InstaGotham: An Instagrammer’s Guide to NYC

Global Citizen By Stefan Zechner Jul 7, 2017

Any ‘grammer worth their likes has paid a visit to the Big Apple — and it shows: New York is the most Instagrammed city in the world.

Discover the Gotham City sites your feed needs and some tips to help your shots stand out.

1. Central Park

Number of Hashtags: 4,758,452

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finding peace in solitude.

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Sheep’s Meadow and the Central Park Zoo are photogenic, but Bethesda Fountain is Instagram’s favorite spot in Central Park. Take your pic looking out from the Terrace for added contrast between light and dark.

2. Times Square

Number of Hashtags: 2,540,881

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Man….. You can't turn your back on NYC for a SECOND!!! ?‼️ ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ??? ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #sonya7rii #ilovenyc #manhattan #sonyimages #newyork #igersnyc #topoftherock #iloveny #longexposure #artofvisuals #bigapple #instagramnyc #illgrammers #icapture_nyc #loves_nyc #empirestatebuilding #nyclife #nyc #imagesofnyc #what_i_saw_in_nyc #ig_nycity #newyorkcity #createcommune #newyork_instagram #citykillerz #timessquare #wildnewyork #newyorker #centralpark #heatercentral

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The bright lights and chaotic crowds in Times Square offer a visually striking scene. A touch of saturation will emphasize the intersection’s incredible neon lights.

3. Brooklyn Bridge

Number of Hashtags: 1,662,340

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BKLYN

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It’s easiest to enter Brooklyn Bridge’s Pedestrian Path from the City Hall entrance in Manhattan, but make sure you turn around to take advantage of the city’s epic skyline.

4. Museum of Modern Art

Number of Hashtags: 1,216,788

The Guggenheim (422,664), Met (175,387), and Whitney (167,718) come close, but MoMA is the crown jewel when it comes to museum Insta-popularity. The peaceful sculpture garden is a wonderful spot to get inspired.

5. Coney Island

Number of Hashtags: 934,432

Beyoncé fans know that Luna Park’s real magic starts when the sun sets.

While you’re there, check out Coney Art Walls, an outdoor museum perfect for boosting your street art photography cred.

6. High Line

Number of Hashtags: 703,628

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Above the @highlinenyc in January.

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The High Line – an elevated railroad turned park – only opened in 2009, but it’s already one of the most Instagrammed spots in New York. We can’t all get an aerial shot like @timothyschenck, but the park looks beautiful from just about any angle.

7. Union Square

Number of Hashtags: 638,523

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green // market

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Greenwich Village and Union Square are obligatory downtown stops. Complete your tour at nearby Washington Square Park, which has 200,352 hashtags itself.

8. Flatiron Building

Number of Hashtags: 616,441

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– The Waiting Game – Hey friends, bear with me here as I'm going through all the submissions in the #sonyalpha_ffa tag a few times to make sure I don't miss anything — there were so many incredible entries & it's so difficult to pick favorites! Huge thanks to everyone that participated, it's been a fun week and the response was amazing! And of course thanks to @sonyalpha for making it all possible, give 'em some love if you'd like to see more contests like this in the future. I'm trying to post the finalists by tonight, followed by the winners tomorrow morning. I'm thinking of doing the random drawing on my snapchat (@)jn_silva so follow on there if you want some real time updates! ?✌?️

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This iconic triangular building was one of the tallest in the city when it was finished in 1902. Head to Madison Square Park and angle your camera slightly upward to make the building look even more impressive.

9. Grand Central

Number of Hashtags: 382,626

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Don't forget to look up ✨

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The giant constellation mural adorning Grand Central Station’s ceiling is prime Instagram bait. Download a fish eye lens app for a unique, panoramic view that varies your feed.

10. Oculus

Number of Hashtags: 257,280

Architect Santiago Calatrava opted for a futuristic vibe with Oculus, the shopping mecca in the new World Trade Center transit hub. Since opening in March 2016, the massive white ribs and marble floors have become a social media sensation.

Sightseeing is sure to build your following, but don’t forget about New York’s favorite Instagram subject: food. From New York classics like pizza and bagels to new crazes like cronuts, mac and cheese spring rolls, and nitrogen ice cream, you’re sure to get some Insta-worthy shots as you nom.

For more NYC eats inspiration, check out some of the best foodie accounts in the game, like New Fork City, City Foodie, No Leftovers, and Eating NYC.