The best things to do at night in New York City

Now, if there’s one thing New York isn’t short of, it’s a tall building or 10. And if there’s a better place to soak up the twinkling lights of the Manhattan skyline than from atop one of these superscrapers we’ve yet to find it (disclaimer: views from Brooklyn Heights and the Brooklyn Bridge are pretty special too). Here come four of the very best, with a little bit about what makes each one unique. 

Pro-tip: access to all four of these is included with a New York Pass just in case, y’know, you just can’t make up your mind which one to do…

Another one that requires little preamble, Top of the Rock occupies the uppermost three floors of the Rockefeller Center. This Depression-era gem boasts a range of indoor and outdoor observation decks, all of which offer spectacular views of the city skyline. Its primary USP? Some of the best unobstructed view of the Empire State Building you’re likely to find in this fair city. Pro-tip: don’t skip the chance to nab a selfie by the extraordinary Joie chandelier in the Rockefeller Center’s soaring lobby atrium.

Get the full lowdown (or should that be high-up) with our complete guide here.

Times Square is quite the kaleidoscopic sensory experience at any time of day, but perhaps especially in the evening when the stacks of advertising billboards illuminate the streets, and there’s a palpable buzz in the air as theater-goers make their way to hit Broadway shows like The Lion King, Wicked and Hamilton. Don’t fancy a show? There’s plenty more nightlife to get excited about here, including bars, restaurants, comedy joints, nightclubs, TV recording studios and more. Or you could, y’know, just hang out around the intersection of 7th and W 45th and take in the whole glorious spectacle.

Pro-tip: the best way to get discounted tickets for Broadway shows is to head to TDF's TKTS Booth in Duffy Square (47th Street and Broadway – can’t miss those neon-red glass steps) and wait in line on the day of the show; there are some deep discounts to be had on most shows, as long as you’re willing to wait.

NB your New York Pass gets you access to tons of daytime Times Square attractions too, including Madame Tussauds, RiseNY and more. Get the full lowdown right here.

This is New York, baby, so there’s always plenty more nighttime action happening away from Times Square. New to town? This guided tour gives a pretty solid intro to some of the best bars, speakeasies and rooftop lounges in Midtown and Hell’s Kitchen, throwing in a solid helping of Big Apple history along the way. You can choose to buy a drink (or not) at each venue – either way, it’s a fine way to get your bearings and jot down a few recommendations for future visits.

Elsewhere, NYC institution the Shake, Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos Show is a three-hour all-request live rock 'n' roll spectacular, featuring – you guessed it – a lively pair of dueling pianists. Or check out some of the world’s best jazz musicians at the legendary Harlem Jazz Series, with shows held Thursday and Friday nights from April through December.

There are many ways to admire New York’s glittering skyline, but a Circle Line harbor cruise is certainly among the most effortless. Hop aboard at sundown for a two-hour voyage around the southern end of Manhattan Island, and a chance to tick off multiple bucket-list landmarks in one fell swoop. The twinkling lights of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings are unmistakable, as is the copper-green glow of an elegantly illuminated Lady Liberty. You’ll also want to keep eyes peeled for the One World Trade Center, the USS Intrepid and Brooklyn Bridge, as well as lesser-spotted gems like Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Colgate Clock on the New Jersey side – find out what else you can spot in our handy guide.

There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar on board, and an outdoor viewing deck for those Insta-worthy snaps; the narration throws out fact after cool fact as you glide along in the twilight.

Alternatively, try this cruise if it’s specifically sunset views of the Statue of Liberty that you seek.

For baseball fans, there’s not much that can equal the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd and the familiar scent of hot dogs drifting on the evening air. Giant foam fingers at the ready then for one of the great NYC traditions: a visit to Yankee Stadium to watch the beloved New York Yankees in action on home turf. Your New York Pass hits a home run, with awesome views from the Grandstand levels and one of the most memorable nights out the Big Apple has on offer. Go on: treat yourself to a classic ballpark snack: hot dogs loaded with toppings, garlic fries and helmet sundaes for the win.

Bonus: get to the stadium before nightfall and you can squeeze in a behind-the-scenes tour that takes in the New York Yankees Museum, Monument Park, the Great Hall and Toyota Terrace. Snap photos of the team’s many World Series trophies, and maybe even step into the dugout where legends have sat. 

Greenwich Village isn’t just a neighborhood; it’s a whole vibe. And, at night, its streets transform into a tapestry of buzzy bars, live music venues and history-drenched corners. Think cobblestones under neon lights, music drifting out of jazz club doorways, and local characters you’d swear weren’t real unless you’d seen them with your own eyes. Speaking of which, one great way of immersing yourself in the area’s nighttime secrets is on a spooky ‘Ghosts of Greenwich Village’ walking tour. This spectral stroll explores some of the Village’s creepiest corners, guided by tales that blend history with chilling local lore. You’ll visit the mass burial ground that's now Washington Square Park, swing by the Hanging Tree, and stop off (perhaps permanently) at the notorious ‘Murder House’.

But fear not, there’s also a tour for those of a more nervous disposition, who prefer their evenings to stay resolutely phantom-free. This two-hour introduction to the Village explores cool indie stores and cafés, plus jazz clubs, the legendary Stonewall Inn and other bars. So, if you do end up seeing things that aren’t really there, it’s probably only because you’ve had one too many Manhattans.