Skip to content

NYC Winter Photography: 17 Best Places To Take Pictures When It Snows

This post contains affiliate links to trusted partners. If you purchase through these links, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

By Charlotte Dow. This post on where to take winter photos in New York City contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Looking to enjoy some NYC winter photography?

Then you’re in the right place!

New York City truly is a year-round destination. The city experiences all four seasons in all their glory, and every trip to the city looks a little different depending on when you choose to visit.

Though New York City winters can be dreary at times with grey skies, street slush, and freezing temperatures, they can be magical as well. There’s nothing quite like walking through a local park after a fresh snowfall, or strolling by the holiday light displays throughout the five boroughs.

And whether you’re just visiting NYC in winter or are a long-time local, you’ll definitely want to snap some great photos of New York when it snows. 

To help you capture your best winter photos, we’ve put together a list of the best places to take pictures in New York when it snows.

From famous parks to observation decks to neighborhoods with the best holiday light displays, these spots are all worth a visit, camera in hand. Read on to learn where and how to take the best New York City winter photos that are sure to bring the Instagram likes. 

couple kissing during a snowy winter photoshoot in NYC
Guests stealing a kiss on an NYC Photoshoot in winter. Photo via NYC Photo Journeys.

Book A Winter Photoshoot In NYC

Looking to take snow photos in NYC — with you in the pictures? Book a Professional New York Photoshoot through NYC Photo Journeys, which was founded by Jessie of Jessie on a Journey.

During the shoot, you can visit multiple locations. Your booking also includes a pre-shoot call to go over exactly what you hope to get out of the experience.

You’ll get multiple looks, guidance on posing, and unlimited photos. Plus, there are different packages depending on your budget.

Click here for full details and to book your NYC winter photoshoot.

NYC Winter Photography In Manhattan

Central Park is one of the best places to take photos in NYC when it snows
The Pond is one of the best places to take pictures in Central Park any time of year. Photo by Brady Knoll from Pexels.

1. Capture the magic of Central Park photography in winter

There are few better places to take snow photos in New York than Central Park. This 843-acre urban oasis is absolutely magical in the winter and there are tons of great spots throughout the park for photoshoots.

For instance, the famous Bow Bridge over the Lake is a favorite spot for romantic photos year-round, but it really comes alive in the wintertime. It’s a top pick for couples visiting Central Park.

Also don’t miss the Wollman Rink and lookout, with great views of the skaters framed by the skyscrapers of Midtown.

The snowy trees lining the Mall also make for a gorgeous backdrop after a fresh snowfall.

And with so much open space and nature at your fingertips, this is probably one of the best spots to take photos of snowstorms in New York — just make sure you’re bundled up! If you need help with this this, here is a guide on what to wear in NYC in winter.

woman visiting Washington Square Park for an NYC winter photography session
Sunset is the perfect time to take photos at Washington Square Park in the winter. Photo by Nicholas Stansier from Pexels.

2. Pose with the iconic arch in Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is perfect any time of year, but it’s a particularly great spot for NYC winter photos.

The classic red-brick buildings surrounding the park really pop against the white snow, and the antique streetlamps that line the park’s paths will transport you back in time.

Plus, you can snap some great holiday photos here — the towering Christmas tree under Washington Square Arch makes for great photos every year, particularly in the snow.

Pro tip: Stop by this popular West Village attraction early in the morning to beat the crowds!

3. Take in snowy views from above at Top of the Rock

One of the reasons why NYC is so famous is its many attractions — including numerous observation decks offering stunning views.

If you want to capture winter in NYC on a macro level, take the elevator up to Top of the Rock, the famous observation deck located atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Featuring indoor and outdoor observation areas, this attraction is open year-round, giving you the opportunity to photograph snowy NYC from 70 stories up. You’ll get awesome views of the Empire State Building and other NYC skyline icons, but you’ll definitely want to get some shots of Central Park from this vantage point.

Plus, if there’s poor visibility on the day of your visit, Top of the Rock will happily reschedule you for a later date or time. 

By the way, if you’d like to learn more about this iconic building, consider booking one of the many available NYC architecture tours.

4. Photograph wintertime fun on Governors Island

Now open year-round, Governors Island has quickly become a top location for New York winter photography, particularly as it offers some of the best free views in NYC.

Take the ferry over to this 172-acre island in New York Harbor and you’ll be transported to a true winter wonderland within the five boroughs.

Governors Island Winter Village features tons of great activities (and photo ops!) including a large outdoor ice skating rink, fire pits, and holiday lights on the houses lining Colonels Row.

You can also snap awesome photos of the lower Manhattan skyline from here — a top draw for the island any time of year, as it’s one of the best places to take pictures in NYC.

Gracie Mansion in Carl Schurz Park during winter in NYC
Gracie Mansion, located in Carl Schurz Park, makes for a gorgeous scene in the snow. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

5. Enjoy a favorite New York garden in winter at Carl Schurz Park

Tucked away on the Upper East Side, Carl Schurz Park is one of the best-kept secrets of NYC winter photography.

While the park is best known for its garden, its design makes it particularly gorgeous after a snowstorm.

Full of idyllic bridges and rows of trees, you’ll find tons of great spots for snow photos throughout this small park.

You can also capture the fun of winter at the park’s sledding hill, where locals of all ages come to enjoy the snow after a storm. 

Inwood Hill Park covered in snow during an NYC winter photography session
Inwood Hill Park makes for the perfect winter hike in NYC. Photo by schizoform on Flickr (CC by 2.0)

6. Discover the wonders of nature at Inwood Hill Park

All the way at the top of Manhattan, you’ll find Inwood Hill Park, one of the top locations for New York snow photography.

This nearly 200-acre park is a favorite of New York nature lovers, with tons of gorgeous Manhattan hiking trails that will make you feel like you’ve truly escaped the city.

It’s one of the best places to capture photos of snowstorms in New York, whether you’re capturing the gorgeous riverside or the snow-topped trees throughout the park.

And don’t forget to bring your sled to enjoy one of the city’s most epic sledding hills!

7. Escape to Little Island for wonderful winter photos in NYC

One of the latest additions to New York’s park landscape, Little Island is a great spot to take New York City winter pictures.

Located in the Hudson River at Pier 55, this man-made island features lush natural landscapes, unique art, and plenty of great spots to take in views of the water and NYC skyline.

Little Island’s wide walking paths make it the perfect spot for a stroll after a snowfall.

Bring your camera along and capture the snowy hills and spectacular winter sunsets over the river. 

Want beautiful photos taken of you in scenic New York winter spots? Book a Private Photo Journey, a walking tour that includes photos of your group to keep. Or get a styled, custom shoot that tells your unique story through an NYC Influencer Shoot or Professional New York City Shoot. Email [email protected] with inquiries.

Best Places To Take Snow Photos In Brooklyn

Prospect Park in Brooklyn blanketed in snow during winter in NYC
Brooklyn’s Prospect Park makes for amazing photos after a snowstorm. Photo by Allison Meier on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).

8. Go for a snowy stroll in Prospect Park

Brooklyn’s massive Prospect Park has something to offer every time of year, and is one of the top New York photography locations all year long.

It’s the best place to be in Brooklyn after a snowfall, so definitely bring your camera along to capture the many fields and walking paths blanketed in snow.

For spectacular views of Brooklyn, head to Lookout Hill, the park’s highest point. When the trees are bare in winter, you can see all the way to Coney Island!

You’ll also want to stop by the Prospect Park Lake for some gorgeous winter scenes, and stop by the nearby LeFrak Center rink to capture the ice skaters in action. 

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights display during the holidays in NYC
There’s nothing like Dyker Heights at Christmas! Photo via Wikimeda Commons.

9. Catch some magical Christmas scenes in Dyker Heights

For New Yorkers, Christmastime means a trip to see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, one of NYC’s largest holiday decoration displays.

This neighborhood in South Brooklyn is the place to go for Christmas photos in NYC, with residents dressing their front lawns up to the nines with colorful lights, Nutcrackers, inflatable Santas, and so much more.

Want to know exactly where to go?

Book a New York Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour, which offers insightful commentary and shows you the some of the most extravagant houses. Bring your camera to snap a classic NYC Christmas photo you’ll treasure forever.

10. Snap the snowy hills of Fort Greene Park

Though smaller than its neighbor to the south, Fort Greene Park is an awesome spot to enjoy NYC in the snow.

Featuring over 30 acres of gorgeous fields and trees, the park has plenty of opportunities to capture lovely winter scenes.

Fort Greene Park is also one of the top spots in the borough for sledding, and you’ll definitely want to snap a few shots of sledders enjoying the snow. 

woman in a red coat posing for winter photos in NYC on the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge photos in the snow are especially magical! Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.

11. Take in classic New York City winter scenes on the Brooklyn Bridge

When it comes to winter scenes, you can’t get much more classic than the Brooklyn Bridge, a truly uniquely New York attraction and one of the best spots for snow photos in NYC.

This historic bridge connecting Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn is particularly magical in the wintertime when the walking paths are covered in snow.

For particularly special photos, head to the bridge right after a storm, before the snow melts off the cables.

You can also capture the bridge from ground in DUMBO at Brooklyn Bridge Park, another gorgeous spot for New York winter photos. 

Best Places For Winter Photography In Queens

12. Take photos of the snowy Unisphere at Flushing Meadows Corona Park

The former site of the New York World’s Fair and Queens’ biggest park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park features nearly 900 acres of gorgeous fields, lakes, and plants to explore.

After a snowstorm the park becomes truly magical, with snow covering the evergreens and brightening up the meadows.

The park’s main icon, the Unisphere, looks amazing surrounded by snow, so you won’t want to miss it. Sure, the fountains around the structure may be off for the season, but it’s still a gorgeous sight. 

13. Take a breather by Oakland Lake at Alley Pond Park

Located just on the edge of the borough in Bayside, Alley Pond Park is the second-largest park in Queens and the perfect place to take some waterside pictures in the wintertime.

The park is particularly known for its environmental conservation efforts and is home to many gorgeous birds like ospreys, swans, and even owls.

Oakland Lake is one of the highlights of the park, with the frozen lake making for beautiful photos.

If you have a macro lens, bring it along to capture some of the park’s smallest avian residents up in the trees. 

Best Places For An NYC Winter Photoshoot In The Bronx

14. Explore over 2,700 acres of nature at Pelham Bay Park

Located along the Long Island Sound, Pelham Bay Park is over three times the size of Central Park and is one of the best places to get out into nature within the five boroughs.

In the winter, you can enjoy miles of snowy hiking trails, snowy beaches, frozen ponds, and tons of other spectacular winter scenes.

Any of the park’s tree-lined trails make for awesome pictures this time of year, though you may want to bring your sturdier boots or a pair of crampons for some of the slippier areas. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

A post shared by Wave Hill (@wavehill)

15. Enjoy a winter photoshoot at Wave Hill

Wave Hill is one of the best places to take pictures of New York in winter thanks to their 28 acres of gardens and eight acres of woodland.

While there is less in bloom than during the warmer months, seeing the grounds blanketed in snow creates a magical feeling.

And if you’re looking to plan a holiday or winter photoshoot in NYC, Wave Hill welcomes you. You’d just need to send your request at least one week in advance to [email protected].

Best Places To Take Snow Photos On Staten Island 

16. Catch a holiday display with a purpose at Lights for Life

When Joe DiMartino’s wife Debra Ann was killed in the September 11th attacks, he decided to keep her memory alive by building a spectacular holiday light display to raise money for the children’s cancer center at the Staten Island University Hospital.

Over 20 years later, Lights for Life is one of Staten Island’s top holiday attractions, featuring scenes of carousels, elves at Santa’s workshop, and of course, a Christmas countdown clock.

Stop by and snap a few photos while giving back to a great cause.

And if you’re looking for fun winter date ideas in NYC, this is a great option!

17. Enjoy nature in the heart of Staten Island at Clove Lakes Park

Located in Staten Island’s Castleton Corners neighborhood, Clove Lakes Park features 200 acres of natural splendor on display.

It’s the perfect spot to enjoy the wonders of winter, with beautiful stone bridges, a tree-lined lake, and plenty of walking paths.

You’ll find some of the park’s best views at The Stone House at Clove Lakes, a waterfront restaurant that’s the perfect location for a romantic NYC lunch or dinner (and post-meal photoshoot, of course!).

Moreover, the park features an outdoor skating rink and plenty of sledding hills, so there are tons of opportunities for wintertime fun here. 

Want beautiful photos taken of you in scenic New York winter spots? Book a Private Photo Journey, a walking tour that includes photos of your group to keep. Or get a styled, custom shoot that tells your unique story through an NYC Influencer Shoot or Professional New York City Shoot. Email [email protected] with inquiries.

Best Hotels For A Winter Trip To NYC

Looking to stay overnight in NYC?

There are so many incredible hotels, like NoMo SoHo, the Williamsburg Hotel, and The Ludlow.

Click here for a full list of New York City hotels!

Prefer self-contained stays? 

Click here to check out unique local rentals! 

You can also use this map to search for local stays:

And if you’re interested in living in a hotel in New York City, there are numerous extended stay hotel options too!

New York City Travel Insurance

When visiting New York City — or anywhere else in the world — it’s wise to get travel insurance.

One of the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks.

Want beautiful photos taken of you in scenic New York winter spots? Book a Private Photo Journey, a walking tour that includes photos of your group to keep. Or get a styled, custom shoot that tells your unique story through an NYC Influencer Shoot or Professional New York City Shoot. Email [email protected] with inquiries.

What are your favorite places for NYC winter photography? 

Enjoyed this post on snow photos in NYC? Pin it for later!

About Charlotte Dow

Charlotte Dow is an NYC-based writer and communications professional specializing in digital storytelling. She is a recent graduate of the M.S. in Public Relations & Corporate Communication program at NYU's School of Professional Studies.