Cozy winter date ideas in NYC

The Little Shop, one part bodega and one part speakeasy, just  at South Street Seaport is the perfect spot to pick to show off your date planning skills. The new bar is straight through the cleaning aisle of a grocer, and your group of couples can snack on easy bites like vegetable empanadas, duck dumplings, torched shishito peppers and sip down refreshing cocktails like “Turmeric,” “Celery,” “Tamarind” “Strawberry” “Celery” and “Ginger,” each simply named after their main ingredient. Plus, there's a “Double Hot Chocolate” made with ancho infused coconut milk on the menu that screams wintertime.

Today, museum restaurants aren't just for tourists or dire dining situations. They’re standalone destinations locals might just go out of their way to check out, which sounds like a great date pick to show off your cultural side. After wandering art exhibitions for hours, you can pop by Mina's Restaurant for Greek-minded food, and dig into dishes like tahini-babka French toast, strapasada (scrambled egg toast with tomatoes and Arahova feta), peinirli (boat-shaped cheese bread).

Bring your sultry swimsuits to TWA Hotel’s rooftop infinity pool and lounge in water that's now cranked up to a toasty 95 degrees Fahrenheit. As of right now, there’s zero charge for visitors to swing by, so this date won’t take out a chunk from your paycheck. Even better than a free pool day, they've also turned the poolside bar into a "Runway Chalet," a 1960s après ski-themed winter hideaway that’s both heated and tented.

Bond with the person that has put up with you thus far at a animated piano bar and beloved West Village institution. One minute you could be belting out a Broadway or Disney song with the rest of the bar, and the next, getting even more comfortable with your person showing them your um, terrible singing voice.

Grab a booth and cozy up at this diner sipping down the OG milkshakes that nearly broke the Internet. You may be tempted to snap a pic with your shake and test their photo-taking abilities.  Some Instagram trends are forever. Plus, if your date is vegan, no sweat. Black Tap just launched, for the first time ever, The Vegan Black ‘n White Cake Shake which has a soy-based chocolate shake, housemade vanilla frosting rim (made with almond milk), chocolate chips on the side and topped with a thick slice of Black ‘n White cake.

At The William Vale, you and heartthrob can head to the 23rd floor rooftop, now home to Vale Rink. You can do your spins and lutzes together high above Brooklyn with major views of Manhattan's skyline. Doing laps at the rink is $20 for adults and $12 for kids, which includes skate rentals.

Located in the 117-year-old Paymaster Building in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, this local distillery produces everything from bourbon to moonshine to chocolate whiskey. Take your date on an hourlong guided tour to soak up the historic atmosphere and sample three house-made spirits. 

The 250 acres of greenery at the New York Botanical Garden look just as stunning in the snow. Too chilly for you? Step inside the greenhouse to watch the annual holiday train show, on display through mid-January. Feast your eyes on iconic New York attractions (think the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty) made entirely out of natural materials. Better yet, go during the garden's bar cart nights, at which you and your date can sip cocktails and enjoy live music while viewing this year's stunning display. 

Even if you’re not big on museums, the white oval-shaped building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is worth seeing. It’s just as imaginative as the works of art inside, and makes for a completely unique viewing experience. 

No, not that Met—the Met Cloisters isn’t as well known as its parent museum, but it definitely merits a visit. You’ve got to trek all the way up to Fort Tyron Park to get there, but you’ll be rewarded with views of incredible scenery and access to pristine Medieval art. Plus, you’ll definitely get bonus points for impressing your date. 

Wait until after the Christmas tree gets taken down and the crowds dissipate to go ice skating at Rockefeller Center. It still has that magical wintry feel, and offers the perfect opportunity to grab your date’s hand as you glide around the ice.