Whether you are about to go on your first date or you are just looking to spice up date night with your long-term partner (or a friend date), I’ve got you covered! I’m here to help take out the guesswork revolving around NYC date ideas so you’re not stuck with another “Netflix and chill” weekend. The list below includes year round NYC date ideas based on shared interests so you’ll never be stumped for a fun night out again.
Table of Contents
NYC Coffee Shop Date Ideas
I have a Gilmore Girls level love of coffee and I only recommend shops with A+ lattes. Some of these locations will be bigger than others, but if a spot is too crowded to sit you can take them to-go and take a walk.
https://meghanlynchphotography.com/best-coffee-shops-nyc/
Take A Walk
- Walk the High Line (then grab food before or after at the Chelsea Market)
- Central Park
- 5th Ave (more of a rec during the holidays to see the decorations)
- Brooklyn Bridge
- New York Botanical Gardens
Want to make it extra romantic? Go during golden hour at sunrise or sunset.
Museum Date Ideas
American Museum of Natural History
NYC Comedy Shows
NYC Dates for the Theatre Enthusiasts
Go see a Broadway show! Here’s a list of the shows currently playing on Broadway. To save money you can try and get last minute or discounted tickets on Today Tix
NYC Water Based Date Ideas
Rent a surfboard (or take a lesson) and go surfing at Rockaway Beach: Surfs Up NY Locals Surf School, Surf Board Tribe NYC
The Beast NYC Speedboat Ride (rollercoaster on the water)
Classic Harbor Line Sunset Cruise
Liberty Cruise for a sunset sail
Food & Dessert Spots for your Gluten & Dairy Free Date
Levain Bakery Gluten Free & Vegan Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie
NYC Artsy Date Ideas
Olfactory NYC Make your own perfume or cologne
NY Togei Kyoshitsu (Japanese techniques for pottery)
Live Music Dates
Catch a show at Madison Square Garden
Listen to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra -they even do shows of movie scores!
Sports Date
Cheer on your favorite team at Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden
NYC Rock Climbing Date
There is nothing that speeds up the trust process more than putting your life in someone else’s hands (as long as they have their belay certification of course). Whether you are a seasoned climber or want to give the sport a try there are lots of fun spots to go rock climbing with your adventure partner. Each location provides rental gear so don’t stress about not having the proper equipment. You can choose between bouldering (these routes are lower to the ground and don’t require ropes) or top rope climbing (these routes are taller and require a rope & harness).
Top rope & boulder options: Central Rock Gym Manhattan and Movement LIC
NYC Seasonal Date Ideas
Broadway in Bryant Park (July)
Public Theatre Free Shakespeare In The Park
NYC Date Ideas for Drinks With A View
New York Marriott Marquis (don’t need to be a hotel guest)- Restaurant area for views of Times Square
NYC Movie Date Idea
NYC Market Date Ideas
Smorgasburg (largest weekly open-air food market in America) Locations in World Trade Center, Prospect Park, and Williamsburg)
NYC Day Trip Date Ideas
Take the subway to Coney Island
Dinner beach side and/or rent a bike on Governor’s Island
Hudson River Expeditions for paddle boarding
NYC Spa Experience
NYC Board Game Date Ideas
Hex & Company is Manhattan’s largest board game cafe
Misc Date Ideas
Book A Couples Photoshoot with Meghan Lynch Photography
Hey there! I’m Meghan. Your super bubbly and inclusive NYC couples photographer. I hope you have fun exploring these new date ideas in NYC. If you have one I should add, send me a message!
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