It’s nearly that time of the year when the wind is whipping, it’s slushy, and you can’t stop wiping your nose with your scarf. With winter on the horizon, we know how tempting it can be to lay low during the coldest of nights, but there’s so much to do right now, especially if you’re looking for a date night! To beat the winter blues, we’ve rounded up our favorite date night places and ideas to plan out this winter!
1. Go ice skating
Ice skating is an awesome way to spend the winter in NYC, but skip Rockefeller Center which is tourist-central and go to the less popular Bryant Park rink. It’ll be less crazy and give you more space to crash and burn because you inevitably forgot how to ice skate. Don’t forget to check out their Winter Village afterwards to enjoy some hot chocolate or go shopping for one another!
Where: Between 5 and 6 Av, W 40 St and W 42 St
2. Play curling at 1,271 feet in the air
We’re predicting it now…curling is about to have its big pickleball-esque moment! Open now at Edge in Hudson Yards a special curling experience that’s popped up through March! A space inside the incredible observation deck has transformed into Sky Chalet, a “winter entertainment destination” complete with private curling lanes, food and drink, and skyline views from 1,100+ feet.
Lanes can be rented in 50 minute increments and reservations start at $99 for up to two people, $199 for up to four people, and $399 for up to eight people. It of course includes admission to the observation deck too.
🥌 Learn more about Sky Chalet here
3. Bump into love at Bryant Park
Take your date on a collision course for love at Bryant Park, who recently just reopened their beloved bumper cars for the 2025 season! Lovebirds can scoot around the famous ice rink in bumper cars until March, and tickets range from $25-$30! Don’t forget about all the lovely restaurants in the area too for a nice meal or the tasty snacks at the next door Winter Village!
🚗 Learn more about Bryant Park’s Bumper Cars here
4. Dine in a cozy igloo around NYC
Snuggle into one of NYC’s igloo dining experiences, where you can grab some après ski vibes while you eat, drink, and chat to your heart’s desire! There’s tons all over the city ranging from City Winery’s at Rockefeller Center to the iconic 230 Fifth Rooftop! Reserve your spot today and check out the best places to igloo dine in NYC here.
5. Have a date night at The Met
Need a full museum day to stay out of the cold? The MET is not only one of the largest art museum in the city, but in the world. There’s no better place to spend an entire day indoors. Plus, if you’ve already been to The Met there’s tons of great museums around the city to explore!
Their Date Night at The Met program happens every Friday and Saturday from 5 pm – 9 pm, where you check out the art, live performances, drinks and light fare in the American Wing Cafe and the Petrie Court Cafe, plus more! Learn more here.
Where: 1000 5th Ave
6. Bond over paint at Neon Brush
Keep warm in a neon-lit setting while immersing yourself in a unique sip and paint experience in the city. From serene sunsets to abstract cityscapes, you and that special someone can create your next masterpieces using fluorescent paint while listening to music and sipping drinks.
Where: Cat Sports Pub
7. Sip cocktails on a wintry rooftop bar
Take your date to an over-the-top winter rooftop bar that’ll be heated and decked to the nines for the season. This way they’ll be less focused on your outfit—that you’re still not sure was the right choice—and more on the extravagant decorations. Get a few small bites rather than a large meal and spark up great conversation over festive cocktails. Check out our favorite winter rooftop bars in NYC here.
8. Go on a blind tasting dinner date
Calling all foodie couples! Looking for a food adventure like none other? Try out Dining in the Dark, a unique blindfolded dinner experience where you can let your tastebuds run rampant! After choosing between a meat, seafood, or vegan menu, you’ll be welcomed to enjoy a secret 3-course menu that you’ll surely enjoy. By being blindfolded, you’ll be able to take in aromas and textures like never before and take on this awesome sensual journey! Learn more about the experience here.
🍽️ Buy tickets to Dining in the Dark here!
9. Relax together at QC NY Spa
Self-care dates are such a winter time slay, and at QC NY Spa on Governors Island, you and your partner can enjoy a full day of relaxation and recharging! This winter, you can treat yourselves their array of amenities to get a full spa day in…including their outdoor heated pools, glass-enclosed Reflection Rooms, futuristic saunas, massages, foot baths, winter performances by Cirque-tacular and so much more! Learn more about QC NY Spa and plan your trip here.
Where: Governors Island, 112 Andes Rd
10. Enjoy live music at an NYC jazz club
To no surprise, a cozy jazz club and its beautiful music can be the perfect backdrop for any romantic night in New York City. Here, there’s tons of places bringing in all sorts of talent…from established musicians to the next up-and-comers! Whether you’re looking for a dinner-show combo or a full out concert, you have options. Check out our favorite jazz clubs in NYC here!
11. Cozy into a fireplace bar and warm up
Do you feel the sparks flying?! While the temperatures are dropping, unwind in a toasty fireplace bar around the city, that mix their shining furnaces with hot cocktails and a romantic ambiance. From craft beer halls with winter flavors to table side chimneys at Italian restaurants, there’s something for the first, fifth, and fortieth date! Check out our favorite picks here.
12. Listen to your favorite songs performed by candlelight
Enjoy you and your partner’s favorite music performed live at these gorgeously candlelit concerts across NYC. Ranging from Radiohead to Adele, these stunning performances are unique date night you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, there are even holiday shows currently running if you want to hear festive tunes! Check out all the different options and grab your tickets in the link below.
13. Treat yourself with self-care at The William Vale’s Winter Spa
What could be more romantic of a date night than spending it at the newly opened Winter Spa at The William Vale in Brooklyn? We’re all in favor of self-care dates and this hotel’s sauna and hot tub packages make it one of the best spas in NYC right now! Plus, after you’re done pampering yourself and rejuvenating your aura, you can enjoy drinks at their rooftop winter chalet, Winter Village at Westlight.
Where: 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn
14. Embark on a winter getaway from NYC
Why not galavant on a wintry adventure outside of the city limits?! The towns outside NYC and beyond are full of great activities that are perfect for couples! Whether it’s shredding some mountains a nearby ski resort, or going up a peaceful winter hike on a mountainside, it can be a great way to refresh from the city life…together! Check out our favorite winter getaways you should plan this season here!
15. Go on a hot chocolate tour
Embark on a hot chocolate tour to discover the best hot cocoa in the city! Visit different cafes or chocolatiers like MarieBelle, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and so many more to savor the rich and comforting flavors they have to offer! Check out our favorite places for hot chocolate in NYC here.
16. See a Broadway show
It’s no secret that NYC’s theater district comes alive during the winter season, and grabbing a pair of tickets as a date night idea is one of our favorites! Offering a variety of performances from comedies to musicals, there’s something for everyone…including limited time shows and classics like Wicked, The Lion King, and more! Check out all of the Broadway shows happening here…and even off-Broadway shows happening here!
17. Sneak away into an NYC speakeasy
Experience the allure of a NYC speakeasy by stepping through their sneaky doors and sipping on a warm cocktail. These hidden bars (with often crazy front doors, secret passwords, and more) have cozy and intimate atmospheres, perfect for a romantic evening! Check out our favorite speakeasies in NYC here.
18. Challenge your date to shuffleboard
What could be better than a bar/shuffleboard combination? It’s hard to top that! Grab a beer or cocktail at one of Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club’s bars and then go head to head in a game (or few) of shuffleboard! Their food trucks and 20,000 square foot space is a lovely place to have a fun-filled date. It’s important to note that all shuffleboard inquiries are walk-in only, so make sure you keep this in mind when you set the time of your date!
Where: 514 Union St, Brooklyn
19. Master a cooking class together
What about a hands-on experience that can bring you both closer together…and even help create something yummy in the process! NYC’s diverse cooking classes are a great date idea and can help you discover your new favorite recipes! Check out some of our favorite classes below and find more here:
- Make Your Own Sushi Cooking Class
- Tamales and Mexican Hot Chocolate Cooking Class
- Handmade Gnocchi Pasta Workshop
20. Practice your aim at axe throwing in NYC
Who’s got the best aim?! Have drinks and take turns axe throwing at one of these out-of-the-box date ideas in NYC! Whether you take lessons together on how to throw axes, or want to hop right into it, this activity will surely bring you and your significant other together. Plus once you’re done throwing, hang out at their bars and have some fun conversation and exchange some laughs. Check out the best axe throwing spots in NYC here!