30 Most Romantic Things To Do In NYC For Couples

Last Updated on 30th April 2024

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30 Best Romantic Things To Do In NYC For Couples - New York Date Ideas

Are you planning a romantic trip to NYC and looking for the most unique things for couples to do in NYC? Check out my huge guide for the best fun things to do in NYC for couples!

While the likes of Paris and Rome might secure the top spots as the most romantic cities in the world, more often than not, New York City is also a very strong contender for that title, which is why I’m sharing all the best romantic things to do in NYC in today’s post.

So, if you’re wondering what is the most romantic place in New York or you’re looking for some inspiration on where to take your boyfriend or girlfriend on a date in NYC, I’ve got you covered with this huge list of all the top romantic spots for couples in New York City!

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1. Watch the sunset from the Top of the Rock

If you’ve read any of my previous New York City guides, you’ll know just how utterly obsessed I am with visiting the Top of the Rock when I’m in New York and the first time I visited it with Matt, it felt like the most magical place on earth.

You’ll often see proposals happening on the observation decks at the Top of the Rock, so if you’re planning an extra special trip to the city, I promise that this is one of the most romantic places in NYC, especially at sunset.

2. Visit Central Park in the snow – romantic things to do in NYC

Playing in Central Park in the snow is undoubtedly one of the best NYC winter date ideas as it gives you the chance to be big kids again while frolicking about in the snow, building a snowman and maybe even having a (gentle!) snowball fight.

Matt and I were so lucky that it snowed a lot during our one month in New York and I adored the fact that we got to cherish this truly unique date idea in NYC that we wouldn’t have otherwise enjoyed without the heavy snowfall!

If you’re visiting New York in the winter, keep your fingers crossed that you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most romantic things to do in NYC in winter!

3. Rent a boat from Loeb Boathouse and row on the Central Park Lake

If you’re looking for a fantastic outdoor date idea in NYC and undoubtedly one of the most romantic, look no further than renting a boat from the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park and rowing around the stunning lake.

From April to November, you can rent boats on the lake for $20 an hour and it’s on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure you give yourself plenty of waiting time just in case you happen upon it when it’s really busy.

Rowing boats on a calming lake in the middle of one of the most glorious cities in the world is truly the epitome of romance and I honestly can’t think of a better way to spend a date in NYC in the summer months.

4. Visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt at sunset

After my most recent trip to New York over Christmas and New Year, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is now firmly on my life of the very best things to do in the city and it’s unquestionably one of the most romantic things to do in NYC for couples.

This stunning observation deck is unlike anything else in the city, with three floors to explore, a stunning, albeit rather disorientating mirrored room with otherworldly reflections of the surrounding city, plus numerous other immersive activities and exhibitions to enjoy while you’re up there.

Visiting SUMMIT at sunset is an absolute must and while it’ll cost you a bit more than regular entry tickets, I promise it’s 100% worth every penny for the golden hour glow you’ll enjoy from the top. It’s definitely one of the best romantic activities for couples to do in NYC right now.

Check out my review of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt here.

5. Watch a Broadway show – romantic things to do in NYC

Neither Matt nor I are particularly huge musical theatre fans but Matt’s dad and step-mum kindly bought us tickets to watch The Lion King on Broadway for Christmas and we were both truly blown away by how much we loved it.

I’d only ever seen The Jersey Boys on Broadway back in 2014 when I first visited New York and I absolutely adored that show, but other than that, I’ve never really had much desire to watch a lot of live theatre performances, but I can now truly vouch for watching a Broadway show as a couple and I’m sure it will be one of the most fun and unique date ideas in NYC.

6. Have drinks and dinner at 230 Fifth Avenue

New York City is home to myriad rooftop bars that are all perfect for a romantic date night in the city, but one of my absolute favourite places to go with Matt in New York is 230 Fifth Rooftop bar.

We actually went here for the first time ever on Christmas Day when we booked in for their bottomless brunch and it was such a fun and magical experience, that we went back again just a couple of weeks later!

With views of the Empire State Building that honestly looks like a green screen, no visit to New York is complete without experiencing drinks at 230 Fifth and I can guarantee that it’s one of the most
romantic things to do in NYC at night, or indeed, during the day.

Check out my review of 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar here.

7. Go window-shopping at Tiffany’s

I’ve been obsessed with Tiffany & Co for almost as long as I’ve been obsessed with New York City itself, so whenever I’m in the city, I always make sure to pay a visit to the Tiffany & Co flagship store on 5th Avenue.

Whether you intend to purchase some romantic jewellery (such as a sparkly diamond ring…) for your other half or you just want to go inside and peruse the spectacular jewels (like Matt and I enjoy doing), Tiffany’s welcomes you in with open arms.

If you do decide to make your trip to Tiffany’s extra special and go out all with purchasing something beautiful, the staff here are so warm and welcoming and will accommodate all your jewellery needs and wants, making it one of the best, albeit not-so-secret romantic places in NYC.

8. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge – romantic things to do in Brooklyn

If you’re looking for fun and romantic things to do in NYC this weekend, look no further than a walk over the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

Yes, it is incredibly cliché and very touristy but for good reason. The Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic part of New York City and from the famous bridge, you can see epic views of Lower Manhattan and even all the way out to the Statue of Liberty.

If you’re walking from Manhattan to Brooklyn, be sure to spend some time in DUMBO once you get over the bridge and grab a bite to eat and drink from Time Out Market New York (more on that below).

Top tip: If you want to avoid the crowds as much as possible, head to Brooklyn Bridge early in the morning before all the daily commuters and tourists have started making their way across the bridge.

Read more: 1 Day Brooklyn Itinerary

9. Share a cookie from Levain Bakery – romantic things to do in NYC

Depending on whether you’re a couple who likes to share food or not, will depend on whether the idea of sharing a decadent chocolate chip cookie is for you!

Personally, Matt and I love to share food and that’s largely just because we both always want to try as many things as possible, so we always order something different and then we get to try more yummy things!

The cookies from Levain Bakery in New York City are truly out of this world and whether you decide to share one or get one each, devouring these delicious delicacies will be one of the most enjoyable and romantic things you can do in NYC.

10. Watch the sunset from the water

Can you tell that New York sunsets are some of the most romantic things to see in the city?!

I know I’ve mentioned watching the sunset multiple times on this list of the best things to do in New York for couples, but I really can’t stress enough just how remarkable the sunsets can be in the Big Apple.

One of my very favourite ways to watch the sunset and arguably one of the most romantic places in NYC is from the water on a cruise near the Statue of Liberty.

Whether you opt for the free Staten Island Ferry (more on that below) or you embark on an official tour with Statue Cruises to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, make sure to try and time your trip around sunset for the most insanely beautiful views of the city from the water.

11. Go on a pizza date tour around the city

If you’re looking for one of the most unique date ideas in NYC to treat your partner to, a self-guided pizza tour of Manhattan is an absolute must!

I’d planned to do this well in advance of our trip to New York, so by the time we arrived there, I was fully equipped with my very own pizza tour to take Matt on as a fun surprise date in NYC!

We managed to visit 10 pizza places in Manhattan on the first day and we had so much fun, that we created another itinerary for a second day! Be sure to bring your appetites along with you for this NYC date idea; you’re gonna need them!

Check out my full pizza tour of NYC here for the best pizza slices in the city!

12. Check out the views with a cocktail at Time Out Market New York

Alongside 230 Fifth, another one of my favourite rooftop bars in NYC is Time Out Market New York which sits right between the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn.

It’s an awesome place for date night for couples in New York as there are plenty of food and drink options to enjoy, plus stunning views of Manhattan from their outdoor rooftop seating area. It’s not necessarily the highest viewpoint in the city, but it is a great place to relax and unwind with a scrumptious cocktail on your date night in New York.

13. Enjoy a picnic at the Little Island

The Little Island at Pier 55 sits on the Hudson River on the west side of Manhattan and it’s an artificial island with a sizeable park on it.

In the summer, this is an awesome place for couples to hang out if you’re looking for an outdoor date idea in NYC as it offers ample outdoor space, with stunning views of the city around you.

In the fall and winter, it’s completely open to the public to go in and out as you please, but from the spring and into summer, you may be required to reserve a timed entry slot before you go, so double-check before you visit.

14. See Bow Bridge in Central Park – romantic things to do in NYC

Central Park rightfully has multiple entries on this list of the most romantic things to do in New York City and that’s because it’s such a beautiful part of the city that’s perfect for couples on a date.

Bow Bridge is a true romantic gem in Central Park and you’ll even see proposals here occasionally (one of my friends got engaged on this bridge!).

Even if you don’t have a proposal planned while you’re in New York, it’s still worth checking out Bow Bridge for photos as a couple as a way to remember your romantic time in this beautiful city.

15. Eat a sweet treat from Doughnuttery

I only discovered the sugary delights of Doughnuttery on my most recent trip to New York, but I adored these tiny doughnut bites so much that we ate them multiple times while we were there and I know for sure we’ll make it one of our New York traditions to get some whenever we’re in the city.

You can find these little beauties in Chelsea Market, which incidentally is also a great place for a date in New York as there are so many awesome places to grab a bite to eat and drink.

Top tip: Go for the salted caramel and chocolate glazed doughnuts; I promise you won’t regret it!

16. Visit New York at Christmas – romantic things to do in NYC in december

New York at Christmas literally screams romance, so if you ever get the chance to visit this magical city over the holidays, I would seriously urge you to do so.

The month that Matt and I spent over Christmas and New Year in New York was the best time of my life and we enjoyed so many romantic activities during our trip, which is what actually inspired me to write this post!

Seeing the Rockefeller Tree at Christmas is an absolute must-do, and you can also head over to Dyker Heights to see the Christmas lights, go ice skating in Central Park and so much more!

17. Watch a sports game

Watching a sports game in New York might not be to everyone’s taste, but if your partner is a huge sports fan, I’m sure this will score you many brownie points!

I wasn’t particularly bothered about watching any sports while we were in NYC, but we watched two basketball games and one NFL match while we were there and they were all so much fun.

The first basketball game we watched was at Madison Square Garden which is one of the most famous venues in the world, so if your partner loves American sports and you can grab tickets for a game at MSG, I’m sure you’ll be on to a winner!

18. Enjoy a romantic dinner

New York certainly isn’t short of incredible places to eat and one of the easiest and best ways to enjoy a date in NYC is to go for a romantic dinner somewhere awesome.

You don’t even have to spend a small fortune for it to be a great date night in New York; Matt and I thoroughly enjoy eating out at restaurants together, so whether it’s a lavish steakhouse serving up the goods or a street food truck selling tacos, eating together can be made into a romantic date, whatever and wherever you choose to eat.

Some of my favourite places to eat in NYC for a romantic date night include Ruby’s, Dudley’s, Bubby’s, Sathi and Flame Hibachi.

Check out my ultimate guide to the best places to eat in New York City here.

19. Admire the magic of Times Square at night

If you’re looking for the top romantic things to do in NYC at night, you need to add Times Square to your New York date ideas list.

Times Square is obviously one of the main tourist hotspots in Manhattan and it’s not always to everyone’s taste, but I personally love hanging out in Times Square, both during the day and at night and I think it’s one of the most fun places in NYC for couples, and best of all – you don’t have to spend a penny while you’re there!

20. Go ice skating in Central Park, Bryant Park or the Rockefeller Center

Again, this date idea in New York totally depends on you visiting the city during the winter months, but if you do happen to be there in the winter, it’s such a romantic thing to do in NYC.

There are plenty of places to go ice skating in New York, with my personal favourites being the Wollman Rink in Central Park, the Rockefeller Center ice rink or the one at the Winter Village in Bryant Park.

Even if you’re not a particularly skilful skating couple, this is still such a fun activity to enjoy together during the winter in New York.

21. Take the free Staten Island Ferry – free romantic things to do in NYC

I already mentioned above about watching the sunset from the water and that you can do it from the Staten Island Ferry, and if you’re not particularly bothered about the time of day that you take the ferry, then the free Staten Island Ferry is one of the best cheap date ideas in NYC because it’s completely free!

Ferries run incredibly frequently to and from Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island (approximately every half an hour and every 15-20 minutes during the morning and afternoon rush hour), so you can pretty much guarantee that you won’t be waiting too long to enjoy the views of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan as you sail for free!

22. Check out the Empire State Building – romantic things to do in NYC

This beloved building right in the heart of Manhattan is a beacon for every single visitor who goes to New York City and couples, in particular, are drawn to its romantic magnetism.

While I personally prefer the observation decks at the Top of the Rock or SUMMIT as I like to be able to see the Empire State, rather than being stood on it, I know that many couples love going to the top of this iconic skyscraper.

Thanks to romantic scenes in movies and TV shows like Gossip Girl and Sleepless in Seattle (although those scenes weren’t actually filmed at the real building!), the Empire State Building is a truly romantic place in New York City and one that you should enjoy as a couple, whether that’s from its observation deck, from the ground below or from one of the many other vantage points of it around the city.

23. Go to a comedy show for a hilarious date night in New York

One really fun and unique date idea in NYC is to watch a comedy show for a truly hilarious night out in New York.

Matt and I went to watch a comedy show at The Grisly Pear when we were last in NYC and at only £9 each for tickets and no requirement to buy drinks while you’re there, this is definitely one of the best and cheapest ways to enjoy a fun and romantic date in the city.

24. Be swept up in romance at the New York Public Library

As long as you don’t have a disastrous wedding there like Big and Carrie from Sex and the City, the New York Public Library flagship on 5th Avenue is certainly one of the most romantic things to do in NYC!

It’s as grand and majestic on the inside as it is on the outside and it’s a fab place to take pictures as a couple to remember your incredible time in New York.

25. Explore the city at night – romantic things to do in NYC

One of my very favourite things to do in New York as a couple is to simply wander around the city at night. Seeing the towering skyscrapers lit up at night is truly magical and it’s also a great way to see a more local side of the city, especially if you’re around neighbourhoods such as the East Village or Greenwich Village as this is where locals frequent for after-work dinner and drinks with friends.

Bonus romantic things to do in NYC for couples

Here are a few more suggestions to add to your New York date ideas bucket list!

Be big kids again at Coney Island
Take a brunch cruise around Manhattan
Feel on top of the world at One World Observatory
Take a helicopter ride over the city
Watch a movie in Bryant Park in the summer

Where to stay in New York City for couples

I’ve been lucky enough to visit New York five times now and I’ve stayed in a different part of the city almost every time. When Matt and I spent a month living in NYC over Christmas and New Year, we got an apartment in the East Village which was such a brilliant place to base ourselves as it felt like we were close enough to all the city’s top sights and attractions, but we were also in a very local neighbourhood in a proper apartment block, so it didn’t feel too touristy.

If you’re only in NYC for a few days, however, and you want to make sure you’re staying right at the heart of New York, I’d highly recommend booking a place in or near Times Square. I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square the first time I ever visited New York and it’s located just minutes from Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue and Times Square.

I’ve also stayed at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square which is probably my favourite hotel in New York (so far!). Located right in the centre of Times Square, this hotel is perfect for a couple’s trip to New York, especially if you want to splash out a little bit and be very centrally located to all the action.

Best neighbourhoods to stay in New York for couples:

East Village
Times Square
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Midtown Manhattan
Greenwich Village

Find a place to stay for your couple’s trip to NYC!

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Have you ever been to New York as a couple? Do you have any more recommendations of the best romantic things to do in NYC to add to this list? Let me know in the comments or in my New York Facebook Group.