Anyone visiting New York City will quickly notice that the city kicks up a notch at night. The Big Apple is famous for amazing things to do, like visiting the Statue of Liberty, touring Central Park, or checking out its famous museums like The MET (Metropolitan Museum) and MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). However, when visiting New York, make sure to explore the city after dark. Whether that’s chasing Manhattan skyline views, catching an evening New York Yankees ballgame, or seeing the glittering lights of Times Square, you’ll be in awe of the city that never sleeps.
Why We Love NYC At Night
Where is the Best Place to Enjoy New York City at Night?
Generally, Manhattan is the best place to be at night in New York City. The Upper West Side is where you’ll find the edge of Central Park and neighborhoods like Harlem. Midtown Manhattan has major landmarks like the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. Lower Manhattan has the One World Center and a departure point for the Staten Island ferry. Brooklyn is another great evening neighborhood located over Brooklyn Bridge and is easily accessible from Lower Manhattan.
In detail, we’ll cover all the best things to do in New York at night. But to give you a quick overview, here is the quickfire information you should know.
Best of New York at Night: A Quick Guide
Must See: The city lights from Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Grand Central Train Station, and the One World Trade Center. Where to Stay: Pod 51 Hotel ($), The Standard Highline ($$), Park Hyatt New York ($$$). Here’s our complete guide on where to stay in New York City. Fun To Do: Watch an off-Broadway or Broadway show, get in line for the Jimmy Fallon Show, watch a film at Bryant Park, go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and watch the city lights from a rooftop bar. Day Trips: Sleepy Hollow, Woodstock, Boston, Beacon, and cruise the Hudson River. Full List Here. Must-try Foods: Mexican street food, New York pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs.
Best Things to Do in New York at Night
Here are the top 14 things to do in New York at night. The perfect one-day trip to New York City ends in an evening full of exciting entertainment and extra sightseeing. Here’s how to fill an evening or two.
1. Empire State Building
The building stays open until 2 AM every evening, making it one of the most fun things to do in New York at night. Just make sure to check the website for hours as they do change throughout the year, which can make it a little confusing. From the observation decks, you can admire the city lights through floor-to-ceiling windows and walk-through exhibit rooms that tell the story of how the building was built.
Insider Tip: Visit at sunset to get the best of both worlds – seeing New York in daylight and at night.
Practical Information: You do need reservations to go up the Empire State Building make sure to book in advance here.
2. Times Square
You can visit Times Square during the day, but its bright lights are much more spectacular at night. The lights just show up better against a dark sky.
Insider Tip: Bring loose change if you want to watch street performers.
Practical Information: Open 24/7 and free to visit.
3. Take an Evening Harbor Cruise
In our opinion, New York City is best seen from the water. And this is even more so at night, when the whole city lights up, and you can admire illuminated landmarks from a more novelty perspective. The harbor surrounds Manhattan Island, and New York is basically a city spread out across the water. You can catch great views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline by boat. Booking an evening harbor cruise is a great idea to embrace New York City views at night.
It’s a brilliant way to combine your evening meal with enjoying a fresh vantage point of the city. Most tours run for around 3 hours, and the harbor waters are generally calm, so you shouldn’t experience motion sickness. The sight of the lights reflecting on the water is absolutely mesmerizing, and it’s a wonderful way to appreciate New York in all its after-dark grandeur.
Insider Tip: Book a sunset cruise to get the best of both worlds.
Practical Information: Cruises are best booked online and in advance; prices and timings vary depending on companies.
4. Radio City Music Hall
You can see what events align with your visit on the official website. The venue is famous for the Radio City Rockettes but also has a lot of other performers lined up. It is just luck of the draw, depending on what dates you are in New York.
Insider Tip: Keep an open mind when choosing performances to attend.
Practical Information: Opening times vary depending on the event.
5. Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge, built in 1883, is a beautiful mixture of stone, steel, and wood. The iconic boardwalk footpath attracts millions of tourists and is a must if you want great views of NYC at night.
Insider Tip: Start at sunset to get the best of both worlds.
Practical Information: The bridge is free to walk.
6. Check Out Events at the Madison Square Garden
This famous venue opened in 1879 and is nicknamed the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’. It has something on most evenings, so it’s an excellent choice for late-night entertainment. We recommend securing tickets as soon as possible if you want to guarantee your seat, but if you aren’t fussy about what you see, there’s always something going on at Madison Square.
Madison Square is a breeze to get to and is situated right above Penn Station. You can easily walk to the venue from Midtown, making it a great choice for a late-night activity.
Insider Tip: Check the calendar in advance to snag tickets to the most sought-after shows and events.
Practical Information: Opening times and costs vary per event.
7. Visit the Whitney Museum of American Art on Friday Evenings
This museum has over 26,000 artworks in its collections, easily keeping you entertained for a couple of hours. It is located in the Meatpacking District, so it is within easy walking or subway riding distance from most hotels in Manhattan.
Insider Tip: Visit on a Friday night to make the most of later opening hours.
Practical Information: Usually $30 per full-paying adult but free on Fridays. Friday opening times are also different, opening from 10:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.
8. Watch a Broadway Show
You can buy tickets online or at ticket offices for more competitive prices. Another way to save money is to attend ‘off-Broadway shows,’ which are shown at non-designated theaters, which usually have fewer than the expected 500 seats.
Insider Tip: If Broadway isn’t your thing, try to score entrance to a live show recording instead. The Jimmy Fallon Show has a live audience and exciting guests, so it is well worth getting tickets.
Practical Information: Evening performances usually start at 7/8 pm and cost a minimum of around $100.
9. Comedy Cellar
Comedy Cellar has a mixture of famed comedians and newcomers on a spitfire schedule of nightly acts. It’s a classic venue, with all brick walls and a light-studded sign as you walk down the entrance steps and into the ‘cellar’.
Comedy Cellar opens from 11 a.m. until 3 a.m. daily, depending on act schedules. It’s a great choice for evening entertainment and always has something on.
Insider Tip: Make reservations in advance, as Comedy Cellar is a small but popular venue.
Practical Information: It opens from approx. 11 a.m. until 3 a.m., depending on the acts, with cover charges of around $14-25.
10. Check out the Action at the Rockefeller Center
As you can tell, there are a few different things to do at this complex at night. The Top of the Rock stays open until after 10 p.m. every night, so it’s the perfect observation deck for a late-night experience. You can also enter the Saturday Night Live email lottery to see if you can get tickets to attend as a live audience member. And, in winter, you can enjoy ice skating past 11 p.m.
Rockefeller Center is a hive of late-night activity. If you want evening entertainment in NYC, it’s where to head.
Practical Information: Varies per activity.
11. Helicopter Tour
However, when you think about it, that’s only double a Broadway ticket – for the chance to experience New York City by helicopter. How incredible does that sound?
Insider Tip: Check out last-minute deals to see if you can get slightly cheaper prices.
Practical Information: Around $250 per person for a night-time experience.
12. One Dine Restaurant
You can actually pick packages that include entrance to the One World Observatory and a fixed-menu dining experience at One Dine Restaurant. This makes it more cost-effective if you’d like to experience both.
One Dine Restaurant itself has tables next to floor-to-ceiling windows, providing incredible views over the city below.
Practical Information: Monday to Sunday from 12 p.m. until 9 p.m. (with some seasonal variation).
13. Go Bar Hopping
The best jazz clubs in New York are Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note, and Bill’s Place. Leading rooftop bars include Spyglass Rooftop Bar, Top of the Strand Rooftop Bar, 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, and Azul on the Rooftop. If you prefer a classic nightclub venue, check out Avant Gardner, Nowadays, Lambda Lounge, Good Room, and Public Records.
Insider Tip: Always check for ticket or reservation options to avoid queuing.
Practical Information: Varies per venue.
14. Watch a Movie at Bryant Park
Previously screened movies include Mean Girls, Star Trek III, and Zoolander, but the list varies every year. If you’re looking for a novelty thing to do in NYC at night, Bryant Park and its movies are a great addition to your itinerary.
Insider Tip: Bring plenty of warm layers and blankets so you can stay in your spot.
Practical Information: The lawn opens at 5 p.m. and the movies start at 8 p.m. Admission is free.
New York at Night: FAQs
In this FAQ section, we’ll clarify a few things for you, giving you extra clarity when it comes to finding things to do in New York City at night.
Can you walk in New York at night?
Yes, as long as you choose your areas wisely. The busy streets of Midtown are generally safe to walk after dark, especially if you are in a large group. Avoid dimly lit areas like back streets and parks (Central Park included).
Is New York a good night out?
New York City is an amazing night out. It is a little bit expensive, and you’ll need to make reservations to get in some places, but overall, expect a lot of fun. You’ll find plenty of rooftop bars, jazz clubs, comedy clubs, and nightclubs.
Why is New York called the city that never sleeps?
New York is known as the city that never sleeps because of its amazing evening entertainment. Times Square stays lit all night, while many activities are on late at night, like off-Broadway shows and even late-night opening museums. New York City has round-the-clock entertainment.
Is New York still the city that never sleeps?
Absolutely. New York City still provides around-the-clock entertainment, from shows to museums and nightlife.
Tips And Information For Visiting New York at Night
In this section, we’ll cover the essentials you should know before visiting New York City, especially at night. You’ve got your inspiration on what to do in New York City; now it’s time to learn how to put it into action.
Getting There
Getting to New York City is extremely easy. There are direct flights to New York City from all over the world. You can fly from Europe, from South America, and more. For international travelers, the best way to reach New York City is by catching a direct or indirect international flight to JFK Airport.
From JFK, you can easily jump on the train or subway to Manhattan. Alternatively, you can catch a taxi or book a shuttle service if you feel like treating yourself.
If you’re traveling domestically within the USA, you can also catch the train to New York’s Penn Station. Amtrak services connect the whole of the USA, and you can catch direct services from New York to cities like Chicago and Washington, D.C. You can even connect cities like Los Angeles and New York if you really want; it takes just over three days, and involves changing at Union Station in Chicago.
Best Time To Visit New York
If we had to pick a favorite time to visit New York City, though, it would be Christmas. If you are looking forward to evening entertainment, you can’t beat visiting New York City at Christmas. The city comes to life in darkness with rustic markets and illuminated ice skating rinks blasted by festive tunes. The evening shopping is second to none, with dramatic store decorations and a brilliant atmosphere of cheery last-minute shoppers.
New York City is great to visit all year round. Still, if you want late-night entertainment, our top months would be October for Halloween or December for Christmas.
Getting Around New York at Night
You can get around New York City on foot if you stay in Manhattan. New York streets stay busy until the early hours in its main tourist areas, such as in Midtown around Times Square. Choose a well-located hotel, and you can easily walk around New York City at night.
The New York subway system also runs 24 hours a day, simply running a little more infrequently after midnight. It isn’t called the city that never sleeps for nothing. You’ll be able to easily catch late-night subways, connecting areas of the city that are otherwise tricky to reach on foot. One thing to note, though, is that you should always travel in groups on the subway when traveling late at night. Some lines can be isolated, and it’s better to stay safe and catch an Uber than ride alone in the early hours. Safety in numbers, remember.
How Much Time Do You Need
The ideal amount of time in New York City is five days, and you can check out our perfect five-day itinerary here. With five days, you can see all the main sights and do all the significant activities. You can catch the Staten Island Ferry, see the One World Trade Center, visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, step inside the Empire State Building, and walk Central Park. You’ll also get the chance to go on a day trip or two.
If you really are stuck for time, the shortest period we’d recommend to visit New York City is three days. With three days, you could cram the highlights into a jam-packed itinerary, although you’ll forfeit the chance to embark on any day trip. Five days is much more leisurely and allows you to leave the city center.
Where To Stay in New York
You’ll find Harlem, the Bronx, and the Yankee Stadium in Upper Manhattan. Upper Manhattan used to have a bad reputation for crime, but it’s mostly safe for tourism now. However, a little out of the way – you’ll be using the subway to reach the main attractions.
Here are some of the best hotels in New York for all budgets:
Luxury: Park Hyatt New York is a gorgeous 5-star hotel just a short walk from Central Park. Its fitness center overlooks Manhattan, and its spa includes an indoor saltwater pool. Mid Range: The Standard Highline is a beautiful 4-star hotel in the sought-after area of Greenwich Village in New York’s Meatpacking District. It’s just a matter of meters from the High Line, and every room has floor to ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan or the river. Budget: Pod 51 Hotel is a fun and budget-friendly hotel within easy walking distance of Times Square and Midtown Manhattan’s attractions; it even offers free daily walking tours.
We hope you have an incredible stay in New York City and have as many exciting evenings as possible. Whether you take a late-night cruise to Staten Island or visit West Village, you’ll love NYC at night.
