New York City is a gorgeous city: we've got hundreds of stunning skyscrapers, we're bordered by two sparkling rivers, and we have tons of beautiful, well-maintained public parks.
Want to know a place in NYC that, in our humble opinions, is decidedly not beautiful?
You guessed it. In our opinions, Times Square, the flashing, overwhelming, crowded manifestation of capitalism is not the most beautiful place in the city.
It's crowded, ugly, and filled to the brim with soulless ads, corporate chains, and money hawkers. Times Square has nothing to do with the NYC we love; the NYC that pulses with originality and soul.
Times Square has nothing to do with the NYC with a multitude of independent shops, bookstores, concert venues, cafes, rooftop gardens and street art.
Since these are essentially everything we love about this crazy city, we were perplexed (not surprised, but perplexed) to learn that in 2015, Times Square was Instagram's most photographed place in the world.
That idea is pretty staggering: of all the places in the world where people took and posted photographs to Instagram in 2015, Times Square was the one photographed most frequently.
[anad]
The second most photographed place in the world was the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the London Bridge, obviously in London.
Since we know NYC can do so much better, we're going to share 13 places that are decidedly more beautiful than Times Square.
Our hope is that next time you're thinking of photographing a picture to Instagram, maybe you'll redirect yourself to one of these stunners instead.
1. Brooklyn Grange
brooklyngrange Tomorrow is the very last chance to visit our flagship farm until 2016! Come get your hands dirty alongside Farmer Bradley and the team, or stock up on honey, hot sauce, and veggies. Or just enjoy the view! Free, open to the public, no need to register in advance, just head over tomorrow, Saturday, 11am - 4pm @ 37-18 Northern Blvd, LIC. Directions at www.brooklyngrangefarm.com/visit #roof2015 #fbf
2. Strawberry Fields
3. New York Botanical Garden
soraya_dayani Felt like being in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland today at the #newyorkbotanicalgarden with @ceciliaromerohair @jpantherluggage #freidakahlo exhibit is disapointing but the surrounds of the garden are stunning!! 🍃☕️🍂🌰🐛🌸🌳🐦🌲🌺🎩🌼🍃🐇🍂🍄🐌🎃
4. Rockaway Beach
5. One World Trade
6. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
7. The High Line
[anad2]
8. The Bronx Zoo
goproking.dom These little guys are the cutest! I kinda want one! 😎 #followme for more #goproeverything 📷 #goprodreams #animal #gopro #gprealm #gpunited #gopro_boss #goprohero4 #gproworldwide #gopro_moment #goprofanatic_ #redpanda #redpandas #goproanimals #cute #adorable #goproparadise #goprooftheday #goproculture #bronxzoo #bronx #thebronxzoo #gophotooftheday
9. Deno's Wonder Wheel
haulani7 Counterclockwise | Breaking free from the square #amusementpark #bigapple #city #citylife #denoswonderwheel #play #carnivalride #coney #coneyisland #ferriswheel #nyc #newyork #newyorkcity #latepost #colorful #fun #joy #lunapark #brooklyn #wonderwheel #broadwalk #thisisnewyorkcity #madeinnyc #igersofnyc #instagramnyc
10. South Street Seaport
11. The Museum of Modern Art
hurley_csr All I can think of, is what a sick tattoo this would be. #themoma #newyork #newyorkfuckingcity #nyfc
12. Brooklyn Bridge
13. Hudson River Park
Have You Seen This Hysterical 'City Subway Creatures" Instagram?
[Feature Image Courtesy Pinterest]