20 Things To Do In New York City At Night

New York City has many nicknames, from NYC and “The Big Apple” to “The City That Never Sleeps”. That last one suggests that New York is a place where there is fun and excitement around the clock and is a statement that anyone who has visited NYC will confirm.

The problem is, in a famous city that covers over 300 square miles, determining what to choose first can be quite a challenge, so here are 20 exciting things to do in New York City at night to help you make the most of your stay in The Big Apple.

New York City At Night

20 Things To Do In New York City At Night

1- Watch a Baseball, Basketball Or Ice Hockey Game

When it comes to sporting attractions, New York City has more options than anywhere else in the country.

New York is home to Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and New York Mets, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets of the NBA, New York Islanders, and New York Rangers of the NHL.

You are almost guaranteed to have a baseball, basketball or ice hockey game to attend on any night of the week.

Here’s where to go:

• Madison Square Garden is at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, 10001.
• Barclays Center is at 620 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, 11217.
• UBS Arena is at 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, 11003.
• Yankee Stadium is at 1 East 161st Street, Bronx, 10451. Grab your Yankee tickets online now!
• Citi Field is at 41 Seaver Way, Queens, 11368.

2- Climb The Empire State Building

Everyone knows the Empire State Building is one of the most iconic buildings globally and a landmark of New York City.

Although visiting the Empire State isn’t one of the most unusual things to do in New York, it is a great place to visit any time and comes into its own at night.

With smaller crowds, you can take your time to learn about the history of the building and explore the attractions dedicated to its use in different forms of media through the years.

Meanwhile, the viewing deck lets you take in the bright lights of this city that never sleeps.

Then, there’s a restaurant where you can enjoy a gourmet meal while taking in your legendary surroundings.

Empire State Building is at 20 W 34th St, New York.

3- See A Show At Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden is one of the most famous places in the world.

First opened in 1968, it can hold more than 20,000 people and hosts many of the most significant events in New York City.

With boxing, wrestling, concerts, basketball, ice hockey, and theatre just some of the events that take place at MSG, it is well worth checking to see what’s on during your visit.

Madison Square Garden is at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, 10001.

4- Admire Art At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Located on the eastern edge of Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum Of Art is the USA’s most prominent museum and one of the largest in the world.

Opened in 1872, it houses more than two million works of art.

With collections covering African, American, Asian, Byzantine, European, Islamic, and Oceanian styles and pieces, art fans of all tastes will find something to wow them at The Met.

MMOA is at 1000 5th Avenue, New York, 10028.

5- Take A Trip Across The Brooklyn Bridge

Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world upon completion and was the first fixed bridge across the East River, connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan.

Stretching for just over a mile and carrying both vehicles and pedestrians, it offers stunning views of the city and its surrounding waters.

Being a little quieter after sunset makes this the perfect opportunity to enjoy a drive or stroll as you take in the panoramic views of the big city lights and waters.

Brooklyn Bridge is at Brooklyn Bridge, New York, NY 10038, USA.

For more exciting cities at night, read:

6- Ridey A Horse-Drawn Carriage Around Central Park

Central Park is a sprawling urban park featured in many movies, making it one of the most famous parks in New York.

While exploring it in any way is exciting, nothing speaks romance more than taking a horse-drawn carriage ride at night.

Sit back and relax as the horses transport you around in comfort while your driver regales you with stories about the park’s history.

It is an excellent choice for couples and gets even more romantic if you are lucky enough to take your ride as the snow is falling.

Central Park Carriage is at West 59th Street, New York, 10019.

7- Stroll Down Coney Island Boardwalk

The Coney Island Boardwalk stretches for almost three miles along Coney Island Beach, in the southernmost section of Brooklyn.

With multiple amusement parks, food and souvenir stalls, and attractions like a baseball stadium and the New York Aquarium, it provides the perfect setting to enjoy a fun-filled evening out, eating, learning, and having fun, no matter your age.

Coney Island Beach is a Brooklyn, 11214.

8- See The Lights In Times Square

Times Square is an exciting hub in New York City, with souvenir shops, electronic billboards, restaurants and coffee shops lining one of the city’s busiest intersections.

During the evening, street performers come out to entertain the masses while the lights around the square are at their dazzling brightest.

After shopping and enjoying the entertainment, sitting down to a delicious meal makes an evening in Times Square an absolute must for anyone visiting NYC.

Times Square is in Manhattan, NY 10036, USA.

9- Take An Open-Top Bus Night Tour

An open-top bus tour is a fun way to enjoy the sights of New York City, especially as the roads are a little quieter at night.

With routes covering both the north and south sections of Manhattan, you can marvel at some of the city’s most iconic landmarks while an informative tour guide gives you details on the sights.

There are multiple stops throughout Manhattan.

10- Trip Across The River To Watch Some Football

As if the amount of sport on offer within the city limits wasn’t enough, New York also has two professional football teams that play their games just across the river at MetLife Stadium – the New York Jets and the New York Giants.

Just a short drive or subway ride away, having two teams means almost every week of the season will feature a home game here, allowing football fans the chance to see top-level NFL action first-hand.

MetLife Stadium is at 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, New Jersey, 07073.

11- Eat Asian Cuisine In Chinatown

New York’s Chinatown district is one of the oldest Chinese enclaves globally and has the largest Chinese population in the USA.

Numerous stores and markets sell Chinese foods and products, while the streets are adorned with Chinese decorations.

Chinatown’s bars and restaurants offer a lively alternative to the traditional New York-style establishments in the evenings.

Exploring Chinatown is a great way to shake up your stay and experience another culture during your trip.

Chinatown’s main drag is in Canal Street, named after a canal dug in the 1800s to drain contaminated water into the Hudson River.

12- Attend An Evening Service At St. Patricks Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in the United States and North America’s largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral.

Its stunning architecture features marble, glass, and numerous bells, which starkly contrasts any buildings surrounding it.

This stunning cathedral well-deserves its listing on the National Register Of Historic Places.

To soak up the whole experience, make time to attend an evening service.

The combination of a grand setting and imposing music creates a hauntingly powerful atmosphere that will remain in your memory forever.

St. Patricks Cathedral is at 5th Avenue, New York, 10022.

13- Eat Pastrami In Katz’s Delicatessen

Open since 1888, St. Patricks Cathedral is a New York dining institution.

Famous for corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, Katz’s is a traditional New York-style deli serving many classic American favourites.

With theatrically cranky service playing on the New Yorker stereotype, the dining experience is an absolute must for foodies visiting the Big Apple.

Katz’s Delicatessen is at 205 East Houston Street, New York, 10002.

14- Hunt For Ghosts On A Ghost Walk

As one of the USA’s oldest cities, it should come as no surprise that New York City has its fair share of spooky legends and ghost stories.

The New York Ghost Walk will see you taken on a guided tour around some of the most haunted locations in the city.

Tour guides will tell you every gruesome detail of the events that have taken place to give birth to these stories, making it a frighteningly good way to spend an evening.

The New York Ghost Walk is at Washington Square North, 5th Avenue, New York, 10003.

15- See A Concert At Radio City Music Hall

Radio City Music Hall dates back to 1932 and, at one point, was the largest auditorium on earth.

The distinctive Art Deco-style building has hosted numerous prestigious events, including the Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, Tony Awards, MTV Awards, and the NFL Draft.

Filled with historical statues, artefacts, and musical instruments, those lucky enough to attend a concert or event here will get to combine entertainment and culture in a single destination.

Radio City Music Hall is at 1260 6th Avenue, New York, 10020.

16- See The Statue Of Liberty Lit Up

The Statue Of Liberty is a beautiful, iconic monument that has to be seen on any trip to New York City.

Although you can’t visit the island itself after dark, it’s the perfect time to view it.

With the crown and torch alight from inside and the rest of the statue up lit from the base, nighttime is the perfect opportunity to gaze at the Statue Of Liberty in all its glory.

Statue Of Liberty View Point is at Battery Park Underpass, New York, 10004.

17- Fly Over The City In A Helicopter

Have you ever looked at the skyscrapers in New York City, with their lights disappearing into the clouds, and wanted to see what they look like up close?

Well, you can do precisely that on a night helicopter city tour.

Experienced pilots will take you on a tour of New York City with a completely different perspective, letting you see iconic landmarks and beautiful locations, helping you to appreciate the grandeur of the city from the top down.

New York Helicopter Tours is at Linden Airport, 1101 West Edgar Road, Linden, New Jersey, 07036.

18- Watch A Show On Broadway

Broadway is the heart of the American theatre industry, with 41 theatres and even more in the surrounding area.

Broadway is a fantastic place to enjoy an evening filled with culture and entertainment with musicals, dramas, operas, and the best performances you will see in the country.

Most theatres in Broadway are between 41st Street and 54th Street and between Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue in Manhattan.

19- Go On A Dinner Cruise

What better way to rest your sore feet and see New York City at night than on a dinner cruise?

Sail around Manhattan and see some iconic locations as you wine and dine in comfort while floating past the city.

New York Dinner Cruise is at Pier 61, Chelsea Piers, 111c 11th Avenue, New York, 10011.

20- Eat Traditional New York City Style Pizza

While the best place to try traditional, New York-style pizza will vary depending on who you ask, Mama’s TOO! is a name that comes up most often.

Pizza in New York usually is made with thin crusts that are crisp along the edge with traditional toppings of mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.

With décor as traditional as the pizza and toppings ranging from classic to gourmet, you have to treat yourself to a slice in an eatery that symbolises everything New York City is all about.

Mama’s TOO! is at 2750 Broadway, New York, 10025.