Valentine's Day is around the corner, and while New York City may not officially be the city of love (see @paris.bucketlist for that), it is considered one of the most romantic cities in the US—why do you think it sets the scene for so many iconic rom-coms? With stunning skyline views, ample spots for long romantic strolls, and plenty of moody bars and cozy restaurants, there's no shortage of opportunities for romance.

Whether you want to go all out with flowers, chocolate, and a candlelit dinner, liven things up with a show, or are looking for something a little more low-key, our list of romantic date ideas has something for everyone.

Not into traditional Valentine's Day? Meet someone new at this Heartbreak Bar Pop-Up, or gather the crew and treat yourselves to an epic group dinner. And if you're celebrating Galentine's Day (officially February 13), round up your besties for mimosas and bloody marys at one of NYC's best brunch spots.

 

26 Romantic Ways to Spend Valentine's Day in NYC

Go All Out at Pink Pier

There may be no more festive spot in all of New York for Valentine's Day. Pier 17 has been decked out in glowy pink string lights and is offering a variety of romantic and festive themed activations. Sit on the Lover’s Throne, take a photo in the life-size Sweethearts box, and enjoy views of the skyline across the East River. You can also dine in one of the heated glasshouses and choose from a menu of heart-shaped ravioli, chocolate-covered strawberries, lobster bisque bread bowls, and more.

Where: 78 South St Pier 15, New York, NY
For more information on Pink Pier.

 

 

Check out Moon Dust Cocktail Experience

Moon Dust is the newest immersive cocktail experience in the city, and they're hosting a Valentine's Special perfect for lovers and friends. Enjoy uniquely crafted cocktails served by ancient Moon Goddesses., and immerse yourself in the free-roaming and groundbreaking space with spectacular single performances from the MoonRise cast combining dance, theater, circus, aerial, and acrobatics. Explore the temple, enjoy exotic cocktails, interact with the goddesses, and admire the hand-crafted decor and lounge design.

Where: 1329 Willoughby Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
For more information on Moon Dust Cocktail Experience.

 

 

Enjoy a Wine Flight and Cheese Boat Experience for Two

This unique dining experience brings you an eclectic variety of authentic cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy a romantic dinner complete with a wide variety of wines from the mountains of Georgia, flavorful dumplings, and a delicious, melty cheeseboat. We promise it will be a dinner to remember.

Where:
Hell's Kitchen: 747 9th Ave, New York, NY
Williamsburg: 80 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY
For more information on Georgian Wine Flight and Food Experience.

 

 

Treat Your Valentine to a Spa Day at QC NY Spa

A day at the spa is always a good idea and makes for the perfect gift of rest and relaxation, especially for Valentine's Day. QC NY Spa on Governor's Island is a retreat from the city without actually having to leave the city. Just a 5-minute ferry ride from downtown, you and your SO can enjoy outdoor panoramic heated spa pools open year-round with unbeatable views of the city skyline. Gift your Valentine a couple's gift certificate (the daily admission for two with all access or the daily admission for two Tuesday-Thursday) and indulge in lush gardens, relaxation areas, steam rooms, and saunas.

Where: Governors Island, 112 Andes Rd, New York, NY
For more information on QC Spa.

 

Play Love Pong at SPIN 23

By combining an unusual mixture of sport, design, and entertainment, SPIN is the original ping pong social club. Grab your boo and go out for a night of friendly competition featuring DJs, specialty cocktails, surprise performances, and more! Tickets include a 2-hour open bar, access to ping-pong tables, paddles, unlimited balls, DJs, dancing, and more.

Where: SPIN 23: 48 E 23rd St, New York, NY
More information on Love Pong at SPIN 23.

 

 

Take a Sunset Cruise

Fall in love with the city all over again on a harbor cruise. Step away from the mayhem and noise of the concrete jungle, and see the glittering skyline from the water with someone special. For an extra romantic date, go on a sunset sail where you'll glide peacefully through the waters of the New York Harbor and take in the majestic colors of the sunset surrounding the Manhattan skyline along with iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Where: Chelsea Piers: near 22nd St on the Hudson River
For more information on NYC Sunset Cruises.

 

  

Dine at Olio e Piú

Olio e Piú is a gorgeous, plant-covered restaurant that stands out in the concrete jungle. They're one of the best restaurants for Valentine's Day in NYC and have one of Manhattan's most distinguishable (and cozy!) outdoor dining setups. With a rustic Italian bistro feel, dining at Olio e Piú feels like stepping into the Neapolitan countryside—even if it’s just for a few hours. Their standout Italian dishes, including a special Valentine’s Day menu, will make your stomach and heart full.

Where: 3 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014
For more information on Oliu e Píu.

 

Paint Outside the Lines at a Creative Art Class

Explore Wonderland Dreams on a guided tour of artist Alexa Meade’s kaleidoscopic immersive art experience featuring bold and mind-bending installations. Then, explore your creative side and enjoy complimentary wine or glitter tea during an hour-long painting lesson with one of the resident artists.

Where: 529 5th Ave, New York, NY
For more information on Paint Outside the Lines.

 

 

Take a Mixology Class (With a Fried Chicken Sampling Included!)

Shake things up and plan an unforgettable date night for you and your SO at a mixology class in an intimate speakeasy-style bar in the East Village. Led by some of the most experienced bartenders in New York City, you and your date will craft two flavorful cocktails and learn what makes a superb drink. You'll also get to enjoy a Pretty Boy sandwich—fried chicken with pickled red onion, cole slaw, and pickles on a potato roll—along with your handcrafted cocktails.

Where: Sincerely, Ophelia: 221 2nd Ave Suite B, New York, NY 10003
For more information on Speakeasy Mixology & Fried Chicken Sampling.

 

Have a Romantic Dinner at Casa La Femme

If you want to go all-out with a romantic Valentine's Day restaurant, look no further than Casa La Femme. Casa La Femme’s charm includes plush decor, romantic florals, a menu with traditional Egyptian food, specialty cocktails, and belly dancing. Make your night extra special with their 5-course Valentine’s Weekend prix-fixe, which boasts a floral installation, a live show featuring belly dancers, a gift bag, romantic music, and an aphrodisiac-themed menu.

Where: 140 Charles St, New York, NY 10014
For more information on Casa La Femme.

 

Enjoy Dinner and a Comedy Show

Treat you and your date to dinner and a show. Attend a Valentine's Special at one of Manhattan's most exclusive dinner parties featuring a 3-course meal paired with your drink of choice (beer, wine, espresso martini, prosecco), plus live jazz, and comedy! Nothing beats being able to share a laugh with someone you love, and with comedians from MTV, Netflix, HBO Max, Comedy Central, and more, you're sure to have a good time.

Where: 78 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
For more information on Dinner and a Comedy Show.

 

 

Book a Private Heated Bubble on Stone Street

Stone Street is named for its iconic cobblestone roads that feel like Europe without requiring that you set foot in JFK. This Valentine's Day you can enjoy an intimate dining experience in your own private igloo, complete with blankets, a mini electric fireplace, and a blue tooth speaker, perfect for setting the mood.

Where: 46 Stone St, New York, NY 10004
For more information on Heated Bubbles on Stone Street. 

 

 

Make a reservation at Bobo

If a romantic restaurant is your idea of a perfect Valentine's date, we've got a spot for you. With a downstairs bar, candle-lit dining room, and back garden patio, Bobo takes over an 1800s West Village townhouse to instantly transport patrons to the French countryside. Serving up French classics, rotating seasonal cocktails, and a three-course Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu, this West Village locale's romantic setting and expansive menu make it ideal for any date, any day of the week.

Where: 181 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014
For more information on Bobo.

 

Take a Handmade Pasta Making Class

Create your own Lady and The Tramp moment with freshly made pasta! In this beginner-friendly class, you'll learn how to make the perfect pasta dough and transform it into beautiful noodles. Then, you'll get to reward yourself by sitting down and enjoying a handmade romantic meal together. We recommend stopping by the bar for a nice glass of wine to pair with your plate of pasta.

Not a pasta person? Check out another cooking class like handmade dumplings, or learn to make the perfect sushi roll! 

Where: Farm to People: 1100 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY
For more information on Classic Handmade Pasta Making Class.

 

 

Enjoy a Night of Jazz

If you're really looking to up the romance factor, make reservations for a jazz show. Somewhere Nowhere hosts Gotham Jazz Nights every Wednesday. Here the band is swinging, the singer singing, the tapper tapping, and a burlesque dancer is peeling away all the layers of the outside world. You and your date will be transported back to the roaring 20s as you enjoy swing lessons, live jazz bands, and complimentary cocktails. There's even a late-night offering from 11:30 pm–1 am for couples who don't want the date to end.

Where: 112 W 25th St, New York, NY
For more information on Gotham Jazz Nights.

 

 

Cozy up at Cathédrale Restaurant

French is known as the language of love, so bring your date to Cathédrale’s and convey your true feelings without saying a word. Their menu features French-Mediterranean cuisine prepared in an open-hearth kitchen, alongside an excellent selection of drinks. A breathtaking dining room modeled after a French opera house cements Cathédrale as one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC.

Where: 112 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003
For more information on Cathédrale Restaurant.

 

Get Messy at an Immersive Art Class

Let loose and paint and draw on doors, walls, ceilings, chairs, and more in a fun and laid-back atmosphere. The art room experience is a great chance to use your imagination and show your fun side. You'll also get to create a 12x16 canvas to take home and display. Clothes protection, varnishing, choice of paints, and canvas are all included!

Where: 28 W. 36th Street, 10th floor, New York, NY
For more information on Shot of Art.

 

 

Have Drinks With A View At cloudM

Get out of the crowds and into the clouds at cloudM. Located 20 floors above the city, this bar takes golden hour to a new level. Boasting panoramic views of the Lower East Side through its 360-degree floor-to-ceiling windows, cloudM sets the scene for a swanky and romantic night out. Whether you want to start the evening with light bites as the sun sets, or end it with a unique craft cocktail surrounded by the sparkling lights of Manhattan, cloudM has you covered.

Where: CitizenM Hotel: 189 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
For more information on cloudM.

 

Wander Through an Art Museum Together

New York is home to hundreds of museums, and there's something so charming about wandering through a museum, exploring art, and learning something new together. The MET is a classic and offers world-class art, plus some dreamy spots like the atrium or the Frank Lloyd Wright room. Other notable museums perfect for Valentine's Day include the Guggenheim, known for its iconic architecture, the Museum of Sex (no explanation needed), and the Whitney, steps away from the High Line, restaurants, and more.

Where: Various locations.
For more information on NYC Museums.

 

Check Out The Rose Room

This Heartbreak Pop-Up Bar isn't romantic per se, but it could be where you meet your next date. The space will be decorated in Valentine's themed decor and will be serving up delicious themed drinks all night long at the open bar. Come and enjoy the night with friends, whether you're single and ready to mingle or just looking for a night out, this is the perfect opportunity to let loose and forget all about your heartbreak.

Where: The DL: Second Floor, 95 Delancey St, New York, NY
For more information on The Rose Room.

 

 

Soak up the Romantic Ambiance at LouLou

This romantic restaurant is so nice they named it twice. The Parisian bistro brings a taste of the city of love to Chelsea. With a très romantique outdoor setup surrounded by floral arrangements, LouLou is the perfect spot for impressing your new date or your partner who already knows your go-to spots and wants to change things up.

Where: 176 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011
For more information on LouLou.

 

Make Your Own Candles

Set the mood with a DIY candlemaking experience. Choose from a wide selection of vessels, scents, and add-ins, then measure, mix, and pour your very own candle in an instructor-led class. Grab a drink and a bite to eat while you wait for your candle to set, and then take it home and get cozy. Bonus: you'll be reminded of your date every time you light it up.

Where: 167 Mott St, New York, NY
For more information on Wick & Pour: Candle Making Experience.

 

 

Dine at Haven Rooftop

All forms of love should be celebrated, whether it’s old, new, or between friends. Haven Rooftop is one of our favorite places to raise a glass and makes for a great Valentine's Day date spot with glowy string lights and dazzling city views. Located in the Theater District, this hot spot alternates its decor per season, making for year-round good vibes and tasty bites.

Where: 15 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
For more information on Haven Rooftop.

 

Go Ice Skating at Wollman Rink

Ice skating is a great date night idea if you're looking for something other than dinner and drinks. Central Park's Wollman Rink is an iconic New York City spot, and you'll face fewer crowds and tourists in February now that the chaos of the holidays has passed. Glide across the ice with Manhattan skyscrapers as your backdrop, and cozy up with a hot chocolate and a romantic stroll through the park when you're done.

Where: Wollman Rink: 830 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065
For more information on New York City ice rinks.

 

Enjoy an Intimate Dinner at Kyma

Kyma brings a piece of Greece to the heart of New York with locations in Flatiron and Hudson Yards. This romantic restaurant's dreamy setup is modeled after a traditional Greek taverna and woven with the stylish island chic of Mykonos. Enjoy a menu full of delicious Greek-inspired seafood and sexy cocktails.

Where:
Flatiron: 15 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
Hudson Yards: 445 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001
For more information on Kyma.

 

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