The top 10 instagrammable places in NYC

Inaugurated into the city back in 2019, The Vessel at Hudson Yards has quickly risen to fame on social media thanks to its hive-like structure that visitors can climb and look out from, taking pictures at all angles on the way up. Like an outsize piece of bronzed honeycomb, The Vessel draws eyes from all the other glittering builds surrounding to become one of the key architectural landmarks on Manhattan’s West Side.

Back down on earth, where the steam rises from subway vents and yellow cabs navigate between seas of people, New York’s streets delight with their colour and creativity. The street art never remains the same two days in a row, but some of it is good enough to last a generation. Of these pieces, the Audrey Hepburn mural up near Café Roma in Little Italy is a cool spot for a coffee, while the East Village Walls showcase some of the city’s best street artists, such as Hektad. Other spots to seek out include 389 Broome Street’s ‘Gigi’, 205 Chrystie Street’s 205 Club wall and 185 Lafayette Street’s ‘Tiger’ by Sonny, or simply walk through Nolita and SoHo to uncover your own.

Talking of colourful streets, they don’t come much brighter than in Soho, the district where NYC’s richer hipsters and creatives live among independent hotels and high-end restaurants. Of course, it’s photogenic as hell, what with its cobblestone streets and its beautiful terraces fronted by cast-iron stairs, but certain addresses, in particular, steal our attention. The all-pink corner façade at Pietro Nolita restaurant looks just as good inside as it does out, while the Flower Mural at Mulberry & Prince Street is a Jet Martinez masterpiece. If staying in Soho, try the chic Nomo Soho hotel with day trips to the Leslie-Lohman Museum for LGBTQ art and culture on tap.

Though Insta-activism is no substitute for the real thing, snapping a bold shot of the Stonewall Inn is a fine reminder of the “Birthplace of Pride” for your followers. The Stonewall Riots took place in 1969 after years of LGBTQ persecution by police, leading to a revolution of sorts that paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights across the country. The site is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a New York City landmark and is also a fully functioning bar, found at 53 Christopher Street.

The set for many a NYC rom-com, Central Park has its perks. The biggest oblong of greenery in the central Manhattan area, Central Park serves as a natural refuge for anyone and everyone to escape from the chaos of the city centre. Huge as it is, Central Park is packed with stunning woods, bridges and gardens, all asking to be photographed and posted online. Top sites to snap include the Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, with “The Mall” walkway becoming crazy popular come fall. In spring meanwhile, cherry blossom is the trend, with long shots of Belvedere Castle and Gapstow Bridge to compliment. Take a row boat out on the water for even more peace and all the better panoramas.

The world-famous Brooklyn Bridge is visible from all over Manhattan and a key landmark for locals and visitors alike. It’s one of the oldest bridges in the US with an iconic design just asking to be papped. Go early to get the best views and the fewest number of people to ruin your shots, walking the length to reach DUMBO in Brooklyn. DUMBO refers to “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”, an area boasting only good angles, particularly when the Empire State Building frames perfectly in the background.