12 Fun Winter Date Ideas in NYC

In the city that never sleeps, there are countless things to do. However, when the days are short and the nights are cold, it’s a little harder to come up with fun activities. If you’re trying to plan a date night during these cold months, I’ve put together a list of winter date ideas for couples in NYC.

Winter date nights in NYC can be unlike anywhere else in the world. Where else could you go to a Broadway show, skate at Rockefeller Center, or gaze at the Empire State Building from an indoor observation deck?

Whether you are looking to get out in the snow or escape the cold, New York City can be the perfect playground. Plus, the weather is a good excuse to get closer to your significant other (both physically and emotionally).

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Winter Date Ideas in NYC

Grab a Drink at a Fireplace Bar

If you and your date want to get cozy inside, one of the best things to do in NYC during winter is visit a bar with a fireplace. Enjoy a romantic drink together while basking in the glow of each other’s company…and a roaring fire.

New York actually has quite a few bars with real fireplaces, such as:

• The Blind Tiger Ale House (Greenwich Village, Manhattan)
• The Campbell Apartment (Midtown, Manhattan)
• Tiny’s & the Bar Upstairs (Tribeca, Manhattan)
• Black Mountain Wine House (Gowanus, Brooklyn)
• Dynaco (BedStuy, Brooklyn)

Go for a Walk in the Park

When New York City gets snow, the parks are transformed into beautiful winter wonderlands. Take advantage of the snowy scenery while it lasts.

Going for a walk is still a great date idea, even in winter. It allows you to talk, get some exercise, and it’s free! (Which is hard to come by in NYC.)

If you two don’t mind the cold, stroll glove-in-glove through one of the larger city parks, like Central Park, Prospect Park, or Inwood Hill Park. Just don’t forget to wear waterproof shoes.

Visit a Museum

One of the most common things to do in NYC when it’s cold outside is to go to a museum. While this might seem like a boring suggestion, I promise it doesn’t have to be.

There are over 170 museums in all the boroughs of New York combined. Odds are you can probably find one that sounds interesting to both of you. You could hit one of the classics, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or try one off the beaten path, like the Museum of Sex. (Yep, it’s a real place, and could make for an interesting date.)

Here are some examples of museums to visit on a winter date in NYC:

• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Whitney Museum of American Art
• American Museum of Natural History
• SPYSCAPE Spy Museum
• Lower East Side Tenement Museum

Go Ice Skating

When I first saw the rom-com ‘Serendipity’ in the early 2000s, my favorite scene was Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack skating in Central Park. (Of course, it begins to snow *sigh*.) It seemed, to me, the ultimate romantic winter date idea in NYC.

Whether you’re both seasoned pros, newbies, or a combo of each, ice skating together can be a fun way to get to know each other.

New York has a variety of skating rinks. Some are even free if you have your own skates! Most though require you to reserve a time block and charge a separate skate rental fee.

Some of the best ice rinks in NYC include:

• Bryant Park Winter Village
• Wollman Rink in Central Park (book your ticket and skate rental here)
• Domino Park Ice Rink

Search for the Best Hot Chocolate in NYC

One of my favorite winter activities in NYC is searching for the best hot chocolate in the city. This could keep you occupied all winter, because there are so many places to visit.

If you want to warm up inside at a sit-down restaurant, try places like:

• Max Brenner’s: Choose from different hot chocolate flavors, such as mocha, hazelnut, or just go for the delicious original
• Gramercy Tavern: European-style with a homemade marshmallow on top

For those on the go, especially during the holiday season, take a cup with you from one of these places:

• No Chewing Allowed: Find them at most of the Urbanspace Holiday Markets; it’s like drinking a melted chocolate bar.
• Butterfield Market: Available seasonally from this gourmet market; rich and chocolatey

Warm Up at an Outdoor Spa

If the winter chill is getting to you, try warming up at a spa. You can relax your muscles and your mind while enjoying each other’s company.

While you could do a classic couples massage anywhere in the city, for something different, try visiting the QC Spa on Governor’s Island. By taking the ferry, you’ll leave the hustle and bustle behind, but can still gaze at the city skyline from the heated outdoor pool.

QC Spa offers over 40 wellness experiences, including saunas, steam rooms, infrared beds, and a salt room. It is open year-round, so you can unwind together even in the colder months.

Try Archery or Axe-Throwing

For couples feeling a little adventurous, a fun indoor date could involve wielding some ancient weapons. Why rent a bowling lane when you could rent an archery or ax-throwing lane instead?

For those looking to tap into their inner Legolas or Katniss, head to Gotham Archery. They have two locations: one in Lower Manhattan and one in Gowanus, Brooklyn. You can take a 1-hour introductory lesson together, then challenge each other to see whose aim is better.

If you’d rather throw an axe than shoot an arrow, head to Bury the Hatchet or NY Axe Throwing Range, both in Brooklyn. You’ll receive a safety lesson before you can let loose trying to hit the target.

Take a Cooking Class Together

A fun alternative to going out to eat is learning to cook your own food together. Learning a new skill side-by-side is a great way to get to know someone. Who knows, one class could lead to many meals cooked together!

In a city like New York, there is no shortage of cooking classes, no matter what kind of cuisine you’re into.

• Learn to make a New York staple with a bagel baking class
• Learn to roll your own sushi with a local chef
• Learn to make your own pasta at the Flatiron Eataly location

See a Play or Musical

One of the best things to do in NYC is to see a show, regardless of the time of year. However, if you’re looking for a winter date idea, going to a show can be a fun way to get out of the cold for a bit. You’ll have the shared experience of seeing live theatre, where you can laugh (or even cry) together.

Shows in New York tend to be a bit pricey. However, there are ways to get discounted tickets, even day-of tickets:

• Rush Tickets: Many theaters will hold a certain number of “rush tickets” to be sold the day-of. Get to the box office about an hour before it opens, and you will most likely be rewarded with tickets that cost around $40-50 each. (Don’t forget to dress warm.)
• TodayTix: With this ticketing app you don’t even have to leave the warmth of your apartment or hotel. Just select the show, date, and time of the show you want to see.
• TKTS: This discounted ticket booth is located right in Times Square. Available tickets vary from day to day, so pick your top three shows to see and try your luck.

Enjoy the Views from an Indoor Rooftop Bar

The city is full of rooftop bars, but they may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about winter date nights. However, many rooftop bars in NYC have giant windows that can be enjoyed year-round. Others will enclose themselves specially for the winter.

You can still enjoy the view and stay warm at the same time.

Some of the best indoor rooftop bars in NYC are:

• Dear Irving on Hudson (Hells Kitchen, Manhattan)
• Westlight (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
• Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge (Times Square, Manhattan)
• Mr. Purple (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
• Harriet’s Rooftop and Lounge (Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn)

I hope this has given you some winter date ideas that you might not have tried as a couple yet. It may be tempting stay inside and cuddle, but there’s a whole city out there to be explored together.

Still making your NYC Valentine’s Day plans or figuring out what to do for winter date night? Save this post for later: