Updated July 2024

New York City, the city that never sleeps, is one of the best cities to visit in the USA. It is a melting pot of cultures, experiences, and breathtaking sights.

NYC has almost 9 million people and thousands of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, museums, iconic buildings, and countless attractions. There is so much to see and do. It’s a massive city that is impossible to see in one visit. The changing feel as you move through the city’s neighborhoods – Soho, the West Village, the Upper East Side, Little Italy, Chinatown, Tribeca, Greenwich Village, and the Meatpacking District – makes it feel like visiting many different cities.

With tons of unique buildings, world-famous landmarks, an epic skyline, and stunning bridges. No wonder NYC has inspired so many writers, actors, and other artists.

“I've been to Paris, London, Rome, and I always find myself saying, ‘There’s no place like New York. It’s the most exhilarating city in the world right now. That’s just the way it is.'”-Robert de Niro

This guide will help you uncover the best places to stay, eat, and photograph.

Where to Stay

With so many options available, deciding where to stay can be challenging. The sheer number of neighborhoods and boroughs can be overwhelming. New York City has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

I recommend staying in Manhattan so you can easily access the main attractions and sites like the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Central Park. Midtown is a great spot for first-time visitors.

Here are a few of my hotel options:

• Crosby Hotel - Crosby is part of the Firmdale Hotels based in London. I love the location in Soho, right near Balthazar.

• Ritz Carlton Central Park is located right across from Central Park. You cannot find a nicer view in NYC than from the Ritz.

• The Waldorf Astoria NYC - an iconic NY hotel that has recently been renovated

• Hilton Garden Inn Times Square - well priced and well located--the Workshop Hotel

• Park Hyatt NY - the location of the Park Hyatt is wonderful, and its a relatively new hotel.

• The Mark Hotel - the best of the best in NY, close to the Met

• The Willam Vale in Williamsburg -Williamsburg is directly across the East River from the East Village in lower Manhattan. The area has a great vibe and fantastic coffee shops and restaurants.

• The Standard, High Line - Located in the trendy Meatpacking District with views of the High Line.

• CitizenM in Times Square - an excellent location

How Long Should You Stay?

If it’s your first time in NYC and you want to see everything possible, I recommend spending at least 4 to 5 days. There are so many things to see and do in NYC!

I stayed for a week and still did not manage to check everything off my list of restaurants and photography locations. You want to allow enough time to explore the city's diverse neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems without feeling rushed. Plus, all the great pizza restaurants :)

Best Time of Year to Visit

Spring and Fall are great times to visit NYC when the weather is cooler, and the crowds are less. Summer can get hot and humid, and Winter can get very cold, wet, and windy.

Getting Around the City

NYC has an extensive public transportation system, including subways and buses. Uber, Lyft, and traditional taxis are widely available. I usually take a taxi or metro to one of the neighborhoods I want to explore and then walk to all the spots I want to visit.

Our Favorite Places to Eat...

The New York food scene has more restaurants than I can count. There is every type of cuisine in every price range imaginable. Even some of the food carts like The Halal Guys get awards.

These are some of the restaurants that I recently tried:

• Balthazar - no trip to NY is complete without going to Balthazar

• Eleven Madison is the best restaurant in the United States for a good reason—it's 100% plant-based. This is definitely a very special occasion restaurant.

• Marea - an excellent Italian restaurant right on Central Park

• Carmine's - a classic Italian-American restaurant that is perfect for big groups

• Mitr Thai - if you are in the mood for Thai food, Mitr is a great option.

• Lilia (Williamsburg) - if you are in Brooklyn, this is a delicious spot for Italian food.

• ABC Kitchen - The cuisine of Chef Jean-Georges is always exceptional

• The Bar in the Baccarat Hotel -one of the coolest bars in NYC

Cafes, PIZZA & Bakeries

• Zucker's - another wonderful bagel shop

• Barney Greengrass - a NY institution—has the best salmon I have ever had

• Zabar's - a NY institution for wonderful provisions and bagels

• Culture Espresso - a fantastic coffee shop with delicious cookies

• Aux Merveilleux de Fred - the Paris Pastry Shop has locations in NY, and it is delicious.

• Lafayette in SoHo - a cafe and bakery that is very popular with Instagrammers, with the "it" dessert of the year.

• L’Industrie Pizza - super popular with delicious pizza

• Lucia Pizza of Soho - great pizza in Soho

• Copper Mug Coffee - my favorite coffee shop in NY

• Russ & Daughters - another NYC institution with incredible bagels and smoked salmon

There are, of course, thousands of restaurants in the city, so I have only scratched the surface of the food options in NYC.

Photography Gear & Advice

In terms of gear, you do not need to bring too much with you. It will be much easier to move around the city with less gear, especially since the city is so spread out.

My recommendation is 1 body ( i.e., Canon EOR R5 or R6/R7, Nikon Z7/Z8/Z9, etc), and 2 lenses (a very wide lens like the 15-35 mm and a medium telephoto 70-200mm). You could also use something like a 24-240 mm.

To capture the extremely tall buildings you really need a very wide lens. I would also bring a Tripod with ND filters (3, 6, and 10) since the city is really fun to capture in the early morning or at night. Do not forget to bring a Playpod for photographing indoor locations that do not allow a tripod.

What to Photograph in NYC...

Below, I have listed my favorite locations in NYC. Here is a Google Map with each location (Downloadable Google Map).

In addition to the photography locations below, all of NYC offers great opportunities for Street Photography, Street Art, and Food Photography. The essence of the spirit of NYC is the people. If you can capture some good people shots, it will help tell the story of NYC.

1. Old Pier 1 in Brooklyn

Old Pier 1 is a classic location with a view of the Manhattan Skyline. You can take photos at Sunrise or Sunset, and you will need a Wide Lens, Tripod, and ND Filter.

2. Dumbo - Manhattan Bridge

Another classic shot in NYC is the DUMBO location under the Manhattan Bridge. Seeing the Empire State Building through the Manhattan Bridge in Dumbo, Brooklyn is still one of my favorite photo opportunities in NYC.

It is only a 5-minute walk from the Old Pier 1. I recommend planning to visit this location very early in the morning unless you want to include dozens of Instagrammers and influences in your shot!

3. Empire Fulton Ferry State Park

The park is located just to the right of the DUMBO spot. It is a 5 minute walk. So you could shoot the first 3 locations in 1 morning. From the Empire Fulton Ferry State Park, you will want to shoot towards the Brooklyn Bridge. The long exposure photo below was taken with a 10 Stop ND and a 3 Stop ND for 5 minutes.

4. 1 Vanderbilt Place (45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017)

Visiting Summit One in 1 Vanderbilt Place is a fantastic interactive experience. Vanderbilt 1 is a new high-rise and new attraction that is located right next to Grand Central Station. One of the best things about this location is that you can capture the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. It includes 3 floors of magical views. The floor is also mirrored, so the effect it creates is very unique. While it is expensive to visit, it is well worth it. There is even a bar on the top floor serving drinks.

This location, in my opinion, is better than 30 Rockefeller Plaza or taking photos from the Empire State Building. I loved watching the colors change as the sun began to set.

The magic really happens during blue hour when the lights of the city turn on.

One last shot of the Chrysler Building

5. Times Square

Times Square is packed with tourists and all sorts of interesting characters (i.e., the Naked Cowboy). You will see flashing neon lights and giant digital billboards. Broadway is also located in the same location. Times Square is big, bright, and unforgettable. Just be careful; some of the people you might photograph will demand money for their photo.

6. Bethesda Fountain in Central Park

One of the most iconic and well-known features in Central Park is Bethesda Terrace, a large plaza consisting of two levels, an arcade, and a fountain. You might remember the location from countless movies, including a John Wick movie.

7. Morgan Library (225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street)

The Library was the personal library of financier and collector Pierpont Morgan. The Library includes an enormous collection of his books, drawings, and manuscripts. If you are lucky, you will be there when no one is in the room.

Usually the library is very busy. So getting some detailed shots was my only option on this last visit.

8. The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Ave)

The church is extraordinary. It looks like they took a church from France and placed it in NY. We were lucky enough to have the Cathedral to ourselves one hour before the public was allowed to enter.

9. The Oculus Center (185 Greenwich St)

The Oculus is a huge transportation hub designed by Santiago Calatrava. It is where 12 subway lines converge. It also includes dozens of restaurants and retailers. I always find it hard to photograph.

10. The Fulton Center

The Fulton Center is a metro station right next to the Oculus with a terrific dome.

10. Central Park

Walking through Central Park on a Spring day is one of the things to do when visiting New York. It is not just for photography. It is a great place to unwind and think about everything you have seen.

Did you know there is a castle in Central Park? Yes, there is-- it is located on top of a rock formation known as Vista Rock, and it is called Belvedere Castle.

11. SoHo

Soho (South of Houston Street), is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.

There are tons of great restaurants, designer boutiques, and high-end art galleries. It has a great vibe and I would highly recommend walking through this neighborhood. One of my favorite places to eat in NY is Balthazar.

SoHo is well known for its elegant cast-iron facades and cobblestone streets. This area is perfect for street photography.

12. Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is a commuter rail terminal located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It has been a landmark since it opened in 1913 and is a beautiful place to photograph.

While Tripods are not allowed, there are tons of places to put down your camera for a long exposure shot.

13. The Vessel

The Vessel is located in Hudson Yards. The NYC sculpture, imagined by Thomas Heatherwick, has 154 interconnected staircases totaling around 2,500 steps and 80 unique landings.

14. Pershing Square

Located across from Grand Central Terminal. Pershing Square is a restaurant/bistro with a very cool exterior.

15. Union Square Market

Union Market is a fantastic market for street photography. They sell all sorts of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, breads and flowers.

16. New York Taxi

I love these older, classic NYC Taxi cabs. They are hard to spot, so if you see one, make sure to photograph it.

If you can find some water for reflection, it makes for a great shot.

17. Hamilton Park (New Jersey)

Another perfect location to get an incredible view of Manhattan. It is also where the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr took place in 1804. Have you watched the play Hamilton?

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We fought for these ideals we shouldn't settle for less." Hamilton

The night we went to Hamilton Park, we were treated to incredible light and a Full Moon over the 1 Vanderbilt. The light was changing so quickly that I put a series of photos to show the changing conditions.

The conditions were changing every few seconds. After a few more minutes, the moon was perfectly aligned with 1 Vanderbilt. Such an epic night!!

One more…

18. A Fashion Shoot in a Photography Studio

New York City is the center of Fashion in the US. On a previous visit to New York for a Scott Kelby workshop, he arranged a model shoot in a photography studio on the 22nd floor of a building overlooking the Empire State Building. We took photos of a beautiful model @millymholmes. This is something out of my normal photography, so it was challenging but fun.

19. Street Photography

One of the best places in the US for street photography is New York City. There are so many options and interesting people to photograph.

That time I was having lunch in Little Italy and there was a fire in the building next to the restaurant

Looking up…

A few more images of the city

20. Graffiti

I love photographing Graffiti, and New York City has some of the best Graffiti in the world. I have published 2 books that are on Amazon Graffiti.

I was particularly interested in seeing a few pieces by Eduardo Kobra is one of the most talented Street Artists. You will find his work all over the world. One of my favorites is the photo below called "Tolerance" of Mother Teresa and Gandhi.

There are so many incredible murals in NYC, but the ones by Kobra are just amazing.

21. Bayonne, NJ by Cape Liberty Cruise Port

The final location is again is from a spot in New Jersey. It is located right next to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port, where there is a park. From this vantage point, you get a view of the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.

Wrapping Up

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I hope you have found this Photography Guide on New York City helpful. You can see my other Photography & Travel Guides by clicking on this Link