Congratulations on booking your trip to visit “The City That Never Sleeps” 🌃 I know it may feel overwhelming planning a trip to a city you’ve heard about throughout your entire life with so many must‑see places on your bucket list so I’m here to make your life much easier. In this “New York City Travel Guide and Photo Locations Blog”, I break down my favorite places to visit in New York City and even throw in a couple of photo ideas you can have photoshoots at. Let’s get started! 🚕🎉
Ps. I vlogged my entire New York City trip on my YouTube Channel. Make sure that you subscribe and click on the videos below to watch.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable‑stayed/suspension bridge in New York City, spanning the East River between the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. You can walk across the bridge and enjoy the Manhattan skyline views from midpoint of the bridge. One cool thing about it is the fact that you can stand anywhere on the bridge to take a quick photo and you will have a breathtaking background either way!
MANHATTAN BRIDGE VIEW
In the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn, you will find the best view of the Manhattan Bridge!
MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM
The Museum of Ice Cream is definitely an experience you wouldn’t want to miss. I have never seen that much color, fun attractions and happiness all in one place. Best part of all? You get FREE Ice Cream all the time!🍨
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
A kiss under the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is what dreams are made of!🎄
Central Park, Manhattan
My favorite spot in NYC is hands down Central Park. There is something about this park that makes me feel so relaxed and at peace. Central Park is so extensive that it helps me connect with nature at a whole other level. 🌳
The Loeb Boathouse at Central Park
Italy in New York City? Count me in! The Loeb Boathouse is a restaurant located inside Central Park and is the only Manhattan venue right on a lake. Remember to bring extra cash so you can enjoy nature by renting rowboats and gondolas.
The Met Steps at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ahhh, The Met Steps. The favorite hangout spot for the one and only Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. It’s going to be a challenge finding a spot where you are able to sit down but it’s all worth it knowing that you’re sitting at a place the Queen B herself sat on once upon a time. (Ps. The Met Steps leads to the Metropolitan Museum of Art which is the largest museum of the United States and is home to the annual Met Gala.) 🖼
Union Square Greenmarket
The Union Square Greenmarket is a green market in the “heart” of NYC. It provides a wonderful opportunity to obtain fresh produce, meats, fish, baked items, sweets, wine, plants, flowers and more. It is also a great spot to sit down and recharge after walking for hours throughout Manhattan. 🥗
The Empire Hotel
In the series Gossip Girl, Chuck Bass invests in The Empire Hotel, which is a real hotel in New York City. If you want to feel all the Gossip Girl vibes I suggest you go up to The Empire Rooftop where you can admire the beautiful red sign and the views of the city. You can even order a cocktail inspired by Gossip Girl!
Lotte New York Palace
Serena van der Woodsen and her family as well as Chuck Bass lived in the Palace Hotel on Madison Avenue in the series Gossip Girl. It’s definitely a shock to see this place in real life since it’s such an epic location in the series.
Visiting New York City has been a dream. Remember to take things at your own pace and don’t let the noise overwhelm you. Take a deep breath and appreciate the blessing it is to visit such a lively and inspiring city. Until next time. XOXO. 🤎
To read more of my travel blogs, click here. For more photo inspiration ideas, check out these blog posts.
