The 13 Most Instagrammable Spots in NYC

Gram lovers, unite! There is no place like NYC, and no better place to take photos. From trendy eateries to Sex & The City jaunts, here are the most instagrammable spots in NYC.

These top Go! Girl NYC hot spots will also keep you sleeping pretty, eating well and happily occupied throughout the day and well into the night.

1) Central Park

You can’t go wrong with a photo session in Central Park. With hidden tunnels, an ice skating rink, a pond you can take a boat out and row through — there are hundreds of ways to use Central Park as your creative backdrop. Start by thinking about what sorts of colors you’re hoping to capture. The park is ever-changing in colors depending on season, but always has something to explore.

2) Top of the Rock

For those classic NYC skyline photos, the very best place for this (much better than the Empire State Building) is the Top of the Rock. From here, you’ll have a panoramic view of the city, including Central Park, lower Manhattan and the outline of the island.

Top of the Rock also has an outdoor view deck, meaning your photos will be far better than those at the Empire State Building. From here, you’ll also have a view of the Empire State Building.

30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112

3) The Brooklyn Bridge

There are few more iconic shots than those taken on the Brooklyn Bridge! Because this bridge is popular and also a free place for a photo shoot, that also means it is frequently packed and getting a photo without anyone in it is difficult. Your best bet is to go early in the morning.

If you want a bridge shot but don’t want to be surrounded by a ton of people, try the Williamsburg bridge.

4) Grand Central Station

It’s always busy, it’s always gorgeous, and it’s totally worth a visit to even if you have nowhere to go. This iconic building is full of old NYC charm and makes for a great instagrammable background.

89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

5) Washington Street in Dumbo

For those epic photos on cobblestone with the Brooklyn bridge in the background, head to the intersection of Water Street and Washington Street in Dumbo. Word to the wise, get here early. This is no longer a hidden destination and is V popular with Instagrammers.

Intersection of Water Street & Washington Street, Dumbo

6) The Vessel at Hudson Yards

It recently opened and everyone went CRAY. This cool, oblong and uniquely shaped structure makes for a very interesting background for your Gram. You may have also seen it as the finale runway on season 17 of Project Runway.

Tickets to the Vessel are free but you need to book ahead of time and arrive at your designated time slot.

The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

7) Black Tap

If you’ve wanted a photo of those gigantic milkshakes — you know, the ones that are topped with fluffy cotton candy, huge lollipops or donuts — then head over to Black Tap. The milkshakes made them Instagram-famous, but their burgers are damn good too. Highly recommend. They have a few locations, including one in Soho and one in midtown and almost always have a line. I think your best bet at getting a seat is in midtown at the address below (it’s bigger).

45 W 35TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10001

8) Pod Hotel

Both chic and cheap, the Pod Hotel is the place to stay in Midtown New York City and one of our favorite instagrammable spots in NYC.

Bringing together all of the best aspects of high-end budget lodging in a city that’s notorious for being very pricey, you can safely consider this gem to be downright backpacker couture.

With a room option for every budget, there’s everything from single, bunk, double and queen rooms with both shared and en suite bath options.

There’s 4-person rooms and even a studio apartment for those staying a bit longer.

The Pod Hotel’s shtick is efficiency. Their rooms are chock full of space saving solutions that add to the functionality of the space without detracting at all from the aesthetic of the room.

A rooftop garden, free in-room Wi-Fi, a fantastic location and in-room TVs and sound systems make the Pod Hotel a no-brainer. (230 East 51^st Street between 2^nd and 3^rd Avenue, rooms start at $75/ night + tax)

9) Momofuku Noodle Bar

This little slice of culinary heaven is located in the heart of Manhattan’s East Village.

Momofuku Noodle Bar is one place that’s well worth the wait.

David Chang’s pork buns are a showstopper. Sweet and delicate, the pork belly floats on a cloud of doughy goodness with a layer of scallions and cucumber underneath that leaves both a crunchy and soft impression on your palate.

Their ramen is delicious as well, with smoky flavors, fresh ingredients and a barely-cooked egg adding richness to the salty broth.

Tip: This is the perfect solo dining location. You’re sure to get seated quickly at the bar overlooking the chefs working wordlessly in perfect harmony. Not only will you feel a part of the action, you’ll be completely comfortable as part of the crowd in the hip space. (1^st Avenue between E 11^th and 12^th Street)

11) Bleecker Street

Greenwich Village has long been known as a creative haven full of boutique shopping, restaurants and prime real estate. However, if you’re short on time but want to get the full Village experience, look no further than Bleecker Street — one of the most Instagrammable places in NYC!

Designer Marc Jacobs has set up a dominant presence here, with Marc by Marc Jacobs stores for him, her, kids and accessories.

If that’s too pricey for your wallet, try the newest addition to his collection at Bookmarc (Bleecker and 11^th) which offers an assortment of stylish tabletop books, notebooks, jewelry and other accessories at bargain prices.

Right across the street from Bookmarc is the infamous Magnolia Bakery.

Since you’re already there, stand in the ridiculously long lines to try a cupcake or their famed banana pudding to see if this trendy bakeshop lives up to the Sex and the City hype.

Further down Bleeker Street is Murray’s Cheese, New York’s oldest cheese shop (Bleeker and Cornelia). Stop in for a sample or sign up for one of their many classes to learn everything from what makes the best wine and cheese combos, to Cheese 101, to how to make your own.

12) Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Previously found only in a handful of locations in Oregon and Washington, Stumptown Coffee Roasters came to the Big Apple in 2009 and has since become the latest “it” coffee of the city.

The super stylish baristas take their jobs very seriously, all while looking like they stepped out of the cast of Newsies.

Pageboy and bowler hats, suspenders, skinny pants and vests abound.

These baristas are well versed in the art of espresso and take care with every cup that they prepare. They are experts in their craft and are known for skillfully embedding a heart-shaped or leaf pattern into every frothy cup.

Tip: When you go, keep in mind that the Stumptown shop is cash only and the average cup is between $3-4 each. Also, be prepared to wait… there’s almost always a line.

You’ll find Stumptown coffee in many NYC restaurants, but their storefront is located in the hipster Ace Hotel (20 W 29^th Street between 5^th and 6^th Avenue.).

13) PDT (aka Please Don’t Tell)

There’s something exciting about a place that requires a little bit of work to get in… an air of exclusivity or just a feeling that you’ve experienced something special that most others have not.

In the case of Please Don’t Tell, a throwback to the vintage Prohibition-era speakeasy, to get in, you enter through a vintage telephone booth inside of Crif Dogs, a hot dog shop.

Pick up the phone, give your name (if you’re lucky enough to have a reservation) or beg for a spot on standby, and hope that the door opens and lets you in to the dimly lit lounge.

The contradiction of having such a stylish place within a hot dog shop is all part of the allure. Walking by, you would never know that it was there.

Inside the vibe is relaxed and sophisticated. Candlelit tables and low music adds a nice energy to the space. The artisanal cocktails are pricey, but they’re unique and definitely pack a punch.

Crif Dogs plays a part in the speakeasy’s menu as well, with special dogs for PDT patrons only.

While it perhaps is not so much a secret anymore, PDT is still a fun venture into the underground world of speakeasies.

There is no marketing and no address on their website. Word of mouth has turned this spot into a popular nighttime attraction in the heart of the East Village.

Tip: PDT accepts same day reservations only, so call the number (212) 614-0386 right at 3 pm to get a coveted spot. Although, if anyone asks, you didn’t hear it from me.

What are your favorite instagrammable spots in NYC?