10 Fun Things to Do in NYC for Adults (That Aren’t Tourist Traps)
New York City has no shortage of iconic sights, but let’s be honest: sometimes you don’t want to battle Times Square crowds or line up for hours at the Empire State Building. Whether you’re a local looking to shake up your weekends or a visitor hoping to experience the city like an insider, here are 10 fun, adult-friendly things to do in NYC that skip the clichés.
1. Sip Cocktails with a Skyline View
Instead of cramming into Midtown rooftops, head to Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge for breathtaking Manhattan views and a chill atmosphere. Or cross into Williamsburg for Westlight, where expertly crafted cocktails pair perfectly with sweeping riverfront vistas.
2. Relive Your Childhood at an Adult Arcade
For grown-up fun, Barcade (Williamsburg, Chelsea, and St. Mark’s Place) is a must—classic arcade games meet craft beer. For something grittier and more underground, Two Bit’s Retro Arcade on the Lower East Side will take you right back to the ‘90s.
3. Discover NYC’s Underground Comedy Scene
Skip Broadway and check out The Stand or Comedy Cellar’s Village Underground. These intimate clubs are where big-name comedians often test their freshest material before Netflix specials.
4. Get Immersed in Art & Oddities
Explore INTER_ in SoHo, a sensory digital art experience blending creativity and technology. If you want something truly wild, House of Yes in Bushwick combines nightlife, performance art, and a little bit of circus energy all under one roof.
5. Find a Hidden Speakeasy
Behind an unmarked door or even a phone booth, you’ll find some of NYC’s most inventive cocktails. Please Don’t Tell (PDT) remains a classic, tucked behind a hot dog shop in the East Village. Or try Attaboy, where there’s no menu—bartenders simply craft drinks based on your vibe.
6. Relax and Recharge
Need to escape the chaos? AIRE Ancient Baths in Tribeca is a candlelit oasis of thermal pools, salt baths, and steam rooms. If you’d rather stretch it out, try a Sky Ting Yoga rooftop class with views over Chinatown.
7. Drink Local in Brooklyn
Spend an afternoon brewery hopping in Williamsburg or Greenpoint. Other Half Brewing and Grimm Ales are perfect for craft beer lovers, while New York Distilling Company offers small-batch spirits with a Brooklyn twist.
8. Experience Museums After Dark
For a social take on the arts, check out The Rubin Museum’s Friday Nights, where DJs, cocktails, and galleries collide. Film lovers should head to the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, which often hosts late-night screenings and interactive exhibits.
9. Play Shuffleboard or Ping-Pong with a Drink in Hand
NYC nightlife isn’t all bars and clubs. At Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club in Gowanus, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation in Miami—complete with food trucks. For a faster pace, head to Spin NYC for ping-pong battles, cocktails, and DJs.
10. Eat Like a Local After Hours
Forget the tourist traps. Grab a late-night slice at Scarr’s Pizza on the Lower East Side or head out to Flushing for Joe’s Steam Rice Roll. And of course, a midnight trip to Katz’s Deli for pastrami is a rite of passage.