Top Things To Do In New York City For Couples

The Big Apple is a vibrant and energetic city that has it all! It can be dizzying to sift through all the biggest landmarks and try to decide where to go, so we’ve curated the perfect guide of things for couples to do in NYC. 

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Spend a romance-filled weekend away together visiting the Statue of Liberty, sampling the city’s best food at the restaurants in Chelsea Market, or putting each other’s bravery to the test by tackling the City Climb! Hoping to come for the most romantic time of the year? Then visit around Christmas time when the streets are lit up with dazzling lights and a festive cheer infects the city!

Romantic Things To Do In NYC

The Big Apple is an endless maze of things to do, so we’ve found all the best date destinations and put them all in one place so you can leave the research to us and skip to the fun bit – enjoying your romantic getaway!

For the best romantic getaway destinations and attractions, keep reading!

1. Enjoy The Beauty Of Bryant Park And Join In On Their Seasonal Events

Bryant Park is a cute park in Midtown Manhattan with something romantic on offer every season of the year! 

During the warmer months, they always have something going on. From weekly outdoor salsa parties where you can twirl your partner around the dancefloor, to circus classes and live performances. There’s so much on offer, so we recommend checking out their schedules activities in advance to make sure you don’t miss anything! 

Join a class, then spread out on the lawn and enjoy a picnic with just the two of you. A day at Bryant Park is a great option for date night, or even for a first date!

Looking for cute date ideas for the cold winter months? Skate hand in hand in the park’s free ice-skating rink! As well as being a romance-packed day, it’s a great choice for couples on a budget. 

The rink is the star of the show at the park’s Winter Village. Glide across the 17,000 square feet of ice and giggle the afternoon away. After, hop off the ice and warm up over a hot chocolate or a festive cocktail together at the Lodge bar by the rink! 

Hoping for something a bit more intimate to celebrate a special anniversary? Then treat your other half to a fancy drink in one of the park’s winter Rosy Igloos! The intimate glass igloos are warm and cozy, tucked away from the crowds for an extra romantic feel.  

If you get caught by bad weather, you can hide away from the rain in the New York Public Library that’s at the edge of the park. The grandiose white building is hard to miss, and when you step inside, you’ll be blown away by the ceiling art and low hanging chandeliers. 

2. Put Your Relationship To The Test At The Edge Observation Deck City Climb

Start by making your way to the observation deck 100 floors above the city streets, to see jaw-dropping views over the city and the Hudson River! 

Climb the Skyline Steps to the 101st floor, where you’ll get the best views of the Empire State Building. Then find the areas with glass floors where you can peer at the city streets below, it will surely get your adrenaline pumping! 

Want to go even higher up the building and test one another’s limits on an epic date? Then take on the City Climb! For this you’ll venture up to The Apex platform, the highest observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. 

Standing at 1,271 feet above the ground, you’ll be strapped into a harness, and the adventure begins! Scale the 45-degree staircase leading to the top of the skyscraper’s crown, then lean over the edge and look down at the streets hundreds of feet below! 

We think tackling the highest open-air building ascent in the world is an unforgettable date that thrill-seeking couples won’t be able to resist on a trip to NYC! Grab your tickets to the ultimate skyscraping adventure here.

Any couples who aren’t so sure about leaning off the face of a skyscraper hundreds of feet above the ground can soak in the panoramic cityscape views from the Edge observation deck instead! Catching the sunset at the observation deck is an extra romantic thing to do. Get your admission ticket for the observation deck here.

3. Go On A Late Night Date To Times Square

We’re sure most New Yorkers would agree, Times Square is one of the city’s most notorious sites that all tourists need to check out whilst they’re in the Big Apple. It’s known as The Crossroads of the World because it’s where lots of the city’s most important streets, like Broadway and Seventh Avenue, collide.  

Curiously it wasn’t always called Times Square. Before 1904 it was called Longacre Square, but it was renamed after the world-renowned newspaper, The New York Times, moved into the One Times Square building. The newspaper has since moved, but the name stuck.

Covered in brightly lit billboards, we think it’s a dazzling place to bring your partner and it’s amongst our top fun date ideas for couples visiting New York. Did you know, the square is so bright that at night astronauts can see the neighborhood from the International Space Station?

If you’re looking for a late-night date idea, then visit the square at midnight and watch the synchronized art displays on the district’s billboards. Known as the Midnight Moment, it’s an unforgettable experience you’ll both remember long into the future. They also change the displays each month, so you can keep coming back and always see something new!

Are you both theatre fans? Then you’ll love this Times Square and theatre tour! You’ll be guided by an actual Broadway performer who’ll tell you all about the district’s most famous theater spots and give you inside gossip about Broadway’s most famous actors.

4. Climb To The Top Of The Statue Of Liberty Together

The Statue of Liberty is without a doubt one of the most important symbols of the USA. She reigns above the city from her very own Liberty Island. She is a constant reminder of the importance of freedom and was the first thing that greeted immigrants arriving at the nearby Ellis Island after their long journeys across the Atlantic. 

The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the USA by the French in 1886. The 22-story statue that was designed by Frederick-Auguste Bartholdi arrived at its new home, Liberty Island and has been recognized as a national monument since 1924.

We think visiting the Statue of Liberty is a great date idea! There’s more to it than just the statue. You’ll start your romantic adventure with a ferry ride through New York Harbor. Board your cruise and marvel at New York’s breathtaking skyline as you sail along the open water. 

Once you arrive, go on a romantic stroll around Liberty Island. There is a lush park area, a little cafe where you can stop for a coffee, and a gift shop and bookstore in the Statue of Liberty Museum. Whilst you’re at the museum look out for Lady Liberty’s original torch!

From there you can reach the statue’s pedestal by elevator, but we think that no date to the Statue of Liberty is complete without climbing the 162 narrow and steep steps from the statue’s pedestal (feet) to the crown platform! 

There are breathtaking views across the city from the crown’s lookout point, 262 feet in the air, and there’s an indescribable buzz you’ll get from knowing you’re standing at the top of one of New York’s most iconic landmarks with your partner! There isn’t an elevator from the pedestal to the crown, but we promise it’s totally worth the climb.

From there, hop back on a ferry together and make your way to Ellis Island. Between 1892 and 1954 the island processed more than 12 million immigrants who arrived to the US on large ships, hoping to live the American Dream! 

Learn about it together at the island’s National Museum of Immigration, which has three floors of exhibits. After, make your way to your ferry for the last time and sail back across the harbor to the Big Apple!

If you just want to see the Statue of Liberty from the water instead of going on a full-day adventure, book this romantic sunset cruise instead.

5. Indulge Your Taste Buds At Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market is housed in a charming 19th-century brick factory building in New York’s Meatpacking District. The building was once home to the National Biscuit Company factory, so there’s a timeless feel to the place that adds to its cute date factor. 

Even the fussiest eaters and biggest foodies will find a flavor they love amongst the endless restaurants and food stalls – there are plenty of options to choose from! Whether you’re just looking for an on-the-go hotdog or even looking for fine dining, the Chelsea Market has something that will suit all kinds of couples. 

Tantalize your taste buds by trying the different hot sauces at Heatonist, then choose your favorite to take home and cook with together. After that, window shop at all the stunning shops selling handcrafted pieces from all over the world, like Imports from Marrakesh, which sells furniture straight from Marrakesh!

Catch up over some mouth-watering tacos from Los Tacos No. 1 or treat your significant other to a luxurious fine dining experience at The Oval by Devazione! 

Full up and wondering what to do next? There’s no need to head home, Chelsea Market has a lot more on offer than just food! Head to the ARTECHOUSE where you can sit hand in hand as incredible digital art displays light up the room around you, submerging you both in a tranquil other-worldly exhibition. 

One of the most romantic experiences offered by ARTECHOUSE yet is their ‘Beyond The Light’ exhibit, where galactical images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope light up every inch of the walls and floor around you. Traveling to space and back together is definitely up there on the list of the most romantic things for couples to do in New York! 

Consider yourself foodies? Then book this Chelsea Market food tour that will also take you to The High Line and Hudson Yards! It’s the perfect tour for couples who want to indulge their taste buds by trying the most delicious dishes at the best food spots in town. You should also check out this combo tour that goes to Chelsea Market, as well as the Edge observation deck!

6. Keep The Spark Going With A Date Night At Broadway!

Skip going to the movies and watch your favorite characters come to life at a Broadway Show. Broadway has it all – from cabaret to comedy shows, even couples with very different tastes will find a show they can both get behind! 

See Romeo and Juliet with a romantic twist at Broadway’s Romeo & Juliet musical, watch the modern re-imagining of the cabaret, Moulin Rouge, or opt for the classic Lion King on Broadway where you can’t help but sing along – one of our favorites!

Not sure what to pick? Browse the shows that are running at the moment on the Broadway Theatres website to get inspiration! Another place to get Broadway and Off Broadway discounts is with TKTS where you can find day-of tickets at up to 50% off.

TIP: If your company has access to TicketsAtWork, you may be eligible for discounts on Broadway shows as well!

But Broadway is about more than just shows. The district has a rich theatre history that dates back to the early 18th century when the first theatre popped up on Nassau Street. After the shows finish, stroll the surrounding streets together and spot the old 18th and 19th-century buildings that have survived the test of time. 

If you’re also interested in the behind the scenes of how Broadway productions work, check out this tour that gets you backstage to an active rehearsal studio.

7. Laugh Together At A Late Night Show Taping

If you’re thinking of surprising your significant other, something that you’ve heard about but never thought was possible is going to a taping of a late night show. If you plan early enough, you might be able to make it happen.

In our case, we visited New York City in January and we were really surprised to see the ability to apply for tickets 1-2 weeks out since it was low-season.

We totally recommend going to a taping because it gives you a fun inside-look at what’s involved in putting together a show like Late Night with Seth Meyers. We love his monologue, and A Closer Look bit. On our taping, we also got a chance to see Michelle Yeoh which was a treat!

Seth in particular is really good with introducing himself to the crowd and in between interviews, he’ll even chat with the crowd.

In addition, not only do you get to see a show taping, you also get exclusive access to the studios that they’re filmed in such as 30 Rockefeller Plaza’s Studio 8G (Seth Myers), Studio 8H (SNL), and Ed Sullivan Theatre (Stephen Colbert).

To give your the best chance to get tickets, you’ll want to make sure you check the show’s website one month in advance. Every show has a slightly different schedule in terms of when they tape, and how long their season runs. Here’s a list of the shows for NYC.

• Late Night with Seth Meyers
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
• SNL
• The Daily Show
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
• The Kelly Clarkson Show
• The View
• Live with Kelly & Mark
• Tamron Hall

Most of these are available on the 1iota platform with the exception of Last Week Tonight and SNL.

Where To Stay In NYC

We’ve found the perfect hotels for a romantic getaway in NYC. Stay close to all the main attractions without compromising on comfort!

New York Packing Guide

Wondering what to pack for your romantic getaway to NYC? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! This handy packing guide includes everything you should bring:

• Pack a date night outfit! It’s lovely to get out and celebrate over a fancy cocktail, so pack a sparkly outfit that makes you feel glammed up and ready for a romantic date night.
• Binoculars: Bring some binoculars to get a closer look at some of the attractions and the landscape views you can see from hundreds of feet above the ground at the Edge observation deck. 
• Pack a hat: New York gets cold in winter and hot in the summer, so pack a hat that’s right for the season you’re visiting in!
• Bring plenty of sunblock in the summer: Make sure you always have a bottle of sunblock with you. Add it to your daypack when you’re out and about sightseeing and reapply it throughout the day to avoid getting a nasty sunburn, which could ruin your romantic getaway! 
• Your best camera: With so many epic attractions and things to do in New York, you’ll want to snap some pictures of your adventure! You might want to consider accessories like selfie sticks, too. For reflection-free photos, check out the lens hoods you can buy here. 
• Comfy walking shoes: getting to New York’s most romantic attractions will involve a lot of walking so make sure you pack some comfortable trainers. You might even want to consider bringing a pair of walking sandals to wear those on extra sunny days.
• If you’re visiting from another country, remember you’ll need a travel adapter and a voltage converter. In the US, plug types A and B are used, so maybe bring one of each just in case! 
  • As the US runs off 120V electricity outlets, if you have electronics that run off 240V it’s worth investing in a voltage converter. They’ll save your electronics from getting destroyed!
• Anyone who isn’t a US national should also be up to date with VISA requirements before organizing a trip to New York. You can find out more and check if you need a VISA or ESTA here.

Add A Touch Of Romance With These NYC Date Ideas

Hopefully, the cute date ideas and romantic things for couples to do together in NYC in this guide have convinced you that NYC is the place to go if you’re looking for a little romance! From first dates to proposals and anniversary-worthy attractions, NYC has something for couples of all kinds.

Ice skate in the Winter Village’s stunning ice rink, take your partner to a show on Broadway, visit Times Square, or soak in the cityscape views from the crown of the Statue of Liberty! There are so many romantic things you can do together in NYC that the hardest part will be fitting it all into one trip.

New York Frequently Asked Questions