Instagrammable places in New York, but when you separate it into individual places along Fifth, you’ll see that there are so many other Instagram photo opportunities waiting to happen.

From The Plaza Hotel located right next to the 5th Avenue entrance of Central Park (my dream wedding location…) to the spectacular Tiffany & Co building (another one of my favourite places in the city) to the abundance of designer shops and sky-scraping buildings along the avenue, it’s such a beautiful place to stop and take pictures.

20. The Met Steps

Famed for their many appearances on countless episodes of Gossip Girl, the Met Steps are a tourist attraction in themselves.

While there’s nothing particularly grand or defining about them, their iconic status with regard to New York City TV culture means that they’re a one-stop shop for Instagrammers looking to recreate those iconic Blair Waldorf scenes.

Buy your guided tour tickets to the MET here!

21. The New York Public Library

Located right next to Bryant Park and just a few blocks from Times Square, the Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building, the New York Public Library flagship is one of the most beautiful buildings in Manhattan.

The interior of the library is arguably just as stunning as its impressive exterior, so it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re on the lookout for the most Instagrammable spots in NYC!

22. Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue is undoubtedly one of the most Instagrammable places in NYC at Christmas when the huge department store is adorned with dramatic festive light and music displays.

You’ll be battling the crowds to snap a pic of Saks during the festive months, but as soon as you see the breathtaking light show, it will all be worth it!

23. Greenwich Village

Another place in New York that’s been made famous thanks to the likes of Friends and Sex and the City, Greenwich Village also makes for a stunning backdrop for Instagram pictures.

The brownstone apartment buildings, the tree-lined streets, as well as the many Instagrammable cafes and restaurants all contribute to the appeal and attractiveness of Greenwich Village.

24. Dyker Heights – most Instagrammable places in New York City

Dyker Heights is yet another one of the most Instagrammable places in NYC at Christmas when the entire neighbourhood decorates their houses in the most amazing and lavish festive displays.

When I visited Dyker Heights for the first time in 2021, I was blown away by how many people decorate their house for the festive season and I came away with dozens of incredible Instagram-worthy photos!

25. The Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel has been my number one dream hotel to stay at in New York City ever since I can remember and that’s largely because it’s such a beautiful building, both inside and out!

Staying at The Plaza costs upwards of £600 a night, but you can still admire its stunning exterior and interior as you can wander around the lobby of the hotel, as well as the food court in the basement level of the hotel.

Related posts:

• 111 Bucket List Things To Do In New York
• 40 Best Hotels Near Times Square, New York City
• Where To Stay In New York For The First Time – Best Areas In NYC
• One Month In New York – Cost Of Living In NYC For A Month
• New York Tips For First Timers – Best NYC Travel Tips

Pin for later – Instagrammable places in New York City

What are some of your favourite Instagrammable places in New York? Let me know in the comments or in my New York Facebook Group!