It’s not unusual for the gang to get together looking for fun, but no one can decide what to do. Even in NYC – the most exciting city in the world – we’ll puzzle over what’s next. Whether it’s Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Wednesday night, there are many things you and your friends can do to pass the night away in NYC.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of 40 of the most affordable (if not free), incredibly varied and super exciting things to do with your friends in New York after hours. From dance parties to sword-wielding classes, this amazing city has plenty of fun things to do.

Explore a Museum

Instead of hitting the local pub, check out the Met or Moma next Friday night. Both places offer free admission from 4-8 pm on Fridays, so get in line to check out some of the most progressive modern art of our time.

Host with the Most

Feastive food delivery service eliminates the dreaded dinner party prep. Head over the company’s website for a choice of different themed dinners. Feastive delivers the ingredients with direction to you. With the emphasis on the exotic, you can show off your culinary skills to your friends.

A Real Laugh

If you’re looking for after-hours fun, most comedy clubs in the Big Apple provide live entertainment well into the wee hours. Every Friday and Saturday, the Greenwich Village Comedy Club puts on its final group of comics at 11:45 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.

Hit the Stadium

Cheer on the New York Knicks or rock out to your favorite band at Madison Square Garden. Check out their official website for upcoming events.

Become a Musketeer

Wielding a sword isn’t as easy as it looks, so why not learn how to fence like a pro? Established in 1883, the Fencer’s Club NYC offers fencing lessons for people of all ages.

Fly High

If you’re looking for a little way to unwind, relax and rejuvenate at AcroYoga has what you’re looking for. Here’s how it works: One of your friends serve as the base and uses his or her arms and feet to lift you through a series of acrobatic positions.

Embrace Your Inner Poet

Sip a cocktail of choice while you listen to cool cats read their favorite poems. Enjoy jazz and tasty bites in a Bohemian-inspired space. Check out Nuyorican Poet Cafe for the details.

Go Star Gazing

Instead of heading to the park, leave your telescope at home and meet up at Columbia University. Two nights a month you count the cosmos.

Great Escape

You and your besties have one hour to find your way out of a locked room. Check out Escape Entertainment in Midtown where you can use your cognitive skills to decode and analyze various clues to free yourself.

Party with the Animals

Going to the zoo isn’t only for kids anymore. The Bronx Zoo offers adult-only zoo nights where you and your gang can fraternize with all kinds of mammals.

Pub Crawl

With so many bars in New York, finding one to quench your thirst shouldn’t be a problem. We recommend the Swift Hibernian Lounge. Named after the Irish Writer Jonathan Swift, this Lower East Side gem has a large back room with picnic-table seating and scenes of Swift’s work depicted in murals.

Go Diner Hopping

New York rules the fine-dining game, but sometimes the only way to curb your hunger is to visit a diner. What could be better than a no-frills joint where you can order everything from a classic burger to a stack of pancakes at 3 a.m.? Make your way to Waverly Restaurant in the West Village where you’ll find over three dozen different types of omelets.

Take a Stroll

Strolling down the streets of Manhattan is awesome, especially if you come across a club or bar that’s worth investigating. And even if you don’t make a pit stop, there is no better place to see the sights and enjoy the summer air.

Laser Tag

Grab your buds and save Gotham City from apocalyptic zombies. At Bowlmor at Chelsea Piers, you will feel like a kid again and zap bad guys left and right. Prices start at $10.19 for 20-minute sessions at night and on weekends.

Not for the Timid

If laser tag isn’t your thing, head over to Extreme Indoor Sports where you can also ride the zipline, climb soaring mountains and shoot bows and arrows at moving targets. Conveniently located in Long Island City and Staten Island, you can reach either location by public transport.

Harness Your Inner Chef

Join an adult class at TasteBuds Kitchen where you will learn how to shake, bake and grill your favorite dishes. Afterwards, you get to sample what you’ve created.

Knock Down Some Pins!

Remeber when you used to beg your parents to go to Rock-and-Bowl? Well, now you don’t need permission. New York is home to some of the poshest bowling alleys around. Lucky Strikes has everything from bottle service to private entrances.

Concert in the Park

Where else would you rather be than in the park with a bottle of wine and your closest pals? Musicians from all over the world come to play in the summer series, so choose your genre and let the music play. For more information, check out NYCgov.com

Catch a Movie

Movie theatres in the Big Apple as lux as they come. Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn offers extensive in-seat dining while iPic at South Street Seaport helps you cozy up with blankets, pillows and your own personal waiter. Regal in Battery Park takes third place with reclining seats, which are probably way nicer than what you have at home.

Private Show

Surprise your buddies with an unexpected musical performance. Founded in 2010, Sofar is home to aspiring talents both on and off the stage, Check out their website and sign up to be a performer, guest or host. As an audience member, you get to apply to events that showcase up-and-coming artists in a secret location.

Solve a Murder

Treat yourself to an evening of fine jazz as you solve a murder mystery. Truffles allows you to sing along while you try to figure out whodunit.

Choose an Adventure

Go on a scavenger hunt and find clues that are strategically hidden throughout the city. Hosted both inside and outside, you can pick a theme and send your friends on a wild goose chase. Contact Watson’s Adventure for more details.

Go Iceskating

You don’t have to wait for the first snowflake to fall to go ice skating. Located at Pier 61, this twin-rink facility is open seven days a week. For more information,call 212-336-6100 or check out Sky Rink’s website.

Roller Boogie

Unpack your roller skates and head over to Lola’s Dreamland on Fridays where you can shake your money maker as a DJ spins the tunes! Just don’t forget your kneepads!

Cruise Down the Hudson

Admire Manhattan’s skyline while you sip and sample light fare on an evening cruise. Usually paired with a happy hour, you’ll cruise from Manhattan to Brooklyn and back again. Your Instagram will thank you for it.

Dance like There’s No Tomorrow

If you were born to boogie, head over to Webster Hall and dance until dawn. DJ Jess spins the tunes while burlesque dancers and drag queens make their way through the crowd.

Only on Broadway

One of the best ways to enjoy the city is to see a Broadway show. And just because you’re in Manhattan doesn’t mean that it’s out of your price range. There are a lot of ways to get discounted theater tickets.

Dance Revolution

If fitness is a way of life for you, we’ve got you covered. Widdle your middle while you dance in the park. Head over to Randall’s Island Park for an evening of uplifting tunes and free-spirited dance.

Head to the Observation Deck

What could more enchanting than a 360-view of the glistening lights of New York? The top three skyscraper observation decks are open at night. Top of the Rock is open until midnight, the Empire State Building is open until 2 a.m. and the World Trade Center remains open until midnight until Labor Day.

Relish the Arts

At Lincoln Center, it’s one-stop shopping. Home to the New York City Ballet, New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera, the hardest thing you’ll have to do is decide which performance to see first! To see what’s currently on the agenda, check out their calendar online.

Learn a New Language

Not sure how to order your margarita in Spanish? If the answer is no, we’ve got your back. ABC Languages offers both private and group lessons.

Shoot like a Pro

Improve your Instagram feed by taking a photography class and learn how snap pics like a pro. Learn how to highlight, shadow and capture all the right angles at PhotoUno.

Go to the Spa

Instead of hitting the club, why not go to the spa? Get pampered from head to foot at The Oasis Spa on Park Avenue. Here, you can buff your nails while sore muscles are soothed with a relaxing massage.

Have an Ice Cream Party

Forgo the wine for a double scoop of your favorite ice cream at Ample Hills. Churn your own concoction and then enjoy it on the rooftop deck.

Write a Novel

Learn how to craft a best-selling novel at Gotham Writers. This free workshop is held once a week for all who choose to attend.

Embrace Your Inner Foodie

Everyone needs a cheat day, so book a dessert walking tour and let your sweet tooth lead the way.

Head to the Shore

Remember the thrill of riding the roller coaster as a kid? Well, head to Coney Island and spend the evening with your hands in the air!

Bring out Your Inner Sculptor

With a chisel in your hand, you can design a ceramic masterpiece. At Choplet, you can learn how to buff marble and mold clay like a pro.

Admire the View

With so many amazing places, it’s hard to choose just one. But when it comes to rooftop views, we recommend going to The Standard. Enjoy happy hour cocktails or wait until after 10:00 p.m. when the rooftop becomes a dance club.

Take to the Friendly Skies

One of the most exciting things to do in New York after dusk is experiencing the glow of the city from above. Where else can you get unparalleled views of the bright lights and sites than on a private plane?

New York City is like no other. Around every corner, you will also find something to do. It’s no wonder why so many people fall in love at first sight.

If you and your friends are looking for things to do, start with an airplane tour and get the party going. Book one today and have the time of your life.