Every year, when February 14 comes around, most people ask themselves the same question: How can I make this day special? If you are spending Valentine’s Day in NYC, you’ll have plenty of options! See our favorite romantic activities below.
Valentine’s Day is one of the most celebrated days in New York in February. Our list below includes romantic events, restaurants for Valentine’s Day, photo spots, and fun activities for couples. Whether you are looking for a unique date night, a location to propose, or a place to renew your vows, these ideas are guaranteed to help you! You will notice that some of them, especially events, are specific to Valentine’s Day whereas many others can help you with any romantic date night in New York.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in style with a romantic champagne cruise on Classic Harbor Line in New York City. Set sail on a luxury yacht and take in the breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline and iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.
As you cruise along the Hudson River, you and your loved one will be treated to a selection of fine champagne and delicious hors d’oeuvres, served by the friendly and attentive staff. You’ll also have the opportunity to dance to live music or simply relax and enjoy each other’s company as you take in the stunning views.
This unforgettable experience is the perfect way to celebrate your love and create lasting memories with your special someone. Book your tickets now for the Classic Harbor Line Valentine’s Day Champagne Cruise and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.
For more information check out my article about Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruises in NYC.
If you are not a big fan of cruises, go for a romantic dinner in the city! As it may be difficult for you to choose the right restaurant for this special occasion, our recommendation for any special day is the restaurant, Tribeca Grill. Another upscale restaurant that offers an unobstructed 360-degree view of Manhattan is The View. For those who don’t want anything too fancy, romantic yet affordable date night at one of New York’s best rooftop bars would be another wonderful option.
My restaurant tip: When thinking about the best romantic restaurants in NYC, The River Café is the first one that comes to our minds. Why? Its breathtaking view in their newly renovated location is unparalleled! Especially at night, the views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan’s skyline across East River are beyond spectacular. If you want to experience a top-notch, fine dining experience in a picture-perfect setting that is decorated with fresh flowers and serves dishes well presented, then head to the River Café! The staff is extremely attentive, too!
Recommended: The best Valentine’s Dinner Restaurants in NYC.
The New York City skyline is one of the most famous and recognizable skylines in the world. It’s a city filled with skyscrapers and tall buildings. In most recent years, it has been expanding which made way for new observation decks. The newest observation deck is located at the top of the One Vanderbilt Building and is called The Summit. This deck is the second-highest outdoor deck in NYC which follows the Edge and has been open since October 2021.
New York is surrounded by two rivers, making it the perfect place for an enchanting boat ride around the city. Boarding at the approach of dusk, the two of you will set sail just in time to toast the start of your romantic evening. Depending on the cruise you decide to go for, you can enjoy finely catered food while admiring the shimmering lights of the city. Taking a cruise is, without a doubt, one of the more fun romantic things to do in NYC.
Our favorites twilight cruises are the Harbor Lights Cruise and the Bateaux Dinner Cruise but there are even more dinner cruises out there.
Another romantic activity on Valentine’s Day in NYC is to go ice skating! New York’s ice skating rinks are only open for a few months a year. As there are numerous ice skating rinks out there, we recommend checking out New York’s Best Ice Rinks.
Spoiler alert: Rockefeller Center and Central Park are obviously included!
A musical or play on Broadway is always a good idea, but it can make your Valentine’s Day in New York extra special. Sure, there are many nice places you can spend your Valentine’s day in, but Broadway is unique to New York. To see which Broadway shows are popular right now, have a look at the Best Broadway Shows in NYC.
If you’re not sure what to pick, you can never go wrong with a Disney show.
Every year, a Valentine Heart Design Competition is held. The winner’s proposal will be displayed at Father Duffy Square in February, including Valentine’s Day. The idea is to present art at Times Square that communicates love. You can see the design on display from the beginning of February until the beginning of March.
The Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge is located on the 18th floor of the Moxy Times Square Hotel and offers magnificent views over the city. The entrance hall resembles a gallery, with a few whimsical animal figures in naughty positions. The style of the small indoor lounge is urban-industrial, while the two outdoor areas have an almost contrasting design: If you like to enjoy the view of the Empire State Building, you should have a drink on the elegantly designed east side. If you prefer something fancier, head to the western area of the bar, as it features rotating seating, reminiscent of an antique carousel.
Strolling through Central Park can be romantic all year round. The best thing about it? It’s completely free! Whether you’re planning on popping the question or not, definitely make sure to walk by Bow Bridge. Hopefully, you’ll be lucky enough to walk through the park when it’s covered in beautiful, picture-perfect snow.
To find the best places in Central Park, read our Ultimate Central Park Guide.
Gayle’s Broadway Rose features singing waiters and waitresses that will sing classic and modern Broadway hits to you while you indulge yourself in a delicious and fancy-looking milkshake.
The Manhattan Scenic Helicopter Tour takes you on an aerial tour over Manhattan and its many attractions. You wont forget the view of NYC from above or the feeling of flying high above the skyscrapers any time soon. Especially for those of you who like taking photos, this is a guaranteed way to secure some amazing shots of the NYC skyline.
You also want to be sporty on Valentine’s Day? Then visit a sports event in the Big Apple! You have the choice between the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Rangers, New York Islanders & New Jersey Devils!
Check out the local art scene in the MoMa Ps1 art exhibit, featuring work from 47 local, contemporary artists. This exhibit explores art-making in New York history, the resilience of artists, and the feelings connected with art. You’ll see a huge emphasis on foreign-born artists, their work full of Egyptian, Iranian, Tunisian, Nigerian, Mexican, Argentinian, and Indian influences. There is also an abundance of Native American artists to enjoy.
My tip: Here you find the Best Art Exhibitions in New York City.
The Moxy NYC Chelsea is one of my insider tips in New York, because it meets my taste exactly: it is built in factory loft style, so you can expect floor-to-ceiling windows with great room height. The view is magnificent, the staff is super nice and everything is freshly renovated. This is how a New York hotel should be!
My tip: these are my recommendations for the perfect staycation hotels in NYC!
If you are traveling as a family or small group and already know exactly what you want to see in New York City, then this private walking tour with Oli is a great option. Here you can let a New York guide show you the best parts of the city and sights from a local’s point of view. You can decide individually which attractions you want to see, because together with Oli you can build your perfect itinerary!
As a bonus, you can even be picked up directly from your hotel, so that the sightseeing program starts directly from your accommodation. And the best part? I personally know Oliver and can only recommend him to you: he loves New York and you will notice that 200% during your tour with him!
The Brooklyn Bridge is an official landmark of the city, which you should not miss even in winter. Make sure to walk across the impressive bridge and enjoy the unique view across the East River to Brooklyn in the clear winter air. And while you’re on the bridge, take a stroll to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Due to the cold wind, it can get really icy on the Brooklyn Bridge in winter. The best time to try your luck on some warming sunshine is around noon on the bridge.
Looking for a guided tour? Check out my two top recommendations here and here!
A very popular location not only to spend Valentine’s Day in NYC but also to propose is the iconic Empire State Building! Just imagine standing on top of the skyscraper, overlooking the rest of the city, while holding and keeping each other warm. If you want to go a step further, it may be good to know that you can also marry or renew your vows on the Empire State Building!
Every year, 14 lucky couples will be chosen as part of the annual Valentine’s Day Weddings Contest. In order to win you will need to submit your love story via ESB’s official Facebook Page.
The Empire State Building will also be featuring a red dynamic Heartbeat Lighting in honor of Valentine’s Day.
Instead of just wining and dining at a restaurant, isn’t it much more fun to prepare the meal yourself? At our beloved Eataly, you two will learn to cook an authentic Italian specialty from scratch. You’ll have the chance to work as a team while learning from a master chef. As a reward, you will indulge in your well-deserved dinner together! It’s a fun couples thing to do in NYC, regardless of your cooking skills. Hopefully, you can copy the recipe at home and impress your future guests! Check out their offers below.
Check out their website for the next available dates here.
This is one of the NYC attractions that you definitely shouldn’t miss! All you need is a subway ticket to take the cable car across the East River at heights of over 200ft. The views from the cable car are amazing and equally as impressive from Roosevelt Island!
The Museum of Sex is filled with pieces describing the history, culture, and acceptance of sex. With a large shop downstairs this museum is a fun and different way to spend an afternoon in NYC.
My budget tip: The ticket for the Museum of Sex is included in many sightseeing passes for NYC!
If you ask me, one of the most fun couple activities in New York is attending a comedy show. My recommendation is to ditch stand up comedy and instead see an improv show. At an improv show, you have the chance to participate and influence what you see making it all the more fun!
A great museum to find out more about the city of New York. Get an exciting look into the histoty of the Big apple and find out more through a variety of pictures, paintings, clothing, toys and books.
When thinking about the best things to do on Valentine’s Day in NYC, the first thing that comes to our minds is going on a romantic dinner cruise. One of our favorite cruises in New York and our recommendation for Valentine’s Day is the Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise. Onboard, you’ll have a buffet dinner and mesmerizing views of the city. You will also pass the Statue of Liberty close by. For you, that means enjoying a great meal in a romantic atmosphere while overlooking New York’s illuminated skyline from the water.
If you’re not in New York on Valentine’s Day but are looking for a romantic cruise, take a look at the Bateaux Dinner Cruise. It’s one of our favorites!
My tip: Here you can find the best Valentine’s Day dinner cruises and the best dinner cruises in New York.
Experience the thrill of Bumper Cars on Ice, now back and better than ever. Gather your friends and family for a fun-filled ride on The Rink as you bump, slide, and spin your way into the new year. Suitable for guests aged 7 and up, these bumper cars can be reserved online or in person, subject to availability. It’s advisable to secure your ride in advance as they tend to fill up quickly.
Head to the north side of The Rink to find the entrance and make sure to review the instructions, rules, and waiver information before making your booking. Don’t miss out – reserve your bumper car ride online today!
The Queens Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to escape especially in May when everything is in bloom. During the colder months from November to March, you do not have to pay any entrance fee. Many gardens here display a collection of roses, bees, and herbs. There’s even an art gallery as well.
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