CaptainPhoto

I made a trip to NY a few years ago and used the NY Pass - to book stuff.
https://newyorkpass.com/en-us
Worth looking into.
Also used https://www.topviewnyc.com/

I also booked a photography walking tour with James Maher
https://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/ - he also has some good books on street photography and photographing NY.

Have fun.

kotography4u

Scout out the High Line in Manhattan during the day for a spot, and then shoot at sunset for city skylines.

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

I have not been to NYC for a long time but all the very good recs of the fellow Hogs make me want to visit, maybe this fall now that things are opening up again. For me the energy and vibe of NYC are matched only by Mexico City which is also 24/7 action.

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

On the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge is the Esplanade which has great views of lower Manhattan. There is also Gantry Park in Long Island City, Queens which has great views. Like a previous poster, I would urge you to be careful, especially at night. The city is very lawless at the moment and the subways are dangerous, as is Times Square. I love going into Manhattan with my camera but will not do it right now because of these conditions.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Not renting a car was a great idea.

timbuktutraveler

I live in the City. Of course you will want to ride the FREE Staten Island Ferry and
it is right there in the Financial District. The Ferry to the Statue of Liberty is there also,
but it tends to be crowded and may not be worth the time spent especially since you can see the statue
form the Ferry or anywhere in the Financial District.

Don't miss going on the HIGH LINE....the city's overhead park
It is on the far west side from the equivalent of 11th to about 30th st.
The Whitney Museum of American Art is right at the beginning of the High Line.

And spend most time enjoying the city than being obsessed with getting the "right" picture.

steleky Loc: New York City

The Cloisters in northern Manhattan. It’s the medieval branch of the Metropolitan. Lower Manhattan from DUMBO (the Brooklyn side of the bridge) in the evening. Just walk around midtown for street photography.

anotherview Loc: California

Central Park has its own attraction. See my photograph from it.

Buildings from Central Park, NYC (2009)

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Check website, last I heard it was one way and timed entry, got very popular

foodie65

Bronx Zoo, NY Botanical Gardens, the Cloisters

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I'm not sure that the words, "New York City", "Shooting", and "Safe Area" actually go together.😁

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

others have already made all of the suggestions I would.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

IMHO Top of the Rock(erfeller) Center is the best photography location for skyline shots up close. Great views of the city with the Empire State building in the foreground and the World Trade, port and statue of liberty in the distance. Go at sunset.

My favorite place for cross river shots of Manhattan is Brooklyn Bridge Park. Go there by ferry.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

Since everything I would think of has been mentioned I will suggest my favorite restaurant in Times Square. The Marriott marquess has a rotating restaurant on top of the building. There is also a bar if you don’t want dinner or lunch. Get reservations for a window seat. The food and service is great. I have been there both in day and night times. Both are great.

Our first time in the bar was in the evening after we had dinner in another restaurant and had decided to have a glass of wine before bed. We were enjoying the view when a table appeared that had a few desserts and some other cheap bar snacks. Nothing fancy and it wasn’t that large. We decided to each get a saucer sized plate of desserts…soon after we finished our waitress asked if we wanted anything else. Our wine glasses were about half full. She said she was getting off and asked if we would close out our tab. We got the bill and it was for $75.00. What. We had each only had a glass of house wine. When I questioned the girl about this she indicated that the buffet was $25 each. Wow. Where I come from those layouts are free. The wine was $12.50 a glass and $25 each foa a little pastry comes to $75. Needless to say, hungry or not, I made a few more trips to this scant table as did my wife. Needless to say there was a small sign on the back of the table that was almost invisible that showed the price. $25 per guest.

What I am saying to you is be careful when visiting NY nothing is “free” and it is not like home. But I love the city.

The other thing I would suggest is to postpone your trip for a few months or even a year. NY city will be more back to normal then. Broadway is not fully open and most shows won’t even be available until September and many not until later this year. In my opinion a trip to NY is not complete without seeing at least one Broadway musical.

Christmas is also a great time to go to the city. Radio city has an awesome Christmas show. It starts in November.

Anyway, whenever you go and whatever you do have a great time. Go with the flow.

Chuck

JeffL Loc: New Jersey

I wouldn't rent a car and drive in the city, especially if you are unfamiliar with the streets and heavy traffic. Uber or Lyft would be better choices. Besides, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to find parking outside a garage and that could easily cost $30 or much more for a few hours.