City Game: take a selfie with the 10 most popular monuments in New York
June 11, 2025
Welcome, urban adventure lovers and photography enthusiasts! Are you ready for an unforgettable journey through the heart of New York City? We have prepared for you a unique urban game that will allow you to discover the most interesting monuments and sculptures of the Big Apple, while creating a unique selfie collection. This tour will take you to 10 of the city's most famous monuments, from the majestic Statue of Liberty to the iconic Wall Street bull. Each place is not only an opportunity to take a great photo, but also a chance to learn about New York's fascinating history. Get your smartphones ready, charge your batteries and set off on a journey full of excitement, sights and unforgettable frames!
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Icons of New York - from the waterfront to downtown
Our adventure begins with America's most recognizable symbol - the Statue of Liberty. This majestic monument, located on Liberty Island, is not only the perfect backdrop for a selfie, but also a symbol of freedom and democracy. To reach the Statue, you'll have to take the ferry, which in itself is a great opportunity to take photos of the Manhattan skyline. Remember that you will get the best shots of the Statue from aboard the ferry or from nearby Battery Park.
The next stop is the famous Charging Bull on Wall Street. This massive bronze sculpture of a bull is a symbol of America's financial power and one of the most photographed objects in the city. For the perfect selfie, try to capture the dynamism of the sculpture by standing to the side or in front. Beware of crowds, though - this place is always packed with tourists!
Now it's time to travel up Manhattan to the Empire State Building. This impressive skyscraper offers unparalleled views of the city from its observation deck on the 86th floor. It's the perfect place for a panoramic selfie with New York in the background. Remember that the best light for photos is just before sunset, when the city begins to illuminate with thousands of lights.
Not far from the Empire State Building is the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. This is another vantage point that offers a slightly different perspective of the city. Unlike the Empire State Building, from here you can take a photo with the Empire State Building itself in the background! Comparing the two places, Top of the Rock offers a more spacious terrace and less crowded conditions for photography.
At the end of this part of our adventure, visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt - the newest lookout point in the city. This place stands out for its modern, interactive art installations, which are great backdrops for photos in themselves. The glass floors and walls create amazing illusions that will make your selfie truly unique. Compared to other vantage points, SUMMIT offers the most modern and artistic experience.
History and culture enchanted in stone
Continuing our photo journey, we move on to places that tell the fascinating stories of New York City. We start at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, a place full of thoughtfulness and reflection. The two huge pools shaped like the imprints of the Twin Towers are not only a memorial to the victims, but also a symbol of the city's strength and resilience. Take a gentle, respectful selfie by one of the pools, noting the names engraved on the edges. This place demands a special solemnity, so make sure your photos capture the atmosphere of this special place.
Next, head to Central Park, where several interesting monuments await you. The first of these is The Obelisk, also known as Cleopatra's Needle. Standing proudly in the heart of the park, this ancient Egyptian obelisk offers a fascinating contrast between ancient history and modern surroundings. Take a selfie while trying to capture the entire obelisk in the frame - quite a challenge!
Nearby is the charming Balto statue, dedicated to the famous dog who helped deliver the diphtheria vaccine to Alaska. This is the perfect selfie spot for animal lovers and history fans. Try to take a photo by posing next to Balto or even 'hugging' the statue.
Leaving Central Park, head toward Times Square, where the George M. Cohan statue awaits. This statue, depicting the famous Broadway artist, is located in the heart of New York's theater district. This is a great opportunity to take a selfie surrounded by the famous neon signs and billboards of Times Square - just remember to capture the statue in the frame!
At the end of this part of our adventure, we head back to the Battery Park area, where the touching American Merchant Mariners' Memorial is located. This sculpture, depicting sailors on a sinking ship, is a tribute to those who died at sea. This spot not only offers a moving photo opportunity, but also a beautiful view of the bay and the Statue of Liberty in the distance.
When comparing these sites, each offers a unique perspective on the history and culture of New York City. The 9/11 Memorial is a place of thoughtfulness and modern history, while The Obelisk takes us back to ancient times. The Balto and George M. Cohan Statues present more personal stories that have influenced the city's culture, while the American Merchant Mariners' Memorial reminds us of New York's maritime tradition. Each of these sites requires a different approach to photography - from respectful, quiet shots at the 9/11 Memorial, to more playful poses at Balto or a dynamic selfie in Times Square.
Practical tips for city game participants
To conclude our fascinating tour of New York City's monuments, it's worth summarizing some practical tips to help you make this unique city game.
First, plan your route. New York is a huge city, and the distances between the various monuments can be considerable. We suggest starting at the Statue of Liberty and Battery Park, then moving on to the financial district with Charging Bull, then heading north to the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. On another day, you can focus on Central Park and its surroundings, ending in Times Square.
Remember to dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes - you'll be doing a lot of walking! Take a powerbank with you, as taking selfies will quickly drain your phone's battery. It's also a good idea to get a wide-angle lens for your smartphone, which will help you capture more details, especially when photographing tall buildings or large monuments.
Pay attention to the opening hours of each site. Viewpoints like the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock are open until late in the evening, giving you the opportunity to take beautiful night photos. The Statue of Liberty, on the other hand, is best visited early in the morning to avoid long queues.
As for the cost, consider purchasing a New York CityPASS, which offers discounted admission to many attractions, including the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock. Remember, however, that some monuments, such as the Charging Bull and the Balto statue, are free to enter.
Security is key. Keep your phones close to you, especially in crowded areas like Times Square. Also, watch out for traffic when taking photos - New York drivers are not always patient with distracted tourists!
Finally, remember to be respectful of the places you visit and other tourists. Especially at the 9/11 Memorial, be quiet and serious. At other sites, be patient while waiting for your turn to take a photo.
To sum up our city game, each of the 10 memorials offers a unique experience and perspective on New York's history and culture. From the majestic Statue of Liberty to the dynamic Charging Bull to the touching American Merchant Mariners' Memorial, each site has its own story to tell. Viewpoints like the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt allow you to see the city from a completely different perspective, while the memorials in Central Park offer a moment of respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
This city game is not only an opportunity to take unique selfies, but more importantly a chance to learn more about New York, its history and culture. Each photo you take will not only be a souvenir, but also part of a larger story about this fascinating city. We wish you a successful adventure and unforgettable frames!
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