25 Vintage Photos of New York City in the '90s

Andrew Cunningham Published 11/29/2024 in ftw

You may have heard the age-old adage of "there are only 2 guarantees in life, taxes, and death," but in my opinion, there is a third one. That time changes all things, including cities, people, and even the natural world around us.

So get ready to step back in time with this stunning collection of 24 photos capturing New York City in the 1990s. From bustling streets filled with iconic yellow taxis to candid moments of everyday life, this gallery showcases the city’s gritty charm and vibrant culture.

List View
Player View
Grid View

1.
A punk rocker stands atop a Payphone on the sidewalk near St. Marks Place in 1993
2.
The city streets are blanketed in white after the snow storm (blizzard) of '96..
3.
A biker cruises through the East Village (1995).
4.
The Bowery (demolished) in 1995.
5.
An iconic yellow taxi cab parked out front of a Diner in 1990.
6.
A street view of the Meatpacking District in 1994.
7.
A lazy dog enjoys the day on a 6th Avenue Flea Market in 1997.
8.
A sidewalk path over the freeway decorated with graffiti in the Upper East Side.
9.
The Unique clothing warehouse on Broadway in 1993.
10.
Another angle of the 6th Avenue Flea Market in the mid 90's.
11.
Columbus Circle in 1991.
12.
A man travels the East Village by Skis during the winter of 1996.
13.
A Russian & Turkish Bathhouse in the East Village, 1997.
14.
Taxis lined up in Times Square in 1997
15.
A shot of the billboards in Time Square in 1994
16.
Bryant Park in 1993
17.
An alternate angle of the Meatpacking District
18.
A man on the sidewalk of 5th Avenue in 1991 jams out on the saxophone.
19.
The Chelsea Hotel and El Quijote restaurant in 1997.
20.
Steam vents on the sidewalks of the city's Diamond District in 1994.
21.
Cortlandt Alley / Great Jones Alley 1996.
22.
Greene Street (SOHO) in 1992
23.
Peep Land and Show World provided some *ahem* Adult entertainment in the mid 90's.
24.
A pub called the Fat Black Cat in the West Village circa 1995.
25.
A Newsstand worker in 1994.

1.
A punk rocker stands atop a Payphone on the sidewalk near St. Marks Place in 1993
2.
The city streets are blanketed in white after the snow storm (blizzard) of '96..
3.
A biker cruises through the East Village (1995).
4.
The Bowery (demolished) in 1995.
5.
An iconic yellow taxi cab parked out front of a Diner in 1990.
6.
A street view of the Meatpacking District in 1994.
7.
A lazy dog enjoys the day on a 6th Avenue Flea Market in 1997.
8.
A sidewalk path over the freeway decorated with graffiti in the Upper East Side.
9.
The Unique clothing warehouse on Broadway in 1993.
10.
Another angle of the 6th Avenue Flea Market in the mid 90's.
11.
Columbus Circle in 1991.
12.
A man travels the East Village by Skis during the winter of 1996.
13.
A Russian & Turkish Bathhouse in the East Village, 1997.
14.
Taxis lined up in Times Square in 1997
15.
A shot of the billboards in Time Square in 1994
16.
Bryant Park in 1993
17.
An alternate angle of the Meatpacking District
18.
A man on the sidewalk of 5th Avenue in 1991 jams out on the saxophone.
19.
The Chelsea Hotel and El Quijote restaurant in 1997.
20.
Steam vents on the sidewalks of the city's Diamond District in 1994.
21.
Cortlandt Alley / Great Jones Alley 1996.
22.
Greene Street (SOHO) in 1992
23.
Peep Land and Show World provided some *ahem* Adult entertainment in the mid 90's.
24.
A pub called the Fat Black Cat in the West Village circa 1995.
25.
A Newsstand worker in 1994.