Travel: Romantic Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day in NYC

LOVE
– Jainny – / Foter / CC BY-ND

 

Whether you’re looking to meet that special someone or celebrating together as a couple, New York City offers a variety of unique and romantic experiences this Valentine’s Day throughout all five boroughs. Take a walk through Central Park, watch a love story unfold on a Broadway stage, view the City’s iconic skyline from the Empire State Building Observatory or the Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center—there are limitless opportunities to have an intimate and romantic New York City experience this month.

“The world’s most romantic destination, New York City is the perfect backdrop for any love story, be it a budding romance or that of lifelong companionship,” said Fred Dixon, interim president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Whether taking a private weekend getaway to one of the City’s premier hotels or experiencing a night of fine dining at a world-class restaurant, all five boroughs offer visitors and residents the opportunity to celebrate on any budget.”

Valentine’s Day events and activities taking place throughout the boroughs include:

Old Hollywood Valentine’s Day: Visit all the sites around New York City where the most famous romantic Hollywood movie scenes have been filmed, including the top of the Empire State Building (Sleepless in Seattle), Marilyn Monroe’s famed subway grate, Upper East Side apartments where Breakfast at Tiffany’s took place and more. (nycgo.com)

On Valentine’s Day, the New York Transit Museum will welcome all the could-be lovers of our transit system to the fourth annual Missed Connections party, celebrating the romantic possibilities for riders of NYC subways, buses and trains. Inspired by Craigslist’s Missed Connections classifieds, this sexy, fun, subterranean event will kick off at6:30pm on Friday, February 14, at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn Heights. Beer will be provided by Brooklyn Brewery. Tastings and raffle prizes are from Boylan Bottling Co., Brittle Barn, Brooklyn Winery, The Chocolate Room, A Cook’s Companion, Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn, Heart and Lights starring the Rockettes, the Nu Hotel and Nunu Chocolates. Tickets:
(https://51281.blackbaudhosting.com/51281/Missed-Connections)

The Best of Tango: Enjoy a night of Tango performances led by world-renowned Latin Grammy winner Maestro Raul Juarena and mingle with the cast afterwards with fine wine and tapas at Thalia Spanish Theatre in Queens. (thaliatheatre.org)

A Valentine Doo-Wop Spectacular: For a Valentine’s Day celebration out in Staten Island, come enjoy a night of classic Rock & Roll and Doo-Wop performances from several acts at the St. George Theatre on February 15, at8pm. (stgeorgetheatre.com)

At The Morgan Library & Museum, just a short walk from Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station, check outThe Little Prince: A New York Story. This is the first exhibition to explore in-depth the creative decisions Antoine de Saint-Exupéry made as he crafted his beloved story that reminds us that what matters most can only be seen with the heart. Through April 27. (themorgan.org)

Tropical Paradise at the Botanical Garden: Enjoy a Valentine’s Day date in the Bronx on February 14 and 15 at The New York Botanical Garden with dark chocolate, bubbly beverages and plant-based aphrodisiacs at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. (nybg.org)

The Rejection Show Valentine’s Day Heartbreak Haven: Brooklyn’s Littlefield hosts the cult-favorite comedy series, The Rejection Show, which will regale the audience with an evening of its best breakup, heartbreak and love-related performances. Located in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn. (littlefieldnyc.com)

Sweeter than Sugar Valentine’s Tour: Walk hand in hand down the High Line with hot chocolate, exploring Chelsea and the West Village while tasting six delectable desserts along the way. The tour goes for about 2½ hours. (sugartoothtours.com)

Literary Speed Dating: On February 13, Housing Works Bookstore Café hosts a night of speed dating in Lower Manhattan where guests will be paired based on their favorite book and what they are currently reading. (housingworks.org)

Valentine’s Day Cooking Class: Dos Caminos on Park Avenue hosts a three-hour cooking class February 8 in which guests will learn to craft cocktails and specialty dishes. Includes a sit-down lunch, cocktails and recipes. (doscaminos.com)

Prospect Park’s Valentine’s Day 5K: Join Brooklyn Road Runners for the annual Valentine’s Day 5K in Prospect Park February 9. A dining gift card for a romantic restaurant in Park Slope is awarded to the fastest couple! (cnyrunning.com) 

Valentine’s Weekend Spectacular: This special event at the Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City is the ultimate date night in Queens, with a lineup of male and female headliners exploring each romantic viewpoint. Drinks are included with every ticket. (laughingdevil.com)

Valentine’s Day in Times Square: For couples of all sorts, Times Square on Valentine’s Day is the place to get married, renew vows or admire Valentine’s Day public art right in the heart of the City. Ceremonies will take place in front of the Sixth Annual Heart Design—while currently fully reserved, visitors can place their names on a wait list. (timessquarenyc.org)

Valentine’s Day Lunch Cruise Aboard the Bateaux New York: Enjoy the sounds of Bateaux New York’s own pianist/vocalist performing a variety of familiar favorites while dining on Manhattan’s only all-glass vessel. Guests will enjoy a decadent three-course luncheon, with a backdrop of some of New York City’s most famous sights. (entertainmentcruises.com)

In addition, visitors can take advantage of several Valentine’s Day and romantic-themed hotel packagesthroughout the City:

Affinia Manhattan (Manhattan): Love in New York package includes dessert for two, rose petal turndown service and a bottle of wine in your room, courtesy of the hotel’s on-site Niles NYC Restaurant & Bar.

Andaz Wall Street (Manhattan): Valentine’s Day weekend package includes a two-night stay, in-room champagne, side-by-side massages, breakfast in bed and specialty sweets.

The Conrad New York (Manhattan): This over-the-top package includes luxurious suite accommodations, round-trip private car transfers, three-course dinner, private helicopter tour, in-suite couples massages, a one-of-a-kind floral arrangement, champagne, continental breakfast in bed and more.

Mandarin Oriental (Manhattan): Ignite the spark on Valentine’s Day at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental. The “Magic Over Manhattan” package provides couples with a three-hour relaxing escape in the private spa suite, featuring its own steam room and soaking tub, time ritual treatments, wine, specialty sweets and more.

The Peninsula (Manhattan): “Cupid Concierge” weekend package: All-inclusive stay includes two-dozen long-stem red roses, luxury transportation to the hotel, a champagne toast, four-course dinner, a couples massage and breakfast in bed.

Enjoy two R Romantic Getaways at the Renaissance New York Hotel 57 and Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel (Manhattan), complete with cocktails, sweet treats, breakfast for two, candles and a Valentine’s Couples Local Navigator Guide with recommendations for romantic spots to check out during your stay. Those staying in Times Square will be welcomed with Baked by Melissa cupcakes over the Valentine’s Day weekend.

W Hotels (Manhattan): Love and Lust packages: Couples can choose between two extravagant packages this Valentine’s Day, both of which were designed to engage all five senses with hand-selected items that will create the perfect couples getaway.

Z NYC Hotel (Queens): The Insider Shopping Package is perfect for a girls’ getaway this Valentine’s Day, offering deluxe guest room accommodations overlooking the Manhattan skyline, a customized three-hour shopping tour with a fashion industry professional and after-shopping cocktails and “show-and-tell” in the Z Lounge.

Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites (Staten Island): Eat. Love. Stay. Enjoy a delicious three-course Valentine’s Day dinner at Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret, a romantic overnight getaway including in-room champagne and breakfast buffet, as well as couples massages at Luxe Salon and Spa.

And for those seeking a specialty cocktail, try the Cupid’s Arrow at the Barclay Bar, located in the lobby of theInterContinental Barclay. Bartender and mixologist Jose Torrella has designed a tantalizing libation by dipping into the bar’s over 90 varieties of Calvados. Through February. (intercontinentalbarclay.com).

Author: NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.