How to Hit Up All of Lower Manhattan’s Most Instagrammable Spots in One Day
May 2, 2025
Need some fresh content for your social media feeds? We’ve got you covered with these trendy Lower Manhattan spots that are also highly photogenic, like a haute-couture department store housed in an Art Deco building, a luxe spa with sweeping views of Lower Manhattan, a museum of immersive light shows, and a chic cocktail bar perched 64 stories above street level. You’ll end the day not only with a phone full of photos and videos to share with your followers, but also with some truly memorable NYC experiences.
First Stop: Apollo Bagels (41 John St.)
Power up with a coffee and a bagel at the most viral bagel shop in the city. Consistently voted one of New York’s best bagels, Apollo has a limited menu with only three flavors (plain, everything and sesame) that people are lining up around the block for. The photogenic sourdough bagels are loved by food critics and influencers alike. For an extra-viral experience, take your bagel on a stroll to Broad and Wall streets for a photoshoot with the “Fearless Girl,” Kristen Visbal’s iconic sculpture facing the New York Stock Exchange. Her presence is to send a message about gender diversity in the workplace and to push companies to employ more women to their boards. Talk about girl power.
Second Stop: Printemps (1 Wall St.)
Wind your way back to Wall Street to visit Lower Manhattan’s latest picturesque landmark: French luxury retailer Printemps, which debuted its first U.S. store at One Wall Street in 2025. The nearly 55,000-square-foot space is a breathtaking addition to the neighborhood, successfully marrying sleek haute couture with playful whimsy, and using the historic building’s Art Deco touches to spectacular effect. Stop at one of the several gorgeous bars on the premises for a glass of champagne to sip as you wander through the high-end retail offerings, and be sure to stop at the dazzling Red Room, a tiled masterpiece designed by artist Hildreth Meière that now houses Printemps’ designer shoe collection.
Third Stop: QC NY Spa (112 Andes Rd.)
From the Seaport, you’ll be just steps from the Governors Island ferry. The 10-minute ferry ride will land you at a luxe indoor-outdoor spa with sweeping views of Lower Manhattan. You’ll see plenty of other people at QC NY taking photos and videos here while they soak in the outdoor pools and hot tubs or enjoy the manicured gardens. Inside, there are plenty of saunas, steam rooms, relaxation rooms and more, including an Alice in Wonderland-esque “Upside Down Room” that’s perfect for photoshoots. Once you’ve had your fill of spa time, take a stroll around Governors Island for more incredible views and photogenic public art installations.
Fourth Stop: Mercer Labs (21 Dey St.)
Head back to Lower Manhattan to continue your day at this incredible museum, which is truly a feast for the senses. You’ll step into a series of immersive exhibits that make creative use of light, reflections, sound and other technologies. One notable exhibit features a robot that makes sand castles, sketches and more; another one that’s definitely ready for the Instagram set is a cave of pink flowers surrounding digital canvases. If you can pick your jaw up off the floor long enough to film, you’ll come away with plenty of interesting content.
Fifth Stop: The Mysterious Bookshop (58 Warren St.)
Pick up your next great read at the Mysterious Bookshop, which, as the name implies, specializes in mystery fiction and all its subgenres. It’s the oldest mystery specialist bookstore in the U.S. and regularly hosts authors for readings and other events. If you need a recommendation, the friendly staff are sure to point you in the right direction, whether you want a hardboiled detective novel or an edgy psychological thriller.
Sixth Stop: The Oculus (185 Greenwich St.)
As you weave your way through Lower Manhattan, make sure you stop and grab a picture at the Oculus. The futuristic design by famed architect Santiago Calatrava makes for a unique backdrop. Once you’ve gotten the shot, wander through the mall’s dozens of shops, restaurants and cafes. We recommend grabbing a snack and something to drink at Épicerie Boulud, which has pastries, coffee, beer, oysters and wine.
Seventh Stop: PAC NYC (251 Fulton St.)
Depending on what time you’re in the neighborhood, you may be arriving right in time for one of the free shows on the lobby stage at the Perelman Performing Arts Center. Depending on the day, you might catch vinyl DJs, dancers, violinists, singer-songwriters or other performing artists. Shows are typically at 7 p.m. or 10 p.m., though this can vary. You can also check the calendar to see what other shows are happening at PAC NYC. Even if the timing isn’t right for you to catch a show, it’s still worth walking around the venue’s stunning public areas.
Eighth Stop: Manhatta (28 Liberty St.)
Start the evening on a (literal) high note at Manhatta, which is perched 60 floors above the street. Pull up a seat at the bar and enjoy the sweeping city views with one of the inventive and photogenic cocktails on the menu. We’re talking drinks like the Astoria, made with Dolin Blanc & Noilly Prat dry vermouth, Tanqueray gin, chrysanthemum, palo santo and pickled honeydew, or the Berry Me in NYC, made with Ming River baijiu, Four Pillars shiraz, Pimms No. 1, ginger, cucumber and black currant. We told you they were inventive.
Ninth Stop: ONE Dine at One World Observatory (117 West St.)
A gourmet dinner with breathtaking views of the city is basically why people come to New York City. At ONE Dine, you can start with roasted oysters topped with spinach, feta, butter and lemon, then enjoy a dish of diver scallops, spicy rigatoni, steak frites or whatever else catches your fancy. Wash it all down with a signature cocktail, like the Big [Pine] Apple which is made with rum, white cranberry, pineapple and raspberry. And don’t you dare skip out on dessert. The whole meal pairs perfectly with the floor-to-ceiling views of the city.
Tenth Stop: The Seaport
Walk off that ONE Dine feast with a short journey to the Seaport, which is practically bursting with ‘gram-worthy spots. Head towards the piers to get some pictures of the sparkling Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, check out the popping bars on super-cute historic Front Street or enjoy a nightcap at one of the stunning spots at the Tin Building. The Seaport can become crowded, so we’d arrive on the earlier side if you’re hoping to get some unobstructed shots.
main photo: iStock
