Are people who FaceTime while walking down the street literally insane?

Somewhere between the commuter crush and the celestial ceiling, Grand Central Terminal is about to get unexpectedly romantic. On Friday, February 13, the landmark station will host its first-ever speed dating event, “One Stop to Love: Speed Dating” at Grand Central, running from 5–7pm inside the historic Biltmore Room. The timing alone couldn't be better: Friday the 13th, Valentine’s-adjacent and staged in a space that once literally existed to manage public displays of affection.

Speed dating is the RSVP-only portion of the evening, featuring two 40-minute rounds with just 16 participants per round. Attendees will enjoy free wine and small bites, with hosting duties handled by photographer and digital media expert Jacques Morel and music by Luna Rosa. It’s a short, structured window to meet a few strangers with no pressure and no marathon small talk.

The rest of the evening, however, is designed to spill well beyond the dating pool. From 3–7pm, the Biltmore Room will also host a Valentine’s Day Market that’s open to the public with no registration required. The lineup includes live poetry, DJ sets, pop-up performances (including a Broadway teaser) and vendors ranging from Jacques Torres Chocolate and Doughnut Plant to Murray’s Cheese, Jet Set Candy, Lovepop, Shake Shack and Damselfly Flowers.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. In celebration of the milestone, The Paley Center for Media is hosting a conversation with Black culinary trailblazers who have shaped television, media and American culture as we know it. 

On February 17, join The Paley Center for Chef’s Night: A Culinary Tribute to Black History, featuring an iconic lineup of chefs and tastemakers gathering to discuss culture, community, and share their legacy through food. Panelists include Emmy-winning host, chef, author and restaurateur Kardea Brown; celebrity chef and founder of Harlem's Fieldtrip, JJ Johnson; James Beard Award-winning executive chef of Michelin-starred Saga, Charlie Mitchell; James Beard Award-winning chef, author, restaurateur and culinary pioneer, Alexander Smalls; and chef and owner of Melba’s, Melba Wilson. Producer, actress and host, Nia Renée Hill will be moderating the evening. 

Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for general admission. Buy your ticket here. 

The Orchid Show at The New York Botanical Garden exhibits thousands of species of beautiful blossoming orchids, making it one of the best NYC events in February and one of the best things to do in the Bronx. NYBG’s orchid show has been running for more than two decades and has only gotten better year after year.

The Orchid Show this year will explore the connection between natural flora and the concrete jungle "in a dazzling reimagining of the Big Apple, from stoops and slice shops to the subway itself."

NYBG’s Orchid show runs from February 7 through April 26, 2026 at the New York Botanical Garden (2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx) inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

Follow your heart to the Cloisters for a special after-hours Valentine's Week event — on Thursday, February 12 from 6-9pm, you and your artsy beau can stroll the galleries and enjoy intimate gallery chats with curators, listen to medieval love songs performed live by Alkemie, and explore a fragrance experience created by Mythologist Studio, inspired by the scents of the Middle Ages. The evening is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Spectrum of Desire: Love, Sex, and Gender in the Middle Ages, and you can get creative yourself with  hands-on activities, from making medieval manuscript–inspired Valentines to crafting wire rings to gift someone special.

You might not think a fish market is the most romantic setting for an intimate Valentine's Day experience but the Fulton Fish Market is here to change that. On February 14, the 203-year-old seafood emporium opens its doors after hours for "Absinthe & Oysters: A Forbidden Valentine’s," a one-night-only immersive dining experience staged directly on the market’s working selling floor.

Hosted by culinary historian Justin Fornal, the aphrodisiac-filled evening will feature overflowing seafood towers, Hidden Fjord salmon and paella, live Latin jazz, bountiful wine pours, and a guided absinthe ritual inspired by New York’s historic waterfront. Get chilly while dining in the refrigerated 400,000-square-foot space? Opt for a premium experience ($1,900) for up to 4 guests, with drinks and dining in a heated hot tub.

New York has seen pop-ups, stunts and “for a limited time only” everything—but this one genuinely raises an eyebrow. Starting next week, the city is getting what’s being called its first fully free grocery store. That means no loyalty cards, no sign-ups, no checkout screen asking you to tip. Just groceries, for nothing.

It’s called The Polymarket and it opens February 12 at noon. The concept comes from Polymarket, the crypto-based prediction market that lets users bet on everything from elections to economic data. But this time, instead of odds and outcomes, they’re offering pantry staples.

According to the company, the store will be fully stocked and open to all New Yorkers, with “no purchase required.” Polymarket says it signed a lease, built out a physical retail space and plans to operate the store through Sunday, February 15. As of now, the exact address hasn’t been publicly announced.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a soulful celebration of the best of R&B at this loved-up New York Pops concert. Taking place at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on Friday, February 13, the show will feature timeless love songs, empowering anthems and enduring hits made famous by Barry White, Al Green, Carole King, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, and many more. Led by conductor Steven Reineke, the orchestra will be joined by singers Aisha Jackson (Broadway’s The Great Gatsby) and Avery Wilson (Broadway’s The Wiz) for romantic renditions of “Let’s Stay Together”, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “Ordinary People”, “I Have Nothing” and more.

Valentine's Day and chocolate is an obvious pair, but this intimate in-store atelier hosted by La Maison du Chocolat is digging deliciously deep into that sweet connection. Led by Hello French founder Cécilia Jourdan, this February 14 workshop will blend cultural insight, conversation, and, of course, tasting, placing chocolate "at the center of French traditions surrounding love, generosity, and savoir-faire." As you learn about French expressions of love and Valentine’s Day traditions, enjoy a curated tasting of La Maison du Chocolat creations (accompanied by a glass of non-alcoholic champagne, hot chocolat, coffee or tea), and take home a personalized heart-shoped gift box by artist Lucy "Clare" Spooner for that special someone. 

What's the best time of year? Christmas season? Maybe. The coming of fall? Perhaps. Pancake Month? Yes—this one gives us reason to celebrate. 

February marks the return of Pancake Month at Clinton St. Baking Company. The classic Americana restaurant and bakery on the Lower East Side will be griddling up pancakes of all kinds, doling out exciting flavors each week. Snag a table and sink your fork into inspiring creations such as the triple berry pancakes with rapberries, blueberries and strawberries accompanied with a meyer lemon curd (February 4-6), an apple pie variety ladled with caramelized apples with a cider glaze (February 9-11) and cinnamon roll pancakes with a cinnamon brown butter streusel, vanilla cream cheese glaze and a few shakes of cinammon sugar (February 18-20). As if that wasn't enough, the eatery is whipping up wild-card flavors on the weekends. 

And if you aren't in Manhattan, you can swing over to their Brooklyn location in Time Out New York, Brooklyn. The market locale is running its own line-up of specials, including key lime coconut pancakes with key lime curd (February 9-13) and raspberry chocolate chunk with a raspberry-caramel sauce (February 16-20).  

Check out the full lineup of eats below. Keep in mind: the restaurant will not serve these flavors at brunch. 

Lower East Side calendar

February 2-3

It's the most romantic time of the year. Well, not for everyone. Maybe you're on a break after a streak of unremarkable Hinge dates. Or maybe you've sworn off dating because the last person who had your heart royally screwed you over. Instead of stewing this season, channel that energy into a voodoo-making workshop. 

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Time Out Market New York, Brooklyn, is hosting two voodoo doll-making workshops. Partnering with Brooklyn Craft Company, the hands-on class will guide you step-by-step on how to make your own voodoo doll. To really get the creative juices flowing, the class will also include complimentary glasses of Prosecco and a spread of charcuterie. And if straddling the spirit world has worked up an appetite, the vendors of Time Out Market are more than willing to fill your soul. The modern craft store will be supplying all the materials—just bring yourself and your adventurous spirit.

Classes will be held on Friday, February 13 from 6-7pm or Sunday, February 15 from 5-6pm or 6:30-7:30pm.