New York City For Couples

For couples looking for a romantic escape, New York City offers an array of ambient experiences. From carriage rides through Central Park to making your own chocolates and rooftop restaurants offering postcard-worthy skyline views, you’ll be able to create new and unforgettable memories with your loved one in the Big Apple. To help you plan a romantic itinerary in New York City, here are some suggestions.

Take A Carriage Ride Through Central Park

Okay, so it’s touristy. You can’t deny snuggling with your loved one in the back of a horse-drawn carriage through the ponds, gardens and woodland of Central Park isn’t romantic. That being said, if you’re the type of couple who would rather enjoy NYC’s romantic experiences like a local, explore the park on foot and take a stroll through the Shakespeare Gardens, view the skyline from on top of Belvedere Castle, stroll hand-in-hand through the Conservatory Garden or have a picnic on the lake of Bow Bridge, which is similar in shape to the bow of a violinist.

Make Your Own Chocolate

Chocolate is possibly the most romantic food in the world. Instead of simply eating the decadent treat, bond with your sweetheart while learning something new and make your own chocolate. At Tache Chocolate (254 Broome Street) they host chocolate making classes in their chocolate factory so you can learn the process from start to finish -- and leave with your own artisanal, beautifully-packaged sweets like mustache lollipops, caramel kisses, chocolate bars or a creative invention you dream up yourself. If you’d rather just relax and immerse yourself in a world of chocolate, head to Max Brenner, Chocolate By The Bald Man (841 Broadway) where you can peruse and sample in their chocolate shop or sit down for a cocoa feast. Their menu includes every chocolate concoction you can image: Chocolate fondues, crepes, pizzas, bagels, drinks, truffles, cakes, cookies, shakes, and, their most romantic dessert, the “Melting Chocolate Truffle Heart Cake & Shake” served with vanilla ice cream, red berries and an iced milk chocolate shot.

Sample NYC’s Rooftop Dining Culture

Savoring a romantic meal while gazing out over the city skyline allows you and your hunny to share a special moment together. Luckily, New York City is full of rooftop restaurants for couples wanting romance in New York City. While Upstairs at the Kimberly (145 East 50th Street) is a swanky lounge offering farm-to-table tapas and front row views of the Chrysler Building, Hotel Chantelle (92 Ludlow Street) serves up French Mediterranean cuisine, live musical entertainment and cityscape vistas in the Lower East Side. As rooftop dining is a popular activity for couples, reservations are recommended no matter where you decide to dine.

Do The Tango

While there are plenty of dance clubs in New York City, no style of dance is more sultry and romantic than tango. Couples should try their luck at one of the city’s milongas, see a tango show or take a tango class. At La Belle Epoque Tango Club (140 2nd Avenue), you can enjoy tango classes on Fridays (7:30pm beginners; 8:30pm intermediate/advanced) followed by a live tango performance. It’s free for just the class; $10 for just the show; and $15 for the class and show. Additionally, the Astoria Tango Factory (41-01 Broadway, Astoria) hosts everything from tango classes to tango shows to tango folklore exhibitions.

Walk Over The Brooklyn Bridge

There are two reasons why this is a top romantic experience in New York City. For one, you and your sweetheart can take in 360-degree views of the surrounding boroughs as well as see iconic attractions like Statue of Liberty, East River, New York Harbor and Williamsburg Bridge. The walk is especially beautiful at night when the Manhattan skyline is twinkling an array of colors. Additionally, if you start on the Manhattan side and make your way toward Brooklyn you and your significant other will be able to enjoy Dumbo’s waterfront restaurants, gallery hop, and lounge in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Make sure to ride the carousel to add some silliness to the experience.

Looking for additional New York activities? Check out our post on NYC Sights You May Not Know.

Do you have a favorite romantic activity in New York City? Let us know in the comments below.

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.