Westgate New York Grand Central Hotel analyzed Instagram posts tagged at various popular NYC landmarks to determine the top ten most photogenic locations and attractions.
Central Park takes the top spot, with over 8.76 million posts. This icon of New York City is one of the most filmed locations in the world, having featured in over 230 movies such as Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) and 13 Going on 30 (2004). Due to its cultural and historical significance, Central Park has been a National Historic Landmark since 1962 and a New York City designated scenic landmark since 1974.
The second most picturesque landmark is Times Square, with over 5.39 million posts. One of the busiest and most diverse landmarks worldwide, with approximately 330,000 pedestrians passing through it daily, Times Square is a major commercial center, tourist attraction, and entertainment hub. Although It takes up only 0.1% of the city’s land area, it produces 15% of NYC’s economic output.
Third on the list is the Empire State Building, with 5.31 million posts. The Art Deco skyscraper is the city’s largest building and attracts millions of visitors every year thanks to its architecture, height, and observation decks. A symbol of NYC, the building has been named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Taking the fourth spot is the Brooklyn Bridge, with 3.94 million posts. One of the world’s most recognizable bridges was opened in 1883 to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn. There are now many experiences and tours that take in the sights that the bridge provides, such as helicopter tours, cruises and walking tours.
What to see in New York City, here are the Top Ten.
| Rank | Landmark | Number of posts (million) |
| 1 | Central Park | 8.76 |
| 2 | Times Square | 5.39 |
| 3 | Empire State Building | 5.31 |
| 4 | Brooklyn Bridge | 3.94 |
| 5 | Chrysler Building | 2.68 |
| 6 | Statue of Liberty | 2.46 |
| 7 | Top of the Rock | 1.69 |
| 8 | Bryant Park | 1.43 |
| 9 | Rockefeller Center | 1.16 |
| 10 | Madison Square Garden | 1.01 |
The Chrysler Building is the fifth most Instagrammable landmark, with 2.68 million posts. Situated in the Midtown East side of Manhattan, the skyscraper was revealed to be New York architects’ favorite building in a 1996 survey and in 2005, The New York Times referred to it as “the most significant symbol of architectural imagery on the New York skyline.”
In sixth place is the Statue of Liberty, with 2.46 million posts. The statue is Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, and over the years she has become a symbol of America and freedom, as she commemorates the abolition of slavery.
Top of the Rock is in seventh place, with over 1.69 million posts. The Top of the Rock observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza was under construction when the iconic photo, ‘Lunch atop a Skyscraper,’ was taken.
Eighth place goes to Bryant Park, with over 1.43 million posts. Bryant Park is the largest park in the Midtown East neighborhood and offers attractive walks with seasonal gardens, eateries, bars, and NYC’s only free admission ice skating rink.
In ninth place is the Rockefeller Center, with over 1.16 million posts. Commissioned by the Rockefeller family in the early 1900s, most of the complex was built by 1939 and is currently composed of 19 commercial buildings. The complex is now arguably most famous for its annual Christmas tree display and ice rink.
Concluding the ranking is Madison Square Garden, with over 1.01 million posts. Situated in the East Midtown area of the city, the Garden hosts events such as professional ice hockey, boxing, basketball matches, as well as entertainment such as music concerts and ice shows.
