11 Best Instagram Spots in New York City
As many times as I’ve visited NYC, I’ve never experienced it through the eyes of an “Instrgammer” until now.
On my most recent girls trip with fellow blogger, Roxanne West of bonjourblissblog.com, we jam-packed as many photo-worthy sites as we could in 2 days.
Our trip began bright and early with a 6 am flight via Porter Airlines from Toronto to Newark. I’ve always favoured Porter for creating a relaxing travel atmosphere, mainly because the staff is always warm and inviting and they have complimentary snacks, beer, wine for guests available inflight. Considering the flight from downtown Toronto is a mere 90 minutes, it’s almost as if you blink and you’ve arrived.
Once we landed, we took the Amtrak into Penn Station and grabbed a taxi to Tribeca.
Honestly, this list of “11 Best Places to Visit in NY” could have been longer, if it wasn’t for our busy schedules that morning. We started with an Instagram masterclass held by ShopStyle, followed by lunch at Locanda Verde in Tribeca.
Afterward, we went to SoHo, a must-visit, to explore right before the downpour started. (Thank goodness we looked at the weather ahead of time and brought umbrellas.)
We had tea and dessert at Ladurée, did a bit of shopping at Anine Bing, The Real Real, and Free People before heading into Brooklyn to retire early to our hotel. (Btw - I don’t recommend doing this on a short trip unless you’re planning to actually explore Brooklyn. We both loved the look of the Hoxton Hotel Williamsburg and had an incredible stay, but we did all of our exploring in Manhattan, which meant we spent more time traveling to and from and spent a small fortune on cabs.)
With Roxanne West at The Butcher’s Daughter
The next morning we had a light breakfast at the Hoxton (complimentary for all guests), before checking out and going back to Manhattan. Even though we didn’t get to the Top of The Rock or the Brooklyn Bridge (the irony), we explored a ton of Instagram worthy spots around Nolita and ate the most amazing vegan lunch at The Butcher’s Daughter, before eventually catching our Porter flight back to Toronto.
Admittedly, had we been more organized we could have seen so much more, but it’s New York City after all and coming across cute spots by chance is part of the magic. Overall, we had a fabulous trip and honestly, I didn’t even mind the rain!
I hope you’ll enjoy my list of Instagram worthy spots in NYC! When you’re done here, make sure you head over to bonjourblissblog.com for Roxanne’s list. Yes, we were together but you’ll get a chance to see NY through her eyes.
11 Most Instagrammable Places in New York
1 // EGG SHOP
LOCATION: 151 Elizabeth Street, New York
Known for its iconic black and white exterior, this place also has killer breakfast and brunch and is flooded with plenty of natural light for awesome food photos.
Photo by: Roxanne West
2 // THE BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER
LOCATION: 19 Kenmare Street, New York
On the next block over from Egg Shop, you’ll find The Butcher’s Daughter, a vegan restaurant that’s so good, it’ll even appeal to carnivores. With a bright and cheery exterior and plenty of natural lighting indoors, the place is bustling but completely worth a visit. Try the Cardamon Chai for a warm treat.
Photo by: Roxanne West
3 // PIETRO NOLITA
LOCATION: 174 Elizabeth Street, New York
Just down the street from The Butcher’s Daughter, you’ll stumble across this small 1950s-style bar/eatery with a pink motif. The exterior serves as the best backdrop for all of those pink themed Instagram feeds. Once you got the perfect photo outside, head indoors for some more pink decor and yummy food.
Photo by: Roxanne West
4 // SHOO SHOO NOLITA
LOCATION: 371 Broome St, New York
This restaurant features contemporary Mediterranean cuisine and chic European decor that’s totally Instagram-worthy, with bistro tables outside and a stunning bar inside.
5 // SOHO, NYC
LOCATION: SoHo, New York
You never know who you’re going to run into in New York, let alone SoHo. Once I bumped shoulders with Ezra J William from Rich Kids of Beverly Hills (one of my favourite reality shows EVER!). And then last year I ran into the designer, Jeremy Scott.
Fabulous people aside, the streets of SoHo are lined with luxury boutiques like Isabel Marant, Chanel, Anine Bing, Acne Studios, Opening Ceremony, Louis Vuitton, and The Real Real for some second-hand shopping. Don’t forget to check out some The Mercer Kitchen for a quick bite while you’re there.
6 // ANINE BING
LOCATION: 330 Bleecker St, New York
A must-visit if you love fashion. Anine Bing carries a variety of edgy and contemporary apparel, gold jewelry, handbags, and shoes from her eponymous clothing line. Be sure to grab a selfie in the well lit fitting rooms while you’re there and take plenty of decor notes too. Everything about this store makes my heart sing.
7 // LADURÉE SOHO
LOCATION: 396 W Broadway, New York
If you love desserts, then you’ll just love the cakes at this upscale Parisian bakery. Be sure to sit in the backroom and enjoy some earl grey tea and Rose Saint-Honoré, a French choux pastry with chantilly cream and raspberries, topped with a single rose petal. Bonus points if you can score a table at the beautiful outdoor patio for some amazing Instagram moments. (Sadly it was pouring cats and dogs while we were there.)
Photo by: Nathalie Martin
8 // TINY’S & THE BAR UPSTAIRS
LOCATION: 135 W Broadway, New York
Even if you don’t get a chance to eat at this rustic New American fare restaurant, be sure to stop by for a quick photo op of the exterior of this iconic tiny pink Townhouse.
Photo by: Nathalie Martin
9 // LOCANDA VERDE, TRIBECA
LOCATION: 377 Greenwich Street, New York
Coming from someone who is an elitist for handmade pasta, the spaghetti here was sadly disappointing but everything else scored high on the list. The decor of this rustic Italian hotspot is everything, from the European style coffee bar to the exterior of the building. The food and cocktails also photograph beautifully so go hungry!
Photo by: Nathalie Martin
10 // URBAN BACKYARD
LOCATION: 180 Mulberry Street, New York
If you like tea then you have to stop by this quaint little cafe. Though teeny-tiny with limited tables for their patrons, they make up for it with delicious matcha teas in flavours like Rose Matcha, and vegan cupcakes decorated with icing resembling a cacti garden. Be sure to snap a photo of the exterior of the shop, which features black and white hexagonal tiles that are the perfect backdrop for your IG food photos.
Photo by: Nathalie Martin
11 // THE HOXTON HOTEL, WILLIAMSBURG
LOCATION: 97 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
Last stop! If you have a chance to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, be sure to visit the Hoxton Hotel Williamsburg for breakfast or cocktails in the evening. The decor here is also major goals, and trust me when I say I took plenty of notes for future home decor plans.
Disclaimer: In collaboration with Porter Airlines.
All photos and opinions are my own.
Additional photos by Roxanne West, bonjourblissblog.com.