Romantic New York City Vacation

Skyline Views, Shopping, Hotels!

There are tons of things to do on your romantic New York City vacation. Of course, romance is how you approach it, so many of our best attractions are equally fun for a romantic couple and a family, but we do have a few sexy hotels and museums, adult dinner cruises, restaurants and other fun sights just for adults celebrating their romance in NYC.

Romantic New York City Hotel Deals

Some of our top Romantic NYC Hotels include:

• Sanctuary Hotel - "clean rooms, very sexy lighting - ideal for romantic get away"
• Library Hotel NYC - Love or Erotica Rooms (photo)
• Royalton - Suites with Fireplaces

See our Insider Guides to dozens more Romantic New York City Hotel Deals and Jacuzzi Hotels NYC in Room

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See the New York City Skyline

If I had to pick my #1 favorite thing to do in NYC at night, it would be anything with a skyline view. Whether you take it in from a rooftop, boat tour, bus tour, dinner cruise, top of a skyscraper or your friend's apartment...you MUST see our skyline twinkle, sparkle and wink right at you. Some of the top ways to see the NYC Skyline:

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Sunset Sail Cruise NYC Aboard Schooner Adirondack

We went on the Sunset Sail aboard the Schooner Adirondack two hour sail and it was breathtaking! The views of Manhattan skyline, World Trade Center, New Jersey, Governors Island, Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty and not to be missed. Drinks are included with your ticket, but feel free to stop and bring a picnic to watch the sunset while you sail along the West Side Highway.

The crew was wonderful and made sure we received our 3 included drinks throughout the cruise. We captured beautiful views of downtown Manhattan, including the World Trade Center, and then sailed past the Statue of Libery and Ellis Island. Lady Liberty glowed and lit up the sky in the evening just as the sun was setting.

Book Now: Classic Harbor Cruises

Champagne Brunch or Wine Tasting Sail

Try a wine tasting, feast on a plentiful brunch buffet, sushi dinner and more choices…all while taking in New York’s legendary skyline.

• Wine & Cheese Pairing Classes on Yacht Manhattan
• Around Manhattan Brunch Cruise
• Sunset Sail

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Romantic Broadway Shows

Nothing like a good love story told or sung on the world’s most famous stages on the Great White Way. Some top romantic picks include:

Celebrities on Broadway

• McNeal – Robert Downey Jr. (Sept 5-Nov 4, 2024)
• Our Town – Jim Parsons, Katie Holmes & Zoey Deutch (Sept 17 2024 – Jan 19, 2025)
• Left on Tenth – Julianna Margulies & Peter Gallagher (Sept 26 2024 – Open Run)
• Redwood – Idina Menzel (Jan 24, 2025 – Open Run)
• Good Night, and Good Luck – George Clooney (Spring 2025)
• Othello – Denzel Washington & Jake Gyllenhaal (Spring 2025)
• All In: Comedy About Love – John Mulaney (Dec 11, 2024-January 12, 2025) w Renée Elise Goldsberry (December 11-30). Lin-Manuel Miranda (Jan 14- Feb 16, 2025) w Andrew Rannells (January 14-26), Jimmy Fallon (January 28-February 2) ++
• Audra McDonald will take on the legendary role of Rose in Gypsy this fall.
• Scherzinger will bring her acclaimed performance as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard to Broadway this fall.

See More: List of Broadway Shows and How to See Celebrities in NYC

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NYC Boat Tours Cruises

NYC Boat tours cruises are one of my FAVORITE things to do in NYC. There are no better views of our skyline than from the water and year-round, you can cruise with brunch, champagne, general sightseeing, dinner, booze, jazz, sailboat, speedboat, holiday, romantic. With so many boat cruise choices, here are our top picks by category:

• Romantic: Sunset Sail aboard the Schooner Adirondack
• Family Dinner: New York Dinner Cruise
• General Sightseeing: Circle Line
• Brunch: Around Manhattan Brunch Cruise
• Most Fun: Holiday Yacht Cruise with Jazz, Cocoa & Carols (winter), Beast Speedboat (summer)

See all our Top Picks: NYC Boat Tours Cruises

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Museum of Sex NYC

If you’re ready to take sex seriously, then a visit to the Museum of Sex is your next stop. The Museum is actually quite educational and does a great job at encouring public enlightenment, discourse and engagement on a variety of worldwide issues. Of course, some of the exhibits do have their sexy side.

Visitors must be 18 years of age or older to enter the museum and 21 to consume alcohol onsite. Admission is included in New York Pass and a choice on the New York Explorer Pass.

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More New York City Vacation

• Walk the Highline
• Valentine’s Day in New York City

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Lincoln Center - Opera, Ballet, NY Philharmonic, Jazz, Broadway

You really haven't been to NYC until you experience THE beating heart of our Arts & Culture scene, Lincoln Center, home to the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, NYC Ballet, Julliard School, Broadway and so much more. See what NYC's (always amazing) classic cultural scene has to offer while you are here.

More: Lincoln Center Venue Guide

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Classic Harbor Line Boat Cruises

Sail Manhattan on one of three classic yachts — the Schooner Adirondack and the Schooner America 2.0 (sailboats), and the Luxury Yacht Manhattan or Manhattan II (motorized yacht) on an amazing variety of cruises.

Romantic Things to Do in NYC

There are tons of things to do on your romantic New York City vacation. Attractions open late with skyline views, Central Park Tours, VIP Experiences, a helicopter ride. Some of the most popular romantic ways to see NYC include:

See more romantic things to do at: Romantic New York City Vacation and Valentine's Day in NYC

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Central Park Guided Sunset Tour

Enjoy a leisurely pace, while you stop to look at and learn about 27 spots, including Shakespeare Garden, Bethesda Fountain, the carousel, Tavern on the Green Restaurant, Bow Bridge, Heckscher Ballfield, the Strawberry Fields John Lennon memorial and the elm-lined mallway promenade. Wear comfortable shoes on this 2 hour (and 2.5 mile) sunset walking tour, with a licensed tour guide chock full of charm and information leading the way.

When you’re done, try getting a dinner reservation at the Loeb Boathouse, one of my favorite restaurants in NYC, or the recently re-opened Tavern on the Green.

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Romantic New York City Vacation Reader Question:

My boyfriend and I are planning a 3 day trip (Sun-Wed) and are interested in the beautiful views of New York, shopping, cuisine and nice neighbourhoods. We are staying at W New York. We really want to be “tourists” during the trip but, of course, we also want to have a look at New York as you (insiders) do. -by Eline, Mexico

NYC Insider Guide Answer:

Great choice on your hotel (formerly the W New York, now The Washington,), right on 49th and Lex with the world famous Bliss Spa, Rande Gerber’s Whiskey Blue (a hot spot), close to subway, walking distance to Midtown, Rock Center, MOMA, Broadway and Times Square.

Let’s start with my ideal night in the Meatpacking District.

• If you head down earlier in the day, browse around Theory, DVF, Jeffrey (shoes!), Stella McCartney and the other great stores.
• Eat at any of the Meatpacking District’s Romantic Restaurants like, Revel, The Chester or even at the Whitney Museum.
• Walk off dinner by checking out the Highline, NYC’s newest outdoor, second level park/walkway that runs from Meatpacking to Chelsea. It used to be an above ground railroad. Have a seat on one of the double wood lounge chairs and take in the view.
• Come back down Little W 12th Street, have a cocktail at Plunge, the rooftop bar at the Gansevoort Hotel and/or one outside at the newly opened Standard Hotel (where I saw 3 celebs last Sat night).  
• Given your hotel location, I say skip the ESB and go to Top of the Rock – Compare for yourself and also check the Midtown East restaurant recs (above)
• See one or two Museums
• Spend time in Central Park, maybe eat at The Boathouse, rent bicycles or just walk around
• Walk around the West Village for more eating and shopping. My favorite restaurants there are Spotted Pig, Blue Ribbon and Extra Virgin.
• If you come down to Union Square – try Casa Mono, Union Square Café or Gotham Bar and Grill
• When you go downtown, walk around Wall Street, see the Statue of Liberty (using an NYC Insider way), see the 9-11 Memorial and Museum, or check out the new One World Observatory, shop at Century 21 and maybe check out the South Street Seaport.
• For more ideas, check out the One Day Itineraries from my NYC friends 

Celebrate Anniversary in NYC Reader Question:

Hello! My husband and I are celebrating our 10 yr anniversary, with our 1st trip to NYC!! So excited! Anyways, we are 28 yrs old… and staying at the Hotel Indigo, Chelsea (127 W 28th St).

We enjoy the “touristy” stuff… so any suggestions on entertainment, food (nothing too fancy), attractions etc… would be great! Staying for 5 nights @ the end of March…THANKS! – by Melissa(FL)

NYC Insider Guide Answer:

Hi Melissa (great name) and Happy Anniversary. All the typical tourist attractions can be very romantic. The views from Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building, walking through Central Park, the Space Show at AMNH and most everything you will do.

Here are the highlights of what’s in the Hotel Indigo, Chelsea area (GREAT hotel choice!!!):

First, please read our neighborhood guide to Union Square/Flatiron district and the free map.

You are 3-4 blocks from the Flatiron Building, Empire State Building, Madison Square Park (grab a burger at Shake Shack), the Ace Hotel (great lobby bar with live music and a cool, 20’s crowd), A Voce is considered one of the most romantic restaurants in the city and 230 Fifth is an outdoor rooftop club (no cover charge, but the during the week, it’s not as crowded and you can have a nice dinner) with palm trees, heat lamps and a beautiful view of the skyline.

Hope that helps!

Comments

Romantic Dining Options
by: Anrew

Obviously in NYC there are thousands of choices and everyone has an opinion. But I think you should definitely make your way to Alta for tapas one night for dinner, its one of the most romantic old style feeling places i’ve been to here, amazing food, good prices, and great service. For a very new york dinner, i suggest a meal at Landmarc at the Time Warner center, it’s hip, trendy, but not over the top, great wine menu with great prices and a pretty stunning view looking down on central park from Columbus Circle.

Romantic
by: NYC Insider Guide

Anrew is spot on – I LOVE Alta! Wrote about it in my diary, “Dinner at Alta, AMAZING Tapas in a converted brownstone (10th b/w 5th and 6th)” A very similar place, but Italian, is Crispo. Crispo (now closed – 14th and 8th Ave). Great Italian food and decor, hidden gem. Definitely try the Spagetti Carbonara, perfectly al dente with the egg on top. Landmarc is great, especially for brunch, and I always recommend the Boathouse in Central Park. One of my favorite places in the City.

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