The Best Places to Take Pictures in NYC

New York City has plenty of postcard-worthy views and sights. So how do you take travel photos of NYC that will perfectly capture the city's vibrant energy? Here are some tips. This post was originally published in 2014. It has been updated with new information.
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    Jinna Yang

    Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center

    A ticket may cost between $26-32, but Top of the Rock (an attraction on the top of the GE Building, 850 feet up in the air) is one of the best spots for a panoramic view of New York City, including a direct view of the Empire State Building. The best time to go is just before sunset, so you can soak in three views for one price—day, sunset, and night.

  • Jinna Yang

    Brooklyn Bridge Park, Dumbo, Brooklyn

    Snapping a few photos while crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot is a given—the views are incredible—but don’t stop once you get to Dumbo. Brooklyn Bridge Park offers an amazing view of Lower Manhattan, and from the right vantage point, you'll be in between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The park can get crowded during the day, but fans of night photography will have plenty of space to work with.

  • Jinna Yang

    Exchange Place Waterfront, Jersey City

    Okay, so it's not New York City—but this waterfront park is only a short PATH train ride away from Manhattan. It's typically not very crowded, and the views of Lower Manhattan—particularly of One World Trade Center—are unparalleled.

  • Jinna Yang

    Top of the Empire State Building

    Yes, there will be lines to get to the top, and yes, it's a little pricey to get up there. But the view is worth the trouble: Skyscrapers like the GE Building are in your sights, and the perspective of Manhattan is Instagram-worthy. To avoid too massive of crowds, go in the early morning or later in the evening—the observation deck is open until 2 a.m.

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  • Jinna Yang

    Lower Manhattan

    If you find yourself in Lower Manhattan, make sure to stop by the corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets. The intersection offers a direct view of the One World Trade Center, which lines up perfectly in the middle of the street.

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    Flatiron Building

    Though it's often overshadowed by NYC's bigger buildings, the Flatiron Building is a beauty, and was one of the city's first skyscrapers. The plaza below the building (situated next to Madison Square Park) offers a great vantage point for snapping a shot of the triangular building itself. Walk further up on Fifth Avenue toward 26th Street to get the crowds out of your shot.

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    Chinatown

    Manhattan's Chinatown neighborhood is bustling and bright, with crowds of people on the streets and colorful restaurants, storefronts, and street signs. If you're looking to capture that particular energy, try mid-street portraits, or photographing the neighborhood at night.