Are you looking for fun, family-friendly things to do in NYC at night?

There are so many great places to visit and things to do in New York City. Whether you’re a native or just visiting, there is always something new and exciting going on.

I have compiled the best of what New York has to offer after 5 pm into this list of activities that will make your trip unforgettable. From Broadway shows, museums, concerts, and a whole bunch of unusual things – we’ve got it all!

Would you rather spend the night in a NYC hotel? (Some are fabulous and worth it.) Or head out to do things in NYC at night?

29 Best things to do in NYC at Night

Walk across Brooklyn Bridge at night

Where: Brooklyn Bridge

Why: What better way to view the skyline of Manhattan than from across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge?

Cost: Free (but you’d want to bring your wallet because it’s right by Chinatown, and everything over there is pretty much amazing)

Saturday Night Live in New York City

Where: SNL is filmed at the NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown.

Why? It’s the BEST Saturday night entertainment on TV and super fun to see how this popular show is made.

Cost: Free but you must enroll in the audience lottery or get a stand-by ticket. Here is the best way to find all the information about seeing Saturday Night Live.

 

Bike Ride around Central Park at night

Where: Any trail through Central Park

Why? One of the best things to do in New York City is going for an adventure without fear of getting lost because all roads lead back to Manhattan! The perfect way to see the sights while exercising. You can see the stars in the center of the park and all the buildings lit up around you make it magical.

Plus the park is quieter and as long as you stick to safe places you will be fine!

Here is some excellent info about bike routes.

To rent bikes with your phone, click here.

Cost: Free to $20

 

 

Premier 57 Korean Spa in New York City

Where: 57 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022

Why? Because you deserve it! Spa lovers rejoice – the best way to relax from a day of sightseeing is to unwind in mind and body at this luxurious Korean spa. It is open 24 hours, so you can go whenever the whim for pampering happens. Prepare to enjoy your evening in style.

Cost: Day pass rates are as low as $55

 

Take a Dinner cruise around the city

Where: Depends on the cruise, but they leave from Manhattan.

Why? A dinner cruise is one of the best things to do in New York City if you are looking for something fun, romantic or simply want to be wowed by the amazing city views.

Cost: Varies depending on which cruise you choose but can range from $40-$95 per person.

Book tickets here for a highly-rated Dinner cruise.

 

 

Roosevelt Island at night to see The City Skyscape

Where: Start at the Roosevelt Island Tram Station; End at 1st Street & Main Street, Roosevelt Island

Why? One of the best things to do in New York City is to see this amazing cityscape at night. The view will leave you speechless! Plus, Roosevelt Island is a super cool place to explore if you get there earlier in the day!

Cost? Free (except for tram rides)

 

 

See a Comedy show

Where: Head to a comedy club in Midtown Manhattan.

Why? Who doesn’t love a little laughter break from the everyday hustle and bustle of NYC? A night out with friends or a date is guaranteed to be tons of fun!

Cost: Varies depending on which show you choose but expect anywhere from $15-$75 per person. Take a look above for some suggestions or better yet, just ask your friendly concierge for help.

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre shows

Where: Go to the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theatre in Midtown Manhattan.

UCB Theatre | 307 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001

Why? The UCB theatre is home to some of the best improv comedy shows in NYC! A great night out with friends or date is sure to leave you laughing all night long! Check the comedy show before you go to see if it is appropriate for your teenagers.

 

Central Park’s SummerStage free music concerts

Where: Central Park SummerStage

Why? Central Park is a great place to hang out and enjoy a summer night with friends or family. There’s always something going on so if you can’t find anything you like either scroll through their website or ask your concierge to give you some suggestions.

Cost: Free! But you will need to get tickets so plan ahead. Check their website for concert suggestions.

Rooftop movies

Where: Head to a local rooftop cinema for an outdoor movie night with the stars!

Check out the Rooftop Film Guide website for suggestions on venues

Why? In the summertime in NYC which means more days for rooftop parties and rooftop bars – not to mention free outdoor movies! Grab your family and friends and head up to rooftop movies or movies outdoors all around NYC.

Cost: Varies from Free to $30ish dollars.

 

Catch a show on Broadway

 

Where: Times Square area theaters

Why? There is nothing better to do in NYC at night! New York has dozens of options for family friendly Broadway shows. Make sure you check the show description and the age level before your kids go see a show! Let your kids pick one they would like to see and enjoy a night out in New York City together. This is a great place to grab a NYC souvenir!

Cost: Varies depending on the show. Get the best deals using this service.

Standard Hotel Bingo Night

Where: Head to the Standard Hotel for a great night out with friends or family.

Simply check out their website for more information on games and upcoming events.

Why? Who doesn’t love a little bingo from time to time? Grab your friends or date and head down to the Standard Hotel every Sunday from 9-11 for a fun night of bingo, drinks, and entertainment.

Cost: There is a minimum spend of $50 per person.

***This is not a kid-friendly activity but a great date night while your kids stay in.

 

MOMA Free Fridays

Where: Visit the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and you can go inside for free on Fridays from 5:30 – 9 pm;

Why? Get free admission to one of NYC’s most popular museums! Check their website for special events as well as upcoming exhibits

Cost: Free!

Wander through The Met

Where: Visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) and enjoy all the art on offer for free Thursday and Friday until 9:45 pm.

Why? Get free admission to one of NYC’s most popular museums! This is a great activity for the whole family. You can learn about art and culture while looking at some super cool objects. My kids love the Egypt area and the hall of armor.

Cost: Free

54 Below

Where: 54 Below is a great club and cabaret venue in NYC

Why: This club offers some cool entertainment, including some up-and-coming Broadway stars! You will fill like you are in a swanky club hearing the latest and greatest. Check out their calendar on their website for more information. You will need to book at least two weeks in advance to make sure you can get a seat!

Cost: Varies depending on where you choose but generally between $40-$100 between your seat and drinks or food.

 

Take in a concert by The New York Philharmonic

 

Where? At Lincoln Center

Why? You can see some truly amazing local talent from the Philharmonic! It’s a great activity for not only date night but a late afternoon or evening, depending on when their concerts are. Some seats are pricey, but the experience is extraordinary, and you won’t be disappointed in the talent! Check out their calendar here.

Cost: From $35 and up.

***This is not a great option for young kids, but if you have older music lovers, this is a great treat!

 

Check out the Statue of Liberty lit up for the night

Where: Take the Staten Island ferry

Why? You can see the statue from a distance lit up at night! It’s a beautiful view of NYC and if you’re lucky you’ll be able to grab hot chocolate and bask in the glow of the city at night.

It gets windy on the ferry at night, so if you are going in the winter make sure you have some great clothes for a NYC winter!

Cost: Free. It’s just a ferry ride over and back.

 

Visit a Piano Bar

Where: Check out one of many piano bars throughout NYC.

Why? Sing-a-long with friends at a classic New York staple! Piano bars are the bee’s knees and what better way to spend some time than singing your heart out alongside some talented musicians!? Some of my favorites include Don’t Tell Mama and Chez Josephine’s. Both are super experiences.

Cost: From $10 and up. Generally relatively inexpensive for a great night of entertainment.

Karaoke in Koreatown

Where? Koreatown is a great place to go for fun and affordable entertainment

Why? You can be a rock star for the evening with some friends! Koreatown is one of my favorite places to go in NYC. It’s got a great nightlife with lots of bars, karaoke venues and 24 hour diners in case you get hungry or want a snack.

Here are some great locations for living your rock star fantasy.

Cost: Depends on the location.

 

Go to an arcade with the whole family

Where: Dave and Busters, Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center, and lots of other small arcades

Why? Arcades are up and coming again and are way cooler than they were in the 80s. Plus, it is a great way for the whole family to hang out at night together.

Cost: Depends on how many games you play, but inexpensive fun!

 

Get spooky with a Ghost tour

Where: Many spooky locations throughout Manhattan

Why? The history of this city will haunt you, so why not go out and see it for yourself? Haunted Manhattan is the best of the tours out there, and they have five separate tours throughout the city, so you can do one every night of your visit!

Cost: $20-$25 per tour.

 

Foot massage in Chinatown

Where: Chinatown at various spas

Why? There’s nothing more relaxing than a good foot massage especially if you have been walking around NYC all day. There are tons of great massage places in Chinatown but the best, in my opinion, is Zu Yi Spa. They do an incredible job for under $30!

Cost: Varies depending on which location you choose but under $50!

 

Go to Serendipity

Where: Serendipity

Why? What’s better than chocolate, food, and ice cream all in one place? Not much! Serendipity is a great place to spend an evening indulging in your favorite sweet treats like their delectable frozen hot chocolate! You will eat/drink every drop!

Be forewarned although Serendipity is open late, it is still very busy. Try to go after the dinner rush!

Cost: $10-40 per person.

 

Try your hand at Bowling in NYC

Where: Bowlero’ Frames Bowling Lounge, Brooklyn Bowl

Why? Bowling is a classic activity that you can do during the day but it’s even better under the lights at night! There are tons of great bowling alleys all over New York and they’re open late on weekends so why not go for some strikes after dinner or drinks out with friends!

Cost: Depends on which place you choose to bowl. Generaly $30 to $60 per game.

 

Climb the Vessel at Hudson Yards

Where: Vessel at the Hudson Yards

Why? The Vessel is a glass and steel observation platform located in New York’s newest neighborhood! Its unique design makes it perfect for pictures and selfies with friends or family members. You can walk around on it or ride an elevator up to the top. No matter what you do there you will enjoy this experience!

Cost: $8 per person, and you must make reservations. Get more information about Hudson Yards and activities there by clicking here.

 

Go to an escape room

Where: There are dozens of escape rooms throughout NYC. The best ones are mentioned in this article.

Why? You will be working together as a team to try and make it out of the room before time runs out. This activity is a great way to build teamwork, problem-solving skills, and communication strategies!

Cost: From $30 per person depending on the number of players

 

Seasonal Things to do in NYC at Night

If you happen to be visiting New York City at Christmas time you will find tons of fun activities to do after the sun goes down. Here are a few of them.

Go on a Christmas Tree Walking tour through Manhattan

Where: Check my post on the best Christmas tree walking tour.

Why? Walking tours are always fun to do but especially during the holidays! You can get an inside look at some of New York’s beautiful Christmas trees around the city and the best part is… its free and festive at the same time. (There are a few trees on my list that cost but it is donation only.)

Cost: Free and up

Go see Macy’s Windows at Christmas time

Where: Macy’s at Herald Square

Why? The windows at Macy’s are just as magical as the famous department store itself! It is definitely worth the stop to see them both plus you can pick up some great gifts while you’re there too!!

Cost: Free

Ice skating in Central Park and Bryant Park

Where: Ice skate in Central Park or Bryant Park

Why? Ice skating is a lot of fun and a great way to spend a date night with friends! It’s also super affordable so it won’t cost you an arm and a leg! Plus, if the weather’s nice the view from Bryant Park is amazing!

Cost: Varies depending on where you choose but generally very inexpensive. Central park rangers will be happy to tell you what days are busiest and best for ice skating, just ask them next time you’re passing. You don’t want anyone stepping on your toes – trust me, I speak from experience!

Visit the Rockefeller Center Tree at Christmas time

 

Where: Rockefeller Center

Why? This tree is one of the most famous trees in the world and there are tons of great festivities surrounding it all season long! You can ice-skate under its branches enjoy the lighted angels and festive atmosphere.

Cost: Free and up! (ice skating prices vary)

For more information about Christmas in NYC check out one of my biggest posts!

 

In conclusion, you can’t go wrong with any of these activities. You will need to plan and make reservations for many of the things to do in NYC at night. If there is something you are desperate to do check into reservations at least 2 months before you arrive. Hopefully, you will be able to check some of these places off your bucket list!