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Best NYC Local Photo Opps (You Don't Know About)

May 26, 2020

If you are on your way to New York City, you can find plenty of articles about all the hot spots. You can take the Staten Island Ferry for FREE to get a good picture of the Statue Of Liberty or go see The Vessel in the new Hudson Yards, also FREE (that’s why I love NYC!) Those tourist traps are cool and all, but you’re probably looking to find out where the best NYC local photo opps are.

When people walk away, I want them to know that they are loved, they can do it, and it's going to be a beautiful day in Brooklyn.

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For example, do you know where street artists do creative graffiti? Do you know who Hans Honschar is? Have you heard of the “Titled Life Underground” installation? Probably not, but it’s all good because I’m about to tell you.

I found myself bringing anyone who visited me to these local spots for the perfect picture. Now, let’s pretend you’re in town visiting!

14th St and 8th Ave Subway Station in the A/C/E & L TRAIN PLATFORMS

At the intersection of the A/C/E and the L Trains at 14th Street and 8th Avenue, you will find an installation that locals love scattered throughout the two subway stations on both sides of the platforms. It’s called “Titled Life Underground” by Tom Otterness. It’s a play on New York City’s years of politics, money chasing, and urban legends. Can you find the alligator coming out of an NYC sewer?

Each stop on the NYC subway has its own uniquely designed mosaic art – that goes largely unnoticed by tourists in their daily commutes. I honestly love each of the mosaics. Each stop has its own theme (generally according to what’s located at its cross streets). The installations go the whole length of the subway lines and, as long as I stayed there, I could not see everyone of the stops. I’d say there are almost as many mosaics as there are street signs!

TIMES SQUARE SUBWAY STATION at the passageway of the 1/2/3 Train Stop

My favorite stop is in the lower mezzanine at the 41st Street passageway between Port Authority and Times Square close to the 1/ 2/ 3 Trains (tho the mosaics there kind of scare me a bit) But, I guess that’s what makes them so fascinating. They are made in a way that you can almost feel the human’s souls depicted in them. I feel like I have met one of each of those characters over the years. Jane Dickson does an amazing job of displaying her characters all celebrating New Years Eve in “Revelers.” They remind you just how different yet the same the people of the city are.

The best part about these NYC photo opps is that they are open 24/7. Each subway station’s lighting doesn’t change. They are all well lit. You can go there at any time and take the same picture. (Except rush hour of course, too many people.)

THE SHUTTLE TRAIN (S Train) between Times Square and Grand Central

There are some parts of NYC where you don’t want to be on the subway in an empty car. Trust me, there’s a reason people tend to stay in a car that has others in it.

When you’re doing photo shoots, it’s also easy to lose track of where you are. Sometimes (especially during weekends) the trains run on different schedules and if you aren’t paying attention, you can easily end up in another borough.

When it’s not business hours, the Shuttle Train is the perfect spot to get part of the train car to yourself. You may even get the full car to yourself if you do it at the right time of day.

The best part is that the Shuttle only runs between Times Square and Grand Central. There’s no way for you to get lost! Once everyone is at work, not many people use this train during off hours.

The key is to remember, when everyone else exits, you don’t have to get off! You can continue to take pictures before anyone else gets on. The Shuttle gives you nothing but time to get that perfect shot while you run the same route back and forth.

Chinatown side of LOWER EAST SIDE (Chrystie Street)

You may think this area is pretty obvious when it comes to the kinds of pictures you can take. There’s ducks hanging in windows, brightly colored signs, brightly colored clothes, and so much amazing food (that’s still moving) but did you know this is also where the cool Manhattan graffiti hides?

My favorite finds are found on the walls up and down the alleys on either side of Chrystie Street.

If you head up and down the smaller streets between Chrystie Street and Clinton Street, more into the Lower East Side, you will find even more hidden gems of graffiti.

Just don’t go too far east on Delancey because there’s nothing to see as you get closer to the Williamsburg Bridge except sketchiness. Especially at night.

BOAT BASIN (79th and West Side Highway) and FRYING PAN (moves on the west side seasonally)

Instead of being stuck on a boat cruise with the same people for a few hours, grab a bite and a drink on a boat that’s docked! Check out the Frying Pan. You can get some great pictures on this boat without the hours of commitment.

They have everything a regular boat has, ropes, sails, etc. They also have another boat docked next to them that you can climb around in and explore.

Boat Basin is another local photo opps spot that’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s a spot next to where ships are docked. You can get some great pictures with boats and seagulls as your background.

There is also a path there which is home to bike riders, rollerbladers, dog walkers, and runners. Maybe someone will even let you pose with their dog.

PIER i CAFE 72nd Street and West Side Highway

This Pier is where you are going to find the majority of the events going on where locals hang out! Plus, at this park, it’s legal to have a drink. From salsa dancing, to movies, to live entertainment, their schedule is sure to have something most nights of the summer.

The pier itself makes for a great picture, but who doesn’t want a picture dancing on a pier?

The last time I was there, a group was doing a memorial for a friend and lighting lanterns. It made for the coolest pics and was breathtaking watching them disappear into the sky.

THE PRESS LOUNGE 48th St and 11th Ave

The Press Lounge on top of the Ink48 Hotel is a bit far west, but the hike is worth it! It’s located on 48th St and 11th Ave on top of the hotel.

You can see 360* views of the city. It’s a great spot to take pictures open year round.

Most rooftops in the middle of Manhattan only give you a couple different views. You may even need to know a promoter in order to get in. This one gives you unlimited views. This one has not had much of a line when I have gone since it is so far west. It gets packed, but not as bad as the mid city locations.

Just wait till you see the city lit up at night!

230 FIFTH AVE (230 Fifth Ave at 27th St

Instead of going to the top of the Empire State Building (which is continuously getting worse views of the city because of developments around it), go somewhere where you can actually pose next to the Empire State Building!

This rooftop bar has been a staple for locals. It has an indoor and outdoor area, so it makes for the perfect spot to bring friends that are visiting! The views of the Empire State Building are unmatched! Check out their website, 230 Fifth Avenue

The only issue now, is that it has become discovered, and even though it continues to reinvent itself and stay relevant, now everyone knows about it and there’s always a line around the block at night.

So, I suggest going early for happy hour and just stay until sunset. They aren’t going to kick you out once you are in. Just keep in mind it is a bar, so you can’t be standing on top of the edge of the wall or on top of tables.

Be respectful, get your photo, and enjoy the ambiance!

SOUTH STREET SEAPORT FDR Dr and Fulton Street

This is another obvious spot to take pictures, but locals know better than to walk the bridge for a picture during a busy day.

You can take even better pictures just under the bridge. The Brooklyn side link of the bridge has become the popular side to take pictures, but I always preferred the Manhattan side.

Take a walk down Dover or Peck Slip Street and you will see all kinds of opportunities for awesome pictures.

Walk down to Fulton Street and you will come across South Street Seaport which has some old flagships that look awesome with the bridge in the background. But, for an even better angle, head down to Watermark Bar, where you can sit on wooden shelves alongside the water, drink in hand, and bridge in the distance.

Start at - HIGH LINE Little West 12th St and 10th Ave

The High Line is slowly becoming discovered now that they have extended it out to Hudson Yards.

I think it’s one of the coolest hidden gems in NYC. It’s an old railway that used to run through the Meatpacking District that was abandoned for years but now the community came together and made it a park!

There’s numerous stops along the way and artwork (you know by now how much I love art) that make for awesome pictures. You can see the tops of buildings, see views of Manhattan, but my favorite are the cutouts in the park that create picture frames for the road below it.

You can get all kinds of pictures with taxi cabs and not worry about getting hit by them when the light changes.

HUDSON YARDS MALL 32nd St and 10th Ave

Everyone goes to The Vessel to check it out, but no one goes into the mall much!

I love the mall that’s next to The Vessel! It’s basically made for social media. There’s so many photo opps inside that are always changing! Some of the stores are even made to look as if they are street side.

To say it the least, this mall is interactive! Last time I was there, they had an interactive wall. Some people were there for an hour creating art, while others (like me) just wrote their names.

And don’t forget the Hudson Yards subway stop. The subway is so beautifully made, you could spend hours going up and down the escalators of the exit to capture the perfect shot in the light.

Where are you planning to take pictures while you’re in NYC?

Now that you know where to go, here’s my article about how to pack.

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