The Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC In 2026 (With Map)
Looking for the best places to take pictures in NYC? This is the right place to find them all!
I visit NYC regularly since I was 12, and I even lived there for a year after college! I also have family who lives there, so I’m always hearing about the latest places. I’m also a professional photographer and most of my jobs have involved travel.
Here are my top three NYC places for photos:
- The Flat Iron Building
- Governor’s Island
- Little Island & The High Line (It’s two, but they’re super close to each other!)
This list includes something for every photographer: the best places for skyline photos of NYC, from parks to floating rooftop bars and pools, and from Manhattan to Brooklyn, to Staten Island and more; the best photo spots in Chinatown, plus the best places for nighttime, indoor, and historical photos.
It’s best to plan places that are close together for each day so you don’t spend time traveling back and forth unnecessarily, so use the map to plan your days!
Planning Your NYC Trip? Use my favorite resources:
Accommodation: Booking.com
Mid-Priced Hotel: Selina Hotel in Chelsea NYC
Rent a Car: Discover Cars
Travel Insurance: Allianz
Flights: WayAway
Tour: Private NYC Walking Tour with a Personal Photographer
Map of Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC
Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Photo Tours
In a rush and just want a hassle-free way to get around NYC and focus only on photography without the logistics? Here are the top-rated tours I recommend for NYC to make your photoshoots and photography sessions that much more enjoyable!
📸 Best NYC Photo Tour for Instagram photos & NYC newbies
This Private NYC Walking Tour with a Personal Photographer is perfect if you want a lot of photos with you in them, and/or if you’re looking for someone to help you find your way around the city! It includes:
- Customization allowed, so you can have your professional photographer stop where you want photos from a selection of popular locations
- Photoshoot locations can include: Times Square & the Theatre District, Central Park, Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn Bridge, Upper East Side, The Plaza, Central Park & Greenwich Village
- You get at least 75 professional photos from the photographer no later than 48 hours after your shoot
🌇 Learn More About this Private NYC Walking Tour with a Professional Photographer Here
📸 Best NYC Photo Tour of Central Park + More
Central Park is huge, so this Electric Bike Tour of Manhattan and the Waterfront Greenway is a fantastic way to get from photo location to photo location without having to take all the time to walk everywhere – electric bikes are easy to ride for any fitness level.
Sites include Bethesda Fountain, the Met, Strawberry Fields, and Belvedere, The Vessel & more. The bike rental, helmet and bottled water are included.
🚲 🌇 Book this Electric Bike Tour of Central Park and Waterfront Greenway Here
The Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Skyline Views
Getting that quintessential NYC Skyline picture is great, but where can you get the best, unhindered skyline or unique shots to get photos that stand out?
Exploring all of NYC, from the boroughs, to the parks and beyond the city, gives you the best way to get portfolio or frame-worthy (not to mention Instagram-worthy) shots that will definitely impress.
This skyline photo location list is organized by:
- Shots from the Air
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- Manhattan
- Bronx
- Staten Island
- New Jersey
For information like hours, prices and more just click the links in the titles of each area. Also, don’t stop there – the rest of this post has even more skyline photo opportunities!
1. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Airplane view or Helicopter Tour
Your NYC photo sessions don’t have to wait for landing – you can start from the air, and end when you take off to leave the city, too! You can get amazing photos from your plane window, like this one:
🚁 Book a Nighttime Helicopter Tour Here
2. Brooklyn Heights Promenade
The promenade in Brooklyn isn’t technically a park, but it functions like a small park, maintained by volunteers. The highlight is the promenade itself, which is historically significant (see the link above) and has amazing skyline city views just waiting to be photographed!
3. Brooklyn Bridge Park
This Brooklyn park is close to Lower Manhattan and has unobstructed views of the skyline and harbor. Because there’s a promenade, you can walk to various points and get photos from unique angles.
4. East River State Park (Marsha P. Johnson State Park)
Another East River waterfront park, this one gives another skyline view from a green space. There are also historical areas to be discovered and photographed, like old cobblestone streets, portions of old railroad tracks, and a 19th century dock that was used for shipping.
5. The Brooklyn Barge (floating restaurant/bar)
Check out this floating restaurant and bar in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, with amazing on-the-water views of the NYC skyline! They also have recreational water activities so you can go out into the water for photography – just make sure you bring a waterproof case!
They’re open usually until 12-1 am each day, so you can also go here for night photos.
6. The Willam Vale Hotel
You don’t have to stay at the Willam Vale Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to get the amazing skyline views it boasts from the rooftop, which has a restaurant, bar, ice cream truck, pool, lawn games, rooftop skating rink, rooftop film screenings, and more things to check out.
🌇 Check Availability at The Willam Vale Hotel Here
7. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Bushwick Inlet Park
This park, located along the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Waterfront in Brooklyn. The soccer field has one of the best skyline views, plus you get can get great waterfront shots.
8. Smith-9th Street Subway Station
I used to live near this stop and would get the most amazing skyline photos, with the subway in the shots – and don’t just take my word for it. This station shows up in a lot of lists of best places to take NYC skyline photos!
It’s an aboveground station, so once you get in, you just go up to wait for the train and you’ll see what everyone’s talking about!
9. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: WNYC Transmitter Park
Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Transmitter Park is the previous location of the WNYC radio towers. There’s an overlook with a view towards the south, a promenade along the waterfront, and a fishing pier, all of which make for excellent photos.
10. Governor’s Island
Governor’s Island is short ferry ride from Brooklyn or Manhattan in the New York Harbor. This island has been developed in recent times and offers so much more than the amazing city skyline views; there are art exhibits, Fort Jay, and even a hammock station!
11. Ralph Demarco Park, Queens
This park in Astoria, Queens has wonderful skyline views of Manhattan, and a great history as an original Native American trail.
12. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Calvary Cemetery
This cemetery is one of the largest and oldest in the city, and it has a backdrop of amazing skyline views! It’s the resting place of many members of the Italian mafia and other notable/famous people, and even appeared in the Godfather movie.
13. Roosevelt Island & FDR Four Freedoms Park
You can take the tramway over to Roosevelt Island to explore and get amazing photos of the skyline and exhibits, plus the octagon tower:
Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park is on the southern end of Roosevelt Island. It was designed by architect Louis I. Kahn and is a free park where you can get amazing NYC skyline views and more!
14. Hunters Point South Park
This park in Long Island City, Queens is on the East River and has amazing views of the city, especially from the 30-foot-tall elevated platform.
15. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Tribute Park
Created in tribute for the victims of 9/11, this park, located in Queens, is on the waterfront and prior to 9/11, was a viewpoint for the Twin Towers. There’s a memorial here so you can reflect as you see the skyline over the water.
16. Gantry Plaza State Park
This Queens park is named after the gantries (which used to be used for railcar barges), which have been restored and can make for a great photo in the foreground with the NYC midtown skyline in the background, and the water in between.
17. Manhattan Bridge & DUMBO neighborhood promenade (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass)
The Manhattan Bridge, much like the Brooklyn bridge, connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, and is usually missed in favor of the other bridge. However, there’s a spectacular skyline view of Manhattan to be photographed from the pedestrian walkway.
There’s also an arch with a colonnade at the Manhattan entrance that makes for a great photo.
Located under the Manhattan bridge is DUMBO, where you can get another angle of skyline waterfront views that include lower Manhattan, Staten Island, and Governor’s Island. This is close to Brooklyn Bridge park, plus there’s a ferry station in the area if you want to hop on for ferry shots or to get to islands.
There’s also a carousel, kayaking and festivals here.
18. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Edge at Hudson Yards
Who wouldn’t want to get NYC skyline photos from the “highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere”? Since you’re on a floating deck that’s suspended on a skyscraper basically, you’ll get 360-degree views of the city. There’s even a glass floor and angled glass walls to look over.
19. Rooftop Bar at the Hôtel Americano Selina in Chelsea
La Piscine Restaurant is an option here, and you can also sit at the bar and order a drink with a day pass (they come with rave reviews) at this Selina Hotel in Chelsea while you get amazing shots of the skyline. There’s also a pool and a DJ.
🌇 Check Availability at the Selina Hotel Chelsea NYC Here
20. Refinery Rooftop Bar
You’ll need to make reservations here, but they have some of the nighttime skyline views over the city along with world-class chef-made food and signature cocktails made with natural ingredients. It’s located in Midtown Manhattan.
21. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Top of the Rock
The top of the Rock at Rockefeller is one of the most iconic, and favorite, locations to get skyline views and photos over the city. You’ll need tickets, but you’ll get a unique experience with unobstructed views of the skyline.
22. Empire State Building
Need I explain this one? One of the most famous sites to get rooftop views – just remember, you won’t get this building in your shots, though it’s still a major favorite and icon of the city.
23. The Met – Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden
On the 5th floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this rooftop garden has spectacular city skyline views, plus a bar and art. It’s first come, first served in lieu of reservations.
24. Randall’s Island Park
This mid-city area Manhattan park is also its own island in the East River, situated underneath the Queensboro bridge, with amazing panoramic city skyline views! Fun fact: there’s an urban farm here where you can volunteer!
25. Summit One Vanderbilt
Get so much more than amazing skyline views – get levitation at Summit One, a relatively new attraction designed by artists to experiment with air, levitation and more. From glass floors and mirrored walls to other elements that remove your sense of structure, you’ll be able to experience the city skyline like never before – during the day and after dark!
26. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: The High Line
This 1.45-mile-long West Side walkway, that’s also a nonprofit park, is located on an historic rail line. It has all kinds of cool, unique artwork, flowers, food vendors and more along with skyline views.
27. One World Observatory
One World Observatory, located in One World Trade Center has more than just photographic, 360-degree skyline views over NYC. It also has a restaurant and bar, a cafe and gelateria, and an iPad guide to the city, which is great for first-time visitors or anyone looking for a more touristy experience to go with those skyline photos!
28. The Floating Pool at Barretto Park
If you’re taking photos in NYC in the summertime, check out this free floating pool in the Bronx, located on a barge, that opens in June. Check the website to see if the pool is open before you go. Hours are 11 am – 7 pm besides a break for cleaning from 3 pm – 4:00 pm.
29. Staten Island Ferry, Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Obviously, any view over the water is great for the NYC skyline because there isn’t anything blocking that wide angle view. The ferry is even better, though, because you can get tons of variations in angles and distances. Plus, it’s free (don’t buy a ticket from people trying to sell them to you).
Ferries leave from Battery Park, and you can even get amazing photos from on land there!
You can see the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry, or you can get off on the island and take photos from the viewpoints on land.
Get a new angle of the New York City skyline from Ellis Island, and check out the National Immigration Museum.
30. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Alice Austen Park
This park, located in Staten Island, is named after a photographer – so you know it’s good for those skyline views! Besides the skyline, it includes views of the Verrazano Bridge and ships in the Narrows.
There’s also the old mansion that Alice lived in with her partner that displays her photography.
31. Freshkills Park, Staten Island
This park isn’t fully finished, and should be ready in the 2030s, but it’s worth a mention for anticipatory purposes… why? Because this park is redeeming a former landfill to make it one of the most ambitious park projects today, not only for the positive environmental impact but also because it will be bigger than Central Park and will have amazing NYC skyline views.
You may be able to find a tour of the park as it’s worked on before it opens!
32. Liberty State Park
Take the ferry across the Hudson River to the edge of New Jersey for more amazing NYC skyline photographs! Jersey State Park will give you more of a natural foreground – water and other natural elements. There’s also a marina at the North end with restaurants and more.
Other parks in Hoboken, NJ to get great skyline photos include Pier A Park, Frank Sinatra Park, Pier C Park, Pier 13, Surf City, Battello, the Rooftop at Exchange Place and more.
Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC At Night
33. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is a great skyline photography location, but there are also amazing shots you can get of the bridge’s architecture, and going at night is definitely worthwhile.
34. Sunset Park and Bush Terminal Park, Brooklyn
Go up the hill at Sunset Park in Brooklyn to get amazing skyline photos and an equally amazing sunset. Sunset Park is a popular night spot for photos of the city lights and Statue of Liberty, framed by the park.
Fun fact: This park also has a media lab where members over 18 can go – if you’re a member, feel free to go edit your photos! If you’re not a member, there are also WiFi hotspots here.
Bush Terminal Park is located within Sunset Park. Enter at 43rd street and there’s a waterfront walkway in the restored tidal pools to explore and get unique photographs.
35. Times Square
Times Square, lit up at night is a great NYC place for photos. Nothing can beat Times Square for the quintessential NYC photoshoot, and at night it’s pure magic.
36. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Overstory
This bar is up in the air so you can get sky-high views over the city. Grab a cocktail or two and get some amazing night shots to show off here!
Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Chinatown
37. Doyer’s Street
Doyer’s Street is a great place for photos because from a specific point, the street looks much longer than it is, and the shops are colorful. Also it has an interesting and dark history, being both where Chinese language theater started in NYC, and also where organized crime had a lot of violence. You’ll also find great restaurants here.
38. Manhattan Bridge Pedestrian Platform
This platform on the Manhattan Bridge has an amazing above-ground view over Chinatown, and it’s a perfect photo spot!
39. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Columbus Park
Get that pic of old men playing chess, or people doing Tai Chi in Columbus Park, the biggest one in Chinatown. There are also fortune-tellers and other photo ops to find here of daily life.
40. Canal Street Market
This is a food hall with lots of food vendors, so you can eat and take amazing pictures! There are also vendors selling their art and other things, so there are multiple photo subjects to be discovered.
Best Places For Pictures In NYC: Central Park
Central Park is one of the must-photograph spots in NYC in every season – from the amazing leaf displays in the Fall, to Spring blooms, to summer’s lush greenery and even Wintertime, especially when there’s snow!
41. Belvedere Castle
This mini-castle is located on top of Vista Rock (the 2nd-highest point in the park). It was built in 1872 for the purpose of seeing the amazing views from there, and it’s mostly open-air; today, it functions as a visitor’s center and great photo spot!
42. Bow Bridge and Central Park Lake
Head to Bow Bridge for iconic photos – this Victorian-Era structure has been in multiple films. Then, go underneath the bridge, off to the left to the lake – it’s a hidden gem for amazing photos!
43. Bethesda Terrace, Arcade & Fountain
This area of Central Park, on the northern side of The Mall, has also been in films like Home Alone 2. There are two levels, one with an arcade – inside the columns with patterned tiles, great for photos – and the other with the terrace, and the fountain on the other side.
44. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Gapstow Bridge
In the southeastern part of Central Park, the Gapstow Bridge, made of stone is another unique photo spot with a lot of natural backdrop with part of the NYC skyline in view. You can also see Wollman Rink to the north.
45. Central Park Entrance near 5th Ave and the Plaza Hotel
From Rockefeller Center, take a stroll down 5th Ave to the Plaza Hotel. Then, cross the street and you’ll find the Central Park entrance with statues surrounding the outside where you can get some cool photos.
46. The Central Park Mall
The Mall is possibly the most iconic part of the park, lined with elm trees and where many, many films have scenes. You can see the seasons change dramatically here, where you’re basically surrounded by nature as you walk along this stretch and photograph the horses and carriages, skateboarders, bikers and others.
Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC With History
47. Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center was built by John D. Rockefeller in 1931-1933. There are actually 19 buildings that go from 48th-51st street that comprise Rockefeller Center (you’ll see this reflected most on the Subway stops).
There’s so much to photograph at Rockefeller, from the outside to the inside! Get a shot on the Top of the Rock, or outside the skating rink, or down the avenue looking at the front of the building above the rink, or the statue of Atlas.
Go to Bar Sixty-Five or The Rainbow Room for more excellent night shots and NYC skyline photography that’s indoors!
NBC, Radio City Music Hall and the Today Show are in this area too. From the inside main lobby, you can look out at the skating rink (catch Santa skating at Christmastime when you photograph the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and other decor)!
Bonus: Go outside and photograph St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue, across from the Atlas statue, for another historic building!
48. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Tenement Museum
The Tenement Museum is an amazing and interactive historical museum in the Lower East Side. There are interactive tours in old tenements that are being restored on Orchard Street, as well as a walking tour of the LES where you can learn more about all the historic buildings in the area.
The tours have a guide, and many of them include actors portraying the immigrants on the various tours available (they change, too), and you can ask questions and get a real glimpse into the life of various immigrants from the past. Take photos of the historic locations and have a blast learning!
49. Flatiron Building
The Flatiron building was originally called the Fuller building, and was completed in 1902, being one of the tallest in NYC at the time. This is one of the most iconic buildings in the entire city, shaped like a flat iron as its name suggests and facing a fork in the road, which makes for great photos!
50. Washington Square Park
This historic park has it all for NYC photo opportunities: the arch which was built to commemorate George Washington, the fountain, and all the street performers and street art in the park. There are other monuments, chess players, and more to spot here as well.
51. Eldridge St. Synagogue
This historic NYC synagogue has a museum, and the building has been restored and is beautiful on the inside and outside, making for some great photos. It’s located in the Lower East Side close to Chinatown (there’s even an Egg Creams & Egg Rolls festival here once a year, and it’s really great)!
Best Indoor Locations For Pictures In NYC
52. Time Warner Building, Columbus Circle
Also called Deutsche Bank Center, this building has some great indoor photoshoot spots. There’s one looking out the window towards the street, from the upper floor where you can get the hanging stars. There are also multiple statues, and outside there’s a globe.
53. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Chelsea Market
Chelsea market is a food hall with many other shops, all indoors. There are cool artistic elements throughout, like floors lined with pennies and archways with string lights, so you can get some really unique photos!
Bonus tip: Check out the new Little Island nearby!
54. Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central is both historic and indoors, not to mention an absolute NYC icon. Get photos in the main lobby floor, on the stairs, and then go explore the rest of the terminal!
55. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: The Oculus
The oculus is a modern subway station by One World Trade Center with super unique architecture, and there’s even a mall inside. There’s a huge lobby, that usually has art exhibits, and the subway station itself has subway art, like the eye murals below.
56. Old City Hall Subway Station (Subway Station Restoration Project)
Take indoor photos in this abandoned, historic subway station in NYC. The only catch with this one is that you have to be a member of the NYC Transit Museum – but this is unique so if you can swing a membership, get some good photos and share with the world!
57. Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC: Roosevelt Island cable car (Tramway)
Technically indoors, the cable car is a fantastic way to get some great shots from the air – it goes to Roosevelt island, which is mentioned earlier in this post for its amazing skyline photo ops, public exhibits, lighthouse and more!
Bonus: More Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC
Hamilton Park (Staten Island)
History and amazing skyline photos can be taken here:
Hudson Park & Little Island
Little Island is new and has this cool area for photos, plus you can get more skyline photos of NYC here:
Where To Stay In NYC On Any Budget
Here are my recommendations for NYC hotels to choose for any budget! The Selina I mentioned earlier for the skyline views, but the others also have excellent views (Equinox is beside The Vessel in Hudson Yards, where you can get amazing photos as well and POD 39 is right by Grand Central Station)!
✅ Budget Option: POD 39 Hotel NYC
The POD 39 Hotel NYC is a favorite hotel in NYC, because it’s affordable, and photo-worthy, and in an ideal location!
Amenities & Photo ops include:
- Seasonal Rooftop Bar with a view
- Lobby Lounge/Bar with food & cocktails daily & a fireplace
- On-Site Restaurant, Empellón has amazing tacos and more
- Steps away from Grand Central Terminal, and a mile or less from Times Square & Rockefeller Center
- Game room with table tennis
- Private, air-conditioned rooms with WiFi, work desk & private bathroom
- Some rooms have amazing city views
- 24-hour reception
- Elevator
- Photogenic Landmark Northern Italian Renaissance façade, plus amazing interior design for photos
- Airport transport
🌇 Check Availability at POD 39 Hotel NYC Here
✅Mid-Tier Option: Selina Hotel Chelsea NYC
The Selina Hotel in Chelsea NYC is a 4-star, photo-op-filled hotel in NYC that has an amazing location, amenities and more! Here’s what they have in terms of services and photo-worthiness:
- Rooftop with amazing NYC Skyline views
- 2 Gourmet On-site Restaurants
- Modern photogenic design with bright accent colors, contemporary furniture & more
- Amazing natural light
- Outdoor pool for photoshoots and swimming
- All-day cafe
- Basement bar
- Events On-site
- Located in the Chelsea Gallery district, a mile from High Line Park & the Hudson River, walking distance to Penn Station, Chelsea Market & Times Square
- On-site Concierge Services
🌇 Check Availability at the Selina Hotel Chelsea NYC Here
✅ Luxury Option: Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards NYC
The Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards NYC is a centrally located, celebrity-level hotel with amazing experiences, photo ops and honestly the best sleep set-up ever! Here’s what they have to offer:
- Amazing city views from the rooftop pool, rooms and terraces
- Photo-worthy design with lots of natural light for photoshoots
- 2 Swimming pools
- Spa treatments, fitness center with classes & personal trainers
- Bar
- Canoeing off-site
- In-room breakfast
- Rooms are soundproofed with blackout blinds and personalizable technology
- Central location near The Vessel
🌇 Check Availability at the Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards NYC Here
What you’ll need for NYC Travel
👉 For flights, WayAway is a flight aggregator that helps you find the cheapest flights. Use the code MUKI-TRAVELS for 10% off WayAway Plus.
👉 I recommend getting around by subway, bus and walking. You can also use Lyft for getting a car. It’s really a pain to drive and park in NYC – you constantly have to move your car around. If you do rent a car, Discover Cars is a great tool to use to find the best deals. Read more tips for renting a car in NYC here.
👉 Find more tips on things like travel insurance, what to pack, and more on my travel resources page.
🛂 National Parks Passport
The National Parks Passport is a fun way to keep track of which National Parks you’ve been to! You can get a stamp for each one at the Visitor’s Center.
📸 Photography Gear Recommendations for NYC
Here’s some of my favorite necessary gear for photography, for camera and/or phone. For even more photography gear recommendations, check out the photography page!
✅ Canon 6D
This is the camera I currently own and use. I love that it has WiFi connectivity so I can take selfies remotely using the Canon CameraConnect app, and that it’s a full-frame professional camera!
- Well-built and weather sealed
- Lightweight for travel
- 26.2 MP full-frame CMOS sensor
- 45-point all cross-type AF system
✅ Canon EF 16-35mm Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
I absolutely love taking wide-angle photos, but I also don’t want to sacrifice zoom capability, so I adore this high-quality lens. It’s one of the best on the market (other photographers have admired and even told me they’d buy it from me if I didn’t want it)!
- Make sure this fits by entering your model number
- Full-time manual focus permits critical focusing precision, even in AF mode. Help provide excellent color balance
- Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF covers Approx. 100% Area with 1,053 AF Areas
✅ Memory Card (for DSLR/Mirrorless)
I’ve used SanDisk Extreme Pro memory cards for years, after learning the hard way not to use lower quality ones! They’re a must for DSLR and Mirrorless cameras.
- Beginner-friendly with room for growth
- Best for taking more photos & video
- Temperature Proof, Water Proof, Shock Proof & X-ray Proof
- Affordability
✅ 4-In-One Travel Tripod
This amazing tripod works with cameras and smartphones. It also doubles as a selfie stick, monopod and as trekking poles! It’s durable and lightweight, plus affordable and easy to pack in a carry-on because it folds up smaller. It’s what I have and use, too!
- Beginner-friendly with room for growth
- Works with smartphones & cameras
- Folds up small & lightweight
- Turns into a selfie stick & trekking poles
- Comes with a carrying case
- Affordability
✅ Remote Shutter (this one works with Canon cameras)
If you’re going to take night photography, sunrise/sunset photos or especially photography of the NYC skyline, this remote shutter will help you take long-exposure photos in low and dark lighting (especially on a tripod) – and the skyline will show up much more clearly!
- Compatibility with a lot of cameras (be sure to check for yours)
- Works at 2.4GHz frequency with 16 available channels
- Reduces camera shake
- 5 Shooting Modes
👉 Here’s a Remote Shutter (2-pack) for smartphones:
- Seamless Selfies and Steady Shots - Compatible with Social Media Apps
- Pocket-Sized Convenience
- Operational range of up to 30 feet (10 meters)
✅ Over-Under Water Dome (this one works with GoPro)
For water photography in and around NYC, like at the Hudson River, Coney Island, swimming pools and more spots, this dome is perfect for capturing those perfect half-over, half-under shots, plus it’s a secure underwater housing option for GoPros for diving, snorkeling, surfing and more!
✅ Circular Polarizer
Also for lake photography, this will help you get better photography of the water reflections and the bottom of the water. Just make sure to get the right size to fit your lens!
- Circular polarizer--one of the most popular special-effect filters
- Deepens the intensity of blue skies; reduces or eliminates glare
- Multi-coating reduces reflection
✅ Durable camera strap or clip
NYC photography usually involves a lot of walking, and your backpack and camera gear can really wear on you by the end of the day (it happens to me every time)! Check out my top recommendations for camera straps, which includes clips and more here:
📸 Read my Guide with the Best Camera Straps For Backpacking Here
👉 Anker Portable Charger: This lightweight, top-rated power bank is necessary for smartphones if you’re taking lots of photos, plus if you need to recharge a camera battery on the go!
👉 Portable External Hard Drive: You definitely need to be backing up your photos on the cloud, an external hard drive and your computer! Seagate is one of the best brands for these, and they hold up well – plus, this one is 2TB so it’ll last awhile. I love this brand and have used it for years!
👉 Camera case insert bag: My new(-ish) obsession: it’s water-resistant, and it fits into any backpack or bag! I use this to switch between my carry-on backpack and day pack.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Photo Spots In NYC
✔️ Time of day.
Go for sunrise, sunset and golden hour to get amazing photos with the light reflecting off the buildings. Also, make sure your camera or phone takes proper nighttime photos if you’re going to take night shots! Otherwise, you may get blurry photos or photos that are too dark.
✔️ Look for where the sun is in the sky.
Make sure your subject (if possible) is opposite from the sun, so you can avoid nasty shadows where you don’t want them! Since NYC is laid out in a grid, you can always look at the direction you’re facing a subject in to see if you need to find another direction to take the photo from (this can work with some buildings more than others) or go at another time of day.
✔️ Angles and composition.
NYC is probably the most-photographed city (at least in the US), so look for unique angles and framing opportunities. When you take photos down a street, look at perspective and where you want your focal point to be. Check out this post for more tips on composition!
✔️ Plan ahead for transportation and timing, and always aim to get places early.
Trains can be delayed and traffic can get crazy in NYC. A good idea is to stay close to anywhere you want to get to for a sunrise shoot, for instance, or plan areas that are closest together for the same day (for instance, the LES, Chinatown, Little Italy and Greenwich Village are all close together; Brooklyn can be done all together; etc).
All In All: The Top Photography Spots In New York City
A trip to NYC for anyone who takes photos isn’t complete with some of the quintessential shots – and if you can get them in unique ways, bonus points to you! Hopefully, you can find some new angles and fun compositions with this list!
👉 While you’re in NYC, make sure to also snag cheap Broadway and NYC Ballet tickets.
👉 Learn more about when to visit NYC with this post on weather (and even what to pack)!
📸 Fall In New York: Weather, 33+ Things To Do, Foliage Spots + What To Pack
👉 Renting A Car In New York City: Everything You Need To Know
📸 For tips on photography and gear for NYC, check out the photography page.
📸 Also, check out this guide to the 75 Best Boston Photography Spots (With Map)!
📸 Is Rhode Island In New York? Facts, Map, Things To Do + More
