The 15 most romantic spots in NYC

This peaceful oasis hits its fairytale peak in spring, for the Sakura Matsuri festival, during which more than 70 trees blossom along the Cherry Esplanade. But at any time of year you'll find some real beauty spots, from the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden to the romantic Rose Garden.

There is simply no denying the enduring romance of the Empire State Building's Observation Deck, as celebrated in movie swoonathon Sleepless in Seattle and the epic novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. 

If you're feeling the chill in the colder months, head to this tropical paradise at the American Museum of Natural History, where temperatures soar to a delicious 80 degrees. Let yourself be enchanted by the sight—and feel—of monarchs, zebra longwings and iridescent blue morpho butterflies fluttering around you.

Stroll along the water at Dumbo's Brooklyn Bridge Park as you make your way to this beautifully restored old-world carousel. It's open year-round but closed every Wednesday (the horses, apparently, need a rest).

Breathtaking. There is simply no other word for the view of the inside of Grand Central Station, wherever you're standing. The architecture is 1913 Beaux Arts and its vaulted ceiling, painted with the planets, is spectacular. Don't be surprised if you see a proposal happen—to crowd applause—while you're there. And do swing by the old-fashioned Oyster Bar for a slurp or two.

A romantic spot for those in search of tranquility and natural beauty, this tiny museum on Staten Island was built in 1947 and is the only Himalayan-temple-style building in the United States, complete with pretty meditation gardens. Take a deep breath of clean air, and relax.

Featured in such movies as Autumn in New York, Keeping the Faith and Uptown Girls, the sight of Central Park's Bow Bridge will likely inspire your inner artist—go ahead, make a Monet-style sketch! Or, you know, snap a cute selfie on the bridge.

Sure, you can head to a world-class ballet, play or opera at Lincoln Center, but you know what we're crazy about? The lovely Revson Fountain at Josie Robertson Plaza. Seeing it lit up at night is always pretty, but there are also five-minute water shows throughout the evening (check the Lincoln Center for times).

Built on an abandoned railway track, this wildflower-festooned pathway has become one of the city's best-loved (and strolled) attractions. Romantic types will love the High Line's Star Gazing evenings, where local astronomers let you peek through their telescopes at the cosmos.

Yes, it's located in the hipster nexus of East River State Park, but there are few sweeter spots to have a low-key picnic with your honey than by the water in Williamsburg.

Ah, so many excellent reasons to visit BAM: You could catch an arty movie, watch a ballet, see a show...Or you can simply gaze at BAM's architecture and sumptuous interior—as featured in our roundup of NYC's most beautiful buildings.

Set in a lovely park overlooking the Hudson River, the Cloisters houses the Met’s medieval art and architecture collections. A path winds through the peaceful grounds to a castle that seems to have survived from the Middle Ages, but was in fact built less than 100 years ago, using material from five medieval French cloisters. Tres romantique.

Back in 1817 it cost 25 cents to cross the harbor between Staten Island and lower Manhattan; today, it’s free. This 24-hour ferry is a lifeline for commuters, but it’s also a boat trip affording some of the most romantic views in the world: Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline among them.

Built in 1905, Prospect Park’s Beaux Arts–style boathouse was one of the first buildings in New York City to be declared a landmark. In 2002, it became the home to a state-of-the-art facility that allows visitors to virtually explore the great outdoors. A fine thing, but we'll happily stay outside and gaze at the real deal.