Discover the magic of romance in the Big Apple with these five date ideas, taken from a local’s point of view.
Love is always in the air when in New York City. Rain, snow, or shine, the options for a memorable date are endless.
NYC is home to everything anyone could possibly imagine doing on a date. Anyone can find themselves in front of a museum, a cafe, a mall, a park, a stadium, or anything really.
Without further a due, here are the 15 best date ideas in NYC:
#1: Color Factory NYC
Looking for a fun and immersive unique experience? The Color Factory is right for you!
Located in SoHo, the Color Factory contains 14 unique art exhibits that people can do together with their friends and partners. Activities include drawing, tasting treats, and jumping into the ball pit!
The best part about this facility is that there are endless opportunities to take great pictures. There are vibrant colors throughout the facility and a beautiful atmosphere throughout the experience.
Overall, the Color Factory is a great place to fool around with your significant other while taking photos to remember it.
The experience lasts about 90 minutes and tickets can be purchased here
#2: Museum of Ice Cream
If you love ice cream, then scream!
NYC’s Museum of Ice Cream is another highly engaging experience. Much like the Color Factory, there are endless opportunities to capture the moment throughout the facility.
As the name would imply, the museum is full of ice cream related exhibits and activities. And of course, people get to try different flavors of ice cream as well.
In addition, there are other sweets to try at the museum. If you’re looking to goof around with your partner, this is another great place to visit.
The Museum of Ice Cream can be explored in 90 minutes and tickets can be purchased here
#3: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Perhaps NYC’s most famous museum, the Met is the Americas’ largest museum and the fourth largest in the world.
The Met has over two million works spread across 17 departments. To put it simply, the museum can’t be explored completely in one day.
Furthermore, the Met offers a thing called Date Night at the Met over the weekend. During this period, the museum is open for extended hours and couples can enjoy art while hearing live music. Sometimes, there can even be food and drink options on such nights.
Certain date nights will have certain themes too. Specifics will vary, so it is good to check the Met’s website for updates.
Tickets to the Met can be purchased at the museum or online. If you are a student, admission is free as long as you have your school ID.
#4: Central Park
The most famous park in the world is nothing short of romantic.
Take a stroll through Central Park and get lost while walking. The views are amazing anywhere in the park and there is plenty to do.
Have a picnic with your partner or just sit at a random rock and relax. Additionally, visit the Central Park Zoo or go on a canoe at the lake. There are also horse carriages if that’s something people are interested in.
Activities can vary year-round, such as ice skating and the canoes. However, there is always plenty to see when walking around the park. Get lost and explore!
#5: Hudson Yards/High Line
One of the most modern parts of NYC, the Hudson Yards are a great place to walk around by anytime.
The area is highlighted by the Hudson Yards Mall, the Vessel, and the Edge. All three are massive and impressive structures that will blow people’s minds.
Regarding the Edge, it serves as an observatory near the Hudson River, providing breathtaking views of NYC. The mall is located in the same building, with plenty of shops to choose from and restaurants as well.
On the other hand, the Vessel is a beautifully designed piece of architecture where people used to be able to walk on. It is currently closed, but hopefully it will one day open again.
Hudson Yards also happens to be located at the end of the High Line, a 1.45-mile elevated linear public park. People can walk the High Line to get from Hudson Yards to Gansevoort St.
All that being said, the Hudson Yards is perfect to wander around and explore with your partner!
#6: Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock is another observatory deck in NYC.
Located near the Rockefeller Center, this observatory provides great views of the entire city. The location is conveniently in the middle of NYC.
Best of all, the Top of the Rock provides the best views of Central Park, without a doubt.
The experience lasts about 90 minutes and tickets can be purchased here
#7: Times Square
They don’t say New York City is the city that never sleeps for no reason.
In Times Square, it is always rush hour. It always super lively in the area as well. Live music, crowds of people, endless billboards, bright lights, endless honking, you name it.
Consequently, there is always something to find in Times Square. Walking around the area will leave anyone amazed at the abundance of activities to do.
Whether it be bar hopping, bowling, shopping, eating, or wandering around, Times Square is a good choice for a random getaway with your partner.
#8: Madame Tussauds
Ain’t no wax figures like the ones from Madame Tussauds.
With over 200 wax figures, Madame Tussauds in NYC is a fun place to explore with your partner. Take funny pictures, go through the horror section together, or simply admire the pieces of art.
Exploring the museum takes about two hours and tickets can be purchased at the museum or online
#9: Broadway Show
One of the many staples NYC has to offer, there are plenty of shows to watch on Broadway.
In fact, there is typically around 40-50 shows running on Broadway at any given time. For example, there is Wicked, The Lion King, Aladdin, Hamilton, and so many more options.
Shows are typically two to two and a half hours long including intermissions. Cuddle up with your partner and enjoy the show!
Tickets can be purchased here
#10: Empire State Building
Another one of New York City’s staples, the Empire State Building doesn’t dissapoint!
Take your partner on a journey through the Empire State Building and ultimately reach the top of the building. Exhibits include a massive size King Kong, a walk past some memories of celebrities that have visited the building, and an exhibit on the history of the building.
The experience lasts about 90 minutes and tickets can be purchased here
#11: Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a small but wonderful park to walk around. It has its own library and is full of events all year round.
Grab your partner one day to simply eat lunch at the park or have a picnic in the grass. Attend one of the events the park has to offer such as live music or the Winter Village.
Explore Grand Central after walking around the park or go to Times Square. Or simply walk down 5th Avenue and see what there is to see.
#12: Lower West Side
Manhattan has plenty of landmarks on the lower west side. There’s a shopping mall, boat tours, parks, and the famous Wall Street bull.
Truthfully, someone can go a whole afternoon or morning walking around the lower west side. Additionally, there are plenty of food shops and souvenir shops in this part of the city.
Furthermore, people can ride the Staten Island Ferry for free and get views of the Statue of Liberty, Governor’s Island, and Ellis Island.
Hold your partner’s hand the whole day while walking around this part of NYC.
#13: 34th Street
34th Street is home to some of the most iconic places in the city.
Penn Station, the Madison Square Garden, the world’s largest Macy’s, and Union Square are all on 34th. Even Hudson Yards is on 34th.
As a result, people can go shopping, attend a game/concert, ride the train, or just explore 34th Street.
No plans needed with your partner, just legs to walk.
#14: SoHo
SoHo is best known for its many shops and immersive art experiences.
The Museum of Ice Cream was already covered, but there is also the Museum of Sex, Museum of Fashion, among others. Additionally, the shops are very vibrant and range from anything in clothing to dessert shops.
No plans needed as well, just the energy to walk and explore.
#15: World Trade Center
The World Trade Center is a historical part of NYC’s history. After the 9/11 tragedy, the city redeveloped the area to make it more modern.
In fact, there is now an underground mall in the area that looks like a bird on the outside. In addition, there is the 9/11 memorial which is just massive, and people can see one of the reconstructed Twin Towers.
Visiting the World Trade Center is a cool experience with your partner, especially as you see the massive architecture in the area.
All that being said, NYC is truly a home run for date ideas. All it takes is curiosity and the world will be at both you and your partner’s feet.
