photographs selected by Donny Bajohr

Start spreading the news about this iconic Empire City. New York City, also known as the Big Apple, is one of the most popular and recognizable towns in the world. The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Times Square, Central Park and the Empire State Building are just a few bucket-list destinations of hundreds.

It’s been said that if you can make it in New York City, you can make it anywhere—but if you can’t travel there in the near future, make do with these photos. Take a look.

This Staten Island ferry floats nearby the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor
This Staten Island ferry, named the Spirit of America, floats nearby the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Kawing Chiu, 2021
a mounted police officer rides through a deserted Manhattan
During the early days of Covid-19 quarantine, a mounted police officer rides through a deserted Manhattan. Vytenis Jankunas, 2020
a hot dog stand
Enjoying a hot dog bought on the streets of the Big Apple is a bucket-list item for some tourists. Vito Grippi, 2021
The moon between two New York skyscrapers
The moon hangs between the 73-story One Vanderbilt skyscraper and the iconic, 102-story Empire State Building, both of which can be spotted from some nearby suburbs. Peter Alessandria, 2023
pigeons fly around a man
This cigarette-smoking New Yorker has been feeding dozens of pigeons in his neighborhood for decades. Adam Schluter, 2021
a view of the Empire State Building
Visitors are reflected in the columns inside One Vanderbilt, where the Empire State Building can be seen from the observation deck. Beatriz Fernandez Mayo, 2023
Central Park
Central Park is the perfect place to enjoy warm fall weather. Beata Zawrzel, 2022
a women sits on a marble staircase
While also being photographed from afar, a woman snaps a selfie as she poses on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Vytenis Jankunas, 2020
The 22-story Flatiron Building
The 22-story Flatiron Building has been a Big Apple landmark since 1902. Savvas Stanis, 2016
A skateboarder
A skateboarder takes advantage of the overpass that also serves to protect riders from the bright sun. Ellen Speiser, 2022
an arched staircase with walkers
A dogwalker walks in between and into photographers’ scenes, ultimately becoming one of the subjects herself. Eric Falk, 2015
a cat sits at corner store counter
Few things are as quintessentially New York as a resident cat in the bodega. Vito Grippi, 2022
Vehicle headlights and brake lights streak in this photo
Vehicle headlights and brake lights streak in this photo, taken using a long-exposure technique, of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, formerly known as the Triborough Bridge, in Queens. Peter Alessandria, 2022
A crescent-shaped moon seemingly rests on Lady Liberty’s torch.
A crescent-shaped moon seemingly rests on Lady Liberty’s torch. Iñigo Gonzalez Portillo, 2022

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Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

Donny Bajohr is the associate photography editor at Smithsonian. You can follow him on Instagram @donny_bajohr.