9 Secret NYC Photography Spots That Tourist Never Find

Most tourists flock to the Brooklyn Bridge and Empire State Building, but the Pictorix team has spent years finding NYC photography spots that remain unknown to visitors.

New York City holds remarkable secret locations beyond its iconic art deco buildings and futuristic skyscrapers. Hidden subway stations with chandeliers and Victorian-era bridges nestle in quiet corners of the city. Our work as local photographers has led us to uncover these hidden NYC spots that show unique viewpoints of the city’s varied landscape.

Here are 9 of our favorite secret shooting locations you won’t see in regular tourist guides.These special places range from vintage underground train cars to peaceful gardens, and they'll help you capture original shots of the city. Think of me as your insider showing you photography spots that many New Yorkers haven't even discovered yet.

Hidden Rooftop Bar at 230 Fifth Avenue

230 Fifth Avenue stands proudly in the Flatiron District and gives photographers a breathtaking spot to capture Manhattan's skyline. This amazing location spans 33,000 square feet of multi-purpose space, making it the largest outdoor and indoor rooftop destination in NYC.

230 Fifth Avenue Location & Access

The rooftop paradise sits just blocks away from the Empire State Building, right at 230 5th Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets. You'll need your ID to enter the rooftop section that features both indoor and outdoor areas. The place welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 4 PM to 4 AM, while weekends start at 10 AM with Sunday closing at midnight.

Best Time for Photography

Magic happens here at sunset, especially when you have the city's golden hour lighting up the skyline around 5 PM. The spot sits at just the right distance from the Empire State Building to create perfect compositions. Winter brings custom-built igloos that add something special to your photographs.

Photography Tips & Techniques

Night shots without tripods can work well with these proven techniques:

• Glass barriers work great as natural stabilizers with an f/2.8 aperture
• Camera timer settings help avoid shake
• Structural elements provide good support for steady shots

Bad weather won't stop you - the indoor penthouse lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly frame the Empire State Building.

Hidden Photo Spots Within

The 33,000-square-foot layout reveals several photographer's secrets:

• A corner spot gives clear Empire State Building views
• Indoor penthouse windows create unique frames
• Garden areas with palms and flowers add natural foreground elements
• Different outdoor terraces show various Manhattan skyline angles

Early arrival helps secure the best shooting spots since the place fills up fast, particularly at sunset. Summer brings lush greenery that adds life to your shots, while winter's signature igloos create eye-catching foreground elements against the bright cityscape.

The laid-back atmosphere lets photographers take their time with shots. All the same, since it's an active bar and restaurant, off-peak hours are best for clear shots. Indoor and outdoor spaces mean you can shoot year-round, whatever the weather throws at you.

The Secret Garden at St. Luke in the Fields

A serene oasis lies hidden behind red brick walls in the West Village, perfect for capturing unique NYC photographs. The Gardens at St. Luke in the Fields, old, covers a two-acre city block and gives photographers a peaceful escape from Manhattan's bustling streets.

Finding the Garden

The garden sits at 487 Hudson Street, with access through a narrow entrance gap in the red brick wall opposite Hudson Diner. The main entrance welcomes visitors daily at 8 AM and leads to multiple garden sections. Step inside to see the Barrow Street Garden with its four-quadrant square design and paths that spread from a central Yellowwood tree.

Seasonal Photography Guide

This hidden gem changes into a different photographic canvas each season. The garden has six distinct sections that create unique shooting opportunities year-round:

• Barrow Street Garden: Capture the formal environment with its symmetrical paths and benches
• Gene Morin Contemplation Corner: Focus on lavender, white, and pink blooms
• South Lawn: Frame shots through cherry-tree-lined allée
• North Garden: Photograph under 200-year-old maple trees
• Rectory Garden: Document the historic rose garden and ruins of former parish hall

The best shots come from morning sessions before 8:30 AM when soft, beautiful light fills the space. Overcast skies create an extra soft feel, perfect for dreamy portraits. Late afternoon sessions provide universally flattering light as the sun dips lower.

Best Photography Angles

The garden's unique layout creates several compelling composition opportunities. The brick-lined paths that spread from Barrow Street Garden's central point offer excellent positioning spots. Natural frames emerge from the high brick walls, adding depth to your shots.

Nature photography enthusiasts will love the many bird species and butterflies that visit the garden. The two-thirds of an acre of plantings create endless macro photography possibilities.

The garden's essence shines through when you:

• Frame shots through the Rectory Garden's wrought iron chairs and tables
• Use the church ruins as dramatic architectural elements
• Position subjects near the central Yellowwood tree for balanced compositions
• Let the brick walls guide your eye as natural leading lines

Note that cell phone conversations stay outside the garden walls, which keeps the environment quiet for your photography session. The garden's design blocks surrounding city noise, creating pristine conditions for capturing serene moments.

Underground Art at Abandoned City Hall Station

NYC's most captivating photography spot sits beneath the bustling streets of Lower Manhattan - the abandoned City Hall subway station. Renowned architects George Heins and Christopher LaFarge designed this architectural masterpiece that showcases stunning Beaux-Arts style elements.

How to Access

The New York Transit Museum lets members explore this hidden gem through exclusive tours that cost $50 per person. These tours last 90 minutes and start with a historical walk above ground before taking visitors into the station. You can also catch a quick glimpse by staying on the downtown 6 train after the Brooklyn Bridge station as it loops through City Hall to head uptown.

Photography Permits Required

You won't need permits to take personal photos inside the station with a handheld camera. The Transit Museum's press department must authorize any commercial photography. They strictly prohibit tripods, lighting equipment, and selfie sticks. My advice is to follow these rules so we can keep shooting at this remarkable location.

Best Camera Settings for Low Light

The station's unique lighting conditions just need specific settings to get great shots. Here's what works best for handheld photos:

• ISO: 800-1600 keeps noise minimal
• Aperture: f/2.8 or lower lets in more light
• Shutter Speed: 1/60 - 1/125 second prevents motion blur

You can get steadier shots by leaning against support columns or structural elements. Spot metering helps nail the exposure, especially on the station's lit features.

Unique Architectural Elements to Capture

The Guastavino vaulted tile ceilings stand out as the station's crown jewel. Several elements make this space truly elegant:

• Brass chandeliers light up the platform
• Leaded glass skylights filter natural light
• Three commemorative plaques adorn track-side walls
• A curved platform stretches just over 200 feet

Curves dominate the station's design and create a flow that sets it apart from modern subway stops. The French Beaux-Arts style blends neoclassicism, Renaissance, and Baroque elements with modern materials like iron and glass.

Glass bricks sit flush with the streets above and create fascinating light patterns through the leaded glass skylights. Natural light combines with the station's architectural details to give photographers a chance to capture a piece of NYC's rich transit history.

Freeman Alley in Lower East Side

Freeman Alley stands as a vibrant canvas for urban artists in Manhattan's Lower East Side. This 300-foot-long alley starts from Rivington Street between Bowery and Chrystie Street. Ordinary brick walls become an ever-changing gallery of street art here.

Street Photography Tips

The alley's dynamic atmosphere needs specific techniques to capture its essence:

• Shoot from angles instead of straight-on shots because of the narrow space
• Medium format cameras with 45mm and 63mm lenses work best for horizontal frames
• Your vertical shots can maximize the alley's depth
• Wide-angle lenses (12mm) create amazing environmental portraits

Old tenement buildings next to luxury structures create striking contrasts for street photography. Trendy New Yorkers and long-time residents mingle against this varied architectural backdrop.

Best Times to Visit

Life in the Lower East Side follows its own rhythm, and timing matters:

Streets remain quiet on weekdays. People fill restaurants and walkways during weekends and warm evenings. Early morning or late afternoon light works best for photography. Golden hour light mixed with the alley's artistic elements creates stunning photo opportunities.

Local Culture Shots

Freeman Alley means more than just a backdrop - it embodies New York's artistic spirit. Local businesses have an agreement with artists like Vewer who curate rotating murals on the east wall. Notable street artists including 2ease, Dred, Belowkey, and ChrisRwk showcase their work here.

This backstreet turned cultural landmark tells unique stories through photography. Pop-up exhibitions and shared mural installations give photographers fresh subjects constantly.

Rich culture fills the surrounding neighborhood. Chinatown keeps its authentic character alive nearby with colorful streets and welcoming residents. Columbus Park shows locals playing Chinese chess and enjoying traditional music performances.

Hotel guests and restaurant patrons blend with artists and locals throughout the day. This mix of commerce and creativity creates authentic moments of city life. Each corner of Freeman Alley holds stories waiting to be captured. Take your time to watch and connect with the environment instead of rushing through.

The Hidden Waterfall at Greenacre Park

A 25-foot waterfall creates an unexpected oasis between Midtown Manhattan's towering skyscrapers. Greenacre Park sits quietly on East 51st Street between Second and Third Avenues and gives photographers a chance to capture one of NYC's most surprising natural elements.

Location Details

The park spans 6,000 square feet with three distinct levels that provide unique photo spots. A water sculpture greets visitors at the entrance and flows into a peaceful brook toward the main attraction. The waterfall's sculpted granite blocks cover the back wall and create both a stunning focal point and a natural shield from city noise.

Photography Techniques for Moving Water

These significant techniques will help you capture the waterfall's beauty:

• Long Exposure Shots: Your shutter speeds should range from 1/2 second to several seconds to create that ethereal, silky effect. Early morning or late afternoon works best.
• Depth Control: A greater depth of field helps limit light intake for long exposure photographs. The exposure triangle - balancing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO - is a vital part of perfect waterfall shots.

The lower-level sitting area by the water display lets you frame intimate shots. You can create layered images that show off the park's multiple water features by carefully composing the granite-faced wall and trickling water.

Seasonal Considerations

The park stays open from April through December, and each season brings different shooting conditions:

Spring and Summer: Mist from the waterfall adds an ethereal quality to your photos. Cascading water combined with greenery creates compelling compositions.

Fall: Vibrant foliage makes stunning backdrops against the white water. The raised terrace stays comfortable even as temperatures drop, thanks to heating elements under weathering steel beams and transparent acrylic vaults.

Winter Considerations: The park closes from January through March. The days just before closure give you unique chances to photograph flowing water against cold air.

Your best shots will come when you:

• Show up early to beat the crowds
• Pick overcast days for even light
• Get dramatic upward angles from the lower level
• Let the waterfall's sound-screening effect help you capture peaceful urban moments

Hideo Sasaki designed the park to blend water, plants, and stone into a peaceful urban refuge. Your thoughtful composition and timing can capture this natural harmony against Manhattan's concrete backdrop.

Secret Lookout at Tudor City Bridge

Tudor City Bridge sits above the busy 42nd Street and shows one of Manhattan's best spots for photography. This raised walkway gives you a unique view straight down the famous street, with the stunning Chrysler Building standing tall in the distance.

Finding the Perfect Spot

You can reach this hidden gem through Grand Central Station. Take the 4, 5, or 6 trains and walk southeast on 42nd Street toward Pershing Square until you see the overpass. The best shots come from the bridge's western edge.

The bridge stands out as a photographer's dream among New York's 2,027 bridges. Its height creates natural frames that put you above street level with clear views of Manhattan's architectural wonders.

Manhattanhenge Photography Guide

This spot becomes extra special twice a year when you can capture Manhattanhenge - the setting sun arranges itself with Manhattan's street grid. Here's what you need:

• Stand on the western side of the overpass
• Pick a telephoto lens to compress the view
• Get both the Chrysler Building and Madame Tussauds sign in your frame
• Add other photographers' silhouettes to your foreground

The sun moves to different spots each day, which means new photo chances. Some people like to shoot the full sun above the horizon. Others go for the half-sun next to the skyscrapers.

Best Times to Shoot the Chrysler Building

Magic hour gives you the best light, but it only lasts about five minutes on clear days. Each part of the day brings its own photo opportunities:

• Sunrise: The early light shows off the building's art deco features
• Golden Hour: The air clears up and the city looks its best
• Blue Hour: Switch to tungsten settings as red and blue light meet
• Night: Catch car lights streaming down Lexington Avenue

Get there early to grab your spot, especially during Manhattanhenge. The bridge fills up with photographers quickly - both pros and hobbyists want their perfect shot.

Photographers have found a new spot at Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City. A telephoto lens from there lets you capture Tudor City Bridge itself, with photographers' shadows framing the sunset.

The bridge's location works well all year round. Each season brings different weather conditions. Check the forecast before you go to get the best shots. This spot really shows why NYC is a photographer's playground, with endless chances to capture the city's amazing architecture.

The Elizabeth Street Garden

A magical sculpture garden sits in the heart of Little Italy, drawing photographers who want unique NYC shots. The Elizabeth Street Garden covers an acre of land where antique statues mix with green spaces to create enchanting photo opportunities.

Garden Access Information

Volunteers keep the garden open all year with seasonal schedules. The gates open at 11 AM on weekdays and 10 AM on weekends from April to October, closing at 7 PM. Winter hours from November to March follow the same opening times but close at sunset.

The garden sees about 200,000 visitors each year, so early morning is the best time for photographers. You'll need temperatures above 40°F to visit, which means comfortable conditions for shooting.

Best Photography Angles

The mix of greenery and statues creates special photo opportunities here. Old architectural pieces from Gilded Age estates serve as perfect focal points. Natural elements and sculptures combine to create interesting compositions:

• Shoot through wrought iron flowers and gazebos
• Look for reflections in paper lanterns
• Mix neoclassical columns with wild rosebushes
• Capture black-eyed Susans next to cement lions

The garden's magical feel comes from its perfect balance of plants and statues. Photographers can tap into the garden's natural paths and hidden spots to add depth to their images.

Seasonal Photo Opportunities

Each season brings new photo possibilities to the garden. Community events add extra chances for unique shots:

• Spring/Summer: Yoga sessions with sculptures in the background
• Fall: Harvest festivals surrounded by autumn leaves
• Winter: Intimate acoustic shows

Fashion photographers love this spot for its romantic feel. Big names like Stella McCartney have used it for garden-party themed fashion shows, which shows how versatile this space can be.

Regular events like art shows, movie screenings, and live music give photographers chances to capture both community spirit and architectural beauty.

The garden might change soon, with plans to shrink from 20,000 to 6,700 square feet. Right now, it's a perfect time to photograph this unique urban sanctuary where art, nature, and community come together naturally.

Hidden Staircases of Morningside Heights

A photographer's paradise awaits at the top of Morningside Heights' historic steps. These architectural marvels connect the neighborhood's upper and lower levels. The staircases, dating back to 1870, reflect the brilliant vision of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

Location Guide

The most photogenic staircase sits at 113th Street, which got new handrails as part of a $6.3 million improvement project. This architectural gem links the park's levels next to an improved waterfall. The stairs at 116th Street running east to west offer excellent compositions, and the steps at 121st Street match their appeal.

Architectural Photography Tips

These historic staircases need specific techniques to capture their beauty. My experience photographing these structures has taught me:

• 'Sun Seeker' apps help plot sunlight paths and plan shoots
• Light skimming the steps reveals texture and detail
• Natural elements like trees and foliage make great frames
• A polarizing filter helps manage reflections

The staircases create opportunities for abstract studies through their unique designs that blend curves and straight lines. The natural patterns from overlapping levels and changing directions make striking compositions.

Best Light Conditions

The soft light before 8:30 AM creates ideal shooting conditions. The late afternoon sun provides flattering illumination. Overcast days offer perfect conditions to capture architectural details without harsh shadows.

The best results come when you:

• Shoot around dawn to catch directional light
• Head out early to avoid foot traffic
• Try dusk shots with city lights

The staircases' design creates visual paths that match the Golden Ratio composition tool. Careful positioning lets photographers capture these historic elements against Morningside Heights' changing backdrop. New renovations and improvements to the 114th Street, 116th Street, and 122nd Street staircases give photographers chances to document both history and urban renewal.

The Secret Rooftop of Metropolitan Museum

The Metropolitan Museum's rooftop garden sits high above Manhattan's busy streets. It's a photographer's paradise that combines art installations with stunning views of Central Park. This special spot open from May through October gives you a unique view of NYC's famous skyline.

Access Instructions

You'll find this hidden gem near the Fabergé display in the European Decorative Arts section. A special elevator takes you straight to the rooftop from the Ground Floor. New visitors should know that they can pay what they wish for museum admission.

Best Photography Times

The best light comes during early evening hours, especially on Fridays and Saturdays until 9 PM. The rooftop becomes magical when sunset covers the city in golden light. Weather plays a big role in access - the space closes during rain and opens again once the stone paving is dry.

Hidden Viewpoints

The rooftop's clever design creates several spots to capture the city's spirit. Steel frames naturally outline the views of Fifth Avenue, Central Park West, and 59th Street. Art installations blend with the skyline - you might see Jeff Koons' Balloon Dog or Cornelia Parker's Psycho Barn.

Central Park Vista Shots

The view stretches across Central Park's green expanse. You can use the steel frameworks to frame landmarks like the El Dorado apartment block. The space lets photographers divide Midtown's skyline into distinct sections, creating shots you can't get anywhere else in Manhattan.

The museum allows non-flash photography for personal use in most galleries. However, staged photography and modeling shoots need special permission. With good timing and the right position, you can capture modern art installations against Manhattan's classic backdrop.

Conclusion

These nine secret photography spots show off NYC's hidden gems. You'll find everything from City Hall Station's elegant chandeliers to the peaceful waterfall at Greenacre Park. Each spot gives you a chance to capture Manhattan's character in your own way.

Over the last several years, we’ve learned that timing makes a big difference. Gardens like St. Luke in the Fields look their best early in the morning. The sunset creates pure magic at rooftop spots like 230 Fifth Avenue. These places look completely different as seasons change - Tudor City Bridge during Manhattanhenge is nowhere near what you'll see in winter.

The pros know just how special these hidden spots are. That's why you should visit each location several times to become skilled at working with its unique lighting and angles. Want to capture these secret spots yourself? The Pictorix team would love to work with you on a professional photoshoot to document your NYC experience at these amazing locations.

Note that these spots are just a small part of New York City's photo opportunities. The city keeps changing and creates new chances for unique shots every day. Grab your camera, check the access details for each location, and find your own point of view on these hidden NYC treasures.

Note that these spots are just a small part of New York City's photo opportunities. The city keeps changing and creates new chances for unique shots every day. Grab your camera, check the access details for each location, and find your own point of view on these hidden NYC treasures.