Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
This Insta Account Showcases New York Without Sugarcoating Anything And Here’re 40 Of Their Best Pics
I'm willing to bet that most of us who have never been to New York City have still heard songs about it, like 'Empire State of Mind,' or seen movies, such as 'Taxi Driver.' But how can we know if these representations are accurate? Well, there's a way to find out even if we can't tour the place in person.
The social media project WhatIsNewYork reveals how it looks through the eyes of its residents by sharing user-submitted pictures and videos taken in the Big Apple.
One quick glimpse at its content and you'll see a shirtless guy strolling on a snowy street, a pack of dogs posing for a picture with bunny ears, and many more vivid 'postcards' that capture the diverse and unfiltered essence of NYC.
More info: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Notes In The Lobby
RELATED:
#2
This Is Most Of Us
WhatIsNewYork is actually a spinoff of another cool online project. "I created SubwayCreatures back in 2012 to document all of the funny, crazy things I was seeing. When that got big, I decided to expand the content outside of the subway into the streets of NYC," Rick McGuire, the man behind these Instagram accounts, told Bored Panda.
Now, McGuire receives close to 200 submissions per day, "but a lot of them are not worthy of being posted."
"I don't exploit the homeless or those who appear to be mentally ill and I try to spotlight people who are doing something intentional or funny to bring attention to themselves," he explained.
#3
How Does One Get On The Mailing List For This Easter Card?
#4
You Ever Just Be Sitting There And The Dude Next To You Falls Asleep On You?
Hugo A-niro 5 years ago
My friend woke up in a woman s lap after drinking. The woman was very nice and did not wake her
Rick said that the warm weather and people being able to dine out late have resulted in all sorts of crazy submissions. "Pet owners still bring their weird, exotic animals around the city with them and Washington Square Park has always been a hot spot for interesting activity."
"Another popular submission is photos of funny NY vanity plates. I posted a bunch of them and didn't realize how much of a 'thing' it was. My inbox was filled by the end of the day."
#5
Notes In The Lobby
#6
Notes In The Lobby
"More than half my followers are NYers and that number might be underestimated because there are people who move away and still follow because they miss it so much," Rick said.
According to him, the NY followers are quite easy to spot in the comment section. They're the ones who identify areas in the videos and can relate to a lot of what the page posts. "They are also not shocked or surprised by what they see most of the time," Rick added.
#7
Notes In The Lobby
#8
Lunch Date
#9
Imagine Being High And Seeing This Today
This doesn't come as a surprise. Rather, it's a testament to New Yorkers' colorful everyday life, a sentiment echoed by Adrienne E. Adams, Speaker of the New York City Council.
"Our city is home to a mosaic of cultures," she said. "As a lifelong New Yorker and native of Queens, where we speak more languages than anywhere in the world, I consider anyone who calls our city home a New Yorker."
"Whether lifelong residents, immigrants, transplants, or recent asylum seekers, the shared joys and struggles we uniquely experience as New Yorkers unite us. Our historic women-majority and most-diverse City Council reflects this diversity to help everyone find success," Adams explained.
#10
Rip Mamma!
#11
Snowball Fight!!!
Catlady6000 5 years ago
Nothing to see, just a bunch of complete strangers having a wholesome good time. smiles
#12
Got A Bunch Of Late Submissions So Here’s A Final Halloween Weekend Roundup
Because of its massive diversity, New York City is commonly referred to as the 'Melting Pot' of America.
There are over 8 million people currently living in the city who speak over 200 different languages!
#15
Notes In The Lobby
Vasana Phong 5 years ago
What the heck, lots of packages being stolen in apartment buildings, it’s like porch pirate’s Xmas, I ship mine’s to may job
#17
That Time Of Year Again
#18
What Are You Naming Your WiFi Network?
#19
Spring Has Sprung
#20
Have Yourselves A Saturday, Sirs
#21
With Indoor And Street Dining Closed Last Night, Rocco, The Owner Of @trattoria_lincontro, Had Dinner With His Staff To Make The Best Of The Storm That Hit The Tri-State Area
#22
Just A Few Doods Chillin’
#23
Notes In The Lobby
#24
What Are You Asking?
#25
Notes In The Lobby
Vasana Phong 5 years ago
Are these owners to cheap to put up security cameras? I’m sure this wasn’t the first complaint, now it’s vigilante times
#26
Notes In The Lobby
Tim Fischer 5 years ago
Weird thing anyway, that the delivery guy doesn´t have to give it to you in person or to a neighbour
#27
Notes In The Lobby
#28
Coming For Your Girl
#29
Always Pay Attention To Your Surroundings In NYC. Never Know When A Creeper Is Gonna Be Staring At You
#30
So, Michelangelo?
#31
That Apartment Cost What??
#32
Notes In The Lobby
Julia Atkinson 5 years ago
When you're stuck in a New York apartment but would prefer to live in a cabin in rural Montana
#33
At Least Yours Responds
#34
Notes In The Lobby
#35
Friendly Reminder To Keep In Mind What Delivery People Will Be Going Through The Next Couple Days So Tip Well! Also, Try To Avoid Using Delivery Apps And Call Businesses Directly
#36
Notes In The Lobby
#37
That Apartment Cost What??
#38
Citispin
#39
More NY Snow Activities
#40
Notes In The Lobby
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
Running out of puppies, how many squirrels are equivalent to a puppy?
#41
My Fellow White People, What We Doing?
Hugo A-niro 5 years ago
I doubt a white person wrote this but in any case whst does this have to do with race? Who knows this dudes story ? Maybe he is just nuts
#42
Yes, There Is Currently A Massive Borat Barge Floating Down The Hudson River
#43
Notes In The Lobby
#44
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#46
Well, That Took A Quick Turn
#47
Joe Cool #whatisnewyork
#48
Notes In The Lobby
#49
Notes In The Lobby
#50
Just Be Lucky It Wasn’t An A/C Unit #whatisnewyork (@emiliosubia @izzyraye_)
#51
Notes In The Lobby
#52
Looking Into Your Soul
#53
Notes In The Lobby
#54
Got A Bunch Of Late Submissions So Here’s A Final Halloween Weekend Roundup
#55
Notes In The Lobby
#56
Notes In The Lobby
#57
Notes In The Lobby
#58
Notes In The Lobby
#59
They Really Booted The Whole Block
#60
Ok Last One, I Promise!
#61
Notes In The Lobby
#62
Dogs In Goggles, That Is All
Terry Tobias 5 years ago
I love that all these people protect their doggies' eyes! That's love!
#63
Notes In The Lobby
#64
Notes In The Lobby
Anyone-for-tea? 5 years ago
What’s a “boomer” jacket? Sounds like the English policeman from Allo Allo is on the case! Good moaning!
#65
Sinkholes Swallowing Up Cars As 2020 Continues
#67
Dogs
Catlady6000 5 years ago
He is a Boston Dynamic robot. Look him up dancing with his buddies to "Do You Love Me?" It's awesome
#68
Notes In The Lobby
#69
NY Student Driver
#70
I Thought Those Lyrics Sounded Familiar!
Cain Hargreaves 5 years ago
Thinking about this sign and thinking about the music video for the song at the same time is giving me cognitive dissonance.
#71
Effective Park Attire When You See Your Ex
#72
Notes In The Lobby
#73
Got A Bunch Of Late Submissions So Here’s A Final Halloween Weekend Roundup
#74
Notes In The Lobby
#76
Just A Bunch Of Grown Kids Living Out Their Childhood Dream
#77
Notes In The Lobby
#78
Big Points
#79
Dogs In Goggles
#81
#82
Notes In The Lobby
#84
Do You Think You Have The Worst Apartment In NYC? Send Me A Photo And You Could Make Some Money If It’s Accepted For An Upcoming Campaign #whatisnewyork (@luna.nova)
#85
Notes In The Lobby
#86
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#87
Notes In The Lobby
#88
The Best (Worst) 911 Calls On Citizen App
#89
The E! True Hollywood Story Of Big Bird Looks Sad
#90
“Oopsies!”
#91
Life-Size NYC Rat
#93
The Map Shows You’re At Mt. Sinai?
#94
My Fellow White People, What We Doing?
#95
Prob Find A Few Bodies Before His Cell Phone
#100
Missed Connection
#101
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#102
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#104
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#105
“I Don’t Care Where It’s Going As Long As It’s Not My House” -This Guy Probably
#106
That Apartment Cost What??
Vasana Phong 5 years ago
I guess not short people friendly, my face will only reach bottom of sink
#107
Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn [swipe]
![Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn [swipe]](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CNQRgh6nCt7-png__700.jpg "Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn [swipe]")
#109
That Apartment Cost What??
#110
That Apartment Cost What??
Lorrie Rothstein 5 years ago (edited)
thats not an apartment. That's where people are chained up and sold to trafficking
#111
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#112
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#114
#vote
#115
That Apartment Cost What??
Catlady6000 5 years ago
How come we never saw the Kitchen/bathroom esthetic in any of the Law & Orders?
#118
The Many Masks Of Corona
#120
‘Post No Bills Pizza’ > ‘Duct Tape Banana’ #whatisnewyork
#121
That Apartment Cost What??
#122
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#124
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#127
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#128
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
#130
Gotta Love NY Vanity Plates
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
Correction: It's a giant college dormitory with Art Deco!
Load More Replies...
Benjamin Thor Collier V 5 years ago
These are spot-on. I lived in NYC (lower east side) for 10 years. I don’t miss the high taxes but do miss the city. Hint: most NYrs aren’t rude. They’re busy.
Jo Firth 5 years ago
Have visited NYC 5 times in the last 10 years and have never found anyone being rude. Maybe because I'm Australian and people ".... love your accent". I can't wait to come back for my 6th visit.
Load More Replies...
Bacony Cakes 5 years ago
Correction: It's a giant college dormitory with Art Deco!
Load More Replies... Benjamin Thor Collier V 5 years ago
These are spot-on. I lived in NYC (lower east side) for 10 years. I don’t miss the high taxes but do miss the city. Hint: most NYrs aren’t rude. They’re busy.
Jo Firth 5 years ago
Have visited NYC 5 times in the last 10 years and have never found anyone being rude. Maybe because I'm Australian and people ".... love your accent". I can't wait to come back for my 6th visit.
Load More Replies...
Related on Bored Panda
