20 Best Things to Do in New York City at Night

This guest post is courtesy of Samantha Karen. Sam runs Sam Sees World, a travel blog dedicated to sharing the world’s most beautiful and unique travel destinations. As a full time traveler she has visited over 50 countries with more on the way. Today she’s sharing 20 best things to do in New York City at Night–these definitely take me back to my time living in the Big Apple!

New York City is truly the city that never sleeps. With endless things to do in New York City at night, you will find yourself up all day and all night exploring and immersing yourself in the magic that is NYC. One of the world’s most alive and electric cities, New York is a place everyone must visit at least once in their life. This city has something for everyone, from arts to culture to adventure to food and beyond. Whatever interests you, New York has it – and a lot of it. Some people think New York is an overrated travel destination but this is NOT at all the truth. With things to do 24 hours a day, your visit to New York will be anything but boring.

Check out the 20 best things to do in New York City at night and prepare for a night like no other.

20 Best Things to Do in New York City at Night

Join the Filming of a Live TV Show

One of the top things to do in New York City at night is join the live taping of some of the world’s most famous and iconic TV shows. New York is packed with studios that need live audiences to react and engage in their shows and joining offers an amazing nighttime adventure!

There are plenty of shows to choose from that do their recordings in NYC such as: Saturday Night Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. You can find tickets through the links above.

Soak in Times Square

Times Square during the day and Times Square at night are completely different. During the night Times Square comes alive with its endless rows of billboards, street performers, and honking horns. The bright billboards pop against the darkness and it’s so bright it almost feels like daytime!

Walking around Times Square and soaking in the magic of this “attraction” is easily one of the top things to do in New York City at night. Just note that Times Square is pretty hectic and especially at night, it can be a little overwhelming.

This is one of the top things to do with one day in NYC that you cannot miss.

Go to a Comedy Show

There is no shortage of comedians in New York City which is great for a night of laughing so hard your stomach hurts. New York has comedy shows daily with performers of all kinds doing their thing to make you laugh.

Be sure to check out the comedians in advance to ensure their humor fits with yours as sometimes what someone else thinks is funny is not your style.

Get tickets and catch a comedy show at The Comedy Club, Comedy Cellar, and Broadway Comedy Club.

Walk Across Brooklyn Bridge

Walking across Brooklyn Bridge during the day is fun, but it can get pretty busy and crowded. At night the huge tourist groups and crowds have disappeared and you can enjoy a walk in a more intimate and relaxed way.

This is why one of the best things to do in New York City at night is to walk the Brooklyn Bridge! Not only to experience this quintessential NYC experience in peace but also to admire the skyline from one of the best views in the city.

Rooftop Drinks

There is no place on earth as magical as NYC when it comes to rooftop drinks. With the huge skyscrapers, bright city lights, and iconic skyline, New York City is the world’s best place for a drink with a view. Some of the best places for rooftop drinks are:

These amazing views come at a HIGH price. Expect to pay around $16 for a glass of wine and at least $20 for a cocktail.

See the City Lights from the Top of The Rock

Many people think going to the top of the Empire State Building is the best place to view New York Cities’ skyline, but this is not the case. The very best place to the Top of The Rock because from this viewpoint you have the iconic Empire State Building in your view, which only adds to the beauty.

The Top of The Rock Observatory is open until 11 PM so you can stay up there well into the evening admiring the stunning skyline.

Watch a Broadway Performance

There is no better way to entertain yourself in NYC at night than with a Broadway show! Broadway is the world’s most famous theatrical strip with tons of different shows playing every night.

The options are endless from famous musicals to movies and more. Going to a Broadway show is one of the top things to do in New York City at night for people of all ages.

Join a Hop On Hop Off Tour

A hop on hop off tour at night is one of the best ways to see all of NYC in its more vibrant time. With the sun gone the city is sparkling with laughter and energy and a bus tour will show you just this!

Watch a Sports Game

NYC is one of America’s biggest cities which means it has plenty of its own sports teams. From the New York Rangers to the Knicks to The NY Yankees and beyond.

Year-round you will find these teams playing in their home city and these games are electric! Be sure to get tickets in advance as they sell out quickly.

Go to a Concert

One of the most popular things to do in New York City at night is going to a concert. With famous performers from all around the world eager to perform in NYC, you have many options to choose from. Here you can find DJs, festivals, popstars, opera singers and more.

Take a Night Walking Tour

Take a walking tour at night to see and experience New York City in its prime. During this hour the huge groups of tourists have lessened and you can see the city glowing with its millions of lights. Many of the nighttime tours are ghost / haunted themed which only adds to the night adventures.

See a Drag Show

NYC is one of the best places in the USA to watch a drag show. A drag show is an entertaining performance done by men impersonating women (called drag queens).

These drag artists are super lively and entertain you with singing, dancing, comedy skits and more. They are incredibly entertaining and usually involve the audience quite a bit.

If you want to get entertained in one of the more unique ways, then going to a drag show is a MUST.

Go for Dinner in SoHo

SoHo is a neighborhood in Manhattan where you can find cobblestone streets, elegant homes, and high-end shops. In addition to the luxury shops, SoHo is also home to some of the best restaurants and nightlife in NYC.

From high-end restaurants to local gems you can find just about everything here. Going to SoHo for dinner is one of the top things to do in New York City at night for an evening of indulgence and beauty.

Find a Speakeasy

There’s nothing quite like finding a speakeasy which is why searching is one of the top things to do in New York City at night. You can go on your own or join a speakeasy tour and discover hidden gems only locals can grant you access to.

Sail Around Manhattan

Sailing around Manhattan on a guided tour is beyond magical. The city lights and iconic skyline are unmatched and the distance view only amplifies the beauty it offers.

There are many tours you can join from dinner to drinks and more!

Go to an Outdoor Cinema

Outdoor cinemas and very popular in New York and a super fun way to spend your night. If you don’t like to party or want to enjoy a more relaxed, laid-back night then this is ideal. Bring a blanket, and some snacks and enjoy a film outdoors with the NYC skyline in the distance.

Check out these websites to find out when and where you can join an outdoor cinema:

Rooftop Cinema Club
Brooklyn Bridge Park

Watch a Ballet

There’s nothing quite like a night at the ballet. Here you can enjoy a performance from some of the world’s most talented dancers for a night you will never forget. This is one of the top things to do in New York City at night that is often overlooked. Check out NYC Ballet and American Ballet Theatre for tickets and show times.

Do a Helicopter Tour

One of the most amazing things to do in New York City at night is taking a helicopter tour of the city. This is the best way to view iconic landmarks like The Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park and more. If you can afford it, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t want to miss.

Go to the Summit

Heading to the Summit is a truly unforgettable experience and one of the top things to do in New York City at night. There are three different levels all with various rooms with their own special experience. Not only do you get to experience an adventure of art and culture, but it also has one of the best views of New York City from above.