bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Lot of good advice so far, Most of the shoreline of Manhattan is walkable, good views either east or west, now about eating, find a local one man type shop and get some real pizza, Brooklyn and Staten Island are even better for this, get a real deli and get a bagel with a schmear, BTW we have a lot of good restaurants that don't need reservations, still some good Italian restaurants in Little Italy even though the more famous have moved out, deserts try Ferrara's (195 Grand St, New York, NY 10013) for pastries, or this one Veniero Paticceria and Cafe, East Village (1894), 342 East 11th Street, get my votes.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Lot of good advice so far, Most of the shoreline of Manhattan is walkable, good views either east or west, now about eating, find a local one man type shop and get some real pizza, Brooklyn and Staten Island are even better for this, get a real deli and get a bagel with a schmear, BTW we have a lot of good restaurants that don't need reservations, still some good Italian restaurants in Little Italy even though the more famous have moved out, deserts try Ferrara's (195 Grand St, New York, NY 10013) for pastries, or this one Veniero Paticceria and Cafe, East Village (1894), 342 East 11th Street, get my votes.

Nikon1201

Get used to your tripod and shutter release. Google some examples of might exposers and you will be fine.

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

And the real Little Italy is Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.

ssiretire Loc: Warsaw, KY

There is a ferry that takes you to Ellis Island and Liberty Island that runs regularly from both the Manhattan side and New Jersey side. You can get off at each Island, spend as long as you want then catch the next ferry and go to next Island. Plan on spending the day. Well worth the time.

ssiretire Loc: Warsaw, KY

www.StatueCruises.com Ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty Island. Plan on at least 4 hours.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

If you only have a short time stay in Manhattan. There is great graffiti art in NYC. I would go to trip advisor and find a walking tour. Place I would recommend. The 911 memorial and that area. Lunch at Freeman’s on Freeman’s Alley in the lower east side. Great food in an interesting restaurant . Freeman’s Alley has graffiti art as well as an art gallery. Walk on 5th Ave St. Patrick’s Cathedral,Rockefella Ctre,. There is also a book What to Photograph in NYC.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

Excellent sunset and night photos of the city with the Empire State in the foreground and One World Trade Center or "Freedom Tower" in the background can be had from Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center rooftop viewing area). Take the ferry to Brooklyn Bridge Park for great views of lower Manhattan and the bridge with Manhattan in the background.

rangel28

Lots of great advice here. I know you are interested in good photo spots at night but I would add that the lower Manhattan area is great for photography. I used to love taking photos around Trinity Church (by Wall Street) in the day and anything around the Brooklyn Bridge should give you wonderful opportunities. Walk about halfway across the bridge to get great photos of the city and stop by the towers get closeups of the limestone and cathedral-like openings. Brooklyn Heights is great for shots of Manhattan. And the Staten Island Ferry is free and a great way to get shots of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan. I know the city has changed much since I grew up in Brooklyn but I would also be careful when walking around the city at night with expensive camera equipment!

Allen K

As a native New Yorker (born & bred & have lived here nearly all my life) I send you a warm welcome (I know, very un-New Yorkish). Your hotel is very close to Central Park so, if the weather allows it, take advantage of it. Carriage ride is very nice, but the route is limited and doesn't allow for immersion in one of the world's great public parks. Take the ride at night (tres-romantique!) and hike the park during the day. Good CP visits heading north from your hotel: The Pond (at the 59th Street & 5th Avenue entrance); the Carousel; Sheep Meadow (W.60s); The Mall up to Bethesda Fountain (72nd); Bow Bridge (classic site for wedding photos (W.74); through The Rambles up to Belvedere Castle overlooking the Delacorte Theatre and The Great Lawn (W.79). Exit the Park, and catch a bus on West 79th Street to Riverside Park. Walk along the Hudson River, 79st Street Marina; piers jutting out in the river (watch out for the weekend bikers!). Walk the park along the Hudson River until you get to 57th Street and catch a bus back to your hotel. Voila!

I live in the West Village, and we get a lot of weekend visitors. It's a lovely ramble along narrow, crooked cobblestone streets filled with brownstones from the mid-late 1800s, and we've got some great (if expensive) restaurants. There's also Hudson River Park, which you can walk along till you get down to Battery Park City. Great views of New York harbor, with a view of the Statue of Liberty in the distance.

So much more, but here's some things to ignore (some already mentioned by others): Little Italy (one small, pathetic block with mediocre Italian restaurants); Chinatown (still some very good restaurants, but filled with tourists and street hawkers); High Line (a true travesty! Once lightly-traveled with sweeping views of Manhattan now nearly impassable on weekends and views almost completely obscured by tall condos and luxury rentals); Times Square (okay, maybe for night shots); Brooklyn Bridge (hate to say it, but so overcrowded the City is considering limiting foot traffic).

Enjoy!

scg3

Advice from a native New Yorker: DON'T walk across the Brooklyn Bridge! It's as crowded as the subway and much less fun. Instead, walk to nearby Manhattan Bridge. It's far less crowded and you get a great view of -- the Brooklyn Bridge! Also, the Manhattan Bridge leads directly to Chinatown, where you can complete your experience with a yummy Dim Sum snack. Go for it!

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

Try a big onion walking tour

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

If you are going to be in the Village, or even if not, don't pass up dinner at the Knickerbocker Bar and Grill at 33 university place. Absolutely the best porterhouse steaks in the City. Expensive, but actually worth every penny. Jazz friday nights as well. A bargain for a first class NY City restaurant

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I totally agree. I found the Highline disappointing. In my previous post I advised what to do. You can also go to a museum my favorites are: Museum of Art, Modern Art, Frick, the Whitney, Museum of Natural History.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Watch your gear. Crooks can spot you mile away. NEVER LEAVE YOUR BAG ON FLOOR. CROOKS HAVE LONG HOOKS TO CAPTURE IT. Happen to my friend during lunch.