Nighttime Adventures Await! Here Are 25 Things to Do With Kids at Night in NYC
At a Glance:
- Sleepovers and flashlight tours at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Late-night museum visits at The Met, MoMA, and Brooklyn Museum
- Broadway shows and interactive theaters for kids
- Ice skating under city lights
- Hands-on fun at the Color Factory and Museum of Illusions
- Moonlit strolls on the Brooklyn Bridge or along Domino Park
There are always fun things to do with kids at night in NYC, in the city that never sleeps! Explore our amazing list of 25 nighttime adventures!
From stargazing on the Highline to adventures at The Color Factory, the city is filled with family-friendly nighttime fun. Check out all of the things to do to keep your family entertained after hours!
Psst… Check Out Things to Do with the Kids This Weekend in New York
- Climb aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, and stay the night on the ocean. Operation Slumber lets visitors sleep on the ship’s hangar deck just like sailors do. Before that, enjoy a good flight simulator ride, pop-up planetarium shows, and flashlight-guided tours of the flight deck.
- Bring your wallets out and do some shopping in Times Square! The city is known for its unique clothing selection and its fun and quirky souvenirs. Times Square is quite magical at night, with all of the colorful billboards, childhood characters walking around posing for pictures, and iconic red steps.
- Tap into iconic views with a visit to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. The observation deck offers 360 views of the city, from morning to night. This unparalleled view offers a true 360-degree perspective of the city. Open until 10 pm.
- Tour the Brooklyn Museum on the first Saturday of select months, which is open until 10 pm. For over 20 years, First Saturdays kick off the month’s new displays and best of all, it’s free.
- Take a museum tour at the Whitney Museum of American Art and grab some dinner or snacks at the Frenchette Café & Bakery of the Studio Bar. The museum is open until 10 pm on Friday.
- Burn off some extra energy at Laser Bounce Family Fun Center in Queens. The trampoline park features an arcade, laser tag, virtual reality, and a bowling alley! They’re open until 11 pm on weekends, allowing for all the nighttime fun!
Rockefeller Center at night - Rent some skates and hit the ice until midnight under festive music and bright lights of Rockefeller Skating Rink or many of the city’s outdoor ice skating rinks!
- From The Lion King and Aladdin to Wicked and The Great Gatsby, Broadway has a variety of captivating theater shows for kids. Most start about 7-8 p.m. and run approximately two hours.
- Try stargazing at the High Line, which takes place every Tuesday, beginning at dusk, from April through October. Use high-powered telescopes to see the latest constellations, stars, and patterns.
- Drop your child off for a Kids’ Night Out at the 92Y, where they will enjoy a night of games, gymnastics, arts & crafts, sports, pizza, and more.
- Take a tour of the Color Factory, a 20,000-square-foot collaborative and interactive art exhibit that tells color stories and awakens visitors to the beauty of color in their lives. Installations are created by some of the top artists, makers, and designers. Walk-throughs take about an hour, open until 8 pm on Friday and Saturday.
- There’s nothing like a star-filled view from the Empire State Building at night. Visitors can climb to the top of the 102-story skyscraper late at night. Closing times vary throughout the year; be sure to check for the most updated times!
- Meet everyone from the Royals and world leaders to the hottest celebs and fashion icons at Madame Tussauds. Rub elbows with your favorite wax figures from music, films, sports, and television all night long. Open until 9 pm on weekends.
- Visit the splendid St. Patrick’s Cathedral open daily until 8:45 pm. If you’re interested in Christmas Eve midnight mass, you’ll have to enter a lottery via the website.
- Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. The family-run ice cream shop has been serving up delectable dairy since 1978 and has unique flavors, including black sesame, zen butter, and Thai iced tea. Open until 10 pm.
- Enjoy a star-studded NYC ferry ride until 10 pm, and see the city from the water’s view along the East River, Rockaway, South Brooklyn, Astoria, or Staten Island.
- Check out the beautifully decorated windows of Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s Herald Square, and Tiffany and Co., and sneak in a few for shopping sprees when they stay open a little later, until 7 or 8 pm.
- When The Met stays open until 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s a great chance to wander the galleries with kids at a calmer pace, pop into a family-friendly activity, and enjoy the museum once the crowds die down.
Getty - Take a moonlit stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge and see the city from a whole new view as you tour the elevated pedestrian walkway, open 24 hours a day.
- Let your child loose in a pajama party at the NY Kids Club while you enjoy a date night. Times vary since there are various locations, but are typically from 6-8 pm.
- On Fridays, MoMA stays open until 8:30 pm, making it an easy after-school or after-dinner outing. On First Fridays, New Yorkers can pop in for free from 5:30–8:30 pm with advance online reservations.
- Take a moonlit stroll along the pyramid steps at Domino Park to see the 88 magnificent and individually programmable water jets and lights. (Even in daylight, the wooden platform is stunning and hosts events and shows.)
- When The Frick Collection stays open until 8:30 pm on Fridays, it’s a great after-dinner option for families. Quieter than most museums, it’s easy to navigate and perfect for a short visit with kids.
- Check out the Museum of Illusions, open until 10 pm on weeknights and 11 pm on weekends, and explore hands-on, mind-defying optical illusions, plus take a ton of really fun photos to remember!
- Visit Game of 1000 Boxes, a fun, high-energy game show experience where families can play together, and it’s open until 10 pm on Fridays and 11 pm on Saturdays.
What can you do with kids in NYC?
NYC is packed with kid-friendly things to do. You can hit classics like Central Park, the Staten Island Ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty, and the bright lights of Times Square. Museums like the American Museum of Natural History and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum are interactive and fun, and Broadway shows like The Lion King or Aladdin are perfect for families. Don’t miss unique spots like Rockefeller Center for ice skating or the Lego Store, the elevated High Line for a stroll, or the Bronx Zoo for a day with animals.
Is $1000 enough for 3 days in New York?
$1,000 for three days in NYC is doable for one person if you’re very budget-conscious, and interested in cheap eats like pizza or bagels, free sights, minimal paid attractions, and budget lodging outside Manhattan. But it’s tight, especially if you factor in flights, Broadway shows, fine dining, or nightlife. To make it work, prioritize free activities, use public transit, and keep spending on food and accommodations as low as possible.
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