Anyone visiting New York City will shortly discover that the town kicks up a notch at night time. The Big Apple is known for superb issues to do, like visiting the Statue of Liberty, touring Central Park, or testing its well-known museums like The MET (Metropolitan Museum) and MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). However, when visiting New York, make certain 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 one of the best issues to do in New York City at night time. After all, we go to New York City at the very least yearly as we like it 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 one of the best place to be at night time 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 definitely accessible from Lower Manhattan.
In element, we’ll cowl all one of the best issues to do in New York at night time. But to present you a fast overview, right here is the quickfire data it’s best to 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 avenue 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 one of the best issues to do in New York at night time, it’s time to get into the thrilling, full particulars. New York City is stuffed with night leisure, from lovely views to Broadway reveals and comedy golf equipment. You could possibly 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 night time. The good one-day journey to New York City ends in a night filled with thrilling leisure and additional sightseeing. Here’s the best way to 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 whole, it’s one of many highest buildings in the world and gives top-of-the-line views in NYC at night time.
The constructing stays open till 2 AM each night, making it probably the most enjoyable issues to do in New York at night time. Just make certain to verify the web site for hours as they do change all year long, which might make it a bit complicated. From the statement decks, you possibly can admire the town lights by way of 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 way of the NYC Pass, which gives 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10-day move choices. This provides you entrance to sure sights for a single value reasonably than shopping for particular person tickets. This could also be more cost effective, relying on what you need to see in New York.
Insider Tip: Visit at sundown to get one of the best of each worlds – seeing New York in daylight and at night time.
Practical Information: You do want reservations to go up the Empire State Building make certain to e-book in advance right here.
2. Times Square
Times Square is definitely the postcard picture of the Big Apple. Think of big billboards and flashing adverts. The sq. can be a haven for avenue performers and photoshoots, so enable additional time to observe all of the completely different performances and snap pictures. Visiting Times Square has received to make it onto your itinerary and is definitely probably the most enjoyable issues to do in NYC at night time.
You can go to Times Square in the course of the day, however its vivid lights are rather more spectacular at night time. The lights simply present up higher in opposition to a darkish sky.
Visiting Times Square is free, though you could spend more money to tip avenue performers or pay for particular photoshoots. Rush hour and simply earlier than the Broadway reveals 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 avenue 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 night time, when the entire metropolis lights up, and you may 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 superb thought to embrace New York City views at night time.
Another enormous bonus of reserving a night reasonably than a day cruise is the expertise onboard. Most night cruises, like this jazz cruise, provide some eating component or musical leisure. Even the less complicated sightseeing cruises provide a drink onboard. You’ll discover that the night cruises round New York City are usually extra indulgent.
It’s an excellent approach to mix your night meal with having fun with a recent 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 completely mesmerizing, and it’s an exquisite approach to admire New York in all its after-dark grandeur.
Insider Tip: Book a sundown cruise to get one of the best of each worlds.
Practical Information: Cruises are greatest booked on-line and in advance; costs and timings fluctuate relying on corporations.
4. Radio City Music Hall
Another iconic occasion venue in NYC is Radio City Music Hall. This 1932-built venue screams grandeur, with vivid orange and crimson lighting inside and elaborate chandeliers and decorations. Outside, Radio City Music Hall is typical New York City – signposted in neon. If you’re in search of occasions to maintain you entertained, Radio City Music Hall is a superb selection, with a daily schedule of live shows and performances.
You can see what occasions align along with your go to on the official web site. The venue is known for the Radio City Rockettes but additionally has a whole lot of different performers lined up. It is simply luck of the draw, relying on what dates you’re in New York.
We recommend trying on the schedule with an open thoughts. Half of the expertise is simply seeing the within of the corridor itself. And, in fact, in case 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 received 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 a wonderful combination of stone, metal, and wooden. The iconic boardwalk footpath attracts hundreds of thousands of vacationers and is a should if you would like nice views of NYC at night time.
While many individuals rush to stroll Brooklyn Bridge in the early morning (which is wise to beat the vacationer crowds), we’d advocate 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 night time, and in case you begin at sundown, you get one of the best of each worlds. One approach, you’ll see the skyline in tender 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 one of the best 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 serious night occasion in New York City, you possibly can wager it is going to be at Madison Square Garden. This colossal area seats 21,000 and hosts all the things from New York Knicks video games to dwell music live shows. If you’re in search of additional enjoyable issues to do in New York at night time, 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 selection for late-night leisure. We advocate securing tickets as quickly as doable if you wish to assure your seat, however in case you aren’t fussy about what you see, there’s at all times one thing occurring 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 important selection for a late-night exercise.
Insider Tip: Check the calendar in advance to snag tickets to essentially the most sought-after reveals 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. reasonably than shutting at 6 p.m. The museum showcases Twentieth-century paintings by over 5,900 American artists. What higher approach to spend a cultured Friday night time than admiring artwork reveals? If your New York City go to coincides with a Friday, this can be a good factor to do on a late night time.
This museum has over 26,000 artworks in its collections, simply maintaining 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 resorts in Manhattan.
We’d recommend 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 night time to take advantage of 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 night time. While you possibly can catch matinee performances (which run in the late afternoon, normally at a barely cheaper fee), night Broadway reveals are one of the best for his or her infectious ambiance. The reveals usually 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 possibly can catch performances. There’s even a Museum of Broadway, which coincidentally stays open till 8 p.m. on Saturday nights.
You should buy tickets on-line or at ticket places of work for extra aggressive costs. Another approach to save cash is to attend ‘off-Broadway shows,’ that are proven at non-designated theaters, which normally have fewer than the anticipated 500 seats.
Insider Tip: If Broadway isn’t your factor, attempt to rating entrance to a dwell present recording as a substitute. The Jimmy Fallon Show has a dwell viewers and thrilling company, so it’s nicely value getting tickets.
Practical Information: Evening performances normally begin at 7/8 pm and value a minimal of round $100.
9. Comedy Cellar
New York City is Comedy Central, with dozens of comedy golf equipment and stand-up occasions everywhere in the metropolis. For one of the best expertise, although, head to Comedy Cellar, situated simply subsequent to Washington Square Park in Midtown.
Comedy Cellar has a combination 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. day by day, relying on act schedules. It’s an important selection for night leisure and at all times has one thing on.
Insider Tip: Make reservations in advance, as Comedy Cellar is a small however widespread 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 superb place to go to in NYC at night time. The big advanced is house to the statement deck, Top of the Rock, and the T.V. studio working Saturday Night Live. In winter, there’s an enormous ice skating rink and Christmas tree exterior.
As you possibly can inform, there are just a few various things to do at this advanced at night time. The Top of the Rock stays open till after 10 p.m. each night time, so it’s the right statement deck for a late-night expertise. You may also enter the Saturday Night Live e mail lottery to see if you may get tickets to attend as a dwell viewers member. And, in winter, you possibly can take pleasure in 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 doable if you would like an opportunity to attend SNL.
Practical Information: Varies per exercise.
11. Helicopter Tour
A improbable approach to see the Big Apple at night time 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 very least $250 per individual for a night flight.
However, when you consider it, that’s solely double a Broadway ticket – for the prospect to expertise New York City by helicopter. How unbelievable does that sound?
The flight usually lasts round half-hour and combines round 15 completely different sights in a single expertise. From a spectacular aerial view, you’ll get dwell commentary onboard and see unbelievable 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 selected loophole you need to use for late-night eating. Its One Dine Restaurant stays open till 9 p.m. day by day, offering a effective eating expertise excessive in the sky. If you’re in search of enjoyable issues to do in New York City at night time, undoubtedly safe a reservation at One Dine Restaurant.
You can really decide packages that embody entrance to the One World Observatory and a fixed-menu eating expertise at One Dine Restaurant. This makes it more cost effective in case you’d wish to expertise each.
One Dine Restaurant itself has tables subsequent to floor-to-ceiling home windows, offering unbelievable views over the town under.
Insider Tip: Consider the statement deck and eating mixture package deal to get a less expensive fee 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 night time is stuffed with good vibes and social gathering tradition. You might 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, take a look at Avant Gardner, Nowadays, Lambda Lounge, Good Room, and Public Records.
Remember that many New York venues have a visitor record, and also you’ll want tickets or a reservation in advance. It’s higher to be organized on the subject of 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 suggestion is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in NYC at night time. In summer time, 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 night time and a spotlight of visiting the town in summer time.
The park normally opens at 5 p.m. so spectators can seize a spot, and the flicks begin later, at 8 p.m. We’d recommend bringing a picnic dinner and a few heat blankets to maintain you comfy 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 record varies yearly. If you’re in search of a novelty factor to do in NYC at night time, Bryant Park and its motion pictures are an important addition to your itinerary.
Insider Tip: Bring loads of heat layers and blankets so you possibly can keep in your spot.
Practical Information: The garden opens at 5 p.m. and the flicks 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 on the subject of late-night leisure in New York City.
In this FAQ part, we’ll make clear just a few issues for you, providing you with additional readability on the subject of discovering issues to do in New York City at night time.
Can you stroll in New York at night time?
Yes, so long as you select your areas properly. The busy streets of Midtown are usually protected to stroll after darkish, particularly in case you are in a big group. Avoid dimly lit areas like again streets and parks (Central Park included).
Is New York an excellent night time out?
New York City is an incredible night time out. It is a bit bit costly, and also you’ll have to make reservations to get in some locations, however total, count on a whole lot 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 called the town that by no means sleeps due to its superb night leisure. Times Square stays lit all night time, whereas many actions are on late at night time, like off-Broadway reveals 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 offers around-the-clock leisure, from reveals 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 possibly can have in the USA. Whether you need dwell reveals, fairly lights, or nightlife, visiting New York City at night time is one thing particular.
In this part, we’ll cowl the necessities it’s best to know earlier than visiting New York City, particularly at night time. You’ve received your inspiration on what to do in New York City; now it’s time to learn to put it into motion.
Getting There
Getting to New York City is extraordinarily simple. There are direct flights to New York City from everywhere in the world. You can fly from Europe, from South America, and extra. For worldwide vacationers, the easiest way to achieve New York City is by catching a direct or oblique worldwide flight to JFK Airport.
From JFK, you possibly can simply bounce on the practice or subway to Manhattan. Alternatively, you possibly can catch a taxi or e-book a shuttle service in case you really feel like treating your self.
If you’re touring domestically inside the USA, you may as well catch the practice to New York’s Penn Station. Amtrak providers join the entire of the USA, and you may 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 in case you actually need; it takes simply over three days, and includes 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 time, you possibly can take pleasure in 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 could be Christmas. If you’re looking ahead to night leisure, you possibly can’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 an excellent ambiance of cheery last-minute consumers.
New York City is nice to go to all yr spherical. Still, if you would like 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 in case you keep in Manhattan. New York streets keep busy till the early hours in its fundamental vacationer areas, similar to in Midtown round Times Square. Choose a well-located lodge, and you may simply stroll round New York City at night time.
The New York subway system additionally runs 24 hours a day, merely working a bit 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 achieve on foot. One factor to notice, although, is that it’s best to at all times journey in teams on the subway when touring late at night time. Some traces could be remoted, and it’s higher to remain protected and catch an Uber than trip alone in the early hours. Safety in numbers, bear in mind.
How Much Time Do You Need
The ideally suited period of time in New York City is 5 days, and you may take a look at our good five-day itinerary right here. With 5 days, you possibly can 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 advocate to go to New York City is three days. With three days, you possibly 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 rather more leisurely and means that you can go away the town middle.
Where To Stay in New York
We’ve received 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 selection 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 in the course of the daytime.
You’ll discover Harlem, the Bronx, and the Yankee Stadium in Upper Manhattan. Upper Manhattan used to have a nasty status for crime, however it’s largely protected for tourism now. However, a bit out of the best way – you’ll be utilizing the subway to achieve the primary sights.
Here are a number of the greatest resorts 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 a wonderful 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 gives free day by day strolling excursions.
New York at night time is simply one thing else. Not many cities can conjure such an environment late at night time, and also you’ll see a special facet to New York City after darkish. You can’t go to the ‘city that never sleeps’ with out indulging in at the very least just a few of those unbelievable late-night issues to do.
We hope you have got an unbelievable keep in New York City and have as many thrilling evenings as doable. Whether you are taking a late-night cruise to Staten Island or go to West Village, you’ll love NYC at night time.
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