23 Ultimate Date Ideas In NYC For An Unforgettable Experience
Looking for the best date ideas in NYC for you and your partner to do? We’ve got you!
Trust me, when we say New York City is one of the most romantic places to travel together as a couple, we’re talking Sleepless in Seattle vibes.
If you’re craving a departure from the ordinary and want to inject some excitement into your romantic outings, explore these exceptional date night suggestions in NYC that are an absolute must-try.
Treat yourselves to an extraordinary night in the city that thrives on excitement and romance. Going on a date with your partner in New York City is probably one of the most unforgettable experiences you can do together.
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Romantic and Fun Date Ideas in NYC
1. Top of the Rock Observation Deck
One of the most romantic date night ideas in NYC is heading to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck.
Take in the awe-inspiring 360-degree panoramic views of the Big Apple from the iconic observation deck at Top of the Rock.
Enjoy marveling at the breathtaking sights from Central Park to the majestic Empire State Building. With this date ticket, you have the freedom to plan your visit based on the weather, making for the most fun date experience together!
Get ready for a date with the most romantic views in NYC that will leave you both on top of the world! 🏙️✨ #NYCViews #TopOfTheRockDate
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues
Hours: Open Monday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 12:00 am
Price: Tickets start at $43.55/person
2. Explore Grand Central
Looking for the ultimate romantic date idea in the heart of the Big Apple? Then you really can’t miss out on a date at the iconic Grand Central Terminal which is one of the most popular destinations to visit in NYC.
After you enjoy your time there, I’d recommend checking out the Oyster Bar for an intimate moment. It’s the oldest restaurant in Grand Central station.
If you’re still hungry for more, head to Grand Central Market or the historic Campbell Bar that will definitely fill you up with all its yummy eateries.
You could spend hours getting lost in Grand Central station and have the best time with your partner!
3. Head to the New York Botanical Garden
Indulge in the epitome of romance with a leisurely stroll through the enchanting New York Botanical Garden. Spanning 250 acres, this popular landmark is so gorgeous and is one of NYC’s most beautiful parks.
Established in 1873, the New York Botanical Garden boasts the title of the Empire State’s most extensive botanical garden, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City.
If you have a chance to go in the spring, we highly recommend checking out The Orchid Show.
“Visitors will be invited to get up close to a variety of diverse orchid species amidst dramatic, picture-perfect installations created by these three featured designers and inspired by the captivating nature of these flowering plants.”
NYBG
4. Listen to Live Jazz at Smalls Jazz Club
Catch some amazing live jazz at Smalls Jazz Club in Greenwich Village.
It’s an intimate spot with a cool vibe, perfect for enjoying authentic jazz performances. The dimly lit setting and cozy seating create a laid-back atmosphere, making it a great place to experience the home of New York City’s jazz scene.
Whether you’re a jazz lover or just looking for a memorable night out, Smalls Jazz Club delivers a straightforward and fantastic live music experience.
Address: 183 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10014
5. Enjoy a rooftop dinner at 230 Fifth
The rooftop at 230 Fifth offers stunning panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, including iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building.
The backdrop provides a beautiful, romantic setting, making it an ideal spot for couples looking to enjoy a memorable evening together.
This rooftop bar is also known for its diverse and creative drink menu, including signature cocktails. Couples can indulge in a variety of beverages while taking in the breathtaking views, enhancing the overall experience!
That said, you definitely should check out this unforgettable rooftop experience with your date!
Address: 230 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10001
6. Stargaze at the Hayden Planetarium
Looking for a romantic and fun date idea in New York City?
Being part of the American Museum of Natural History, the Hayden Planetarium allows couples to extend their date by exploring other exhibits and displays within the museum.
It is located within the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
The planetarium hosts immersive and visually stunning shows that cover many topics about astronomy. These shows often combine breathtaking visuals, surround sound, and narration by experts, creating a captivating and romantic atmosphere for couples.
Address: 175 Central Park West, Manhattan, NY 10023
The planetarium offers a break from the ordinary date night, providing a unique and out-of-this-world experience. It's a memorable way to spend time together and create a sense of wonder and adventure! #NYCdatenight #planetariumdate
7. Go on a cruise around the Statue of Liberty
Book a 1-hour cruise tour around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Many cruises offer an intimate and cozy setting, providing couples with a private and romantic space to enjoy each other’s company.
Trust me, this is a really cute date idea to do with your partner and makes for the your experience and time in New York City!
Escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City and enjoy a serene, romantic date together with each other.
Here are some of the highlights of this cruise tour that you get to do together:
- Sail within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- Cruise under the Brooklyn Bridge and pass South Street Seaport
- Marvel at the skyline of Lower Manhattan from both the east and the west sides
- Wonder at the Freedom Tower, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere
- Enjoy entertaining English commentary highlighting all the major landmarks
8. Head to the Met for date night
The Met refers to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the most renowned and expansive art museums in the world. It is commonly known as “The Met” and is located in New York City.
While The Met is vast, it also has intimate galleries that allow for quieter, more personal moments. You and your partner can discover hidden gems together, creating a sense of shared exploration and discovery.
The Met Fifth Avenue is situated along Fifth Avenue and adjacent to Central Park. You’ll definitely get a taste of the museum’s architecture and its location in the heart of Manhattan add a touch of romance to the overall experience.
Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028
9. Go on a helicopter tour
Want an exciting, fun date idea to do in New York City? Go on a helicopter tour ride!
For an extravagant twist among the top-notch New York City date ideas, go all out with a helicopter tour! This private NYC helicopter adventure offers an unmatched perspective, granting you sweeping views of the city’s most celebrated landmarks.
In a journey lasting 35 to 45 minutes, you’ll get to see popular landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the iconic Yankee Stadium.
This fun helicopter ride is definitely an unforgettable experience you don’t want to miss with your partner.
Just be mindful of bad weather and always check the weather app to ensure that you’ve got the best weather to get a great view of New York City!
10. Head to The Rink at Rockefeller Center
One of the most romantic date ideas in NYC is ice skating at the Rockefeller Center.
If you’re in the mood for a cozy, winter date in New York City, lace up your skates and hit the ice at one of the city’s parks or private rinks. The best part? Most venues offer on-site skate rentals, eliminating the need to haul your own gear.
Here are our top picks of ice skating rinks in New York City:
- The Rink at Bryant Park’s Winter Village (free admission!)
- LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park
- Wollman Rink in Central Park
- The Rink at Brookfield Place
- Vale Rink at The William Vale in Brooklyn
An ice skating date is perfect for the holidays and one you don’t want to miss in NYC!
11. Enjoy a night stay at a yurt
First of all, what is a yurt?? Don’t worry I had to look this up, too.
A yurt is an old-fashioned version of a modern tent. They were used as shelters from ancient civilizations and were easy to transport from one place to another if needed.
Nowadays, people turn yurts into offices, glamping sites, and living rentals.
Apparently New York has carried on this ancient architecture since you can now easily find yurt rentals to stay in for a night or two. This is one of the most fun date ideas in NYC you can do together. It’s really quite the experience!
If you’re looking for a yurt to say in New York, our best recommendations would be the following:
- Totally secluded Yurt (Ulster Park)
- Bear Kamp (in Granville)
- Moon Lodge Yurt (in Lagrangeville)
- Secluded Fingers Lake Yurt (in Trumansburg)
We highly consider giving this unique, romantic date idea a try! It’s not like everyday you and your partner can say that you both lived in a yurt.
12. Enjoy a wine flight and cheese at Wine Escape
A romantic date idea in NYC looks like heading to Wine Escape and enjoying their wine flight and cheese. Imagine you and your date enjoying a nice glass of wine and tasting the best cheese.
We suggest heading to Wine Escape to indulge in this experience and select from an exquisite menu of charcuterie, cheese & tapas.
Do keep in mind that you have to make reservations, so book soon before your date!
Address: 405 West 44th street New York 10036 USA
13. Board a cruise during sunset
You really can’t go wrong with boarding a cruise in New York, especially during sunset. It’s such a magical moment when you get to see the city lights and horizon.
Trust us, this is an experience you won’t want to forget. In fact, one of the most popular things you can do is ride a yacht cruise during sunset in New York.
So, grab your ticket now to try this unforgettable date experience with your partner.
14. Eat a romantic dinner at Casa La Femme
One of the most romantic, chill date night ideas in NYC is eating at an Egyptian restaurant called Casa La Femme.
What makes this restaurant unique is that they have belly dancing shows. This is the current schedule:
- Tuesdays at 8:00 pm
- Fridays at 7:30 and 9:30
- Saturdays at 7:30 and 9:30
So, grab your partner and dine at the finest restaurants in NYC with a fun show and delicious cuisine.
*Do keep in mind you have to make reservations, so book early to reserve your seats! And please make sure to read their reservation and show policies (they’re pretty strict on their rules).
Address: 140 Charles St, New York, NY 10014, United States
15. Sit in a heated bubble at Route 66
This is one of the most out of the box date ideas you can do in New York City together.
If you head to Route 66 Smokehouse, you’ll find an experience you won’t forget: dining in a heated bubble.
This is perfect for the winter season when the weather gets chilly, but you still want to enjoy dining outside. These cute, seasonal igloos can be located on Stone Street at Route 66 Smokehouse.
You can book reservations through their website here.
Address: 46 Stone St, New York, NY 10004, United States
Route 66 even has a game room where groups of people can play billiards, pool, darts, classic arcade games, and even video games with their large projector screens.
Just make sure you reserve ahead of time!
16. Go ice skating at Wollman Rink
Looking for a classic, romantic date for the winter in NYC? Then, you two definitely need to go ice skating at Wollman Rink, if you haven’t already.
Not going to lie, it may get pretty packed on the weekends, so try to go there on the weekdays.
You can get your tickets on their official website. Tickets are $26 per adult.
17. Take a photo in front of the iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree
This is a classic right? No doubt this is a class Christmas tradition here in New York where you’ll spot families, couples, and children taking pictures in front of the Rockefeller tree.
But Christmas only happens once a year, so why not take a romantic snapshot of you and your boo, especially if you’re traveling in NYC!
18. Go on a 1.5 hour guided tour of Rockefeller Center
One of the most unique date ideas in NYC to do is going on a Rockefeller guided tour. Want to explore the Rockefeller Center even more with your partner? The Rockefeller Center is huge and has many different shops and areas to explore. It may feel overwhelming!
So we highly recommend taking a guided tour to explore the Rockefeller if you want an in-depth chill tour that will make you feel less overwhelmed and stressed!
If you’re looking for New York City date ideas, this one is definitely one you can do together!
19. Enjoy a rooftop igloo experience
One of the most fun date ideas in NYC to do is enjoy a rooftop igloo experience. This unique, romantic experience is one experience you don’t want to miss while being here in New York
230 Fifth is is known for its igloo bar in NYC. The igloos are heated and basically are a round clear transparent dome. Igloos are on a walk-in basis, so I would recommend getting there earlier.
You can check out their Instagram and videos to get a better idea of what these rooftop igloos look like. You can reserve a private igloo for up to 25 guests.
Every now and then, they'll also have the top DJ's perform on the rooftop. If you like rooftop dance parties, book tickets early so you can skip the line.
20. Attend a Broadway show
If you want to stay warm and cozy, especially when visiting in the winter in NYC, enjoy a fun date idea like attending a Broadway show.
New York City is home to some of the best broadway theaters in the world. I’d say take advantage of your time there by attending a show.
One of the popular Broadway theaters is the New Amsterdam Theater. Broadway productions like Aladdin, The Lion King, Frozen can be seen in these broadway theaters.
If you would like to book tickets to see a broadway musical, I would suggest booking early. You can book your Aladdin the Musical tickets here.
Address: 214 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036
21. Dine in at Bocca di Bacco
Want to experience a fine dining experience with your date? Check out Bocca di Bacco, an authentic Italian restaurant with a modern twist.
Italian restaurants in New York are well-known and dining in NYC one of the most romantic date ideas you can do here. You can also browse their menu online, which includes the prices.
Bocca di Bacco has the option of private dining or booking early reservations, which I would suggest you doing. The restaurant has several locations, which I’ll list below.
Dinner costs range from $16-40, but can vary depending on the location.
Hell’s Kitchen: 836 9th Ave., New York, NY 10019 (Monday to Sunday: 12pm – 10pm)
Chelsea: 169 9th Ave., New York, NY 10011 (Monday to Sunday: 12pm – 10pm)
Theater District: 635 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036 (Monday to Sunday: 12pm – 11pm)
22. Have a relaxing spa day at QC Terme
Located on Governor’s Island, QC Terme in NY is a popular spa that makes for a relaxing, fun date idea.
If you’re looking for relaxing couple activities to do in New York, you can never go wrong with a spa day. This spa place overlooks the New York City skyline. There are many different spa experiences you can choose from.
QC Terme has two different package options: the entrance package and the massage package.
The entrance package includes the following:
- Entire wellness program
- Towel, sandals, and bathrobe
- Shower and cosmetic products
Here are the entrance prices listed on their website:
Daily – from $158
Spa session with no time limits
Break 3h – from $98
Spa session with 3 hours of stay
Escape 5h – from $124
Spa session with 5 hours of stay
Sunset – from $98
Spa session starting from 5 p.m.
The massage package include the following:
- Type of massage
- Body scented oil
- Towel
- Favorite melody
Here are the massage prices listed on their website:
Short massage – $ 100
25-minute massage.
Traditional massage – $ 195
50-minute massage.
Long massage – $ 250
75-minute treatment.
Couple massage short – $ 200
25-minute massage for 2 people in the same room.
Couple massage tailor – $ 390
50-minute massage for 2 people in the same room.
Address: 112 Andes Road, Governors Island, New York, NY 10004
Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 9:30am – 10pm // Friday – Saturday: 9:30am – 11pm
Ferry timetable: Sun – Thu : 10am to 10pm // Fri – Sat” 10am to 11pm.
23. Stroll through Union Square Holiday Market
A popular romantic and fun date idea to do in NYC is to stroll through the Union Square Holiday Market that features many local retailers and small businesses. With over 150+ vendors, there are a ton of award-winning restaurants and local eateries to visit.
It’s one of the best holiday markets to visit in the country!
Heading to the Union Square Market is honestly so romantic for the holidays! They even have an interactive holiday map that you can check out on their website. There’s also plenty of entertainment venues and performances during this time.
They have a holiday market that runs from November 16 to December 24th.
You can check out their Instagram account here to get the most recent updates.
Address: East 14th St, New York, NY 10011, United States
Fun Date Ideas in NYC: FAQ
What is a good first date in nyc?
A good first date in NYC requires some planning in advance, especially if you’re not familiar with the area. I would recommend keeping it casual to take off the pressure of a first date.
To keep the first date nerves to a minimum, you can do a date activity such as mini-golfing, grabbing coffee, or doing some sort of activity that involves having fun.
If you both share similar interests in art, you can head to a museum. If you both are foodies, then heading to a unique restaurant would be fun to try together. There are so many romantic date ideas and things to try in NYC 🙂
See what you are both interested in and go from there!
Where can I take myself on a date in NYC?
NYC is the perfect place to experience fun, solo dates. There’s just so many solo date activities one person can do! Here are a few suggestions:
- Watch a broadway show
- Pack a blanket and book to read at Central Park
- Shop at Chelsea Market
- Get ice cream on Broadway
- Head to a fancy bar near your place
- Try museum sketching at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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We hope you enjoyed reading this post about the most fun date ideas in NYC!
