Manhattan is where most people base themselves from when visiting New York City since many of the main attractions are located here. There are a lot of incredible places to visit in Manhattan, from the Empire State Building to Central Park, the Upper West Side, and Lower Manhattan, where you’ll find Chinatown and Little Italy. What’s great about visiting New York City is that when the sun goes down, the city doesn’t sleep. There are countless unique things to do in Manhattan at night, so you don’t need to set limitations for your itinerary.
The history of Manhattan dates back to the 17th century, when it was founded as a Dutch settlement and called New Amsterdam. It might be worth your while to take a guided walking tour of Manhattan to learn more about its history, but it’s just as fun to explore it at your own pace. Although the modern skyscrapers dominate the cityscape, you’ll still find nods to Manhattan’s past every so often. In my opinion, Manhattan is just as interesting to walk around during the evening, and it definitely becomes more vibrant.
When is the best time to visit NYC?
There’s no best time to visit New York City, as each season comes with its own experience. We visited in the spring and we were very lucky with comfortable temperatures and no rain. It was on Easter weekend however, which was very busy so I wouldn’t recommend coming then if you can avoid it. The prices for hotels are also more than double at this time.
In the summer you’ll find plenty of things to do, from enjoying rooftop bars to free outdoor concerts and markets. The downside is that this is when the humidity hits, so you’ll need to spend a lot of time taking breaks and heading indoors to cool down. In the autumn you’ll find the weather much more comfortable and the colours of the leaves are stunning.
People who visit New York City in the winter often come to enjoy the holiday charm of the city, especially at Rockefeller Center and along Fifth Avenue. Temperatures can be harsh at this time though, often dropping below freezing, so make sure you pack appropriate clothing.
Unique things to do in Manhattan at night
Walk around Times Square
Times Square is one of the biggest attractions in Manhattan. At night is when the square truly comes alive though, with its towering billboards and flashing neon lights making it seem like it’s still daytime. A lot of the stores located in Times Square are open very late, so you can also get some shopping done while you walk around. If you’re not heading to bed early, one of the best things to do in Manhattan at night is to watch the midnight art display that takes place over all of the billboards.
Take a Gangsters and Ghosts Tour
If you’re looking for a unique walking tour in New York City to try out, I’d recommend the Gangsters and Ghosts Tour. The tour lasts for just 2 hours, and takes place at 11am, 3pm, or 8pm. We chose the latest tour time which was a great decision as it really set the mood for the stories told by our guide.
The tour starts at The Five Points and continues into Chinatown, Little Italy, and The West Village. Along the route you’ll stop at infamous gangster hangouts, crime scenes, and spots where ghosts have been sighted. It’s an interesting way to step back in time and learn more about New York City’s grittier history. It’s also the perfect thing to do in Manhattan at night.
Watch an NBA game
If you happen to be in Manhattan during the NBA season, why not catch a game in the evening? Even if you’re not an avid basketball fan, it’s still a pretty unique experience to have, especially if you get tickets during the playoffs. The home games for the New York Knicks are held at Madison Square Garden, which is very centrally located. This means you can enjoy visiting attractions like the Empire State Building, the Vessel, and Madame Tussauds New York during the day, and hop over to catch a game later at night.
Playoff tickets will be more expensive, but the experience is unbelievable. When we arrived at our seats we had a t-shirt and a light-up wristband waiting for us which was a nice added touch. There are plenty of stalls to grab food and drinks on all levels of the arena, as well as merchandise.
Explore Chelsea Market
One of the best things to do in Manhattan at night, if you’re feeling hungry, is to explore Chelsea Market. This market is located inside the National Biscuit Company building, which was where the Oreo was invented in 1912. The building’s iconic industrial charm has been beautifully blended with modern food stalls, with brick-lined halls and industrial-era posters still visible.
Chelsea Market is a popular place to take a food tour in New York City, but by the evening the crowds will have died down a bit. As well as food stalls, you can enjoy pop-up shops and live music too. The Meatpacking District is full of unique places to visit, and Chelsea Market is one spot that shouldn’t be missed if you’re exploring Manhattan at night.
Shop along Fifth Avenue
Everyone who loves to shop will visit Fifth Avenue at least once during a trip to New York City. This avenue has been a hub for department stores and designer boutiques since the early 20th century, so it’s no wonder it’s one of the most famous shopping streets in the world.
As the sun begins to set, the storefront displays start to sparkle, and landmarks such as St Patrick’s Cathedral become beautifully illuminated against the dark sky. Walking along Fifth Avenue at night is a great idea if you’re doing some last minute shopping or if you simply want to gaze at the window displays. You never know who you’ll come across either!
Grab a late night cookie
In the mood for a sweet treat? One of the best ways to experience Manhattan at night is to grab a late-night cookie from one of the many cookie shops around the borough. Levain Bakery is a very popular option at the moment. They’re famous for their gooey cookies served fresh from the oven. Sometimes you’ll even need to queue down the block just to get one!
Another tasty alternative is Schmackary’s which is located in the Theater District. This cookie shop is known for its inventive flavours like funfetti and cookies stuffed with candy. There are traditional flavours available too, so don’t worry. Both late-night cookie spots are great options if you’re craving something sweet before heading back to your hotel.
Admire Little Italy at night
There are a lot of neighbourhoods to explore in Manhattan, many of which are full of life at nighttime. Little Italy is probably one of the best choices if you want to feel like you’ve stepped back in time as it’s where you’ll find old New York at its finest. This part of Manhattan became home to waves of Italian immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. It still proudly showcases its historic roots in the form of shopfronts, colourful murals, and charming Italian restaurants.
Little Italy is a beautiful place to visit in Manhattan at night, especially if you’re looking for a snack or a sit-down meal. Even if you just want to have a drink, you’ll find plenty of bars that are open late into the night, many of which offer outdoor seating which is nice in the summer months. You can always take an evening walking tour of Little Italy too, if you want to learn more about its unique past.
Where to stay in Manhattan
Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel
It’s difficult to find a hotel that’s located in the heart of Manhattan that doesn’t cost a small fortune to stay at. Luckily, Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel is here to change that. This budget-friendly hotel in New York City is located around the corner from Times Square, with easy subway links to the rest of the city just a short walk away. It’s situated inside a beautiful historic building that first opened its doors in 1928, when it hosted Broadway stars and artists from around the world.
Although this hotel is a budget one, it still preserves the glamorous roots of its past through the interior design of its rooms and reception space. Shared rooms are available here, but it’s their private rooms I want to focus on. We stayed in their Deluxe King room which is the most spacious option. It features a king size bed, wardrobe space, a writing desk, a TV, and a private bathroom. You may even luck out and get a nice view over Manhattan’s skyline like we did.
One of my favourite parts of the hotel is the bar and seating area. It’s designed in a modern way that still reflects the building’s past, with an inviting bar, comfortable chairs and couches, and quirky light fixtures. On the weekend you’ll be treated to some live music, and you can order a drink from the hotel’s bar as well. No attention to detail has been left unturned – even the elevators scream early 20th century charm.
Attached to the hotel you’ll find a reasonably priced cafe where you can grab a coffee and a quick bite to eat before heading out to explore Manhattan. If you need to leave your bags at the hotel, there’s a bellhop that will store your belongings for a small fee until you need to pick them up. Overall, our stay at Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel was very memorable and you can’t beat the price when you take into account its central location.
>> Choose your room at Paramount Times Square – A Generator Hotel now <<
Is Manhattan safe to walk around at night?
Manhattan is probably one of the safest places to walk around at night in New York City. Many of the most vibrant neighbourhoods like Midtown, SoHo, Greenwich Village, and Times Square are very well-lit late into the night, with plenty of people walking around. That being said, like any city, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings at all times and watch your belongings. If you don’t feel comfortable walking back to your hotel in Manhattan at night, there’s always the option for booking a taxi or Uber.
If you have any questions about unique things to do in Manhattan at night, or you think something else should be added to this list, please feel free to reach out. You can get in touch via email or by filling out the contact form on my website. Don’t forget to check out my Instagram and TikTok pages too, where you’ll come across more helpful travel tips and ideas about where to travel to next.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I would personally recommend.
Pin this blog post for later!
