How to Hit Up All of Lower Manhattan’s Most Instagrammable Spots in One Day

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 cafe housed in an old 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: Conwell Coffee Hall (6 Hanover St.) 

Power up with a coffee and croissant at this unique coffee hub housed in a former bank lobby. The Diego Rivera-esque mural behind the bank teller counter, Art Deco details, sumptuous leather seating and deep jewel-toned walls make this a perfect place to take some photos and videos for your IG story. If you’re truly drawn in by the details here, grab tickets for Life and Trust, an buzzworthy immersive theater experience that takes place partially in Conwell Coffee Hall in the evenings. 

Second Stop: The Seaport 

Just a 10-minute walk from Conwell Coffee Hall is the Seaport, which is practically bursting with ‘gram-worthy spots. Do a fit check amidst the cobblestones on Stone Street, head towards the piers to get some pictures with the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges in the background, or browse the Tin Building to take in all the creative snacks, trinkets, flowers and more. The Seaport can become crowded, so we’d arrive on the earlier side if you’re hoping to get some unobstructed shots. 

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: Gitano (125 Carder Rd.)

If you really want to feel like you’re on vacation, head to Gitano. The beach-inspired restaurant and lounge on Governors Island is meant to make you (and your followers) feel as though you’re in Tulum. And with sand under your feet, lush plants everywhere you look and a menu stocked with delicious Mexican food, we have to say, it’s pretty convincing. Stretch out on one of the loungers and snap some pictures of the disco ball for your story while you chow down on lobster tostadas, short rib birria tacos, duck carnitas huarache and more.

Fifth 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. 

Sixth Stop: Poster Museum (122 Chambers St.)

Continue your journey through the Lower Manhattan art world with a stop at Phillip Williams Posters, also known as the Poster Museum. Here, you’ll find thousands of posters from 1870 through the present day. Unlike most museums, you can actually purchase the item you’re looking at, so it’s worth stopping here if you need some new art for your apartment.

Seventh 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.   

Eighth 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.

Ninth 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.

Tenth 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. 

Eleventh 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.

Twelfth Stop: Five and Dime (8 Park Pl.)

Finish the day with a nightcap at Five and Dime, a cocktail bar located in the historic Woolworth Building. The vaulted ceilings and marble surfaces lend it a sense of grandeur that makes for truly dramatic photographs. It also has an innovative list of specialty cocktails like the My Honey is Spicy, made with Del Maguey mezcal, lime, house-made honey syrup and Tajin, and the Carole Baskin, made with Evan Williams bourbon, rose and lemon.  

main photo: iStock