10 things to do at night in New York

New York is the city that never sleeps! When night falls, your day is just beginning... Here are 10 things to see and do after dark!

1/ Take in the lights of Times Square

After dark, neon signs and giant screens flood Times Square, New York’s most famous intersection, with an electric glow. Make sure to visit Times Square at night during your stay—it’s an experience you shouldn’t miss.
If your hotel is near Times Square, consider spending your first evening there. For many visitors, Times Square is the perfect introduction to the city and a good way to stay energized after travel fatigue and jet lag.
Did you know? You can even display one of your photos or a video on a giant Times Square screen. Read our article on how to display a photo on Times Square.

2/ Take the Staten Island Ferry

Another must-do after dark: see New York’s lights from the Staten Island Ferry. This free ride crosses New York Harbor between the southern tip of Manhattan and Staten Island on the other side of the bay.
Along the way, you’ll pass the Statue of Liberty in the distance. At night, you can enjoy its illumination. This short cruise is pure magic.

3/ Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at night

Whether on the New York Forum or in my Destination New York guidebook, I recommend crossing the Brooklyn Bridge in the morning, heading from Brooklyn toward Manhattan. But if you have time, try it again at night.
The skyline looks completely different, and the bridge’s soft lighting creates a special atmosphere. You’ll walk on the pedestrian path with traffic noise and car headlights below. It feels like a movie scene.

4/ Admire the Chrysler Building’s lighting

The elegant Chrysler Building ranks among New York’s most beautiful skyscrapers. Plan to see it at night during your visit. Why? Its spire is lit with an otherworldly white neon glow. At night, the Chrysler Building really stands out.

5/ Visit an observation deck

During your stay, visit one of New York’s five observation decks: the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, The Edge, or Summit. Each offers its own view and atmosphere.
At night, I recommend the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock: you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of New York with all the city lights spread below you. When you’re up there, you’ll probably find yourself humming “New York, New York”! 🙂
The Edge also offers a unique perspective on New York, thanks to its location in western Manhattan.

6/ Visit a museum after hours

As I mentioned at the start: New York is the city that never sleeps. So it makes sense that some museums stay open late into the night.

Madame Tussauds wax museum on Times Square closes at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. You’ll have the whole evening to pose for photos next to wax figures of celebrities from politics, film, music, and sports.
Adults can also visit the Museum of Sex until 10 pm (11 pm on Friday and Saturday).

7/ Have a drink at a rooftop bar

Rooftop bars and restaurants sit atop New York’s buildings, and the city has plenty of them. After dark, nothing beats a drink at 230 Fifth, with the Empire State Building right in front of you. Located at 230 Fifth Avenue, near Madison Square Park, this is New York’s most famous rooftop.
But there are many other rooftops in New York. For more options, check out my page on the best 6 rooftops in New York.

8/ Catch a musical

After a full day exploring New York, end your evening with a New York specialty: a musical. It’s one of the top evening activities in the city.
You’ll have plenty of choices, including several shows that sell out every night because they’re so popular:

The Lion King, the musical based on the Walt Disney animated film.
Chicago, the true story of two criminals in 1930s Chicago.
MJ The Michael Jackson Musical, telling the story of the King of Pop.
Aladdin and the tale of the Arabian Nights. Another major Walt Disney success.
and many more to discover on the page dedicated to musicals in New York.

9/ Experience New York’s nightlife

New York at night isn’t just about views and landmarks. It also has fantastic nightlife. Head to the bars in East Village, Greenwich Village, and Meatpacking. Find my favorites in the guide to bars in New York.
Continue your evening at a nightclub. New York has plenty to offer. For good recommendations, check out the section on clubs and nightlife in New York.
On Saturday nights, you can also try a piano bar evening in Chelsea. Visit the page dedicated to piano bar nights in New York.

10/ Take a night bus tour

To see New York’s illuminations, board a night tour bus through Manhattan. This sightseeing route shows you the main landmarks and neighborhoods after dark.
The tour lasts 4 hours, giving you a thorough tour of Manhattan. See the page on the night bus tour in New York.

Once you’ve followed my 10 tips above, here’s my 11th piece of advice: get some sleep. 🙂 New York may be the city that never sleeps, but you’ll need to recharge to make the most of tomorrow. New York is waiting for you! 🙂