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NYC’s most Instagrammable spots, mapped

From the vibrant murals of Bushwick to Central Park’s iconic Bow Bridge

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New York City has endless options when it comes to Instagram-worthy locations, thanks to its proliferation of architectural gems and its history as a street-art haven (despite the city’s complicated history with graffiti—see the demolition of 5 Pointz). But the most frequently Instagrammed spots (Times Square, the Statue of Liberty) are also, unsurprisingly, tourist havens—so where do you go for a good ‘gram that isn’t overrun with people?

Here, we’ve curated a selection of our favorite locations that’ll get your timeline in top-notch shape, ranging from landmarks like the Unisphere and Central Park’s Bow Bridge, to art hotspots like The Bushwick Collective.

Got a favorite spot where you like to capture good photos for Instagram? Let us know in the comments.

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Brooklyn Bridge

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It’s no surprise that the Brooklyn Bridge is on this list—according to Instagram itself, it’s consistently one of the most photographed places in New York. Its lovely, 135-year-old Gothic arches are the star of the show, but the skyline views don’t hurt, either.

Bleeding Hearts mural

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Wander around Soho and you’ll likely encounter one of the many “Love Walls” or “Bleeding Hearts” murals created by artist James Goldcrown. The mural, which Goldcrown has described as the result of a “mistake,” has become so popular that Goldcrown has been commissioned to recreate it in other NYC locations (and in other cities) for different brands and companies.

Bowery Art Wall

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The Bowery Art Wall first grew to fame back in the early 1980s when Keith Haring and Juan Dubose created a large-scale mural as a gift to the community. Since then, the wall has gone on to showcase artwork from countless artists—from local graffiti legends to Banksy—each creating unique murals that stick around for a few months before being replaced by a new body of work. It’s always fun to scope out the area to see what’s currently displayed (and snap a photo for the ‘gram).

A post shared by Natalie (@natalovelie) on

Flatiron Building

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Other New York City buildings might be more famous, but the Flatiron—with its unusual, lovely shape, and its beautiful, Greek-inspired architecture (all those columns!)—is a gem, and one that’s no doubt popped up on your Instagram feed a bunch. Snapping a picture in front of the triangular tower, with traffic whizzing by on either side, is a must if you’re in the area.

A post shared by Alex (@alebx44) on

Bow Bridge at Central Park

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Unsurprisingly, Central Park is one of the city’s most ‘grammed places; within that, the Bow Bridge, which crosses the lake near 74th Street, is one of Central Park’s most famous landmarks. Cross it on a busy day and you’ll likely step into someone’s photo shoot there; from wedding photos to Instagram shots to editorial shoots, there’s no wrong way to photograph the cast-iron bridge.

A post shared by Abyss (@pemmy2001) on

Love Comes in Every Color

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The message within the color-filled mural, created by artist Jason Naylor, is simple and direct. It’s also a frequent, vibrant backdrop for photos. Head over to Second Avenue and 61st Street to check it out.

A post shared by JASON NAYLOR (@jasonnaylor) on

Graffiti Hall of Fame

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Though we’re still mourning the loss of 5 Pointz, there are several other hubs for street art throughout the city. East Harlem’s Graffiti Hall of Fame keeps the neighborhood’s street art scene alive, and boasts murals that have been around for decades. Among them is Keith Haring’s iconic “Crack is Wack” mural (which is currently closed to the public for repairs) along with the “Spirit of East Harlem” mural on Lexington Avenue and 104th Street, which has been around for more than 40 years.

The Little Red Lighthouse

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Upper Manhattan’s Little Red Lighthouse, located beneath the George Washington Bridge in Fort Washington Park, is too cute to not be Instagramed. You can visit the historic landmark, which was the subject of the charming kid’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge, anytime, but there are occasional open houses so you can get a peek inside.

A post shared by Henrock (@photographerholic) on

The Unisphere

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Few sites in Queens are as iconic as the Unisphere, located within Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The sphere was commissioned in 1964 as part of the New York World’s Fair and is one of the few remaining artifacts from that monumental event. Now, it’s a popular spot for parkgoers—especially in the summer, when its fountains are going—and Instagrammers alike.

A post shared by Yilmaz Ayten (@ayyy10) on

The Bushwick Collective

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Bushwick native and business owner Joseph Ficalora founded The Bushwick Collective in 2011, and it’s become a neighborhood icon in the years since. Artists from all over the world come to Brooklyn to tag outdoor space donated by local business owners, resulting in vibrant murals that canvas countless blocks throughout the neighborhood.

A post shared by Ashley Scorpio (@ashleyscorpio) on

Washington Street in Dumbo

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This picture-perfect street in Brooklyn is one of the borough’s most Instagrammed spots, and for good reason. The intersection of Washington and Front streets frames the Manhattan Bridge perfectly, and it’s almost impossible to walk away with a bad shot of this stunning streetscape.

Coney Art Walls

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Dubbed the “outdoor museum of street art,” the Coney Island Art Walls debuted in May 2015 and has returned every summer since. Developer Thor Equities partnered with gallery owner Jeffrey Deitch to curate the space, and a bevy of street-art legends—including Lee Quiñones, Tats Cru, Crash, and Daze—have brought their vibrant pieces to the space. With more than a dozen murals on view, there are countless ‘gramming possibilities.

A post shared by @80s90s00sgraff on

Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park

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Coney Island’s famed Wonder Wheel presents a few ‘gramming opportunities: The 98-year-old attraction’s colorful frame and neon signs are downright iconic, and the views are amazing once you’re actually on it. (Pro tip: If you want to capture shots from the top of the wheel, don’t get in one of the swinging cars.)

A post shared by Melissa Ann (@heycitygirl) on

Brooklyn Bridge

It’s no surprise that the Brooklyn Bridge is on this list—according to Instagram itself, it’s consistently one of the most photographed places in New York. Its lovely, 135-year-old Gothic arches are the star of the show, but the skyline views don’t hurt, either.

Bleeding Hearts mural

Wander around Soho and you’ll likely encounter one of the many “Love Walls” or “Bleeding Hearts” murals created by artist James Goldcrown. The mural, which Goldcrown has described as the result of a “mistake,” has become so popular that Goldcrown has been commissioned to recreate it in other NYC locations (and in other cities) for different brands and companies.

Bowery Art Wall

The Bowery Art Wall first grew to fame back in the early 1980s when Keith Haring and Juan Dubose created a large-scale mural as a gift to the community. Since then, the wall has gone on to showcase artwork from countless artists—from local graffiti legends to Banksy—each creating unique murals that stick around for a few months before being replaced by a new body of work. It’s always fun to scope out the area to see what’s currently displayed (and snap a photo for the ‘gram).

A post shared by Natalie (@natalovelie) on

Flatiron Building

Other New York City buildings might be more famous, but the Flatiron—with its unusual, lovely shape, and its beautiful, Greek-inspired architecture (all those columns!)—is a gem, and one that’s no doubt popped up on your Instagram feed a bunch. Snapping a picture in front of the triangular tower, with traffic whizzing by on either side, is a must if you’re in the area.

A post shared by Alex (@alebx44) on

Bow Bridge at Central Park

Unsurprisingly, Central Park is one of the city’s most ‘grammed places; within that, the Bow Bridge, which crosses the lake near 74th Street, is one of Central Park’s most famous landmarks. Cross it on a busy day and you’ll likely step into someone’s photo shoot there; from wedding photos to Instagram shots to editorial shoots, there’s no wrong way to photograph the cast-iron bridge.

A post shared by Abyss (@pemmy2001) on

Love Comes in Every Color

The message within the color-filled mural, created by artist Jason Naylor, is simple and direct. It’s also a frequent, vibrant backdrop for photos. Head over to Second Avenue and 61st Street to check it out.

A post shared by JASON NAYLOR (@jasonnaylor) on

Graffiti Hall of Fame

Though we’re still mourning the loss of 5 Pointz, there are several other hubs for street art throughout the city. East Harlem’s Graffiti Hall of Fame keeps the neighborhood’s street art scene alive, and boasts murals that have been around for decades. Among them is Keith Haring’s iconic “Crack is Wack” mural (which is currently closed to the public for repairs) along with the “Spirit of East Harlem” mural on Lexington Avenue and 104th Street, which has been around for more than 40 years.

The Little Red Lighthouse

Upper Manhattan’s Little Red Lighthouse, located beneath the George Washington Bridge in Fort Washington Park, is too cute to not be Instagramed. You can visit the historic landmark, which was the subject of the charming kid’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge, anytime, but there are occasional open houses so you can get a peek inside.

A post shared by Henrock (@photographerholic) on

The Unisphere

Few sites in Queens are as iconic as the Unisphere, located within Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The sphere was commissioned in 1964 as part of the New York World’s Fair and is one of the few remaining artifacts from that monumental event. Now, it’s a popular spot for parkgoers—especially in the summer, when its fountains are going—and Instagrammers alike.

A post shared by Yilmaz Ayten (@ayyy10) on

The Bushwick Collective

Bushwick native and business owner Joseph Ficalora founded The Bushwick Collective in 2011, and it’s become a neighborhood icon in the years since. Artists from all over the world come to Brooklyn to tag outdoor space donated by local business owners, resulting in vibrant murals that canvas countless blocks throughout the neighborhood.

A post shared by Ashley Scorpio (@ashleyscorpio) on

Washington Street in Dumbo

This picture-perfect street in Brooklyn is one of the borough’s most Instagrammed spots, and for good reason. The intersection of Washington and Front streets frames the Manhattan Bridge perfectly, and it’s almost impossible to walk away with a bad shot of this stunning streetscape.

Coney Art Walls

Dubbed the “outdoor museum of street art,” the Coney Island Art Walls debuted in May 2015 and has returned every summer since. Developer Thor Equities partnered with gallery owner Jeffrey Deitch to curate the space, and a bevy of street-art legends—including Lee Quiñones, Tats Cru, Crash, and Daze—have brought their vibrant pieces to the space. With more than a dozen murals on view, there are countless ‘gramming possibilities.

A post shared by @80s90s00sgraff on

Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park

Coney Island’s famed Wonder Wheel presents a few ‘gramming opportunities: The 98-year-old attraction’s colorful frame and neon signs are downright iconic, and the views are amazing once you’re actually on it. (Pro tip: If you want to capture shots from the top of the wheel, don’t get in one of the swinging cars.)

A post shared by Melissa Ann (@heycitygirl) on