The most romantic things to do in NYC

Get gussied up in your fab 1960s duds and head over to the fabulously over-the-top TWA Hotel at JFK to step into a Mad Men-esque atmosphere. The interior of Eero Saarinen’s landmark 1962 building exudes '60s chic with 512 guest rooms that offer views of JFK’s runways, a Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant, a rooftop jacuzzi and an observation deck. This unique stay puts a fun spin on a weekend away with your S.O.

Wind down in a private red cedar sauna or soak in a hot tub while enjoying stunning views of the New York City skyline this winter. Winter Spa at The William Vale hotel in Brooklyn is now open through March 2023 offering a cozy, Scandinavian-inspired wellness experience.

The al fresco pop-up spa features five cedar saunas and two hot tubs on the luxury hotel's outdoor terrace, where you can sweat out all the stress of the year in a tranquil urban oasis.

Take in the sights of NYC with your date, from a secret waterfall-laden path in Central Park to the “small-town” neighborhood blocks in Brooklyn. You'll want to warm up in each others arms at the end.

You won't believe how seamlessly good comedy can work with pole dancing. While stellar stand-ups deliver sets, pro dancers give the crowd something stare at. Think of Schtick a Pole In It as a full-brain experience. Comics Dan Goodman, Joanna Ross and special guests will welcome talented pole dancers and comedians from across NYC. 

Each show features a different theme; recent shows have featured the music of Prince, Ludacris, Beyonce and The Beatles. See what's coming up and grab tickets here.

Pull a Marvin Gaye and prepare to get it on (or, at least, think about it) at the MoSex, which showcases tastefully erotic and downright outlandish art and artifacts. Peep the latest exhibitions and jump inside a tantalizing bounce house to shake off those date-night jitters.

Don't miss Super Funland, the erotic carnival within in the museum. There you'll find a 4-D immersive "Tunnel of Love" ride, an erotic fortune-telling machine (modeled as RuPaul), a kissing booth, and a lit-up climbing structure. Make a pit stop at the gift shop, which is stocked with books, sex toys and aphrodisiac elixirs, and continue the romancing at home.

The museum's open until midnight on the weekends making for a perfect late-night date spot.

If you’re looking to lavish your loved one, the L.S.D. special from this FiDi restaurant should do the trick. The luxe package includes a pair of two-pound lobsters (ginger-and-garlic, salt-and-pepper), a dry-aged porterhouse steak, and a whole Peking duck, along with sides like lobster fried rice, onion rings, and wok-fried mushrooms.

Before you lovebirds get your rocks off, spend a few hours climbing over some boulders first. At this 25,000-square-feet rock-climbing gym, you and bae can take turns playing the role of belayer (or use the auto-belay) to ascend the 22-foot-tall rock wall. Who will fall for whom first?

Get your heart racing a bit with a lofty, three-minute ride to Roosevelt Island (and across the East River) with 360-degree views of the city before heading to the island's tree-lined esplanade. Walk along here for incredible views of the Manhattan skyline and, if you time it right, the sunset.

Cozy up next to your date in the dark at one of the city's best theaters. If you're not sure what to see, don't worry — we've got you covered. 

Here is an alphabetical short list of our critics' picks: all the shows that Time Out New York's critics have seen, reviewed and liked, plus a few that we feel confident recommending in advance.

Take a psychedelic, three-and-a-half-minute trip while sitting inside color-changing, LED fiberglass fish and cruising to Mozart. The SeaGlass Carousel is a kitschy but romantic way to have fun before or after dinner (just make sure you've brought the kind of date who'd be down for a few go-arounds).

These NYC hotels are so amazing that's you'll want to stay in and enjoy the amenities. Make it romantic with a spa treatment and room service, then watch the sparks fly.

What romantic dinner would be complete without a glass (or three) of wine? Oenophiles and casual drinkers alike will enjoy BYOB Taste Buds cooking classes. Prep dishes like salmon en papillote, bacon and leek risotto and red wine-poached pears while sipping your favorite vintage.

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. Here, surrounded by the stoney architecture and perfectly landscaped gardens, it's easy to pretend you're a wistful royal on a tryst with their lover.