Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Photographers in Times Square
Top Things to Do in New York City for Photographers in Times Square
1. Times Square
The epicenter of New York’s neon glow, where towering LED billboards, bustling crowds, and yellow cabs create kinetic backdrops for street and night photography.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the quintessential NYC scene: motion, color, and light layered into endless compositions perfect for long exposures and candid urban portraits.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Blue hour into night, roughly 30 minutes after sunset through late evening; pre-dawn is best for near-empty frames.
✓ Insider Tip:
Shoot after rain to capture billboard reflections in puddles. Bring a small tripod or brace on a barrier for 1–2 second exposures at ISO 100–200.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers call it electric, photogenic, and overwhelming—in the best way—though many note crowds and advise patience for clean frames.
2. TKTS Red Steps
The scarlet staircase above the TKTS booth provides an elevated view over the plazas, perfect for wide cityscapes and people-watching compositions.
✓ Why Go:
A ready-made platform to frame the canyons of LED screens, with natural leading lines and symmetry from the steps themselves.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunset to early night for color contrast; early morning for empty steps and minimalist geometry.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use the top landing for layered street scenes; a 16–35mm lens captures the sweep without cropping billboards.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the vantage and the energy, noting it feels safe and lively, though occasionally crowded during show times.
3. One Times Square
Home of the New Year’s Eve Ball and a vertical canvas of mega-billboards anchoring the south end of Times Square.
✓ Why Go:
Iconic façade for tight telephoto portraits of signage and wider context shots that scream “New York.”
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Twilight and night when LED panels are vivid; early morning for architectural studies without crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stand slightly off-axis toward 43rd Street to avoid lens flare and to include traffic light trails in the foreground.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers deem it a must-capture landmark, praising the dramatic visuals and the unmistakable NYC atmosphere.
4. Nasdaq MarketSite
The cylindrical LED tower and glass-front studio make a futuristic subject at the crossroads of 43rd Street and Broadway.
✓ Why Go:
Bold curves and scrolling tickers create dynamic frames for graphic, high-contrast night shots.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evening through night; midday for reflections of clouds and surrounding facades in the glass.
✓ Insider Tip:
Shoot from the plaza median for centered compositions; a polarizer can tame reflections if you want cleaner interiors.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Photographers praise the bold design and motion of the screens, calling it a reliable anchor for Times Square images.
5. New Victory Theater
A restored 1900s theater with ornate detailing and glowing marquee that adds vintage character to modern neon scenes.
✓ Why Go:
Mix classic Broadway charm with contemporary street life for layered storytelling portraits and architectural shots.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour for warm façade tones; night for marquee lights and nostalgic ambience.
✓ Insider Tip:
Frame diagonally from across 42nd Street to capture the marquee, street activity, and vertical signage together.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors appreciate the theater’s historic aura and photogenic marquee, noting it feels like old New York amid the glow.
6. Sardi's
The legendary Broadway restaurant with caricature-lined walls and a classic neon sign, ideal for intimate street scenes.
✓ Why Go:
Capture performers, patrons, and stage-door moments on 44th Street with a timeless New York feel.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Pre- and post-theater rush (6–8 pm and 10–11 pm) for lively candids; mornings for quiet storefront portraits.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use a fast 35mm or 50mm prime for low-light candids and to isolate the glowing sign against the street.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests describe it as charming and quintessential Broadway, a photogenic slice of theater lore.
7. R Lounge at Renaissance Times Square
A window-wrapped lounge overlooking the plazas with sweeping, climate-controlled views ideal for elevated cityscapes.
✓ Why Go:
Get billboard-level angles without battling crowds; perfect for timelapses and compressed telephoto views.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Blue hour to night for vibrant light; weekdays mid-afternoon for quieter access.
✓ Insider Tip:
Request a window table facing 7th Avenue; bring a rubber lens hood to reduce interior reflections on glass.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the calm vantage and spectacular views, noting it’s a comfortable way to capture Times Square.
8. St. Cloud Rooftop
The Knickerbocker’s rooftop bar with close-up angles of One Times Square and dramatic perspectives over the plazas.
✓ Why Go:
For moody skyline frames and near field views of the Times Square Ball’s perch, ideal for golden and blue hour.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunset through blue hour; early evening on weekdays is less crowded.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pack a lightweight telephoto (70–200mm) to isolate signage and architectural details from above.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests call the rooftop views unforgettable and highly photogenic, with a classy vibe steps from the action.
9. Hershey's Chocolate World
A candy-colored flagship with playful displays and a bright corner sign that adds pops of color to night scenes.
✓ Why Go:
Use the bold storefront as a foreground element to frame the river of lights and taxis along 7th Avenue.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Night for saturated color; rainy evenings for neon reflections on the sidewalk.
✓ Insider Tip:
Shoot low and wide from the opposite curb to layer traffic trails, pedestrians, and the storefront glow.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Families and photographers alike enjoy the vibrant visuals and friendly staff; many note it’s a fun, colorful stop.
10. M&M's World
A multi-story candy emporium with bold branding and interior color fields that make playful backdrops for portraits.
✓ Why Go:
Capture saturated primary colors and graphic lines—great for creative bokeh and lifestyle shots.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning or late evening to avoid peak crowds; night outside for neon and passing traffic.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use window reflections for layered compositions; a 24–70mm lets you switch from storefront to street quickly.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors describe it as lively and photogenic, with endless color and motion for playful images.
