Are you looking for the best places to take pictures in NYC at night?
Are you looking for the best places to take pictures in NYC at night? If so, you’re going to find so many great locations in this post!
Finding the best places to take photos in NYC at night is a photographers dream, and can result in some truly incredible city shots.
NYC is a photographer’s dream, there are so many amazing photo opportunities to take advantage of. I’ve spent many years photographing the city, so I like to think I’ve found all the best places to take pictures in NYC at night! Here are my favourite locations…
DUMBO (Empire Fulton Ferry Park) Brooklyn
First up on our list of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night, it’s DUMBO. This is a great place to take photos in NYC at night because you get the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, and the amazing NYC skyline too.
This is a classic NYC skyline shot, so a must-visit during your time in the city. Who can argue that this is one of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night? Not us! This is an epic place to take photos in NYC at night!
THe photo above obviously looks incredible, but a trip down to DUMBO makes it super easy for you to capture a simple shot, because the view is right there waiting for you! Which is why we love this choice for the best places to take pictures in NYC at night.
Read more about visiting NYC: The ultimate NYC bucket list (80 ideas in the city!)
On the Brooklyn Bridge
Another amazing place for the best places to take pictures in NYC at night, is Brooklyn Bridge. A great time to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for photography, is night time or in the evening.
During the daytime the bridge can get super busy, but at night time, there are far less people (which means you can capture more magical photos). The bridge is lit up, and (of course) you have the amazing city in the background too. This is one of the best places to take photos in NYC at night because it has a bit of everything!
One of the reason this location makes our list of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night, is because of the depth of the shot too. The skyscrapers in the backgrund, contrasting against the bridge in the foreground – it’s magical.
Definitely one of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night.
Read more: The best Central Park photo spots!
The Top of the Rock
Next on our list of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night, it’s the Rockefeller Building’s observation deck. If you’re debating when to visit ‘the Top of the Rock’ then sunset is an amazing time to visit. It’s a ready made location with amazing vistas! Definitely worthy of this spot on our list of the best places to take photos in NYC at night.
Read more: What is the best observation deck in NYC?
By visiting at sunset you’ll get those stunning sunset colours, but you’ll also get some night time shots too once the sun goes down. It totally transforms the daytime view, into a mystical, magical, sparkling evening skyline. And definitely one the best places to take pictures in NYC at night.
The reason this makes my list of best places to take photos in NYC at night (over the Empire State observation deck) is because you can see the Empire State from the Rockefeller. You can get this magic shot from the Empire State itself.
Top tip! If you buy the New York Pass it gives you free access to Top of the Rock observatory, the Empire State observatory and the hop-on, hop-off bus tour (which will take you to other spots on this list – so it’s a great investment!). It also includes entrance to about 100 other attractions – which offer amazing photo opportunities at night.
Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn
Our next suggestion for the best places to take pictures in NYC at night, is Vinegar Hill in Brooklyn. This riverside neighbourhood in Brooklyn has some amazing views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the NYC skyline.
It’s a beautiful place to snap some photos (and check out some local coffee shops too) which is why it makes my list of best places to take photos in NYC at night.
It may be a little further out than some of the locations on this list, but we promise this photo spot in NYC is well worth it. It’s certainly one of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night.
Read more NYC recommendations: Top 14 Brooklyn restaurants with a view of NYC
Times Square
How could I write a list of best places to take photos in NYC at night, without including Times Square?! Times Square comes alive at night – every inch is lit up and sparkling, and the hustle and bustle is amazing.
Try experimenting with shutter speed if you photographing Times Square in the evening or at night, you’ll be able to capture gorgeous motion blur.
Another thing we love about Times Square is how often is changes and how much there is to see. Which definitely makes it worthy of this spot on our list of the best places to take photos in NYC at night.
The Rockefeller Ice Rink / Christmas tree
Another great addition to our list of the best places to take photos in NYC at night, is the Rockefeller Tree and Ice-Rink.
If you’re visiting the city in the winter, it’s worth heading to the Rockefeller tree and ice rink to snap a couple of photos.
Sure, this best places to take pictures in NYC at night isn’t available all year long – but if you’re in the city in winter, this photo spot is unbeatable! The lights, the atmosphere, the architecture… It’s perfect!
This is definitely one of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night, especially if you’re visiting during the festive season! It’s magical!
Read more about visiting NYC at Christmas: A guide to seeing the EPIC Dyker Heights Christmas Lights.
Any old street!
Another place to take the best places to take photos in NYC at night? Any old street?
To be honest, any street in NYC can be a magical place to photograph. When it’s raining, I love heading out into midtown to capture photos of passersby. I think the umbrellas and the reflections add something really magical to the images.
Another amazing choice for the best places to take pictures in NYC at night… And easy to find (obviously!). Just choose a street and see what kind of magic you can capture. NYC is full of endless inspiration.
If you’ve found yourself taking photos of skyscrapers all vacation, then head into the smaller Brownstone neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, for a change of pace and look!
The Skylark Bar
The Skylark Bar is next on our list of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night.
a really cool cocktail bar a few blocks down from Times Square. It’s a really cool bar, and a great place to spend the evening… But it also has a cracking view of the Empire State and skyline of NYC too. Actually, I think the view from the Skylark is one of my favourite views in Manhattan!
This is well worth a spot on our list of the best places to take photos in NYC at night.
Grand Central Terminal
I kind of love Grand Central for taking photos in the evening. It’s one of those places that really quietens down in the evening – so it’s a great place to snap up some photos when the sun goes down – and definitely makes it one of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night. I actually love this photo I took at the taxi rank outside, I love the way the bridge frames the shot.
This is definitely one of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night.
Bryant Park
Next on my list of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night, Bryant Park is one of my favourite parks in NYC. It’s so beautiful and so peaceful in the evening.
Taking photos in the evening here had to make it onto my list of best places to take photos in NYC at night – because it’s so quiet, and the skyscrapers around the park are so photogenic. I also love the contrast between the green grass and the dark sky – it’s perfect!
An amazing choice for the best places to take pictures in NYC at night.
Washington Street
Washington Street is next on our list of the best places to take pictures in NYC at night. This popular spot in DUMBO (Brooklyn) has an amazing view of Manhattan Bridge through the buildings either side, and it’s a great photo opportunity – which is why it makes it onto my list of best places to take photos in NYC at night!
The street can get a bit crowded during the day with tourists, but at night, it’s definitely much quieter… You might even have the whole street to yourself!
Any high rise hotel!
If you’re stopping in a high rise hotel in Midtown (or anywhere across NYC) then you might find some of the best places to take photos at night in NYC, is actually from your very own hotel.
A lot of hotel have rooftop bars, or restaurants, where you can enjoy some amazing views of the skyline, especially at night.
Here are some other useful blog posts I have written about NYC, that might be useful!
The ultimate New York City Travel Guide
The best ways to view the Statue of Liberty
Famous restaurants in NYC from movies and TV shows
Things to do for couples in NYC
The best outdoor rooftop bars in NYC
The best art galleries in Chelsea, NYC
How to take a great photo in Times Square
Secret places to take amazing photos in NYC
