The Best Photo Locations in New York City - The Whole World Is A Playground

29/11/2018 The Best Photo Locations in New York City | The Whole World Is A Playground
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The Best Photo Locations in

New York City
by David Murray | Oct 16, 2017 | Latest Posts, New York City, Photo Locations, Photography, USA | 0
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New York, the city that never sleeps, is heaven for any photographer. From its stunning skyline
to its street photography New York City is crammed full to the brim of iconic photo locations
just waiting to be captured. Having spent a few years living in this amazing metropolis we can
safely say it’s our favourite city in the world and it is the one that helped me personally fall in
love with photography with countless weekends spent exploring the city in search of new and
exciting photography spots. We’ve put together this list of the best photo locations in New York
City: it’s our guide on where to take the best pictures of New York. Enjoy!
1 | DUMBO’s Washington Street

One of the most iconic New York City images is actually captured from Brooklyn! In the area
known as DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) you’ll nd people queuing up to
take sel es from this iconic spot on Water Street and Washington Street. From here,
Washington Street aligns perfectly to give this beautiful view of the Washington Bridge with the
Manhattan skyline in the background and the Empire State Building framed perfectly by the
legs of the bridge.
Make sure to head to the waterfront at the Brooklyn Bridge Park for some more awesome
skyline shots.
NYC Photo Tip: Obviously this is a very popular place for tourists and photographers alike
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so be prepared to wait for your turn to capture this beautiful view. The street is lled with
businesses and residents and has a steady ow of tra c so be careful not to get in the way
in the pursuit of a picture.
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DUMBO
Skyline views at the Brooklyn Bridge Park
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2 | The Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge, linking Manhattan and Brooklyn, is a New York icon. The pedestrian
walkway on the bridge gives panoramic views across the city from downtown up to mid-town.
All the major New York buildings are visible, from One World Trade in the nancial district to
the Chrysler building and the Empire State in Midtown.
Our favourite photo of the bridge is from the centre of the bridge itself where the symmetrical
cables make for a stunning composition. Be prepared to get up really early for shots with no
one on the bridge – we braved a sub-zero January sunrise to capture this image and have the
bridge pretty much to ourselves.
New York Photo Tip: The Brooklyn bridge is a suspension bridge so forget trying to get a
long exposure photo from on the bridge itself – the passing tra c results in constant
vibrations.
The centre of the Brooklyn Bridge
Our Photography Gear

My main camera is a Nikon D7200 with the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 and the Sigma 70-200
f2.8 lenses. Elaine uses the compact Fuji XT-10 for all her shots.
Check out our gear page to see whats in our bag.

We also use Adobe Lightroom for editing all our photos and highly recommend it The
combination of Lightroom and Photoshop for a small monthly fee is a fantastic deal – Check
prices now!
Click here for the best Adobe Lightroom prices
3 | Grand Central Station

The main concourse of Grand Central Station is instantly recognisable even to those who have
never visited NYC and the station has appeared in countless movies featuring the city. The
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famous train terminal is constantly buzzing with people travelling to and from the city. It’s great
for street photography and landscape shots of the building itself.
I took this photo of Elaine standing still in the forefront of the image using a long exposure to
capture the mayhem that is Grand Central during the day!
Where to stay in New York

We’ve stayed all over the city during our trips to NYC. Here are some of our favourite hotels:
Courtyard Soho: for its downtown location and price. – click here for latest prices
Pod 51: an awesome and funky option close to the Rockefeller Center – click here for
latest prices
Renaissance Times Square: for its Times Square location, spacious rooms and the stunning
R Lounge bar. You can have breakfast overlooking the iconic Times Square and
enjoy cocktails in the evenings overlooking the lights! – click here for latest prices
Hi NYC: on the Upper West Side is a great hostel option – click here for latest prices
Click here for the best NYC hotel prices
4 | The Morgan Library

The Morgan library is a true hidden gem in New York and one of the most beautiful places in
the city. A short walk from Grand Central station, the former library of J.P. Morgan (of banking
fame) houses a stunning collection of historic artifacts and manuscripts from original Mozart
compositions to the original Gutenberg bibles. Tripods are not allowed but I managed to
capture this handheld image of the Morgan Library itself.

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5 | New York Public Library

Housing almost 50 million individual items the New York public library has one of the largest
collections in the world. The entrance to the New York Public library will be of most interest to
photographers with the two lions, nicknamed Patience and Fortitude, guarding the steps to
this beautiful building. The recently renovated Rose Reading Room is also stunning.
‘Patience’ the Lion guarding the entrance to the library 2

New York City Guidebooks
Check out our favourite NYC guidebooks for more trip inspiration:
Lonely Planet New York City Lonely Planet New York City Insight Guides City Guide The Rough Guide to New

(Travel Guide) (Travel Guide) New York (Insight City York City (Rough Guides)
Guides)
$14.95 $21.99 $18.06 $21.99 $15.98 $19.99 $15.90 $24.99
(1) (48) (2) (6)
Ads by Amazon
6 | Atlas at the Rockefeller Centre

Recognisable from the intro sequence of the show 30 Rock, the statue depicting Atlas carrying
the heavens in front of the Rockefeller centre is one of my favourite images of NYC.
New York City Photo tip: the most imposing images of Atlas can be taken at night when
the lights of the surrounding buildings bring the scene to life.
7 | Times Square
Although cliché, Times Square is one of our favourite places in New York City. Constantly
packed with tourists and locals this area is great for street photography and the views are epic.
For the best vantage point of Times Square we like the R Lounge in the Renaissance Times
Square hotel – the lounge overlooks Times Square and the views are incredible. Non residents
can stop by the bar for a drink and the sta don’t generally have an issue with people taking 2
photos of the stunning view once you’re there as a paying patron. We usually spend a few
nights here when visiting NYC.
Click here to book your stay now!
8 | Central Park
Central Park has so many beautiful photo opportunities that it is di cult to list them all. We’ve
included some of our favourites but there are an abundance of amazing photo spots
throughout the park.
New York Photo Tip: Not many visitors realise but Central Park has a 1am curfew and you
will get stopped by the cops and possibly arrested if you’re caught in the park after hours.
Bethesda Fountain & Terrace

The stunning Bethesda Terrace which leads out to the fountain is one of our favourite spaces
in Central Park. There is always an incredible energy around the fountain during the day, but
early morning just after sunrise is our favourite time, when the only people you’ll meet are dog
walkers and runners.
Bethesda Fountain in the early morning sunlight
View of the fountain from Bethesda Terrace
The steps also make for a great shot
Imagine memorial in Strawberry Fields

The beautiful Strawberry Fields memorial between 71st and 74th on Central Park West is
dedicated to the late Beatle John Lennon who lived with his wife Yoko Ono in the Dakota
Apartments adjacent to Strawberry Fields. The iconic ‘Imagine’ mosaic is located in the centre
of Strawberry Fields and makes for an amazing capture.
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The Imagine Memorial: this e ect is achieved by zooming out when taking the photo
The Arches
There are over 20 arches dotted around Central Park so it’s hard to miss them as you stroll
around the park. Our favourite is Glade Arch which is located just west of 5th Avenue and 79th
Street.
Glade Arch in Central Park
The Mall
The leafy Central Park Mall runs through the middle of the Park from 66th street to 72nd street
and is a hive of activity during the day with street performers, skateboarders, walkers and
people watchers. For us, the Mall is at its most beautiful rst thing in the morning.
The Loeb Boathouse

The Loeb Boathouse is a Central Park icon and a great location for some beautiful park photos.
Enjoy a drink at the outdoor terrace bar and you’ll be able to capture some beautiful shots of
the boathouse, the lake and the 55 Central Park West building, aka the Ghostbusters building.
The Loeb Boathouse
The Ghostbusters Building 55 Central Park West
View from the Loeb Boathouse Terrace
Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

The Central Park Reservoir stretches from 86th to 96th street. Walking its perimeter is perhaps
one of the most peaceful activities in the city and the views of the reservoir and the city skyline
are picture perfect.
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Central Park – Alice in Wonderland Statue
Dreams are made in New York city and the Alice in Wonderland statue tucked away in Central
Park perfectly indulges childhood dreams! The Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Cheshire Cat,
the Dormouse and Alice are all in attendance at this tea party and the statue is the perfect
opportunity to capture a more playful side of the city.
9 | Irish Hunger Memorial

The tribute to the 19th Century Great Irish Famine is a beautiful hidden memorial in downtown
Manhattan. As an Irish person it is deeply moving to visit this beautiful memorial which depicts
the ruins of an Irish Famine cottage from Mayo and includes stones from each county bearing
their name as an inscription. The juxtaposition of this little ruin against the Manhattan
skyscrapers is quite surreal.
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The view from inside the cottage ruins
Rocks dotted throughout the memorial bear each Irish county name
10 | One World Trade

The main building of the rebuilt World Trade Centre, One World Trade is the tallest building in
the Western Hemisphere and the skyscraper rises above the New York City skyline unlike any
other building. The view from the observatory on the 102nd oor o ers an uninterrupted
panorama across the entire city and harbour. Even the Brooklyn Bridge looks like a toy from up
here!
New York Photo tip: You can buy tickets to the One World Observatory in advance which
also allow you to skip the line so you don’t have to wait! Buy your tickets now – Book Tour
Reaching to the sky: One World Trade
The view from the One World Observatory
11 | The Frick Collection

The former private collection of millionaire Henry Clay Frick, the present day Frick Collection is
housed in an art museum and a great place for some unique photos.
New York Photo Tip: Photography is allowed without a ash throughout the museum. The
museum is usually closed on Mondays.
12 | St Patrick’s Cathedral
Across the street from the Rockefeller Center and the Atlas Statue is the Neo-Gothic St Patrick’s
Cathedral. The detail of the facade is outstanding and the spires tower above the street below.
Two iconic New York landmarks
The Cathedral in all its glory
13 | Statue of Liberty
A symbol of the USA, the Statue of Liberty stands tall in New York Harbour welcoming visitors
to the city. For the best photos, hop on a sunset cruise around the harbour – book your
harbour cruise here!
New York photo tip: arrive at the cruise early to grab a good seat and enjoy the stunning
views of the city and the Statue of Liberty from the water.
Silhouette of Lady Liberty on one of our sunset cruises
Sun setting across the Manhattan bridge
14 | Chelsea Market
For some of the best street photography opportunities and some of the best food in New York
City make your way to Chelsea Market. Crammed with delicious eateries and unique stores the
market will keep you occupied for hours.
The entrance to Chelsea Market 2

Fairy light heaven in Chelsea Market!
15 | The High Line

This once crumbling overhead train track has been transformed into an elevated walkway
along the west side of the city and gives some perfect vantage points of the city. Running
from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street 12th Avenue, a stroll
along the High Line o ers some of the best photo opportunities in New York City.
New York City Photo Tip: The best views are overlooking the Manhattan streets, the view
of mid-town and the Empire State Building, and the view of the statue of Liberty from the
Southern End. There’s also some great art installations and street art visible along the walk.
View of the Empire State Building from the High Line
Before its removal this mural of the nurse kissing the sailor was once the most photographed spot from
the High Line
16 | Top of the Rock

For the best views of mid-town and Central Park head to the viewing platforms at the top of
the Rockefeller Centre on West 50th and 6th. The views from the top are simply breathtaking
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both north to central park and south along the Manhattan skyline.
Open every day of the year, click here to book the lowest ticket prices to the Top of the Rock
Book Tour here
New York City Photo tip: No tripods allowed on the Top of the Rock but a gorillapod
works great on the railings for stable shots.
17 | The Rainbow Room

The Rainbow Room, on the 65th oor of the Rockefeller Center, is a great complement to a visit
to Top of the Rock or as an alternative if you prefer to supplement sightseeing with cocktails!
Try to visit after dark to enjoy a cocktail with one of the best views of New York City – be sure to
reserve a table in advance.
New York photo tip: the outdoor terrace at the Rainbow Room tends to close in winter or
if bad weather prevails. The views are still fantastic from indoors.
The View of Central Park from the Rainbow Room
18 | Flatiron Building
The triangular Flatiron Building, so named because of its resemblance to a cast-iron clothes
iron, is one of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers as well as one of the most photographed.
Re ections at the Flatiron
19 | The Rockefeller Center

Another iconic New York building is the Rockefeller Center building itself. After visiting the Top
of the Rock and the Rainbow Room make sure to stop by the Channel Gardens which o er a
great angle of the building.
The Rockefeller from the Channel Gardens
20 | The New York Stock Exchange

Having featured in many movies from Trading Places to The Dark Knight Rises, the New York
Stock Exchange is located in the nancial district and is a prominent New York City landmark
and the nal photo location of our list.
The front facade of the NYSE
21 | The Oculus
Its exterior is designed to resemble a winged dove and the centrepiece, the Oculus, is an
incredible white steel and glass structure. Both are worthy captures in the super modern
World Trade Center Transportation hub.
Great symmetry and great light at the Oculus

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29/11/2018 The Best Photo Locations in New York City | The Whole World Is A Playground

HOME ABOUT DESTINATIONS LUXURY TIPS & INSPIRATION

PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG Search...

The Best Photo Locations in

1 | DUMBO’s Washington Street

Skyline views at the Brooklyn Bridge Park

The centre of the Brooklyn Bridge

Our Photography Gear

Check out our gear page to see whats in our bag.

Click here for the best Adobe Lightroom prices

3 | Grand Central Station

Where to stay in New York

Click here for the best NYC hotel prices

4 | The Morgan Library

5 | New York Public Library

‘Patience’ the Lion guarding the entrance to the library 2

Lonely Planet New York City Lonely Planet New York City Insight Guides City Guide The Rough Guide to New

(1) (48) (2) (6)

6 | Atlas at the Rockefeller Centre

Click here to book your stay now!

Bethesda Fountain & Terrace

Bethesda Fountain in the early morning sunlight

View of the fountain from Bethesda Terrace

The steps also make for a great shot

Imagine memorial in Strawberry Fields

Glade Arch in Central Park

The Loeb Boathouse

The Loeb Boathouse

The Ghostbusters Building 55 Central Park West

View from the Loeb Boathouse Terrace

Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

9 | Irish Hunger Memorial

10 | One World Trade

The view from the One World Observatory

11 | The Frick Collection

Two iconic New York landmarks

The Cathedral in all its glory

Silhouette of Lady Liberty on one of our sunset cruises

Sun setting across the Manhattan bridge

The entrance to Chelsea Market 2

Fairy light heaven in Chelsea Market!

15 | The High Line

View of the Empire State Building from the High Line

16 | Top of the Rock

Book Tour here

17 | The Rainbow Room

Re ections at the Flatiron

19 | The Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller from the Channel Gardens

20 | The New York Stock Exchange

The front facade of the NYSE

Great symmetry and great light at the Oculus

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