Famous NYC Landmarks & the Most Instagrammable Places to Take Pictures in NYC

By Katie Sagal

If you’ve never been to New York before (and honestly, even if you have) everything is visually stunning; from the beautiful buildings to the street performers - the places and people of NYC have such character. Many of us are probably still lacking that sense of restraint that prevents us from taking a picture of each different subway station sign with the sepia filter from Instagram. Our travel experts are here to help you find the best places in NYC to take pictures from your trip.

Best Ways to See Famous NYC Landmarks

There’s plenty of great places to snap the perfect instagram photo of famous NYC landmarks during your trip. Here are a few fun ways to help you get around while sightseeing...

  • Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours
  • Sightseeing Cruises
  • Bike Rentals
  • Walking Tours

Here’s some more info on fun New York sightseeing tours. Many of the photo opps we listed below are located near some of the top attractions in the New York – so you can combine the best sights with the best things to do. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more.

Best Places to Take Pictures in NYC1. The Statue of Liberty

Image of Art, Person, Sculpture, Statue, Landmark, Statue of Liberty, The Statue of Liberty is an iconic NYC landmark and component of the New York skyline, although it’s technically located in New Jersey waters. Your best angles for photographs will likely come from a ferry ride or cruise ship, as that will give you an unobstructed view in a way that the perspective from land won’t be able to provide. If you take the ferry to Liberty Island, you can also get gorgeous shots from below.

2. The view from the Top of the Rock

Everyone flocks to the Empire State Building for the best bird’s-eye views of the city, but the Top of the Rock is actually more propitiously located for the photography buff. Due to a construction boom in the area around the Empire State Building the last few decades, you actually don’t get an unobstructed view from the top the way you used to. The Top of the Rock is farther away from its taller neighbors, so you’ll see a better vista of the city below.

3. The Brooklyn Bridge

Image of Person, Bridge, Boat, Brooklyn Bridge, Landmark, Backpack, The Brooklyn Bridge, as seen from DUMBO.
As the first ever steel wire suspension bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge is actually now National Historic Landmark. Although it’s no longer the largest such bridge in the world, it’s still a beautiful and instantly recognizable piece of New York architecture. Walk or bike across this national treasure for shots of the supporting structure from below, or take a picture from a Brooklyn neighborhood like DUMBO for a great perspective from a distance. Bonus – most shots of the Bridge are taken from the Manhattan side, so a shot from Brooklyn itself will be unique.

4. Central Park

It’s hard to list just one thing to take a photo of here, although you certainly shouldn’t try to take them all. To revisit my earlier warning, you can literally take a few hundred pictures between the flowering trees, hidden sculpture gardens, and charming waterfalls. The best approach may be to take a guided tour of the Park, as this will highlight the best features and the elements New Yorkers consider the most valuable. Central Park is beautiful year-round, but late spring through early fall as the best times to visit in terms of greenery.

5. The Gardens at the Cloisters

Image of Flower, Lupin, Petal, Vegetation, Grass, Geranium, The stavesacre flower, blooming in the Medieval Garden
The sister organization to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters Museum combines a specialized collection of art, artifacts, and even architecture with the charming setting of a medieval cloister. They’re best known for their collection of the famed Unicorn Tapestries (which you can definitely not photograph), but they also have a lovely series of gardens designed to mimic the gardens that were planted in medieval monasteries. Historical AND naturally beautiful!

6. Grand Central Terminal

Image of The restored Main Concourse ceiling at Grand Central Terminal
Located right in Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central is the main commuter train hub for New York City. Take a stroll around to soak up all the details you’ll recognize from movies, and be sure to visit the awe-inspiring ceiling in the Main Concourse, a beautiful work of art which has only recently completed a long-term restoration project. Fun fact: despite the first versions of the station having been built as early as 1871, Grand Central remains the largest train station in the world.

7. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Image of Flower, Lily, Pond Lily, Petal, Image credit: www.bbg.org
If you’re interested in nature photography, New York City has a surprising amount of nature for you to explore that spans the gamut from local trees and wildlife in the larger parks to exotic flowers and imported plants in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Along with the Brooklyn Museum, the Botanic Garden is part of Brooklyn’s collection of 19th century architecture and landscape – a wonderfully restored and preserved section of the city that will almost make you feel like you’ve stepped into a period film.

8. St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Image of Cathedral, Church, Apse, Altar, Prayer, Monastery, Lamp, Image credit: Saint Patrick's Cathedral Facebook page.
While there are literally dozens of beautiful historical churches and other religious structures in New York, St. Patrick’s has always been my favorite. Unlike some others, it is still a currently operational Catholic Church, so it’s not always easy to tour the interior of the building – but it is definitely worth trying to visit in between masses. With its stained glass windows, artisan-crafted altar, and famous statues and sculptures, this Neo-Gothic structure will remind you of an Italian church. It’s also right in Midtown Manhattan, making it very easy for visitors to find. Plus, they've recently completed a total renovation of the facade, so it's definitely worth a second look even if you've seen it before! You can even take a Rockefeller Center tour after your photo shoot, since you’ll be right there.

9. William the Hippo at the Met

Image of Turquoise, Pottery, Animal, Mammal, Pig, William the Hippo; photo copyright Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is known around the world for its prestigious collection of art and artifacts, a collection with particular strengths in Egyptian artifacts. While you can find everything from the almost fully-reconstructed Temple of Dendur (dating from 15 BC) to beautifully restored sarcophagi, this faience sculpture of a hippopotamus is one of the museum’s favorite pieces. Affectionately called William, this little hippo has become an icon of the Museum itself. Fortunately, you can take photos of most of the sculpture and architecture in the Egyptian collection, so snap away to your heart’s content!

10. The Lions at the New York Public Library

Image of Art, Monument, Patience, one of the lions. Image credit: nypl.org
In addition to being a fabulous working library (one of the two largest public libraries in the country, in fact), the NYPL is a must-see for lovers of architecture, history, and of course, books. The main building is the most recognizable to visitors, with its front entrance guarded by two reposing lion statues – one of my favorite sites in NYC as a kid. It has been open to the public since 1911 and has served the people of New York since. Today, it is a National Historic Landmark and boasts an impressive collection of materials, among which is a rare copy of the Gutenberg Bible.

Let's Recap

While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does contain a bunch of our favorite places to take pictures in NYC. From the most popular attractions to skyline views and scenic parks, there’s something to suit every taste when it comes to NYC photo opportunities. Remember, a number of these famous NYC landmarks and attractions are available with the Go NYC Card, where you can save on combined admission prices vs. paying at the gate.

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View looking up at the Empire State Building from street level
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The Best Time to Visit The Empire State Building

One of the most frequently Instagrammed landmarks in the States – nay, on the entire planet – the Empire State Building is the skyscraping cinematic star of downtown Manhattan. The iconic tower has featured in Hollywood classics from King Kong to Sleepless in Seattle and its dizzying stature (all 443.2 meters of it, to be precise) means that wherever you’re staying in New York, it’s kind of hard to miss. All you need to do is look up! There are a number of ways you can visit: choose from self-guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and premium access-all-areas packages with champagne. We break down the various options below, with our expert guide to the best times to visit the Empire State Building. Opening hours The Empire State Building is open every single day, rain or shine, from morning until late, including all holidays. Pre-booking is essential and opening hours vary, so do check the Empire State Building website for the latest information before making your booking. With Go City, you get access to the 86th-floor observation deck with its uninterrupted 360-degree views of the Big Apple and is accepted for admission until 45 minutes before closing time. The number of NYC icons you can spot from up here is truly staggering. Tick off the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and more from this sky-high vantage point. Best time to visit the Empire State Building The Empire State Building is one of the most-visited attractions in the Big Apple. It’s rarely anything other than busy but you can avoid long waits and jockeying for position on the observation decks by visiting early in the morning or late in the evening. For families with young kids, the best time to visit the Empire State Building is in the mornings before around 11AM. Bonus: children aged five and under go free. Meanwhile, late evening visits (after 10PM) reward romantics with uncrowded platforms and splendid views of the illuminated Manhattan skyline. The busiest part of the day is between 11AM and 3PM, when the tourist hordes descend (or should that be ascend?) in their hundreds. Similarly, early evening tends to get busy as the offices empty out. Inevitably weekends (especially Saturdays) are when the Empire State Building is at its busiest. The popularity of the Empire State Building means booking is essential. We recommend reserving your slot as far ahead as possible to avoid disappointment. Getting to the Empire State Building The Empire State Building is located on 34th and Fifth, slap bang in the center of Midtown. It’s very hard to miss and you really shouldn’t need a map to locate it! There are stacks of ways to get there. Take the 123 or ACE line to Penn Station, from where it's just a five-minute walk. Or jump on the NQRW and BDFM lines for trains to Herald Square Station, also five minutes away. Grand Central Station, reachable via 7 and 456 lines, is around a 10-minute walk. Of course, if you want to do it New York style, you can also cruise right up to the entrance in a classic yellow taxi cab. Tickets You can pre-book your tickets direct on the Empire State Building website. Options available include access to both the 86th-floor outside observation deck, and the dizzy heights of the 102nd-floor platform, with its far-reaching views across the Big Apple and beyond to six neighboring states. You can also book sunrise and sunset slots or go the whole hog with a premium package that includes a guided 90-minute tour taking in the Art Deco lobby on 5th Avenue, the Celebrity Walk and more, as well as, naturally, full skip-the-line privileges. Save money with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass for New York attractions, which includes entry to the 86th-floor observatory via the lightning-fast elevator as well as stacks of other top attractions in and around NYC. These include the Top of The Rock Observatory, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Guggenheim and the Statue of Liberty. Where to eat There is a selection of eateries on the Empire State Building’s ground floor. Head to the State Grill & Bar for New York classics like strip steaks, burgers and caesar salads. Tacombi is the place for Mexican margaritas and tacos and a number of other outlets widen the choice to specialty salads, sushi and burritos. Of course, here in the heart of Midtown Manhattan it’s unlikely you’ll go short of places to eat and there are dozens of top bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Splash out on afternoon tea at the 5-star Peninsula hotel or hit the Grand Central Oyster Bar for buttery scallops and classic Oysters Rockefeller. In brief... We recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the evening on weekdays to avoid the crowds and enjoy amazing sunrise views or see the best of the famous New York City lights after dark. Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance and get ready to experience some of the best views in the Big Apple! Choose Go City to make great savings when visiting this and other popular New York City attractions! Useful links Buy tickets online Get the Go City attraction pass for New York Visit the Empire State Building with Go City Official Empire State Building website
Stuart Bak
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New York Film Festival Guide 2019

Film buffs visiting New York in the next couple of months should check out the New York Film Festival. It’s the place to see new releases and attend Q&As with your favorite actors and directors. This year, the NYFF will showcase new films including Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory, and Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow. You can also check out classic movies like The Grapes of Wrath and The Godfather: Part II, among others. Movie fans will love the chance to see the New York premiere of Joker, a Q&A with Francis Ford Coppola, and talks with Scorsese and Almodóvar. Those who enjoy documentaries have the chance to see the world premieres of College Behind Bars, Free Time, and Born to Be. Though it may seem like an exclusive event, the festival is open to the public. Attending a movie premiere or a talk with a famous director would be a memorable New York vacation experience. If you happen to be visiting the city during the festival, consider getting tickets to an event or two. Tickets are relatively cheap and easy to purchase, so it's worth trying to get a couple before they sell out. Check out our guide to everything you need to know about the New York Film Festival below... New York Film Festival FAQs Everything you need to know including dates, location, and ticket information is below. What is the New York Film Festival? The New York Film Festival, or NYFF, is an annual event hosted by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. It was founded by Richard Roud and Amos Vogel and is now in its 57th year. It features movie premieres, talks with directors and film screenings. When is the New York Film Festival? The New York Film Festival takes place between September 27 and October 13, 2019. Events take place every day. Where is the New York Film Festival? The New York Film Festival is hosted at the Lincoln Center, at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza. You can tour the Lincoln Center and see where the famous New York City Ballet, the Philharmonic, and the Metropolitan Opera play. How can I get tickets to the New York Film Festival? Tickets to individual events go on sale on September 8 at 12 noon. You can buy tickets through the NYFF57 website, on the Film at Lincoln Center app or in person at the Alice Tully Hall box office. Be quick, and buy tickets in advance, as some events are sure to sell out. New York for film fans If your visit falls between September 27 and October 13, we’d recommend trying to get tickets. Attending a film premiere is not your average vacation experience, but it is sure to be one to remember. Even if you don’t get to attend a festival event, New York City is a great destination for film fans. Check out our guide to NYC for movie buffs for ideas of film-based tours and attractions. See your favorite actors at Madame Tussauds, take a movie tour of NYC, or see more than 40 filming locations in Central Park. You are sure to find something in New York to interest any movie fan. Save on admission Admission to many popular movie-based attractions is included in the Go New York pass. You could save up to 50% on admission vs gate price. Share your trip with us Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your adventure with us. Tag us at @GoCity and use #GoCityPass on your travel photos to keep us up to date with your vacation!
Seren Morris
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Chicago vs. New York City: Which City Should I Visit?

These two great American cities are worthy of all the tourist traffic they generate year in and year out. New York has been an iconic destination for generations. Chicago is easily one of the most global cities in the country. If you only have time to visit one, however, it can be pretty tricky to choose between them. Making the tough choice of Chicago vs. New York City? We’ve put together a brief comparison of the two cities and their top attractions and activities. See which seems more enticing. Learn how to save on admission to the best things to do in each city below. Observation Decks Both NYC and Chicago have two stellar observation decks from which to see the best sights of their respective cities. Many people choose to visit both observation decks. But it’s also easy to pick your favorite and see the aerial views from your chosen landmark. Here’s a brief comparison of the four observation decks. New York Empire State Building. Among the most iconic buildings in New York City, the Empire State Building offers an 86th-floor observation deck with panoramic views. It’s located in midtown Manhattan and boasts a refined Art Deco aesthetic. Top of the Rock. Located in the famous 30 Rock Building, Top of the Rock Observatory is famous for its unobstructed 360-degree views and convenient location in Rockefeller Plaza. Deciding between these two? Check out our Top of the Rock vs. Empire State Building breakdown. Chicago 360 CHICAGO. Housed in 875 N. Michigan—itself containing several shops and restaurants—360 CHICAGO is located on the 94th floor and provided unbeatable views of the waterfront. Many visitors also enjoy their upgradeable experience called TILT. Skydeck Chicago. Located in what used to be known as the Sears Tower, Skydeck Chicago provides stellar views from 1,353 feet up in the air on the 103rd floor. Visitors can see parts of four different states from this observation deck. Art Museums Chicago and NYC offer pretty stiff competition when it comes to museums. They both feature some of the best museums in the world. Additionally, many of the most-visited art museums are found in these two cities. Here’s a quick rundown of the biggest art museums in each city. New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Among the best art museums in the world, the Met boasts massive collections of everything from Ancient Egyptian artifacts to medieval armor to eighteenth-century portraiture. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). One of the finest and most extensive collections of modern art in the entire world, MoMA is home to many famous works of art by the biggest names in recent history—Warhol, Pollack, Van Gogh, Gaugin, and many more. Check out our recommendations for must-see things at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Chicago Art Institute of Chicago. Just as prestigious and often more frequently visited than the Met, the Art Institute’s collections also span much of human history and include everything from impressionist paintings to satirical prints. Museum of Contemporary Art. The MCA is much smaller than MoMA and focuses instead on truly contemporary works of art, including a great deal from living artists. A visit here is a good opportunity to see the art world as it is evolving today. Natural History Museums Each city boasts one impressive natural history museum. Both are renowned for their fine collections of natural objects and as well as their cutting-edge research. Here’s a brief look at what they each offer. American Museum of Natural History. One of the largest such institutions in the world, the American Museum of Natural History is well known for its collection of dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and an expansive collection of ocean life. The Field Museum. The earliest collections at the Field Museum were donated from the Columbian Exposition in 1893, but they’ve expanded far beyond that scope to include millions of artifacts, objects, and even the most famous dinosaur skeleton in the world—SUE the T. Rex. City Tours Chicago and New York City both have more to see than you can accomplish in one trip, or even two. That’s where a comprehensive tour can come in handy. These popular bus tours are the best way to see each city efficiently. Here are our picks for the top bus tours in each city. New York Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. This hop-on hop-off option from Big Bus New York offers unlimited rides for an entire day, with Uptown and Downtown loops to choose from. You can stay on for both loops to cover much of your day. Otherwise, hop-off where you’d like to explore more. The RIDE. A themed bus tour that’s part comedy act, part theatre, and part tour, The RIDE is perennially popular with visitors to NYC. They’ll cover city hotspots in 75 minutes for one hilarious experience. Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. A hop-on hop-off option from Big Bus Chicago, this loop includes 14 different stops throughout downtown Chicago. Stop at places like Museum Campus, Willis Tower, and Millennium Park. Scenic North Side Tour. An exhaustive tour, the scenic North Side Tour covers landmarks and hotspots in Chicago that aren’t typically covered by downtown tours. It’s a two-hour sightseeing tour that covers everything from Water Tower Place mall to Wrigley Field. Cruises With Chicago’s lakefront location and Manhattan being an island, both cities are popular for their multiple cruise options. Here are some of the top cruises in each city to help you decide which sound the most appealing. New York NYC Landmark Cruise. This landmark cruise is a 90-minute excursion around the waters of Manhattan, showcasing everything from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Statue of Liberty. It’s ideal for photo ops and offers informative narration alongside your views. Liberty Cruise. A 75-minute boat tour around Lower Manhattan and Ellis Island, the Liberty Cruise is a specific focus on Liberty Island and its environs. This cruise option is best for those who want a focused excursion. Chicago The Architecture River Cruise sails along the Chicago River is a 75-minute trip that encompasses time on all three branches of the river. The focus is on city landmarks that have been constructed or rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1871. Also great for photos. Lake Tour. The Lake Tour of Lake Michigan is a 45-minute cruise that showcases all of the city skylines from Navy Pier to the Hancock Tower and beyond. Informative narration will highlight everything of note, and you’ll get excellent lake view photos. Cuisine Remarkably enough, both cities are famous for their unique styles of pizza. New York-style pizza is a thinner crust but not thin and crispy like a brick oven pizza. It has lots of cheese, and a bit floppier in terms of the eating experience. You’ll find authentic slices all over the city—remember to fold it in half while eating! Chicago-style pizza is a deep-dish style, usually a few inches thick and served in a cast-iron pan. You’ll also find loads of ooey-gooey cheese and plenty of meaty toppings. There are several famous places in the city to find this delectable specialty—check out Gino’s East or Lou Malnati’s. Both cities are also known for their international populations and global influence. Therefore, you can find practically any culinary style in either city. Whether you’re looking for some ramen, sushi, or filet mignons, you’ll find all of it in Chicago or NYC. As far as cuisine goes, your point of comparison is probably going to be price. Chicago has many Michelin star restaurants with nearly astronomical prices. However, you’re still more likely to find more affordable haute cuisine in the Windy City than you are in NYC. Save on Admission Admission to most of these top New York attractions and Chicago attractions are included with Go City. You can save on admission to these and many other popular activities, tours, and cruises. These easy digital passes are a great way to see the best each city has to offer. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCityPass in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!
Katie Sagal

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