5 Best Night Helicopter Rides in NYC (2025 Reviews)

Night helicopter rides in NYC are one of the most thrilling ways to see Manhattan glow after dark. I can remember experiencing a night roller coaster ride in the seaside city of Blackpool in the UK, and some of the feelings and sights were similar – except this was New York City!

City lights stretch to the horizon, bridges sparkle beneath you, and iconic landmarks take on a whole new vibe from the sky. Actually, it’s pretty hard to put into words what this experience is really like; you just have to do it.

It’s an unforgettable contrast to the city’s street-level energy, whether you’ve just wrapped up a cozy Greenwich Village food tour or you’re chasing altitude with one of our top-rated daytime Manhattan helicopter flights. This night time helicopter tour kinda blows you away.

In this guide, we cover only evening and nighttime helicopter tours of New York City; daytime flights are not included. Find out more on daytime flights in New York City Helicopter Tours.

We’ve picked the 3 top options and seven full reviews for every budget and departure point.

Top 3: Night Helicopter Ride NYC

Compare Top Tours: 1. New York Helicopter Tour: New York City Skyline Tour, 2. From New Jersey: New York City Skyline Tour, and 3. Private New York City Helicopter Tour for Couples from Westchester

1. New York Helicopter Tour: New York City Skyline Tour	2. From New Jersey: New York City Skyline Tour	3. Private New York City Helicopter Tour for Couples from Westchester
Duration: 25–30 minutes	Duration: 25–30 minutes	Duration: 30–45 minutes
Pickup: Not included	Pickup: Not included	Pickup: Westchester Airport Terminal
Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours	Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours	Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours
Includes: Helicopter flight, Headsets, Safety briefing	Includes: Night tour flight, Views of NYC landmarks	Includes: Private helicopter flight, Champagne toast
Night views of Empire State, Statue of Liberty, Central Park	Departs from NJ, sweeping night skyline views	Perfect for anniversaries, romantic NYC skyline view
👉 Reserve Your Spot!	👉 Reserve Your Spot!	👉 Reserve Your Spot!

Fast Browse: NYC Helicopter Tour at Night

1. New York Helicopter Tour: New York City Skyline Tour
2. From New Jersey: New York City Skyline Tour
3. Private New York City Helicopter Tour for Couples from Westchester
4. New York City Night Skyline Tour
5. New Jersey: New York City Night Skyline Helicopter Tour

Helicopter Ride NYC at Night (2025 Reviews)

Tour 1: New York Helicopter Tour: New York City Skyline Tour

✅ Meeting Point: 6 East River Piers, Downtown Manhattan Heliport, NY 10004
✅ Departure Time: Between 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (depending on sunset)
✅ Duration: 25–30 minutes
✅ Guide: Live commentary in English via headset
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Helicopter flight, panoramic night skyline views, headsets, safety briefing

This one kicks off right from Manhattan, which instantly makes it feel cinematic, unreal, almost like you’re in a Disney simulator – but this is the real thing!

We boarded the helicopter just as the last of the daylight dipped behind the skyline. It’s an incredible transition as one moment the city is golden, the next it’s neon electric.

What struck me most wasn’t just the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State glowing like movie props (though they’re unreal). It was how quiet everything felt up there. No traffic noise. No traffic congestion. No crowd chatter. Just the hum of the blades and the occasional “Look left for the Chrysler Building” from the pilot through the headset.

The New York Helicopter Tour: New York City Skyline Tour provided us with the perfect combination of thrill and calm, just enough adrenaline to make our stomachs flip and our hearts flutter, but never once making us feel unsafe.

The pilot was confident, smooth, and knew just how to angle for that perfect Central Park shot.

It’s not the cheapest, but it’s one of the best. If you want to see the city in full sparkle, this is the tour.

More New York City Tours

Tour 2: From New Jersey: New York City Skyline Tour

✅ Meeting Point: Linden Airport, New Jersey (free parking available)
✅ Departure Time: Multiple evening time slots available (varies by season)
✅ Duration: 25–30 minutes
✅ Guide: Pilot commentary in English
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Helicopter ride, Manhattan skyline views, views of bridges and landmarks

It’s easy to overlook Helicopter tour flights from New Jersey departures when searching for night helicopter tours in NYC, but this one quietly steals the show.

We drove over to Linden Airport (LDJ) with almost no traffic (a win in itself), parked for free, and were airborne within 20 minutes of check-in. The vibe is low-key but professional.

Once you’re in the air, though, it’s anything but quiet. The views are jaw-dropping. The flight path wraps around Manhattan like a cinematic arc. Lady Liberty lit up below us, bridges glowing like necklaces, the whole skyline stretching north toward the Bronx.

Flying in from the west, especially at night, gives a totally different perspective. You don’t just see the skyscrapers, you watch them rise out of the dark like sentinels in a sci-fi movie.

We picked the From New Jersey: New York City Skyline Tour because it was affordable, well-reviewed, and still a true night experience. It didn’t disappoint.

There’s less buzz than a Manhattan departure and fewer headaches, but more value, especially if you’re driving in.

Tour 3: Private New York City Helicopter Tour for Couples from Westchester

✅ Meeting Point: Westchester County Airport, 67 Tower Road, White Plains, NY
✅ Departure Time: Selectable evening time slots upon booking
✅ Duration: 30–45 minutes
✅ Guide: Pilot narration via headset, English
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Private helicopter ride, pilot narration, champagne toast, scenic skyline views

This one’s special, almost serene, as it’s for the romantics, the proposal planners, anniversary celebrators, or anyone who just wants New York all to themselves for a night.

We drove up to Westchester County Airport after dinner, and honestly? It felt like we were sneaking off on some glamorous secret. No crowds, no big tour groups, just the two of us and the pilot.

The aircraft lifted smoothly, and then it caught its first glimpse of the Manhattan skyline —a neon metropolis rising out of the darkness, lit like something out of a dream.

There’s something intensely personal about flying over New York at night in silence with someone you love. The Private New York City Helicopter Tour for Couples from Westchester felt more like a memory being written than a tour.

We toasted with champagne midair (included in the flight), and just watched the world float by beneath us.

The Empire State Building, Central Park, bridges arcing like ribbons all lit from within.

If you’re after something unforgettable, scenic, romantic, almost sensual, and you’ve got the budget, this is it.

Tour 4: New York City Night Skyline Tour

✅ Meeting Point: Kearny Heliport, 78 John Miller Way, Kearny, NJ
✅ Departure Time: Available after sunset; exact time selected during booking
✅ Duration: 25–30 minutes
✅ Guide: Pilot commentary in English
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Helicopter tour, sweeping night views, headsets, safety orientation

There’s a moment just before lift-off when everything goes quiet. The blades pick up speed, the lights outside blur, you feel the gentle upward inertia, and then suddenly, you’re off the ground, watching New York melt into stars.

This night skyline tour from Kearny was smooth, no-fuss, and surprisingly dramatic. The takeoff point, a strategic hub for helicopter operations in New York City, might not be flashy, but the second you’re airborne, it doesn’t matter. It’s all city lights and river reflections from there.

Flying from the west side gives you that cinematic sweep across the Hudson. Downtown Manhattan glows like a jewel, and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges glow like glowing strands of wire beneath your feet.

We booked the New York City Night Skyline Tour for the timing we wanted, a true night feel with no golden hour leftovers, and it delivered. It’s quieter, a little less commercial, and more personal than the big-city departures, but that adds to its charm.

If you’re staying in New Jersey or looking to avoid Manhattan chaos, this one’s a smart pick.

Tour 5: New Jersey: New York City Night Skyline Helicopter Tour

✅ Meeting Point: Linden Municipal Airport, 1101 W Edgar Rd, Linden, NJ
✅ Departure Time: Evening slots available, begins after dusk
✅ Duration: 25–30 minutes
✅ Guide: Live English commentary from the pilot
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours before departure
✅ Includes: Helicopter ride, skyline flyover, noise-cancelling headset, safety briefing

For a city that never sleeps, seeing New York from above at night somehow makes the city and its visitors feel even more alive.

This nighttime skyline tour out of Linden is one of the most underrated gems, offering a clean takeoff and a glowing ride above the city. It’s slick and simple, without any hassles, which honestly adds to the appeal.

You’ll swing past the Statue of Liberty first, lit and shining in isolation, before heading up the Hudson with Manhattan stretching long and radiant in front of you. It’s hard to believe how quiet it is up there when the streets below are buzzing nonstop.

The New Jersey: New York City Night Skyline Helicopter Tour is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to navigate Manhattan traffic just to take off. Parking is free, the vibe is relaxed, and the views are just as impressive as those of the bigger-name departures, but without the chaos.

Helicopter tours from Linden should be considered when booking a helicopter tour of New York City.

If you’re looking for the most convenient way to catch the sparkle of NYC at night, this one’s worth every minute.

FAQs (5 Best Night Helicopter Rides in NYC)

What time do the night helicopter tours usually depart?
Most tours begin just after sunset and run until around 10:00 PM. You’ll choose your time slot when booking. Check local sunset times here.

Where do these night tours depart from?
Tours take off from multiple locations: Downtown Manhattan Heliport, Westchester County Airport, Linden Airport, and Kearny Heliport in New Jersey.

Can I cancel if the weather is bad or my plans change?
Yes, all five tours offer full refunds if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. Weather cancellations are typically rescheduled or refunded.

Are the tours private or shared?
Most tours are shared, but the Westchester couples tour is completely private and includes a champagne toast.

Is there free parking available at the departure points?
Yes, free parking is available at the New Jersey and Westchester locations. Manhattan departures do not include parking.

Can children go on night helicopter rides?
Yes, children can fly with a paying adult. Some tours have minimum age or height restrictions — check individual listings for details.

Do the pilots give live commentary during the flight?
Yes, all tours include live commentary through headsets, pointing out key sights like the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty.

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501Places Shania Marks Ranking: New York Helicopter Tour: New York City Skyline Tour

501Places Reviewer’s Top Choice: New York Helicopter Tour: New York City Skyline Tour is the #1 Ranked Tour in 5 Best Night Helicopter Rides in NYC.