New York City: 21 Fun Things to Do At Night

I have lived in NYC for over 10 years and I know the spots that locals go to after dark. Some of them are really popular, and some of them almost nobody tells you about.

Here are 21 things to do at night in my city. A few of them cost nothing at all 🙂

Save Big Time With the New York City Pass

1. See the City Lights From Summit One Vanderbilt

Powered by GetYourGuide

Summit One Vanderbilt is right next to Grand Central Terminal. It is one of the newest observation decks in New York, and it works best after dark.

The main room is covered in mirrors. The floor, the walls and the ceiling all reflect the city, so the lights of Midtown are everywhere around you. It feels like you are floating above the streets.

There are also two glass boxes that stick out from the side of the building. You stand inside and look straight down at Madison Avenue, more than 1,000 feet (300 m) below your feet. Not for everyone, but the photos are amazing.

Most people book the sunset slot, so it gets busy. If you want a calmer visit, go after 9 PM (but it’s not guaranteed). The deck stays open until midnight and the last entry is at 10:30 PM.

Insider Tip: You can add “Ascent,” a glass elevator on the outside of the building. It takes you higher and you look through a glass floor while you go up. It costs extra and the ride is short, so only book it if you really want that one photo.

2. Ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway After Dark

This is the cheapest skyline view in New York and most visitors never hear about it. The Roosevelt Island Tramway is a red cable car that crosses the East River right next to the Queensboro Bridge.

It is part of the normal transport system. You pay one subway fare with your MetroCard or with OMNY, the same as any other ride, and that is it.

The trip takes about four minutes. You go up over the river and look straight into Midtown, with the lit bridge next to you and the water below. It is a completely different angle than any rooftop bar gives you.

The Manhattan station is at 59th Street and Second Avenue. The tram leaves every 15 minutes most of the time, and every 7 to 8 minutes during rush hour.

Insider Tip: The ride back from Roosevelt Island to Manhattan is the better direction. You fly straight toward the skyline instead of away from it. Stand at the front of the cabin and get there a few minutes early if you want a window spot.

  • Google Maps Location
  • Cost: One subway fare, about $2.90
  • Best Time: Year-round. Sunday to Thursday until 2 AM, Friday and Saturday until 3:30 AM

3. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic landmark that offers stunning night-time city views, and you can walk the bridge for free at night, year-round.

See the one-of-a-kind Manhattan lights and skyline as you walk the bridge, with stops in the middle for photos. The bridge is about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) and is not very steep, perfect for a pleasant and scenic stroll.

Pro Tip: Begin your walk on the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade in Dumbo and then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan to see the best views.

4. Take an Evening Cruise to See NYC Lit Up

Powered by GetYourGuide

New York City comes to life at night, and you can see the whole city lit up on a nighttime cruise. Grab your travel partners and enjoy drinks on board as you snap shots of the city’s best nighttime views.

We’ve gone on summertime evening cruises in NYC and love the brilliant sunset views of the skyline and the fun atmosphere.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Tip: Try Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-the-Box-Office for an unforgettable boat tour to see NYC’s most iconic landmarks lit up at night, including the Statue of Liberty, Freedom Tower – One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, and more.

5. Enjoy Cocktails at a Speakeasy

Powered by GetYourGuide

The bar scene in NYC never really stops. Make the most of the nightlife and visit one of the city’s many speakeasies.

You may have to do some digging to find out how to access each speakeasy, but it will be well worth your time as you sip from teacups and toast to a night full of celebrations.

I’ve enjoyed speakeasies in New York, with many great options in the downtown neighborhoods of the East Village and Lower East Side. Try Attaboy, The Back Room, and Please Don’t Tell.

Tip: Go on the NYC: Speakeasy Drinks and Prohibition History Tour for a tour of some of NYC’s speakeasies while you learn about the roaring ’20s during Prohibition in New York.

6. Visit the Empire State Building at Night

Powered by GetYourGuide

See the city’s sparkling night lights from the top of the iconic Empire State Building. Plan your trip to arrive at sunset and you’ll enjoy incredible panoramic views of the skyline and city bathed in reds, oranges, and yellows.

Insider Tip: Get an Empire State Building Morning and Night Entry Ticket to experience the Empire State Building views during daytime hours and again when the city is lit up at night. You’ll see iconic landmarks and a stark contrast between day and night views.

7. Join a Nighttime Brooklyn Pizza and Brewery Walking Tour

Powered by GetYourGuide

What could be better than pizza and beer? A local guide takes you through Brooklyn in the evening, to classic pizzerias and to breweries that people in the neighborhood actually go to.

You eat, you drink, and you learn a bit about the area between the stops. It is a relaxed way to spend an evening if you don’t want to plan anything yourself.

Tip: Can be booked until 11 PM.

8. Take a Nighttime Walking Tour

Powered by GetYourGuide

Walking tours are a popular way to explore the city during the day, but they’re even more magical at night. Many tour companies offer nighttime walking tours of popular neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, SoHo, and the Lower East Side.

These tours allow you to see the city in a different light (literally), and you’ll learn interesting tidbits about the city’s history and architecture.

Tip: If you’re looking for a spooky experience, check out the Ghosts of Greenwich Village Tour. You’ll learn about the area’s haunted history and the ghosts that still roam the streets.

  • Best Time: May to September

9. Visit a Museum After Hours

Many of the city’s top museums offer extended hours and special events after dark. It’s a unique opportunity to see the exhibits in a different light and avoid the crowds that flock to museums during the day.

Friday and Saturday evenings are usually the best days to check. Some museums also run late nights with music, drinks and talks a few times a month, so look at the event calendar before you go.

  • Best Time: Year-round

10. Catch a Show at a Small Theater

Broadway shows are a must-see when visiting NYC, but they can be expensive and hard to get tickets to. Instead, check out one of the many small theaters scattered throughout the city.

These venues offer a more intimate experience and often feature up-and-coming performers and playwrights.

Insider Tip: The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Chelsea is a great spot to catch some improv comedy. You never know who might show up, as many famous comedians got their start here.

  • Best Times: Thursday nights are the most popular for small performances, followed by Tuesday nights. Shows are year-round.

11. Visit a Rooftop Bar

NYC is known for its rooftop bars, and for good reason. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a drink with a stunning view of the city skyline.

Whether you’re looking for a fancy cocktail bar or a more casual hangout spot, there’s a rooftop bar for every mood.

Insider Tip: The Rooftop at Pier 17 in the Seaport District is a great spot to catch some live music while enjoying a drink and a view of the Brooklyn Bridge. If you’re a music lover, check get tickets to one of the summer concerts on the Rooftop at Pier 17.

12. Go Ice Skating

Ice skating is a classic winter activity, and NYC has some of the best rinks in the world.

You can go ice skating at iconic locations like Rockefeller Center and Central Park, or check out one of the lesser-known rinks for a more low-key experience.

Insider Tip: The rink at Bryant Park is free (if you bring your own skates) and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding skyscrapers. During the holidays, you can also check out the festive Holiday Market vendors with fresh food and hand-crafted gifts next to the ice rink.

  • Google Maps Location
  • Best Time: Late October to early April for Central Park ice skating, Late October to early March for Bryant Park ice skating, with late-night skate hours on weekends and winter holidays.

13. Explore Chinatown

Chinatown is a vibrant neighborhood that comes alive at night. Take a walk down Canal Street and you’ll see street vendors selling everything from fresh produce to knockoff handbags.

The restaurants in the area are also a must-try, with many of them open late into the night.

Insider Tip: Stop by Nom Wah Tea Parlor on Doyers Street for some delicious dim sum. It’s been a Chinatown staple since 1920 and is the oldest continually running restaurant in Chinatown. Nom Wah is also open late, until midnight on weekends.

Colorful Doyers Street also has a rich history and place in the Chinatown neighborhood. The street was the site of the first Chinese language theater in New York City and now includes barbershops and speakeasies.

14. Play Arcade Games

For a fun, nostalgic night out, head to an arcade bar. These venues offer a selection of classic arcade games and pinball machines, as well as a full bar.

It’s the perfect spot to let loose and have some lighthearted fun. The vintage arcades feature over 70 games with machines and video games dating back to the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s.

Insider Tip: Barcade has locations in downtown Manhattan and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and offers a rotating selection of craft beers and arcade games.

  • Best Time: Year-round

15. Relax at a Bathhouse

If you need to unwind from your time in the city, you can relax in a luxurious bathhouse.

NYC has plenty of bathhouses and spas open late to accommodate night owls. Book your spa time and allow your body and mind to completely relax.

Insider Tip: Feel your stress melt away at the candlelit baths at AIRE Ancient Baths New York for an evening of rejuvenation in downtown Manhattan. Open till 9 pm daily.

16. Take a Late-Night Ferry Ride

Most people take the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty during the day, but it’s also a beautiful experience at night. The city skyline is lit up and the view from the water is breathtaking.

Insider Tip: The Staten Island Ferry is a great option for a free nighttime ferry ride, with departures every 30 minutes. It offers great views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline.

Plus, the ferry is a popular spot for locals to grab a late-night snack or drink, with food vendors and a bar on board.

  • Best Time: April through October

17. Laugh Out Loud at a Comedy Club

NYC comedy clubs feature the best comedians in the world, and you can enjoy lots of laughs at a nighttime comedy show. Take your friends or date and enjoy some drinks and good times.

Insider Tip: Check out the Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village and you may see a celebrity comedian drop in for a show! The legendary comedy club has hosted talent including Aziz Ansari, Amy Schumer, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and many rising stars.

18. Listen to Live Jazz in Greenwich Village

Jazz is part of the city and the Village is where you find the best of it. The clubs are small, the tables are close together, and the music starts late.

The Village Vanguard has been open since 1935 and the room has not changed much since then. Smalls Jazz Club is cheaper and stays open until the early morning hours. Blue Note is bigger and easier to book if you plan ahead.

Insider Tip: Most clubs run two or three sets per night. The late set is usually the cheapest and the least crowded, and the musicians often play looser. Book online in advance, because the good rooms fill up on weekends.

19. Go Stargazing

Believe it or not, you can actually see the stars in NYC. The Amateur Astronomers Association of New York hosts free stargazing events in various locations around the city.

They bring the telescopes and you just show up. It is a quiet break from the noise of the city and it costs nothing.

Insider Tip: Check out the stargazing events at the High Line, an elevated park on Manhattan’s west side. It offers a unique perspective for stargazing and has a great view of the city skyline.

  • Best Time: Summer

20. See Outdoor Movies in an Amazing Setting

If the weather is warm, it’s the perfect time to catch an outdoor movie in NYC. You can indulge in snacks and drinks under the stars and see a movie on the big screen at popular New York City Parks like Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn or Bryant Park in Manhattan.

Insider Tip: Arrive early and bring chairs, snacks, and drinks so you can snack throughout the movie. We like to bring jackets even in the summer as there may be cool breezes at night.

  • Cost: Free
  • Best Time: Summer

21. Stroll Through Times Square

Times Square is one of the most famous places in New York City, and it’s even more magical at night. The area is filled with bright lights, giant billboards, and a lively atmosphere that you have to see to believe.

It is busy at any hour, but after 11 PM the crowds get thinner and you can actually walk without pushing through people.

Insider Tip: Visit the TKTS booth for discounted same-day Broadway show tickets. You can also find costumed characters and street performers that add to the unique vibe of the area. If someone in a costume asks for a photo, expect them to ask for a tip afterwards.

  • Cost: Free
  • Best Time: Year-round

 

Save the 3 Best Activities