Things to do at Night in New York City

Published: May 16, 2024
Statue of Liberty

When the sun goes down, the Big Apple comes alive. Neon lights begin to flicker, restaurants buzz and theaters roll out their red carpets. From outdoor movies in pretty parks to bustling night markets and Broadway shows, when it comes to nightlife, New York has something for everyone!

Let's check out what's on the cards when the sun sets in the 'City that Never Sleeps.'

Soak up the City Lights from an Observation Deck

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There is no better way to toast the sunset over New York than from one of the many observation decks dotted about the city. Watch the city lights begin to twinkle as twilight turns to night and see the city like never before.

Several Manhattan buildings have observation decks open in the evening where you can take in the city for all its glory.

Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center

The Top of the Rock takes up the last three floors of Rockefeller Center. It features three levels of indoor and outdoor observation decks that offer spectacular, unobstructed views of the city skyline. The 68th and 69th floors have terraces with glass railings that provide beautiful panoramic views of the whole city.

The 70th floor boasts an open-air rooftop deck with no metal or glass enclosures, providing perfect photo opportunities! Enjoy several unique experiences on the way up to the Top of the Rock ranging from the magnificent Joie chandelier and an exhibit of interactive artworks to a sound and light hallway and a time capsule over Manhattan.

Use your pass to gain free admission to the Top of the Rock to soak up the incredible 360 ̊ panoramic views.

Empire State Building

Head up the world-renowned Empire State Building to the main deck observatory on the 86th floor to take in those famous New York City views.

Use your pass to enjoy complimentary access to the Empire State Building and whizz up to the open-air observation deck that wraps around the building's spire. Marvel at the endless views, which on a clear evening, can stretch all way across six states!

The Edge

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Cast your eyes over the city from one of the highest outdoor sky decks in the world. Located at 30 Hudson Yards, the Edge is a state-of-the-art platform with a glass floor that extends out into mid-air 100 floors above the ground.

Feel like you are floating above the city as you sip a glass of bubbles from the Champagne bar to toast the sunset and take in unrivaled panoramic city views. This one is not for the faint-hearted!

Remember to use your pass to gain free access to the Edge.

One World Observatory

Take in the sunset from the highest point in the city – the top of the One World Observatory. Zip up to the 102nd floor in just 47 seconds in the astonishingly fast SkyPodTM Elevators while you watch a multimedia display of New York City transforming from unsettled lands into a forest of skyscrapers. Look over the city below through the glass floor of the Sky Portal and enjoy several thrilling audiovisual experiences while you are at the top of the world. Use your pass to enjoy complimentary access to the One World Observatory, as well as an exclusive discount off a signature cocktail from One World Observatory's premier restaurant and bar, One Dine. Cheers!

Hit Times Square

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Times Square is one of New York's top attractions and offers second to none nightlife! It's packed with a wealth of entertainment from bars, restaurants, and nightclubs to theaters and TV recording studios and really comes alive at night.

Learn about the famous district on a Broadway & Times Square Walking Tour. Use your pass to enjoy this tour where an experienced actor and director tour guide will take you to all the hot spots.

Have a laugh at the LoL Times Square Comedy Club or head to the Bowlmor Times Square arcade for bowling, state-of-the-art video games, and old-school pinball.

Use your pass to visit Madame Tussauds and gain free access to the MARVEL Universe 4D cinema experience. Sip cocktails at the Haven Rooftop bar and watch the action on Time Square below.

Catch a Broadway Show

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A quintessential evening activity in New York is catching a Broadway show. While they are expensive, the experience is an unforgettable one and really shouldn't be missed! With over 40 official Broadway theaters in New York, you're bound to find something that piques your interest.

Top Tip: The best way to get discounted show tickets is to head to TDF's TKTS Booth in Duffy Square (47th Street and Broadway) and wait in line on the day of the show. You can get some fantastic discounts on tickets for most shows.

Catch a Different Kind of Show

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If you prefer something more energetic, use your pass to enjoy the Shake, Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos Show

Hosted at the historic Cutting Room on East 32nd Street, this three-hour rock 'n' roll extravaganza features an all-request evening of live music from dueling pianos, fantastic food, and plenty of drinks.

If jazz is your thing, head to Harlem, the birthplace of the music genre, to enjoy a classic jazz performance. Use your pass to get tickets to the Harlem Jazz Series, a one-hour performance of classic jazz hits some of the industry's best musicians.

Enjoy a Sunset Movie at Bryant Park

If the weather is good, why not watch an outdoor movie at Bryant Park? Tucked behind the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is the beating cultural heart of Midtown Manhattan and is famous for its iconic movie nights under the stars.

Grab a delicious picnic pack from Perfect Picnic with your pass and find a spot on the lawn for a romantic evening out.

Top Tip: These movie nights are extremely popular, so get there when the lawns open at 5 pm to get a good spot.

Take in the City Lights from the Ferry

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Soak up the magical after-dark glow of the Big Apple on a romantic harbor cruise. Use your pass to hop on a Harbor Lights Cruise with Circle Line and enjoy a cruise through the city.

There is indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar on board, and an outdoor viewing deck for those Insta-worthy photographs. The narrated cruise offers interesting facts about famous New York landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty as you glide past.

Catch a Yankees Game

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One of the most exciting things to do in New York at night is to watch a Yankees game under the lights. Head to the game a little earlier and use your pass to enjoy a Classic Tour of the Yankee Stadium

Get a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the legendary stadium as you visit areas not usually open to the public, like the dugout and the press box. Watch out for the ghost of Babe Ruth, who apparently wanders around the stadium!

Stargaze at the High Line

As the sun begins to set , head to the unique High Line Park to take in some spectacular city views. The once-disused railroad track was converted into a verdant floating garden and now passes through some of New York City's most historic neighborhoods.

Wander along the elevated park on a High Line, Chelsea & Meatpacking District Walking Tour with your pass. Take in the art installations and admire some of New York's most famous buildings, including the Empire State Building and Frank Gehry's IAC Building.

You can also enjoy free stargazing evenings at the High Line every Tuesday from dusk until 9:45 pm. Telescopes are provided and spaced throughout the park by the Amateur Astronomers Association, who are also on hand to help and answer any questions.

Alex Birungi
Go City Travel Expert

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The Ultimate Kids’ Day Out: Inside the American Museum of Natural History

Why Kids Absolutely Love the American Museum of Natural History  Families flock to New York looking for amazing adventures—and when it comes to sparking curiosity, there’s nowhere quite like the American Museum of Natural History. Standing proudly on the edge of Central Park, this beloved institution is packed with dino-sized discoveries, secret science nooks, and interactive zones made just for hands-on explorers. From towering T. rexes to star-studded planetarium shows, the museum transforms science into boundless fun for visitors of all ages. But why do kids, especially, leave wide-eyed and buzzing with excitement after every visit? Step inside with us as we reveal the 10 reasons youngsters simply can’t get enough of the American Museum of Natural History. Ready to plan your best-ever New York family adventure? Let’s dive in!  Our fave family-friendly experiences at the American Museum of Natural History include:  The Giant Dinosaur Fossils in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs  The Rose Center for Earth and Space  The Butterfly Conservatory (seasonal)  The Hall of Ocean Life with its giant blue whale  Discovery Room (hands-on science for kids)  Hall of North American Mammals  Gems and Minerals Hall  The Titanosaur  Fossil Preparation Lab  Family-friendly dining at the museum cafeteria  Read on for the best can’t-miss experiences for families and why kids remember this museum long after the subway ride home!  The Rose Center for Earth and Space  Weather turning iffy, but you still want an out-of-this-world adventure? Make a beeline for the Rose Center. With its glass-walled, futuristic look, this is where imaginations blast off. Inside, you’ll find the Hayden Planetarium—a domed theater that launches kids right to the edge of the universe. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the planetarium’s legendary director, narrates shows that swoop through the cosmos, explore black holes, or explain what makes up a star. The effect? Kids aren’t just learning about planets and galaxies—they’re literally seeing them fly by.  The Rose Center offers plenty of hands-on fun. There’s the Scales of the Universe walkway, which uses real weights to help kids grasp enormous distances in space. The giant meteorites (touching one is a must) let your child literally get hands-on with space history. Interactive screens, glowing models, and “space trivia” stations keep little astronauts busy.  For many families, the Rose Center is a hit because it feels both grown-up and playful. It’s a place where future stargazers dream big—some even leave with a list of ideas for their next school science project.  The Butterfly Conservatory (Seasonal)  From November to May, the American Museum of Natural History becomes home to thousands of fluttering, jewel-toned butterflies in a tropical oasis kids will never forget. The Butterfly Conservatory is like walking straight into a storybook. Before you even enter, the air gets warmer and smells faintly of damp earth and nectar—then suddenly, you’re surrounded by hundreds of butterflies from all around the world.  Children immediately become gentle explorers, tiptoeing through lush greenery as blue morphos, monarchs, and swallowtails swirl overhead and land on flowers or—if you’re lucky—a friendly shoulder. There’s something magical about making eye contact with a curious butterfly! Along the way, helpful guides share “did you know?” facts about metamorphosis and butterfly habitats.  This exhibit feels like a living fairy tale, perfect for little naturalists and daydreamers. Watching your child’s eyes widen as a butterfly settles nearby is the kind of moment you’ll want to capture forever.  The Hall of Ocean Life with its Giant Blue Whale  Ask any New Yorker about their first memory of the American Museum of Natural History, and you'll likely hear the same thing: “The blue whale!” Suspended from the ceiling, the 94-foot-long model blue whale is truly awe-inspiring in scale. Kids lie on the floor underneath, gazing up, caught between amazement and a bit of giggling disbelief at how ENORMOUS the ocean’s gentle giant can be.  But there’s more than just the whale: the Hall of Ocean Life lets families peer into delicate dioramas of undersea creatures—from glowing jellyfish to fearsome sharks. Interactive panels teach kids about ocean conservation, whale songs, and different types of beaches and sea creatures found from the Arctic to the tropics.  With its soothing blue lighting and soft echoes, the hall magically mimics the underwater world. Expect lots of “Whoa!” and “Look at that!” especially from curious little ones eager to learn just how many weird and wonderful things exist below the surface. For every budding marine biologist (or “Finding Nemo” enthusiast), this is pure delight.  Hall of North American Mammals  Nature documentaries come to life in this immersive, beautifully designed series of animal dioramas. The Hall of North American Mammals places you eye-to-eye with moose, grizzly bears, wolves, and elusive mountain lions—all preserved in lifelike habitats that spark both awe and an urge to learn more.  Kids can “camp out” in front of the enormous Roosevelt Elk, peek at otters diving through “icy” mountain streams, and spot birds tucked into realistic trees and rocks. Clever lighting makes you feel like you’re peeking into a real forest at dawn or dusk. The tiny details are what seal the deal: paw prints, burrowed dens, and even hidden critters for those with eagle eyes.  Why do kids love this hall? It’s where a sense of adventure meets a dose of reality. All those wild animals that fill bedtime stories and cartoons seem to step out of the pages, making it easy for children to imagine themselves as explorers on a North American wilderness trek. And when their feet get tired, there’s always a cozy bench for a mid-museum snack break.  Gems and Minerals Hall  Looking for “oohs” and “wows” that aren’t dino-sized? Enter a world that gleams, glitters, and glows—the spectacular Halls of Gems and Minerals! Kids gravitate to these displays for a treasure hunt unlike any other. Massive quartz crystals, gleaming meteorites, deep-blue sapphires, and even fluorescent rocks dazzle under the lights.  The centerpiece, the legendary Star of India sapphire, has an otherworldly shimmer that’s sure to impress even the most hard-to-please kiddos. Young visitors can play detective trying to spot minerals that look like candy, crystals cut into technicolor shapes, and mysterious stones with hidden shapes inside.  The Hall’s vibrant, immersive layout—with its mirrored alcoves, interactive touch screens, and educational games—makes it feel a bit like a friendly science maze. Kids love learning fun facts about how these stones form, where in the world they’re found, and which gems are hidden in their very own jewelry box or favorite cartoon. Every visit, there’s something new sparkling from the shadows.  The Titanosaur: Step Into the World of Giants  Not every museum can boast of a resident guest who’s literally too big to fit in the room. Meet the Titanosaur—stretching 122 feet from nose to tail, this towering cast of a giant herbivore from Patagonia fills the Hall of Vertebrate Origins (and stretches out so much, its head peeks out into the hallway!).  For kids, the Titanosaur’s wild size is a lesson in both science and adventure. Stand at its feet, and you’ll realize just how small we humans are. Panels line the display with truly wild facts (the real animal weighed as much as ten elephants!), helping kids compare themselves to creatures from ages past.  Families take fun “dino selfies” beneath the drooping neck, and the friendly staff offer up interactive worksheets and activity packs to lead aspiring paleontologists on a scavenger hunt, searching for hidden features all over this gentle giant’s display.  The Titanosaur feels less like a distant fossil and more like a friendly giant—one that inspires awe, laughter, and a deep dive into the world of ancient giants.  Fossil Preparation Lab  You’ve seen the finished skeletons—now peek behind the scenes at how scientists actually prepare them! The Fossil Preparation Lab in the David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing lets kids watch real paleontologists in action as they clean, restore, and research bones unearthed from far-flung dig sites.  Big windows and live cameras bring plenty for onlookers to see. It feels like reality TV for science lovers! Budding fossil hunters can ask questions, watch experts carefully dusting off million-year-old bones, and understand just how much real work goes into making a T. rex ready for the museum floor.  Watching scientists at their benches—armed with tiny chisels, paintbrushes, and high-tech tools—kids learn that the world’s coolest discoveries start with slow, precise work. Any future paleontologists will leave inspired, and even not-so-science-y kids end up fascinated by how science “happens” in real life.  Family-Friendly Dining: The Cafeteria  Let’s be honest: little explorers need fuel, and the museum delivers! The in-house cafeteria is perfect for families needing to recharge between adventures. Unlike typical museum canteens, AMNH’s food halls provide lots of choices to suit even picky eaters. There are pizza slices, fresh salads, classic mac and cheese, as well as fun “build-your-own” sandwich stations and sweet treats for a quick morale boost.  Seating is spacious, stroller-friendly, and often sprinkled with dino-themed decor or wall murals that keep the science-y fun going. Closer to the Rose Center, specialty vending machines serve up organic snacks and New York bagels—just what you crave before another round of exploring.  For those visiting in summer, grab your treats and picnic outside in Central Park (just across the street). The museum’s location allows you to enjoy a quick lunch break, cool off under a tree, and jump right back into discovery.  Plan Your Perfect Family Day at AMNH  Whether your family is obsessed with dinosaurs, mesmerized by space, in love with sparkly gems, or just in need of an indoor adventure, the American Museum of Natural History has something for everyone. Walk through its grand halls and you’ll see giddy toddlers, school-age scientists, and even grown-ups all wide-eyed at the sheer scale of discovery waiting around every corner.  A day here is more than just entertainment—it’s a chance to open up a world of wonder and imagination for your kids, one fossil, planet, and butterfly at a time. For your next New York family adventure, this place is at the very top of our list.    Enjoyed this? Find kid-friendly fun galore here, and check out our guide to visiting the Big Apple with teens.  Step up your sightseeing with Go City®    We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.   See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® – just choose a pass to get started! 

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