Romantic Places in New York City

If you're planning a romantic vacation, New York City is a great place for your special escape whether it's for a proposal, a honeymoon, or a Valentine's Day getaway. If you're looking for a particularly romantic spot for a kiss or proposal, check out this list of some of New York City's most romantic spots.
1. Central Park

From Carriage Rides in Central Park and boat rides below Bow Bridge, to Belevedere Castle and the Conservatory Garden, Central Park may just be New York City's most romantic place. Central Park is a magical place in New York City in every season, whether it's winter, spring, summer or fall.
The Central Park West Historic District is significant, in regards to the National Register, for its architecture and its character as a cohesive residential area. The district is located along one of the city's finest residential streets and consists mostly of apartment buildings which are among some of the earliest in New York.

With the 1990 local boundary increase the NYLPC developed the theme that the strength of the historic district lay in its diversity. The Commission called the buildings in the district brashly "commercial" and "stylistically diverse." The Commission went on to stress the importance of the district's special skyline that challenged the whole of the New York skyline. "The stylistically diverse buildings of Central Park West create a streetscape and a skyline which is exuberant and varied as to scale, height and form," the Commission stated.

2. Top of the Empire State Building

The site of the Empire State Building was first developed as the John Thompson Farm in the late 18th century. At the time, a stream ran across the site, emptying into Sunfish Pond, located a block away. Beginning in the late 19th century, the block was occupied by the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, frequented by The Four Hundred, the social elite of New York.

The limestone for the Empire State Building came from the Empire Mill in Sanders, Indiana which is an unincorporated town adjacent to Bloomington, Indiana. The Empire Mill Land office is near State Road 37 and Old State Road 37 just south of Bloomington. Bloomington, Bedford and Oolitic area are known locally as the limestone capital of the world. It is a point of local pride that the stone for the Empire State building came from there.

3.Tiffany's

Pretend you're Miss Holly Golightly, grab yourself a pastry and window shop outside of Tiffany's. Or, if you're feeling bold, head inside to peruse the merchandise up close.
The Tiffany and Company Building is the landmarked former home of the Tiffany and Company store at 401 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York.

This building, completed in 1906, served as the home of Tiffany until 1940. Today, a TD Bank branch, tchotchke shop, and Burger King occupy the ground level. The People's Court is filmed on a set inside the building.

The building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1978.

4. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
The Queens Botanical Garden began as part of the 1939 New York World's Fair in Queens. After the fair, the garden expanded to take up a larger portion of Flushing Meadows Park. When work was begun on construction of the 1964 World's Fair, the garden was moved to a site across the street from Flushing Meadows Park to a location atop the stream bed of Kissena Creek.

Growing from its humble beginnings as an ash dump in the late 1800s, Brooklyn Botanic Garden has come to represent today the very best in urban gardening and horticultural display.

Below is a chronology of important dates and developments in the Garden's history. It is illustrated with photos from our archives taken by Louis Buhle between 1915 and 1968. These charming black-and-white photos capture the evolution of the Garden and the spirit of the times.

5. Brooklyn Promenade
Brooklyn Heights is an affluent residential neighborhood within the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Originally referred to as 'Brooklyn Village', it has been a prominent area of Brooklyn since 1834. As of 2000, Brooklyn Heights sustained a population of 22,594 people. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 2. The neighborhood is served by the 84th Precinct of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

The Brooklyn Heights Promenade will take your breath away. Made famous by cameo appearances in movies like Annie Hall and Moonstruck, it is one of the most romantic spots in New York City, and has been the destination for thousands of first dates, wedding proposals and anniversary celebrations. One-third of a mile long, it offers a vista of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline and the majestic Brooklyn Bridge. Lined with flower beds, trees, benches and playgrounds, the promenade is a favorite destination for tourists, joggers, strollers, families and lovers.


6. Ice Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center

The world-famous ice rink at Rockefeller Center has been a quintessential NYC experience for generations, set against the unique urban backdrop of Rockefeller Center's sparkling lights and holiday tree. Bring your friends, family and loved ones to make magical memories on ice that you will cherish for years to come. Watch the skaters glide by afterwards while enjoying a delicious meal at Rock Center Café, The Sea Grill or Cucina & Co.