New York City in winter is one of the most romantic places on earth.
One can easily picture a couple, strolling hand in hand, as a soft snowfall blankets Central Park. While often quite chilly, there are few cities with as cheerful an atmosphere or as wonderful winter goings-on.
We compiled a short list of 5 of the best winter activities for a romantic weekend getaway, to give you and your partner a variety of ideas for your next winter trip into the City.
After all, the city that never sleeps doesn’t hibernate in the winter and you’ll find plenty of ways to cozy up here this time of year.
1. Enjoy a Romantic River Cruise
Take in breathtaking views of the city aboard the 1920s style Yacht “Manhattan”. The city skyline is a beautiful backdrop for a romantic evening or afternoon with your loved one. The Classic Harbor Line offers several Winter Sightseeing Cruises, including a particularly romantic Champagne City Lights Cruise.
Step into another era when you board the enclosed vessel and take in iconic sites of the city while enjoying a complimentary beverage. This 1.5-hour tour is available on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. now through March 3rd.
Step Aboard a Luxury Yacht
If you’ll be in NYC during the ultimate romantic holiday, Valentine’s Day, you’re invited to celebrate your love aboard the luxury Yacht Manhattan II. Cruise the shoreline of New York City while staying warm and cozy inside a climate controlled yacht designed to deliver an intimate and quiet city lights cruise. Space is limited for this 1.75-hour romantic yachting experience.
2. Get Flirty at a Discreet Bar
For a truly unique drinking experience, take a trip to the Flatiron District. There you’ll find the velvet and wood-lined Raines Law Room. This speakeasy-style mixology bar is one of the most discreet you’ll find around town. Dimly lit and utterly romantic, each booth has its privacy curtains, as well as doorbells that ring the cocktail waitress upon request.
If it’s a golden-age and speakeasy vibe you seek, visit Dear Irving and you’ll lose track of time in its luxurious setting. Deemed the “most gorgeous bar in Manhattan” by the Gothamist, this Gramercy lounge comes to you from the operators of Raines Law Room. The space is divided into period-piece quarters, including a Victorian parlor and a JFK room. Your cocktail waitress, who will be wearing a floor-length gown, is available at the press of a button at your table and will deliver to you handcrafted cocktails of traditional spirits and new tastes.
Before or after, stroll up a few blocks to Gramercy Park, and steal a kiss in front of the tree. Walk a few more blocks west to see the iconic Flatiron Building at night and grab a coffee.
3. Ice Skating in Central Park is perfect for a romantic NYC weekend
Hold hands and glide across the pristine ice in two venues located in Central Park: the Wollman Rink (located on the East side, near the Central Park Zoo) or the Lasker Rink (located mid-Park between 106th and 108th Streets).
Take in the twinkling lights of the skyscrapers overhead as you lace up your skates, which are available for rent at both locations, and go ‘round and ‘round in this romantic setting. The Wollman Rink is open during the day and into the evening hours as late as 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The Lasker Rink is open during daytime hours, and 6:00 -11:00 p.m. on Fridays and 1:00 -11:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
As an added bonus, especially if you’re at Lasker Rink, make a stop by Belvedere Castle. This castle looks right out of a romantic period piece movie, and it’s right in the middle of Central Park. With a blanket of snow, the castle is a must-see.
4. Visit a Museum (Like the Whitney Museum of American Art)
Let’s start with the Whitney Museum of American Art, more commonly known as The Whitney. First off, it’s totally new as of 2016—revamped and more beautiful than ever. With new exhibition openings and events always taking place, The Whitney offers an exclusive look into 20th century and contemporary art by American artists, most of whom are still living.
Walk the Line
The High Line, a 1.45-mile-long linear park built on an elevated section of a no longer utilized New York Central Railroad spur called the West Side Line. The park runs from 12th street (right outside The Whitney) to 34th street. It’ll be chilly outside, sure, but you and your special someone will have the magnificent views largely to yourselves. Try finding that in the summer.
Visit what is arguably the most romantic museum in existence, The Cloisters. A branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters Museum and Gardens are perched atop a grassy hill in Fort Tyron Park—an easy subway ride away.
While you’ll have to wait until the spring to see the gardens in full bloom, you’ll have the already intimate space almost to yourselves during this time of year. The warm, often velvet-lined interior of the museum makes it a perfect little winter getaway destination. The Cloisters is open seven days a week, and during the month of February, hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
5. Take a Stroll with a Romantic City View
Named one of the five most romantic places for a New York City proposal by Trip Savvy, the Brooklyn Bridge with its immense granite towers and thick steel cables boasts perhaps the most majestic panoramic views of the city. Take a stroll on the bridge and as you cross the East River with your special someone watch the sun set, followed by a lovely dinner at a nearby restaurant.
However, we encourage you to resist the urge to inscribe your initials on a padlock and fasten it to the bridge.
The City no longer allows this tradition and will promptly remove your lock. Instead, enjoy your conversation and the spectacular view of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and Governors Island.
Some cities are best suited for a particular season, but New Yorker’s are fortunate to live in a city that offers romantic settings in every season.
Winter is a wonderful time to snuggle up with your loved one while sharing a hot beverage indoors, or you can breathe in the fresh, crisp air during a scenic stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge.
There are many more unique and romantic activities to enjoy during a New York City winter getaway. We invite you to share with us your favorite way to stay warm when the temperatures drop.
As you and your partner explore the City, simply enjoy the city lights, which seem to sparkle just a bit brighter in the cold, and take in the understated beauty that is New York City under a layer of snow as fine as confectionary sugar.
