Few cities in the world can provide as romantic a backdrop as New York. After all, some of the most beloved romance movies of all time use NYC as the backdrop for their iconic love stories. So if your visit is going to coincide with Valentine’s Day, it’s time to start the ball rolling on making those big heart-shaped plans a reality.
It’s hard to beat spending your Valentine’s Day in New York City, but just exactly how you do so will be up to you, because the possibilities are almost endless. Read on for some creative ways to make this New York City Valentine’s Day one you’ll never forget.
Make a Dinner Date
Who doesn’t love a candlelight dinner for two? Or, if candles aren’t really your thing, how about just sharing a cozy, romantic meal at a fabulous New York City restaurant? It’s a classic date night activity, that much is for sure, and it doesn’t get much better than experiencing it on Valentine’s Day in New York City. Here you’ll find every possible type of dining you can imagine, and many New York restaurants even run specials or feature unique tasting menus in honor of this holiday. Restaurant-wise, you can’t really go wrong this time of year, but if you want to take your Valentine’s Day next level, consider a restaurant in the clouds, like One World Observatory’s ONE Dine. This unique restaurant is located some 100 floors above street level, and while pricey, makes for a one-of-a-kind meal.
Share a Special View with that Special Someone
New York City’s skyline, as seen from one of its ever-popular viewing platforms, is one of the most special viewing experiencing in NYC and provides the perfect romantic vista. You’ll find that there are numerous observation decks to choose from throughout Manhattan, so if you’ve got other plans in the works, make your choice based on which one is closest to wherever you’re already going to be for, say, dinner. Or, if you’re really indecisive, put names like Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, and The Edge into a hat, and have fun drawing one out at random. No matter what you do, though, just be certain to make some time on your big day to soak in the scenery and snap a Valentine’s Day photo from the sky with your partner in crime!
Cuddle Up on a Cruise
If the weather is cooperative (fingers crossed!), think long and hard about spending your Valentine’s Day taking a romantic sightseeing cruise of New York City. Popular tour operators like Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises and Hornblower City Cruises not only offer a regular assortment of New York Harbor cruises, they typically run special Valentine’s Day-themed cruises this time of year. Regardless of whether this is your first, fifth, or thirtieth Valentine’s Day together, this can be an amazing way to spend an evening.
Go for a Stroll
Sometimes the simplest things in life prove the most worthwhile—and this can be the case even on a special day like Valentine’s Day. That’s why if you find yourself spending this Valentine’s Day in New York City, don’t hesitate to drop everything else and head for Central Park. There you can get lost in conversation as you stroll arm in arm along its beautiful paths and promenades—or, if you’re feeling daring, head for one of its many beloved attractions. In Central Park you’ll be able to rent a bike or kayak, take a carriage ride, and grab a bite to eat—or, again, just enjoy being together in the midst of such a resplendent setting.
Take to the Ice
You haven’t really spent an authentic winter in New York City if you’ve failed to go ice skating at one of its picturesque rinks. Given that time is fleeting—these ice-skating rinks are only open a couple months each winter—what are you waiting for? Bundle up, grab your date, and complete a romantic Valentine’s Day outing with some spins around the ice. The two most famous ice-skating rinks in town are probably the iconic sheets of ice located at Rockefeller Center and Wollman Rink in Central Park, but there are rinks to be found throughout New York City, and searching for a romantic spot farther afield can prove quite rewarding in the end.
Live from New York
Consider spending your Valentine’s Day evening out at one of New York’s innumerable live events. You can take this exciting possibility in a number of directions, and/or even pair it with any number of the suggestions detailed above. Go cheer on the New York Knicks at historic Madison Square Garden. Take in an improv show at one of the city’s incomparable comedy clubs. Attend a Broadway musical or catch a jazz concert. No matter what you’re interested in, it’s out there waiting for you.
If You Fail to Plan . . .
As you prepare for your big Valentine’s Day out in New York City, keep in mind that you won’t be alone in wanting to make this most romantic day of the year one to remember. If you have your heart set on enjoying a particular New York City activity—or don’t think your Valentine’s Day would be complete without visiting a specific NYC attraction—you’ll want to be sure and plan ahead. So, if you have something special up your sleeve, don’t delay. Make the reservation now. Buy a ticket asap. Get your name on that list immediately. Otherwise, you might come to regret letting your preferred plans slip out of your grasp when they prove unavailable due to popular demand.
Conversely, don’t let the stress of organizing your romantic outing overshadow the experience itself. Simply being in New York City on Valentine’s Day can be magical in its own right. When in doubt, be spontaneous, let the moment breathe, and follow your heart. You never know just where in New York City it’ll lead you!