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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and winter weather filling the month’s forecast, there’s no better time to explore romantic date ideas in New York City. We can picture it now – A couple adorned in winter attire walking hand-in-hand down a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk with a picturesque backdrop of freshly-fallen snow. Their days are filled with fun while their evenings overflow with entertainment. From ice skating and painting to Broadway shows and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookies, New York City is full of romantic things to do.
With Park Terrace Hotel as your central base and bedtime abode, be sure to add these ten romantic dates ideas to your NYC itinerary.
Just across the street from the Park Terrace Hotel sits the acclaimed Bryant Park. As one of the top urban green spaces in the city, Bryant Park is brimming with activities year-round, but when winter arrives, the green space is transformed into a magical frozen lake surrounded by shops, eateries and pop-up igloos.
Even after the holidays pass, the shops close and the new year begins, the ice skating rink remains. As the only FREE ice skating rink in New York City, you can understand its mounting popularity. Whether you bring your own skates or rent them (for a small fee), plan to book a skating time slot for your next winter date in NYC.
After ice skating, continue the romance by reserving a 90-minute session inside a Cozy Igloo, located just steps from the rink. Each igloo features clear dome-shaped walls, intimate seating and a warm escape after an icy adventure. Two packages are available – both of which include drinks and appetizers.
Looking for more ice skating adventures for two? Rockefeller Center and Central Park also have ice skating rinks open through the winter months, but require an entrance fee.
Imagine twelve vintage bowling lanes, a 100-foot bar, four big-screen TVs, freshly-made brick oven pizzas and 24 American craft beers on tap. The Gutter made this dream a reality. As one of the Lower East Sides’ newest activities, The Gutter provides a unique twist on an ancient sport with a rich American history.
Located just across from Essex Market, between Delancey & Broome St, The Gutter is “adults only” after 7:00 p.m. Grab a pie and a pint, lace up your bowling shoes and get ready for a NYC date night to remember.
Prepare for an activity oozing with creativity, inspiration and beauty. Painting Lounge is a local painting studio for aspiring artists, beginning painters and anyone looking for a fun first date idea in NYC. Their newest location can be found in Midtown, just a few blocks from the Park Terrace Hotel.
For $50, painters are provided with all the necessary supplies (a pre-traced canvas, paints, brushes and an easel) and a knowledgeable instructor who walks the class through each step of the painting process. Don’t forget to grab your favorite wine, spirit or locally brewed IPA on the way because each painting session is BYOB.
Couples will have the option to paint their own personal work of art or work together to create two halves of a whole painting. You’ll notice that many paintings at Painting Lounge are inspired by the greats of art history. Recreations include pieces by Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso. You can also find retro recreations by Andy Warhol, as well as modern pieces from painters like Afremov.
What could be more “New York” than attending a Broadway show? While everyone has their muse, Broadway boasts several incredible productions this winter. Here are a few of our favorites if you’re planning a romantic anniversary or date this winter in NYC:
Get ready for a theatre experience like no other in five simple steps.
Another classic New York experience is visiting an intimate jazz club for drinks, dinner and diversion. The Flatiron Room is a jazz bar that will offer any swooning couple that exact experience. Discover fine spirits, creative cocktails, live jazz every night of the week, a swanky dining menu and quaint candle-lit tables for two.
If you plan on visiting The Flatiron Room for Valentine’s Day, be sure to make a reservation. The evening will include show-stopping jazz music, a special three-course dinner menu and, of course, a wide selection of libations.
Nearly 1,500 feet above the city streets, the Empire State Building stands tall and prominent. Guests were welcomed back in 2021 to celebrate the 90th birthday of the building, honoring the brave individuals who worked to construct the world’s tallest building (at the time) in 1931.
Couples will delight in the breathtaking views from the 86th-floor open-air observatory and 102nd-floor, glass-walled observatory. There’s also a special guided tour available that gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the ESB and its vibrant history. On your way to the top of the building, stop by the 2nd and 80th floors and immerse yourself in more than 10 special exhibits depicting everything from the construction of the building to photographs of the A-list celebrities who’ve visited the ESB. It is truly an iconic date activity for your NYC adventure.
Here are three things you need to know about visiting the Empire State Building.
The main building of the New York Public Library is more than just fours walls filled with books. A visit to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is like a visit to one of NYC’s finest museums – for FREE. From the Beaux-Arts architecture to the historic Rose Main Reading Room, the library is bursting with culture, history, heritage, art, design and so much more.
Many locals and visitors alike have heard of Patience and Fortitude, the oversized marble lion statues that border the entrance of the library. Don’t forget to snap a photo or two with your sweetheart flanked by these majestic creatures during your visit. They are just one of the many reasons to add a visit to the New York Public Library to your list of romantic things to do in NYC this winter.
Plan a couple’s photoshoot to commemorate your romantic trip to the Big Apple. With a variety of services that offer a tour guide or photographer to lead you to the city’s best photo spots, it’s easy to capture your favorite romantic moments in NYC. If you desire more one-on-one time, consider using this list of the 31 best places to take a photo in NYC. You’ll find 14 of them are located in Manhattan, nearby the Park Terrace Hotel.
City Winery is featuring a new pop-up location at Rockefeller Center. The quaint outdoor wine garden is the perfect place to share a warm drink on a cold evening. Couples will appreciate the spacious seating areas with plenty of privacy for an intimate date night conversation. Sip on a mug of hot chocolate, a pint of locally-brewed beer or a glass of bubbly complimented by a small plate of snacks. The Rockefeller Center Wine Garden is open seven days a week until 10:00 p.m., weather permitting.
Conclude your night out on the town by indulging in the best chocolate chip cookie in the city! Located just around the corner from the Park Terrace Hotel, you’ll find Culture Espresso. This eclectic coffee shop serves artfully designed coffee creations with intricate foam designs. In addition to their beautiful appearance, the coffee is top-notch. Pair this with a warm, freshly-baked chocolate chip cookie – there’s no better way to end a romantic date night in NYC.