7 Romantic Ways to Enjoy NYC

There’s no place like the island of Manhattan for a romantic getaway. We partnered with former New Yorker Angie Orth from Angie Away to get her tips on having fun with your sweetie in the Big Apple.

There’s no debate — the Big Apple is one of the most romantic cities in the world. Everywhere you look, there’s some landmark or icon or diner that just makes you feel like you’re in a screwball romantic comedy or a classic black and white film from the 40s. It’s a place with glamour, grit and heart – and that’s all you really need to find romance. I’ve compiled some of my favorite activities and hotspots where I’ve found romance in the city – enjoy!

Walk everywhere and drink in the city’s energy.

There’s really no better way to soak up that unmistakable NYC vibe than by pounding the pavement with your partner. Get up early and meander on the High Line, take an afternoon stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge, get to know the historic streets and charming eateries in Greenwich Village and frolic in the 843-acre Central Park with an ice cream cone from Mister Softee. The whole city is walkable, it just depends how much stamina you have. Don’t forget to bring comfy shoes!

Get dressed up and paint the town.

Start with dinner at the hottest restaurant in town then catch a musical on Broadway. After your heart is filled with song and dance, grab swanky cocktails at a plush bar like Mobar at the Mandarin Oriental with panoramic views of Central Park, or Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel, with low lighting, sparkling chandeliers and art from Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. There are several old-fashioned speakeasies in the city that lend mystery to a sexy night out as well, but those are a best-kept secret and you’ll have to find them on your own!

Make your Broadway dreams come true with a karaoke duet.

The city is filled with fun karaoke venues, from Karaoke 17 in Flatiron to Hill Country near Madison Square Garden to Duet 35 in Midtown. Plus since so many folks in New York are aspiring musicians, you never know which soon-to-be-famous vocalist you’ll share the stage with. Practice a love ballad duet in advance so you’re ready to wow the crowd with your sweetheart.

Learn something new.

There’s something romantic about wandering around a cavernous museum like the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the American Museum of Natural History hand-in-hand, absorbing the work of the masters or the wonders of the universe in the Planetarium. Discussing Rembrandt, Monet and how in the world they got that enormous blue whale on the ceiling is a great way to learn more about what makes your person tick.

Take a sunset cruise around the island and watch the city lights sparkle.

Board a comfortable vessel at the Circle Line Pier in Hell’s Kitchen, order a drink and enjoy sailing around the tip of the island, passing Wall Street, the World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty. As the sun sets and you snuggle up with your love, there’s no better place to watch the City That Never Sleeps light up.

Walk in the footsteps of your favorite movie or TV couple.

Whether your favorite fictional NYC duo of choice is Ross and Rachel, Harry and Sally, Cliff and Claire, Carrie and Big or Costanza and Seinfeld, there’s a tour for you. You can check out Monica’s apartment in Greenwich village, wander the footsteps of the Gossip Girl cast or wonder how in the world Carrie Bradshaw managed to cavort all over town in sky-high heels.

Take a million photos.

Go to Times Square and take a selfie with the weird off-brand characters. Hold the Empire State Building between your fingers. If you bump into a celebrity on the street, go ahead and politely ask for a picture with them. Get up early and head to set at Rockefeller Center, where you can wave to folks on the set or just photobomb Al Roker. For more professional snaps of your whirlwind romantic trip to Manhattan, book Flytographer to follow you around for a few hours and leave you with unforgettable souvenirs of your adventure.