North America
TOP OF THE ROCK
Sure, you can go up to the top of the Empire State Building to get a sweeping shot of Manhattan in all directions, but there’ll be one key thing missing from your photo: the Empire State Building.
For a far superior view, stroll 16 blocks north (about a 20-minute walk) to Rockefeller Plaza and get your ticket for Top of the Rock.
Once you’ve reached the 67th floor, climb the stairs to the third-level observatory for a stunning vista overlooking Central Park in one direction and Lower Manhattan (including the Empire State Building) in the other.
THE OCULUS
Though the exterior of NYC's newest PATH station and shopping hub is a bit contentious (not everyone loves its abstract shape resembling a winged dove), the Oculus by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava makes for an undeniably striking image.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE
Sunset is the best time to snap your photo, with the glow of twilight behind the city, but be warned that you’ll likely be competing with a wedding party or two.
If your style is more artistic, walk up onto the bridge itself for a picture of its magnificent cabled arches (just stick to the left-hand side of the walkway, otherwise you might get plowed over by a cyclist).
MANHATTAN BRIDGE FROM DUMBO
There’s a good chance this famous view has popped up in your Instagram feed at least once.
Stand at the intersection of Water Street and Washington Street in Dumbo, and you’ll see the Manhattan Bridge perfectly framed by two red-brick warehouses.
FLATIRON BUILDING
One of the city’s more unusual pieces of architecture, the Flatiron Building can be hard to shoot because its perspective changes dramatically depending on where you’re standing.
TIMES SQUARE
Love it or hate it, Times Square is part of New York City’s identity. But unless you want hordes of tourists in your frame, it can be hard to get a good photo of the neon heart of the Theater District.
Instead, slip into the lobby of the New York Marriott Marquis and take the elevator up to the 8th-floor Broadway Lounge, where you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of Times Square.
CHRYSLER BUILDING
You can get a great photo of the Chrysler Building, with a typical NYC streetscape in front of it, by walking north along the left side of Lexington Avenue from about 37th Street.
But for an almost unobstructed full-length pic of the elegant Art Deco skyscraper, walk all the way up to the northeast corner of 44th Street and Third Ave.
GRAND CENTRAL STATION
Try to take your photos during the day to make the most of the natural light filtering through the enormous arched windows.
THE BROWNSTONE STOOP
Few vignettes are as quintessentially New York City as the brownstone stoop, and the great thing about this photo is that it’s the easiest to get – because your options are endless.
JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS RESERVOIR
Really, you could spend a whole day Instagramming in Central Park, but for an especially picturesque view, take stroll along the eastern bank of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.
From there you’ll be able to capture the classic skyline of the Upper West Side, with the expansive body of water in the foreground.