Make your heart beat faster by celebrating the most romantic day of the year in New York. Here’s a list of Valentine’s Day events in NYC that are open to the public (and interesting date ideas!).
1. Join other couples in ‘Love in Times Square’
There's no better place to say "I love you" than Times Square. Join hundreds of couples tying the knot, proposing, or taking part in the annual Vow Renewal Ceremony on the iconic red steps of Duffy Square in Times Square on Valentine’s Day. Take part in this inclusive celebration of love on Feb. 14.
A special large-scale installation, Love’s h|Edge, will be on display in Duffy Square (46th Street and Broadway) from Feb. 1 - Feb. 28. The four playful heart-shaped hedge rows invite visitors to journey through a maze of hidden pathways, rose-filled trellises, and heart-shaped interior ‘Pitter-Patios.’
2. Have a romantic dinner in Midtown
Check out our Blog to discover superb Manhattan restaurants that are great for any occasion, including new additions to the neighborhood that live up to the hype. Consult OpenTable for more information on special Valentine’s Day menus in New York.
Now for a limited time, book The Manhattan Club’s Winter Sale to receive 20% off your nightly rate, plus a $100 gift card to Restaurant.com to help with your Valentine’s Day dinner plans.
3. Run for a cause during the annual Cupid’s Undie Run
Burn calories and have some fun before Valentine’s Day at the Cupid’s Undie Run on Saturday, Feb. 11. Run a mile in your coolest undies and join the epic post-run dance party at The DL Rooftop Lounge on the Lower East Side. Your registration supports those affected by neurofibromatosis.
4. Celebrate ‘Galentine’s Day’ with The Fruit Trilogy
Celebrate the special women in your life at The Ripple Effect’s Benefit for Female Empowerment as they present The Fruit Trilogy, written by Tony Award-winning author Eve Ensler. The Feb. 13 show at the Triad Theater is a series of three short plays (Pomegranate, Avocado, and Coconut) that give a voice to defiant, ordinary women.
5. Stroll through the gardens at The Met Cloisters
The Met Cloisters is straight out of a fairytale. The design, layout, and ambiance of the gardens, chapels, and themed galleries evoke a sense of medieval European monastic life. See The Met’s medieval architecture and art collections this Valentine’s Day. Plus, every Friday and Saturday night, it’s Date Night at The Met. Bring your sweetheart for an evening of live music, drinks and light fare, and 5,000 years of art.
6. Hear the 19th-century classics during ‘Love in the Parlors: A Valentine in Concert’ at Merchant’s House Museum
The Merchant’s House Museum is once again hosting its beloved Love in the Parlors Concert on Feb. 14, both in-person and online. Chosen by NBC Online and TimeOut NY as a top pick for Valentine’s Day, the Bond Street Euterpean Singing Society presents a gala concert of romantic 19-century vocal music performed in the Museum’s elegant Greek Revival double parlor.
7. Snack at NYC’s best chocolate shops
NYC chocolate shops deliver. Visit some of the best in the city, like Confectionery!, Jacques Torres Chocolate, and Kee’s Chocolates to grab some sweet confections for your special someone. Prefer your chocolate in liquid form? We’ve found the most tantalizing cups of hot chocolate in the city. Read more.
8. Search for nudity in art at ‘The Naked at the Met’ Scavenger Hunt
The annual Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt takes you on a sultry search for nudity in art through The Met’s galleries. Answer tricky questions and scrutinize paintings, sculptures, and artifacts for a chance to win a medal (and bragging rights). Hunts will be held Feb. 10 and 11. Even if you can’t visit the museum in person, you and your partner can still take in some of the most spectacular museums in the world. Feel like you’re in the heart of culture with some of the best NYC museums you can visit online.
9. Gain exclusive access to Edge for a Valentine’s Day sunrise
Love is in the air (literally) at Edge. This Valentine’s Day, see the city from 1,131 feet with a glass of Champagne at NYC’s highest outdoor sky deck. Edge is opening its doors at 6 a.m. on Valentine’s Day for a special sunrise peek that includes 360° NYC views from its iconic glass-floor and angled glass walls.
Alternatively, ASPIRE, located on the 102nd floor of One World Observatory, is hosting its own Valentine’s Day event from up high - Love on Top, an elevated multi-course meal with a premium open bar, memorable photo-op, and unparalleled views of the city nearly 2,000 feet below.
10. See a show during NYC Off-Broadway Week
If you’ve seen every Broadway show on your bucket list, it’s time to turn your attention to Off-Broadway productions. During NYC Off-Broadway Week, running from Feb. 13 - March 5, you’ll find 2-for-1 tickets to some of NYC's most groundbreaking theater.
11. Go Wine Tasting at NYC’s best Wine Shops
Some of Manhattan’s best wine shops offer the occasional tasting. Check out Le Grand Triage, Amsterdam Wine Co., Peoples Wine, and September Wine & Spirits, all of which are in Manhattan. In Brooklyn, see Leon & Son Wine and Spirits and Forêt Wines.
12. Get a Couples Massage
Practice some self love this Valentine’s Day. Places like Faina European Day Spa, Juvenex Spa, The Couples Spa, and Great Jones Spa in Manhattan all offer dual massages for you and your Valentine to share in the same experience.
13. Listen to jazz in Lincoln Center
On Feb. 10 - 11, enjoy exquisite music in one of the best venues in NYC: Lincoln Center. The master storyteller and one of the best jazz singers of our time returns for her annual Valentine’s Day concert in Rose Theater. Diane Reeves: Love is in the Air takes audiences on a journey of love - fulfilled, unrequited, carnal, and spiritual.
For more jazz, visit Blue Note in Greenwich Village for a special Valentine’s Day performance by Samara Joy, who is being touted as “the next mononymous jazz singing sensation.”
14. Take a Sunset Cruise
From Pier 36, hop on the Valentine Romantic Dinner Cruise for a night to remember. You’ll pass by the Statue of Liberty, glide under the Brooklyn Bridge, and see the city’s skyline while indulging in a multi-course meal. Romantic music sets the mood, and sparkling wine, roses, and chocolate-covered strawberries are just some of the added perks.
15. Spend the night in a classic NYC hotel
Treat your loved one to an urban staycation at The Manhattan Club and fall in love with New York City all over again. Experience the pleasure of Manhattan’s most prized luxury suites, just steps from Lincoln Center, Times Square, Central Park, the Theater District, and so much more. This is a place to call your own, in a perfect location in Midtown Manhattan.
Looking for more travel tips and activities? Stay up to date with The Manhattan Club Blog and get your guide to the best of New York. Choose from our best rates and special offers when you book direct with The Manhattan Club.
Read what our recent guests are saying:
“Wonderful hotel! I would give it more than 5 stars if I could…All of the employees were super kind and all seemed to be having a great time. It says a lot when the staff seem to enjoy their job…We plan to stay here again every time we come to Manhattan!” - Keisha Barletta, Google
“My husband and I stayed in the One Bedroom Suite and everything was great…The room was very large for the price and we received a call daily to make sure there wasn’t anything we needed. This hotel was perfect for us!” - Erin Van Horn, Google
“I cannot praise The Manhattan Club highly enough…The one bedroom suite…had 2 bathrooms (very hard to find in NY)…A big highlight was the Private Club Lounge, perfect for a nightcap at the end of a busy day. The hotel is located within an easy walk of Central Park and the Theater District...We had a wonderful stay at The Manhattan Club and highly recommend for a stress-free visit to NY.” - Linda M, TripAdvisor
