The best things to do for Valentine’s Day in NYC

Give your Valentine's celebrations an immersive edge at Mercer Labs, which will be commemorating the lovey-dovey holiday with special limited-time packages from February 12 through 16. For couples and friends celebrating Galentine’s Day, the tech-forward museum will offer a romantic bundle ($156) that includes admission for two guests, two glasses of prosecco, two chocolates and two roses. Families can opt for the for-four package ($250), which features entry for two adults and two children, along with four chocolates, two plush monkeys and two roses. During this period, the museum will also feature Valentine’s-themed scenes and elements throughout its current exhibition on display, Maestros and the Machines.

"It's like Sex in the City with a Muslim spin," says organizers of HALALish, a one-woman show written, produced and starring Pakistani-American actress Rudaba Zehra Nasir. Taking the stage at the Tank for four dates this February (Feb. 14, 15, 21 and 22), the deeply personal show chronicles the journey of the Muslim immigrant and sex-deprived hopeless romantic through love, loss, labels and (potentially) getting laid on Valentine's Day. Over chai and memories, Rudaba invites the audience into her living room and bares it all with humor, heart, music and more. 

Looking for a low-key date where you can laugh out loud? Try a round of bumper cars on ice at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. 

Bumper cars on ice return from January 9 through February 28, letting visitors bump, spin and slide across the rink in 10-minute sessions that feel more like a carnival ride than a traditional skate (plus you're already seated, so no embarrassing tumbles). Winter Village is open through March 1.

Think pink at Watermark, the classic American restaurant on Pier 15 by the Seaport, which is turning into an immersive pink wonderland this month. It's just in time for the peak of New York winter and for Valentine's Day celebrations.

The 10,000 square-foot outdoor bar and restaurant will be lit up in pink hues and be decorated with red flowers, heart installations and mesmerizing twinkling lights. Pink Pier will be open from January 9 until March 1.

For a truly sweet date night, Museum of Ice Cream is the place. Ice cream is at the center of this 20,000-square-foot museum that'll make the cold treat even more fun (who knew it'd even be possible?). Across 13 multi-sensory installations, visitors can interact with fun elements like a three-story indoor slide and the all-pink Celestial Subway.

Even better: The sweet treats along the way. Yes, we're talking about unlimited ice cream throughout the museum. For adults, check out some fun themed cocktails as well.