Experiencing New York at Night: The Best Evening Activities in N.Y.C.
There’s never a shortage of activities to take part in when you’re in NYC, but unlike other cities, when night falls here, things only get more interesting. Find out what to do in New York at night so that you can make the most of your visit. As you might imagine, there’s a lot to choose from!
New York is the city that never sleeps. Being that as it is, experiencing New York at night on your next trip to the Big Apple is a must. There are so many things to do in Manhattan, as you might imagine, and there are activities for every budget.
I used to be a tour guide in New York, so I know firsthand the endless ways to spend an evening in this incredible city. Aside from going out to a nice restaurant or cocktail bar, this list includes some of the most unique free and paid activities to enjoy when you visit N.Y.C.
Whatever you choose to do from this list, you will have a memorable time taking in this New York City night for as long as you can stay awake.
Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. Simply put, that just means that we may get a small commission from some of our recommendations at absolutely zero extra cost to you.
Where to Stay in New York City
Chris and I checking out the views of Manhattan from Dumbo
Depending on your trip, there are a few areas worth staying in that I’d recommend on your trip to New York. Since New York is such an expansive place, filled with so many options for places to stay, these are the neighbourhoods that I’d recommend having on your radar for your trip:
The Flatiron District. Home to the iconic Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, the original Shake Shack, and so much more, I’d recommend staying in the Flatiron District for a few reasons. I think the Flatiron District is my favourite area to stay in Manhattan, since it’s walking distance to so many areas of interest.
To the north, you can walk ten short Manhattan blocks to the Empire State Building, and ten more to Times Square.
To the south, it’s a short walk to Greenwich Village, Union Square, NoHo and SoHo.
You’re also in the centre of Manhattan more or less, so it’s a quick jump over to the High Line and Chelsea to the west, too.
The Upper West Side. I love the overall neighbourhood vibe of the Upper West Side, plus its proximity to some of Manhattan’s best green spaces is an added bonus. The Hudson River Waterfront Greenway is to the west, and of course Central Park is to the east. It’s also home to some incredible restaurants, bagel stops and grocery stores, and the American Museum of Natural History is a stone’s throw away. The Upper West Side is also serviced by the 1, 2 and 3 trains, which run under Broadway, easily connecting you to so many major points of interest throughout Manhattan.
Brooklyn. Of course the Borough of Brooklyn is divided up into smaller areas, but if you’re planning to stay in a Borough other than Manhattan, I’d recommend Brooklyn. There are all sorts of accommodation options in Brooklyn, and if you’re able to splurge or stay close to the water in Brooklyn then you’ll have the luxury of the iconic “Manhattan View” during your trip to New York City. There are two areas I’d recommend staying in if you stay in Brooklyn.
Williamsburg. This is an exciting part of Brooklyn, overflowing with exciting distilleries, and wineries. It’s also known for it’s summer Saturday Smogasburg market, filled with food vendors along the shores of East River. It also has some exciting restaurants and clubs to head out to at night.
Dumbo. The acronym for “DUMBO” stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”, and if it’s views of the Manhattan Bridge that you’re looking for, you’ll most certainly find them here. Dumbo’s an exciting area in Brooklyn with all sorts of things to do, but situating yourself here means you’ll have easy access to other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan during your stay, along with views of historic, cobblestoned streets and factory buildings.
There are so many amazing places to stay in New York, but finding the accommodation at the right price point and location for your trip is essential. It’s a city where you’re going to want to be close enough to the action, since the action truly never stops!
Free Things to Do in New York at Night
These activities for a New York night are free or very inexpensive. If you’re on a trip to New York City where you’re being more mindful of your budget, this list has a lot of excellent options.
Walk Through Times Square
Although it’s the most touristy place in New York City, Times Square is a great free activity to do in New York at night. The multi-story bright lights shine for several blocks. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting in the darkest hours of night—the city lights are so bright that it will feel like it’s the middle of the day.
Times Square is officially at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue. If you start here, you can take a photo from the stairs on the TKTS Booth (a great place to buy overflow tickets to that night’s Broadway shows at a fraction of the cost!), or sit on the steps for some good people watching.
You’ll also want to take some time to head to some of the better known tourist shops, like the M&M Store, Hershey’s, or one of the many t-shirt stalls to shops for a signature “I ♥ N.Y.” souvenir. Don’t forget to head to Ellen’s Stardust Diner for one of the more incredible dinner and live musical theatre shows you can imagine.
Walk to Rockefeller Center
This is another famous site to see from outside. While it is fun to do an NBC Studio Tour, or go see a taping of Saturday Night Live inside Rockefeller Center, it is also a beautiful space to see at night. You can opt for a guided tour of Rockefeller Center, or take a self-guided tour around it at night.
While you are here, make sure you admire the gold statue of Prometheus, made famous by shows like 30 Rock. In the wintertime, there is also a skating rink set up and a large Christmas tree at the center.
While you’re in the area, it’s worth heading across the street on 5th Avenue to see the famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral, or The Plaza Hotel just down the street.
Admire the Manhattan Skyline from Brooklyn
The view of Manhattan from Sunset Park.
The views of Manhattan from either Brooklyn or New Jersey are stunning any time of day, but especially at night. Since Brooklyn is closer and well worth the visit, spend one evening heading over to Brooklyn to see the beauty of New York at night.
Head to the DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) neighbourhood in Brooklyn to walk along the East River. Head to Brooklyn Bridge Park, Jane’s Carousel or Pebble Beach for an iconic view of New York at night, with the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges in front of you. If you’re looking for a place to go for dinner or a cocktail, the Time Out Market has a beautiful rooftop patio overlooking the Manhattan skyline, too.
If you’re looking for a little more of an off-the-beaten-path experience for your average New York tourist, then consider heading to a bustling neighbourhood like Park Slope or Sunset Park in Brooklyn. On top of having some delicious restaurants, the views from Sunset Park across to Manhattan at night are awe-inspiring.
Head to One of Manhattan’s Public Urban Parks
Central Park is by far the most famous park in New York. That being said, it isn’t my favourite one to visit at night, simply because there are so many wonderful places to wander during the day.
Heading to a centrally-located and bustling park further downtown is a good option to feel more connected to the city. These public spaces are ideal to grab dinner on the go and enjoy at, or have a dessert, coffee, or some kind of sweet treat at.
Close to Times Square is Bryant Park, which is behind the New York Public Library and very close to Grand Central Terminal. It is a large park with beautiful green space during the summer months, and a skating rink is set up during the winter months. There are plenty of places to sit at a table, connect with friends and enjoy a take-out meal, or just people watch to your heart’s content.
Madison Square Park (not to be confused with Madison Square Garden!) is a little further south, and is a lovely little park to visit at 23rd Street and Broadway in the . It is directly opposite of the iconic Flatiron Building, which makes it well worth visiting in its own right. It also has a fountain, some green pathways, and a Shake Shack to grab food at while you relax at this park.
On the more famous side and the furthest from Midtown, Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village is home to the famous Washington Square Arch, which is based on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and looks like a miniature version of it. Out of this list, this park is the largest on this list of parks to visit in New York at night. There are so many spaces to hang out, walk around and people watch. While you’re in the neighbourhood, if you’re interested in learning more about historic Greenwich Village, then booking a guided walking tour of the area like this one is always a good choice.
Bryant Park at night.
Take the Staten Island Ferry to Staten Island and Back Again
This is a great day or night-time activity in New York City. The Staten Island Ferry is the only free way to see the Statue of Liberty from the water. Ferries depart frequently from Lower Manhattan, near Battery Park. Taking the ferry at night, you’ll be greeted by the beautiful city lights of Manhattan as you leave, with “Lady Liberty” to the west.
You could even take the ferry during the sunset if you wanted to. Whatever time you take the ferry, make sure you don’t catch the very last ferry of the night and wind up stuck on Staten Island. Double check the ferry schedule before you take off!
Activities That are Worth the Cost of Admission in New York at Night
These fun things to do in New York at night have a price tag attached to them, unlike the free options listed above. Any of these activities will absolutely help you enjoy your time visiting on a New York City night on your next trip there.
Head TO The tOP OF tHE rOCK oBSERVATion Deck
The “Top of the Rock” (at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza") is a stunning place to see the views of Manhattan at any time of day. As popular as One World Observatory at the One World Trade Center is for its views, or the Empire State Building , The Rock is so much better. This is because the lines tend to not be as long, and you have a view of all the sites like the Empire Building itself from the observation deck.
It’s easy to buy your Top of the Rock ticket in advance of your visit, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not one will be available when you plan to go. If you’d like to buy a ticket in advance, you can do that easily here.
Take a Rooftop Restaurant and Bar Tour
You can choose to take a self-guided tour of different rooftop bars on your trip through New York at night.
There are several great rooftop bars, like The View Restaurant at the top of the Marriott in Times Square. It’s a rotating restaurant, offering you city views and views of the Hudson River. It’s a great place to go in the cooler months, since it’s enclosed. Nubeluz in the Flatiron District and Ophelia in Midtown are other excellent options.
If you really want the insider scoop and to make sure you don’t miss the best viewpoints for the night you take a bar tour, booking a tour like this one is a great way to make sure your night goes off without a hitch.
Check Out a Comedy Show
There are so many great options for ways to see comedy shows in New York City. But the two best places you can check out comedy in New York at night are by heading to The Comedy Cellar or a taping of Saturday Night Live.
Comedy Cellar is in Greenwich Village, and is the place where so many well-known comedians came through before becoming famous. Amy Schumer, Ali Wong, Kevin Hart and Jon Stewart are just some of the many famous comedians who got their start here.
If you can’t get tickets to a Comedy Cellar show while you are in town, taking a tour of this place and learning about the history of comedy is another great way to understand it. If you’d like to book a tour, you can find a great one here.
Heading to Saturday Night Live is a little more challenging. You can try your luck at waiting for the tickets that might be available on the day of the show, or your can email NBC on August 1st of the upcoming SNL season. You can send an email to SNLTICKETS@NBCUNI.COM explaining why you want to attend, and you just might get selected to join the audience!
Go To a Broadway Show
On any given night, there are tens , if not hundreds, of shows to choose from in the city. There are Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway shows, which are all good in their own right. The only difference between these distinctions is the number of seats in the house. Broadway shows are more than 500 seats, Off-Broadway are 99-499 seats, and Off-Off Broadway are under 100 seats.
Maybe there’s a show in town you already have tickets for, which is part of the reason you came for a night in NYC in the first place. But maybe you are just curious to see a Broadway show and check out one of the many historic theatres in the city. The best way to find tickets at the last minute is by heading to the TKTS Booth in Times Square to see which shows have openings for the night you want to go. Any sort of show you can imagine has tickets for sale there.
Head on a Night Time Harbour Cruise
Taking a harbour cruise is another great way to enjoy New York at night, since many cruises go around most if not all of the Manhattan shoreline. Not only that, but there are some excellent, upscale companies that will take you on a luxury cruise over 2-3 hours, as you enjoy dinner overlooking the city.
Picture going under the iconic bridges like the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, seeing the Statue of Liberty and Staten Island in the distance, or catching a glimpse of the Chrysler Building from your luxurious vantage point on the water.
If you’re interested in booking one of these harbour cruises, make sure you book a ticket here.
Take a Ghost Tour
This is one of the most fun types of tours to do in a city like New York at night, because New York has been inhabited for hundreds of years. There are too many spooky stories to count when you think about this city, but booking a guided ghost tour will definitely allow you to learn just a few of the famous ghost stories about New York.
Most NYC night ghost tours take place in Greenwich Village. If you’re looking to learn about classic ghost tours, then book this ghost tour. If you’re keen to learn about the history of ghosts and gangsters while you explore New York at night, book this gangsters and ghosts tour instead.
Head to a New yORK yANKEES OR nEW yoRK mETS gAME
This evening activity in New York at night speaks for itself. Checking out the famous Yankee Stadium, or cheering on the New York Mets is something locals in New York take seriously.
The team that you support carries a lot of weight in New York. Hopefully they’ll be playing another team you care about while you’re in town, but you should definitely plan to head to a game while you are in the city. It is a memorable night NYC activity, and if you’re travelling with a large group or with your family, it is a great place for a family outing.
Experience a Show at Radio City Music Hall
The landmark of Radio City Music Hall is well worth spending an evening at when you take in New York at night. The way this old theatre is lit up at night is a treat in itself, but the architecture inside it is something to behold.
Not only is the building itself a treat, but so are the performances. If you are visiting during the holiday months near Christmas, you can count on trying to get tickets to the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. It is one of the most famous ongoing shows in New York City, and the Rockettes have been performing across the United States since 1925.
During the rest of the year, many talented musicians often perform at Radio City. The acoustics make this performance venue a treat for any audience member. If there isn’t a concert or show that you’re interested in during your trip to New York, or if you can’t get a ticket, then I’d recommend booking a day time tour of Radio City.
If you’d like to book a tour of Radio City Music Hall, you can find a great one here.
Head to a Basketball Game
Madison Square Garden at night
It would be a missed opportunity to visit New York and not see one of their famous basketball teams in action. Depending on who’s playing which night, or where your loyalties lie, there are two NBA teams who call New York City Home.
The first is the New York Knicks. The Knicks play at Madison Square Garden, which is located in Midtown Manhattan, very close to Penn Station, Times Square and the other central attractions in this part of town.
Barclays Center in Brooklyn
The second team is the Brooklyn Nets. The nets play at Barclays Center, which isn’t far from DUMBO and the Brooklyn Bridge.
There are So Many Ways to See New York at Night
The Brooklyn Bridge at night
Whichever activities you choose from, you will be left marvelling at the magic that is New York at night. There are few cities in the world where the city lights sparkle, and the definitive buildings throw themselves out at you as you look admire the skyline.
I’ve taken in a New York night countless times, and with each night there is a new activity going on, new conversation to strike up, and a newfound energy from the people who live in the city and people who have come here for the first time.
Please tag us on social media (@travelingmitch & @brimitchelltravels) if you end up giving any of these activities a shot. You won’t be disappointed, and we always love to hear how our tips have helped our audiences enjoy this world one destination at a time.
Bri Mitchell
Bri Mitchell is a travel writer and content creator from Toronto, Ontario. She loves to highlight all things nature, food, wellness, sustainability and adventure in her work. Bri writes and shares her travel experiences from across Canada, the United States and around the world on Instagram and TikTok (@brimitchelltravels), and in her articles for travelingmitch, Ultimate Ontario, and We Explore Canada.