New York At Night: Best Evening Things To Do in NYC in 2024

Anyone visiting New York City will shortly discover that the town kicks up a notch at evening. The Big Apple is legendary for superb issues to do, like visiting the Statue of Liberty, touring Central Park, or trying out its well-known museums like The MET (Metropolitan Museum) and MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). However, when visiting New York, be sure that to discover the town after darkish. Whether that’s chasing Manhattan skyline views, catching a night New York Yankees ballgame, or seeing the glittering lights of Times Square, you’ll be in awe of the town that by no means sleeps.

Why We Love NYC At Night

In this information, we’ll cowl the perfect issues to do in New York City at evening. After all, we go to New York City at the least yearly as we find it irresistible a lot. Get able to discover Madison Square Garden and admire the town skyline from iconic bridges and rooftop bars or catch a live performance or Broadway present.

Where is the Best Place to Enjoy New York City at Night?

Generally, Manhattan is the perfect place to be at evening in New York City. The Upper West Side is the place you’ll discover the sting of Central Park and neighborhoods like Harlem. Midtown Manhattan has main landmarks just like the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. Lower Manhattan has the One World Center and a departure level for the Staten Island ferry. Brooklyn is one other nice night neighborhood situated over Brooklyn Bridge and is well accessible from Lower Manhattan.

In element, we’ll cowl all the perfect issues to do in New York at evening. But to offer you a fast overview, right here is the quickfire data you must know.

Best of New York at Night: A Quick Guide

Must See: The metropolis 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 full information on the place to remain in New York City. Fun To Do: Watch an off-Broadway or Broadway present, get in line for the Jimmy Fallon Show, watch a movie at Bryant Park, go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and watch the town lights from a rooftop bar. Day Trips: Sleepy Hollow, Woodstock, Boston, Beacon, and cruise the Hudson River. Full List Here. Must-try Foods: Mexican road meals, New York pizza, hamburgers, and scorching canine.

Best Things to Do in New York at Night

Now you’ve had a fast perception into the perfect issues to do in New York at evening, it’s time to get into the thrilling, full particulars. New York City is filled with night leisure, from lovely views to Broadway exhibits and comedy golf equipment. You may very well be sipping a cocktail at The Empire Rooftop or cackling at Comedy Cellar.

Here are the highest 14 issues to do in New York at evening. The good one-day journey to New York City ends in a night filled with thrilling leisure and further sightseeing. Here’s how you can fill a night or two.

1. Empire State Building

Who doesn’t know and love the Empire State Building? This iconic a part of the town skyline was constructed in 1931, and it has two separate observatories on the 86th and 102nd flooring. 102 tales tall in complete, it’s one of many highest buildings in the world and affords probably the greatest views in NYC at evening.

The constructing stays open till 2 AM each night, making it probably the most enjoyable issues to do in New York at evening. Just be sure that to verify the web site for hours as they do change all year long, which might make it just a little complicated. From the commentary decks, you’ll be able to admire the town lights by floor-to-ceiling home windows and walk-through exhibit rooms that inform the story of how the constructing was constructed.

You could get cheaper tickets by the NYC Pass, which affords 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10-day cross choices. This provides you entrance to sure sights for a single value slightly than shopping for particular person tickets. This could also be cheaper, relying on what you need to see in New York.

Insider Tip: Visit at sundown to get the perfect of each worlds – seeing New York in daylight and at evening.

Practical Information: You do want reservations to go up the Empire State Building be sure that to ebook in advance right here.

2. Times Square

Times Square is well the postcard picture of the Big Apple. Think of large billboards and flashing adverts. The sq. can be a haven for road performers and photoshoots, so enable further time to observe all of the completely different performances and snap photographs. Visiting Times Square has acquired to make it onto your itinerary and is well probably the most enjoyable issues to do in NYC at evening.

You can go to Times Square through the day, however its shiny lights are way more spectacular at evening. The lights simply present up higher in opposition to a darkish sky.

Visiting Times Square is free, though you might spend extra cash to tip road performers or pay for particular photoshoots. Rush hour and simply earlier than the Broadway exhibits begin are the busiest occasions in Times Square. If you need a quieter expertise, go to a bit later.

Insider Tip: Bring free change if you wish to watch road performers.

Practical Information: Open 24/7 and free to go to.

3. Take an Evening Harbor Cruise

In our opinion, New York City is greatest seen from the water. And that is much more so at evening, when the entire metropolis lights up, and you’ll admire illuminated landmarks from a extra novelty perspective. The harbor surrounds Manhattan Island, and New York is mainly a metropolis unfold out throughout the water. You can catch nice views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline by boat. Booking a night harbor cruise is a good concept to embrace New York City views at evening.

Another big bonus of reserving a night slightly than a day cruise is the expertise onboard. Most night cruises, like this jazz cruise, supply some eating component or musical leisure. Even the easier sightseeing cruises supply a drink onboard. You’ll discover that the night cruises round New York City are sometimes extra indulgent.

It’s a superb technique to mix your night meal with having fun with a contemporary vantage level of the town. Most excursions run for round 3 hours, and the harbor waters are usually calm, so that you shouldn’t expertise movement illness. The sight of the lights reflecting on the water is totally mesmerizing, and it’s a beautiful technique to admire New York in all its after-dark grandeur.

Insider Tip: Book a sundown cruise to get the perfect of each worlds.

Practical Information: Cruises are greatest booked on-line and in advance; costs and timings fluctuate relying on firms.

4. Radio City Music Hall

Another iconic occasion venue in NYC is Radio City Music Hall. This 1932-built venue screams grandeur, with shiny orange and pink lighting inside and elaborate chandeliers and decorations. Outside, Radio City Music Hall is typical New York City – signposted in neon. If you’re searching for occasions to maintain you entertained, Radio City Music Hall is a good alternative, with a daily schedule of concert events and performances.

You can see what occasions align along with your go to on the official web site. The venue is legendary for the Radio City Rockettes but additionally has lots of different performers lined up. It is simply luck of the draw, relying on what dates you’re in New York.

We counsel trying on the schedule with an open thoughts. Half of the expertise is simply seeing the within of the corridor itself. And, after all, should you’re visiting at Christmas, attempt to catch the Rockettes.

Insider Tip: Keep an open thoughts when selecting performances to attend.

Practical Information: Opening occasions fluctuate relying on the occasion.

5. Brooklyn Bridge

Walking Brooklyn Bridge is a kind of sights that make each single New York City itinerary. It’s simply magical. If you need a ‘pinch me, I’m in New York’ second, you’ve acquired to stroll the Brooklyn Bridge. This free exercise solely takes round half-hour a method, however you’ll get beautiful views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines.

Brooklyn Bridge, constructed in 1883, is an exquisite combination of stone, metal, and wooden. The iconic boardwalk footpath attracts tens of millions of vacationers and is a should if you need nice views of NYC at evening.

While many individuals rush to stroll Brooklyn Bridge in the early morning (which is sensible to beat the vacationer crowds), we’d suggest strolling it at sundown so you’re returning in the darkish. Walking Brooklyn Bridge is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in New York at evening, and should you begin at sundown, you get the perfect of each worlds. One manner, you’ll see the skyline in comfortable orange, and on the return stroll, you’ll see the intense lights all lit up in opposition to a darkish sky.

Insider Tip: Start at sundown to get the perfect of each worlds.

Practical Information: The bridge is free to stroll.

6. Check Out Events on the Madison Square Garden

If there’s going to be a significant night occasion in New York City, you’ll be able to guess it is going to be at Madison Square Garden. This colossal area seats 21,000 and hosts every little thing from New York Knicks video games to stay music concert events. If you’re searching for further enjoyable issues to do in New York at evening, see what occasions Madison Square Garden has arising. We’ll connect a hyperlink to its calendar right here.

This well-known venue opened in 1879 and is nicknamed the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’. It has one thing on most evenings, so it’s a superb alternative for late-night leisure. We suggest securing tickets as quickly as attainable if you wish to assure your seat, however should you aren’t fussy about what you see, there’s at all times one thing happening at Madison Square.

Madison Square is a breeze to get to and is located proper above Penn Station. You can simply stroll to the venue from Midtown, making it an amazing alternative for a late-night exercise.

Insider Tip: Check the calendar in advance to snag tickets to probably the most sought-after exhibits and occasions.

Practical Information: Opening occasions and prices fluctuate per occasion.

7. Visit the Whitney Museum of American Art on Friday Evenings

On Friday evenings, the much-loved Whitney Museum of American Art stays open till 10 p.m. slightly than shutting at 6 p.m. The museum showcases Twentieth-century art work by over 5,900 American artists. What higher technique to spend a cultured Friday evening than admiring artwork displays? If your New York City go to coincides with a Friday, this can be a good factor to do on a late evening.

This museum has over 26,000 artworks in its collections, simply protecting you entertained for a few hours. It is situated in the Meatpacking District, so it’s inside simple strolling or subway using distance from most motels in Manhattan.

We’d counsel catching the sundown on the Little Island Observation Deck close by, grabbing a fast dinner on the Chelsea Market, and heading to the museum round 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.

Insider Tip: Visit on a Friday evening to benefit from later opening hours.

Practical Information: Usually $30 per full-paying grownup however free on Fridays. Friday opening occasions are additionally completely different, opening from 10:30 a.m. till 10 p.m.

8. Watch a Broadway Show

Undoubtedly, watching a Broadway present is without doubt one of the most enjoyable issues to do in New York City at evening. While you’ll be able to catch matinee performances (which run in the late afternoon, often at a barely cheaper price), night Broadway exhibits are the perfect for his or her infectious environment. The exhibits sometimes begin at 7 or 8 p.m. and embody main titles like The Lion King, Wicked, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Hamilton.

The Theater District is situated round Times Square, with actually dozens of various theater venues the place you’ll be able to catch performances. There’s even a Museum of Broadway, which coincidentally stays open till 8 p.m. on Saturday nights.

You should purchase tickets on-line or at ticket workplaces for extra aggressive costs. Another manner to save cash is to attend ‘off-Broadway shows,’ that are proven at non-designated theaters, which often have fewer than the anticipated 500 seats.

Insider Tip: If Broadway isn’t your factor, attempt to rating entrance to a stay present recording as an alternative. The Jimmy Fallon Show has a stay viewers and thrilling company, so it’s properly value getting tickets.

Practical Information: Evening performances often begin at 7/8 pm and price a minimal of round $100.

9. Comedy Cellar

New York City is Comedy Central, with dozens of comedy golf equipment and stand-up occasions all around the metropolis. For the perfect expertise, although, head to Comedy Cellar, situated simply subsequent to Washington Square Park in Midtown.

Comedy Cellar has a mix of famed comedians and newcomers on a spitfire schedule of nightly acts. It’s a traditional venue, with all brick partitions and a light-studded signal as you stroll down the doorway steps and into the ‘cellar’.

Comedy Cellar opens from 11 a.m. till 3 a.m. every day, relying on act schedules. It’s an amazing alternative for night leisure and at all times has one thing on.

Insider Tip: Make reservations in advance, as Comedy Cellar is a small however in style venue.

Practical Information: It opens from approx. 11 a.m. till 3 a.m., relying on the acts, with cowl prices of round $14-25.

10. Check out the Action on the Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a good place to go to in NYC at evening. The large advanced is house to the commentary deck, Top of the Rock, and the T.V. studio operating Saturday Night Live. In winter, there’s an enormous ice skating rink and Christmas tree outdoors.

As you’ll be able to inform, there are a number of various things to do at this advanced at evening. The Top of the Rock stays open till after 10 p.m. each evening, so it’s the right commentary deck for a late-night expertise. You may enter the Saturday Night Live e mail lottery to see if you may get tickets to attend as a stay viewers member. And, in winter, you’ll be able to get pleasure from ice skating previous 11 p.m.

Rockefeller Center is a hive of late-night exercise. If you need night leisure in NYC, it’s the place to move.

Insider Tip: Enter the e-mail lottery as quickly as attainable if you need an opportunity to attend SNL.

Practical Information: Varies per exercise.

11. Helicopter Tour

A improbable technique to see the Big Apple at evening is with an night helicopter tour. Seriously, this expertise is like one thing straight out of a Hollywood film. It isn’t the most affordable of all sights and late-night actions, setting you again at the least $250 per individual for a night flight.

However, when you concentrate on it, that’s solely double a Broadway ticket – for the prospect to expertise New York City by helicopter. How unimaginable does that sound?

The flight sometimes lasts round half-hour and combines round 15 completely different sights in a single expertise. From a spectacular aerial view, you’ll get stay commentary onboard and see unimaginable buildings just like the Chrysler Building, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 memorial, and Times Square.

Insider Tip: Check out last-minute offers to see if you may get barely cheaper costs.

Practical Information: Around $250 per individual for a night-time expertise.

12. One Dine Restaurant

While the One World Observatory closes comparatively early at 7 p.m. every day, it has a specific loophole you need to use for late-night eating. Its One Dine Restaurant stays open till 9 p.m. every day, offering a nice eating expertise excessive in the sky. If you’re searching for enjoyable issues to do in New York City at evening, undoubtedly safe a reservation at One Dine Restaurant.

You can truly decide packages that embody entrance to the One World Observatory and a fixed-menu eating expertise at One Dine Restaurant. This makes it cheaper should you’d prefer to expertise each.

One Dine Restaurant itself has tables subsequent to floor-to-ceiling home windows, offering unimaginable views over the town beneath.

Insider Tip: Consider the commentary deck and eating mixture bundle to get a less expensive price for each.

Practical Information: Monday to Sunday from 12 p.m. till 9 p.m. (with some seasonal variation).

13. Go Bar Hopping

You can’t go to New York City with out having fun with its nightlife. New York at evening is filled with good vibes and social gathering tradition. You may head to rooftop bars for cocktails overlooking the Manhattan skyline, to a jazz membership for swanky tunes and New Yorker tradition, or get your rave on at a nightclub.

The greatest jazz golf equipment in New York are Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note, and Bill’s Place. Leading rooftop bars embody Spyglass Rooftop Bar, Top of the Strand Rooftop Bar, 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, and Azul on the Rooftop. If you like a traditional nightclub venue, try Avant Gardner, Nowadays, Lambda Lounge, Good Room, and Public Records.

Remember that many New York venues have a visitor listing, and also you’ll want tickets or a reservation in advance. It’s higher to be organized in relation to New York City nightlife.

Insider Tip: Always verify for ticket or reservation choices to keep away from queuing.

Practical Information: Varies per venue.

14. Watch a Movie at Bryant Park

This seasonal advice is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in NYC at evening. In summer season, from mid-June till late August, Paramount+ screens free motion pictures at Bryant Park. Spectators flock to seize a spot on the grass with blankets and snacks. Watching a film at Bryant Park is without doubt one of the most novelty issues to do in NYC at evening and a spotlight of visiting the town in summer season.

The park often opens at 5 p.m. so spectators can seize a spot, and the films begin later, at 8 p.m. We’d counsel bringing a picnic dinner and a few heat blankets to maintain you snug when you wait. The ready interval is a time for socializing, with beer and wine obtainable to buy inside the park.

Previously screened motion pictures embody Mean Girls, Star Trek III, and Zoolander, however the listing varies yearly. If you’re searching for a novelty factor to do in NYC at evening, Bryant Park and its motion pictures are an amazing addition to your itinerary.

Insider Tip: Bring loads of heat layers and blankets so you’ll be able to keep in your spot.

Practical Information: The garden opens at 5 p.m. and the films begin at 8 p.m. Admission is free.

New York at Night: FAQs

Will you head to Washington Square Park or Times Square? The Rockefeller Center or the Empire State Building? There are so many decisions in relation to late-night leisure in New York City.

In this FAQ part, we’ll make clear a number of issues for you, supplying you with further readability in relation to discovering issues to do in New York City at evening.

Can you stroll in New York at evening?

Yes, so long as you select your areas correctly. The busy streets of Midtown are usually protected to stroll after darkish, particularly if you’re in a big group. Avoid dimly lit areas like again streets and parks (Central Park included).

Is New York an excellent evening out?

New York City is an incredible evening out. It is just a little bit costly, and also you’ll must make reservations to get in some locations, however total, count on lots of enjoyable. You’ll discover loads of rooftop bars, jazz golf equipment, comedy golf equipment, and nightclubs.

Why is New York known as the town that by no means sleeps?

New York is named the town that by no means sleeps due to its superb night leisure. Times Square stays lit all evening, whereas many actions are on late at evening, like off-Broadway exhibits and even late-night opening museums. New York City has round the clock leisure.

Is New York nonetheless the town that by no means sleeps?

Absolutely. New York City nonetheless gives around-the-clock leisure, from exhibits to museums and nightlife.

Tips And Information For Visiting New York at Night

So, are you able to take New York City by storm? Late-night New York is without doubt one of the most magical experiences you’ll be able to have in the USA. Whether you need stay exhibits, fairly lights, or nightlife, visiting New York City at evening is one thing particular.

In this part, we’ll cowl the necessities you must know earlier than visiting New York City, particularly at evening. You’ve acquired your inspiration on what to do in New York City; now it’s time to discover ways to put it into motion.

Getting There

Getting to New York City is extraordinarily simple. There are direct flights to New York City from all around the world. You can fly from Europe, from South America, and extra. For worldwide vacationers, one of the simplest ways to succeed in New York City is by catching a direct or oblique worldwide flight to JFK Airport.

From JFK, you’ll be able to simply soar on the prepare or subway to Manhattan. Alternatively, you’ll be able to catch a taxi or ebook a shuttle service should you really feel like treating your self.

If you’re touring domestically inside the USA, you can too catch the prepare to New York’s Penn Station. Amtrak providers join the entire of the USA, and you’ll catch direct providers from New York to cities like Chicago and Washington, D.C. You may even join cities like Los Angeles and New York should you actually need; it takes simply over three days, and entails altering at Union Station in Chicago.

Best Time To Visit New York

There’s no singular greatest time to go to New York City. In summer season, you’ll be able to get pleasure from heat nights, making actions like sundown movie screenings in Bryant Park an ideal night. In the autumn, you have got Halloween decorations and sunsets underneath fall foliage. And in spring, you have got the spring break nightlife and music occasions whirring into motion.

If we needed to decide a favourite time to go to New York City, although, it will be Christmas. If you’re looking ahead to night leisure, you’ll be able to’t beat visiting New York City at Christmas. The metropolis involves life in darkness with rustic markets and illuminated ice skating rinks blasted by festive tunes. The night buying is second to none, with dramatic retailer decorations and a superb environment of cheery last-minute customers.

New York City is nice to go to all yr spherical. Still, if you need late-night leisure, our prime months could be October for Halloween or December for Christmas.

Getting Around New York at Night

You can get round New York City on foot should you keep in Manhattan. New York streets keep busy till the early hours in its important vacationer areas, resembling in Midtown round Times Square. Choose a well-located lodge, and you’ll simply stroll round New York City at evening.

The New York subway system additionally runs 24 hours a day, merely operating just a little extra occasionally after midnight. It isn’t known as the town that by no means sleeps for nothing. You’ll be capable to simply catch late-night subways, connecting areas of the town which might be in any other case difficult to succeed in on foot. One factor to notice, although, is that you must at all times journey in teams on the subway when touring late at evening. Some strains might be remoted, and it’s higher to remain protected and catch an Uber than experience alone in the early hours. Safety in numbers, bear in mind.

How Much Time Do You Need

The ultimate period of time in New York City is 5 days, and you’ll try our good five-day itinerary right here. With 5 days, you’ll be able to see all the primary sights and do all the numerous actions. You can catch the Staten Island Ferry, see the One World Trade Center, go to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, step contained in the Empire State Building, and stroll Central Park. You’ll additionally get the prospect to go on a day journey or two.

If you actually are caught for time, the shortest interval we’d suggest to go to New York City is three days. With three days, you can cram the highlights right into a jam-packed itinerary, though you’ll forfeit the prospect to embark on any day journey. Five days is way more leisurely and means that you can depart the town middle.

Where To Stay in New York

We’ve acquired a whole information on the place to remain in New York City. Generally talking, most first-time guests keep in Midtown Manhattan after they go to New York City, the place all the primary sights and landmarks are discovered. Lower Manhattan is the second-best alternative and a very good place to remain if you wish to avoid all of the hectic, round the clock motion of Midtown Manhattan. It’s the place you’ll discover the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, One World Trade Center, Museum of Modern Art, and Chinatown – that are busiest through the daytime.

You’ll discover Harlem, the Bronx, and the Yankee Stadium in Upper Manhattan. Upper Manhattan used to have a nasty fame for crime, however it’s principally protected for tourism now. However, just a little out of the way in which – you’ll be utilizing the subway to succeed in the primary sights.

Here are a few of the greatest motels in New York for all budgets:

Luxury: Park Hyatt New York is a beautiful 5-star lodge only a quick stroll from Central Park. Its health middle overlooks Manhattan, and its spa consists of an indoor saltwater pool. Mid Range: The Standard Highline is an exquisite 4-star lodge in the sought-after space of Greenwich Village in New York’s Meatpacking District. It’s only a matter of meters from the High Line, and each room has flooring to ceiling home windows overlooking Manhattan or the river. Budget: Pod 51 Hotel is a enjoyable and budget-friendly lodge inside simple strolling distance of Times Square and Midtown Manhattan’s sights; it even affords free every day strolling excursions.

New York at evening is simply one thing else. Not many cities can conjure such an environment late at evening, and also you’ll see a unique facet to New York City after darkish. You can’t go to the ‘city that never sleeps’ with out indulging in at the least a number of of those unimaginable late-night issues to do.

We hope you have got an unimaginable keep in New York City and have as many thrilling evenings as attainable. Whether you’re taking a late-night cruise to Staten Island or go to West Village, you’ll love NYC at evening.