k2edm Loc: FN32AD

HAVING LIVED "TOO CLOSE" TO nyc ALL MY LIFE, .......................all above suggestions are fine, but I must add the Circle line, if it still exists, a boat ride around manhattan island.... used to get it downtown somewhere.....& I would not want to walk around manhattan with a camera after dark....or at all for that matter..... stop in and oggle B&H.... Ed

Guzser02

There are some interesting suggestions here. I see no mention of Roosevelt Island. The old hospital is a good shot.
Give it a shot, but the park closes at 5pm sharp.
The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is excellent.
For a great/spectacular beach night skine go to Brooklyn Bridge Park in the late afternoon.
The Staten island ferry in the late afternoons also affords great views of lower Manhattan and Liberty Island.
Also check out Governor's Island.

Miamark Loc: Florida

I grew up there and often go back to take photos. I never had a problem. You have some very good suggestions. Be sure to walk on the High Line on the West Side of Manhattan. You can step off to walk through the Meat Packing district, which is great for street photography. The Williamsburg section of Brooklyn is very interesting and lhas lots of great restaurants as well (Roberta’s for Pizza). Just make sure that you know where you are going. Central Park always is beautiful during the summer. One of the best photos that I ever took is of the Brooklyn Bridge. There are so many things to see and do depending upon your interests. I would not venture out to New Jersey. There is no need to go to the Bronx unless you want to take in a Yankees game, which is well worth the trip. Same for Queens and the Mets. Just be careful not to look like a tourist and be aware of your surroundings like in any big city. If you like museums, then go to the photography museum. Also, if you need equipment, stop by B&H or Adorama.

makomike Loc: NYC

As someone who has lived in or around NYC for for 66 out of my 74 years, I feel safe in the City. Like any major city, you have to be careful and sensible. Crime in the First precinct ( where you are staying and I live) has NOT been skyrocketing:https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs-en-us-001pct.pdf. You can check all the precinct statistics. The 2021 stats also do not show skyrocketing crime{https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs-en-us-001pct.pdf. Like any major city one has to be sensible.

The subway is now running at about 40% capacity according to the MTA. MY wife and I regularly ride the subway and feel safe- either together or solo. I tend not to ride during the rush hour ( B/O crowding)and did not prior to 2020 if I can avoid it. We have done 3 round trips this week and felt perfectly safe. I would speak to the hotel staff and find out what lines they recommend. We tend to ride the 1.2.3 or the Q,R,and W as well as the A or C.The 4,5 & 6 tend to be crowded.

If you go to the Bronx Zoo- i would take a Lyft,UBer or Taxi. The Botanical Garden which is great for photography is best reached by Metro North(from Grand Central Station which is great for photography))

The Hi Line is great for photography. Would take the Statue cruises to the Statue and Ellis island from Battery Park( worth seeing as well). They are the only Ships authorized to land at the Statue or Ellis island. walking along the Hudson ( and East River)and getting sunset pictures is worth the time- be sure to see Little Islands.The Met and MOMA are excellent museums. Michelin guides which we have used in many cities around the world is excellent( I have not used the NY guide.). Certainly Central Park is great for Photography.

Be sure to go to the 9-11 grounds- there is an excellent museum on the grounds. Also wander around FiDi( where you are staying)

Have a great trip.!

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I worked in NYC for 20+ years. Been there 3 times last year to go to
B AND H. NYC has turned into a war zone. Never saw it this bad. Be extra safe with camera gear. I would only carry what you can afford to lose, it's that bad. I was there since the 70s and this city has turned into a nightmare

makomike Loc: NYC

I worked in the 70s in the City as an Ortho and Trauma surgeon- the amount of GSW, stabings etc was horrendous. We lived upstate with our son and his family most of last year. this year. i walj around alot with my camera etc without any fear.We walked 7.3 miles in the FiDi, BPC areas yesterday and felt perfectly safe. Please read the crime statistics,I sent.

katbandit Loc: new york city

If you are a senior you can get yourself a senior discount MTA transit card . This will allow you to travel all the 5 boroughs for half price. You can even change the pass to an unlimited ride one for a week at a time. If you’re in Manhattan you won’t need to rent a car as there’s really no place to park that’s even affordable. I’m a city gal. Don’t trust cab drivers. I always get around faster and cheaper with the MTA Oh. Be very careful these days. The city isn’t as safe as it used to be. Conceal your camera equipment as much as possible. Be aware of your surroundings.

Miamark Loc: Florida

Actually, I forgot about the Bronx Zoo as well as the Notanical Garden in my earlier response.

katbandit Loc: new york city

Go all the way up to the Cloisters. It is like looking at the world on top of a mountain. The view is spectacular

LittleBit Loc: St. Louis, MO

Are your grandchildren accompanying you ? Try your best not to look "too much" like a tourist (limit looking up).
What about photos of Ground Zero and the Empire State Building ?

katbandit Loc: new york city

You are so right. I used to go into the city almost daily to do my photos. But with the present mayor and what happened this past years pandemic it has become worse than it was back in the 70s. I won’t go in alone anymore. I hide my camera taking only what I need. I walk like I have a mission. Keep aware of anyone approaching. Never stand on the subways with my back exposed. Always stand away from the tracks. Having a wall or at least a pole behind you so you don’t get pushed. When you find something to photograph make sure you don’t get so absorbed in what you’re doing you lose sight of your property but more importantly your safety. There’s safety in numbers.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

As a dentist NYU dental class of 77, I did a head neck trauma residency at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, and have never seen the city this bad. Those days angle dust just getting popular and coming down they went psychotic. 18 fracture mandible in 21 days.
I still say today is worse. last summer homeless set up on 8th Ave Penn Station, carpet, chairs etc.
Nothing like I've ever seen and lived there 5 yrs worked 20 yrs

stogieboy Loc: Marlboro, NY

One of my favorite things to do in NYC with my camera is to find abstract photos among all the buildings and sidewalks. Particularly, if you go down to Battery Park, the sidewalks there are this great hexagonal stone. There are benches, stairs and planters all around that area. It can really make for some interesting shots, especially in B&W. Also, there are some great opportunities for similar abstract shots around the 9/11 memorial and the PATH station there. If you're so inclined, you can head over to the NJ side of the Hudson, there is a park there with a 9/11 memorial as well. It provides some great shots over the river to WTC.

You can also find great shots in the Village, and around South Street Seaport (you'll be close to this area), and will allow for some shots looking up at the Brooklyn Bridge. I would also recommend doing the same when you're on the BB. As you get to the towers of the bridge, pause and look up. The stone, the cables and the flags can all line up for some great shots.

Just a suggestion to keep in mind as you're photographing all the other locations on your list. Especially if you plan to make a photo book of your trip, these can serve as great backgrounds to a collage, or, you might even find that some of these shots will be worth printing. I printed a couple of my shots from this day and they are in my office: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-611364-1.html

I would also suggest a trip to B&H. Its the best!

Most importantly, keep aware of your surroundings, have fun and be safe!

-Mike

Coastie 74 Loc: Maryland

I would recommend a trip to Governors Island if the ferry is running. I was stationed there and you have gorgeous views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the entire lower Manhattan skyline.

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

In December 2020 I did a series of posts on "Winter & Christmas in New York", covering first Westchester in 8 sets and then a dozen or so sets on the city. No claim of covering it all, and it was at Christmas time with the then prevalent decorations. But you still might get an idea or two, so if you have the time, I suggest you open the link below and have a look. Each photo provides location and description info.

List of my UHH postings: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-topic-list?usernum=45105
In the top right above the listing, click on Page 4, then scoot down to post 9 "Uptown-Cathedral St John Devine
and then continue up through the subsequent posts.

Have fun planning and then doing the actual visit, without undue worry but being careful like in all unknown situations. I would not carry a tripod, except for specific evening/nighttime shootings (which by the way I do most of the time without a tripod). Good luck Joe