Times Square

A crossroads of billboards that stays daylight-bright at 10pm

⚠ Costumed characters expect tips

Hours: Open 24 hours
Tickets: Free
Address: Where Broadway and Seventh Avenue cross, between W 42nd and W 47th Streets

Stand where Seventh Avenue and Broadway cross and every building is a screen from pavement to roof. After dark the glow is so strong it barely feels like night, and the classic first-night photo is from the red glass steps on top of the TKTS booth at 47th Street, looking up at the wall of light. Theatres surround the square, so around 10pm the shows let out and the crowd floods back in. There's nothing to do here beyond staring at screens and people, so half an hour is plenty.