More: The 5 Best Bars In Central Park

There is no place in New York City more romantic than a snow-covered Central Park, and no better view than from the iconic Boathouse, located in the middle of the park. Almost every seat in the restaurant (and at the small freestanding bar) has a view across The Lake, framed by the Central Park South skyline. If possible, reserve a seat down on the “front row” alongside the floor-to-ceiling glass wall. Muscovy duck breast is served atop a wild rice-and-apple pancake, while signature Boathouse burgers include house-made tater tots.

More: NYC’s Best Hotel Bars

Three “circles” of dining on two levels at NYC’s only rotating revolving restaurant means plenty of excellent views of Times Square and the Theater District below. High above the fray, the amber-hued restaurant is also an excellent place to begin your romantic day with breakfast or end it with drinks. While “dress jeans” are acceptable, it is a romantic dinner so you might want to take things up a notch.

More: NYC’s Best Museum Bars

Perched atop the Museum of Art & Design on the southwest corner of Central Park, Robert offers an ideal blend of feminine floral touches and sleek, gender-neutral Modernist design from Philip Michael Wolfson. Part of the New Wave of the city’s museum restaurants, food and drink are excellent and elegantly presented and fresh flowers adorn each table. You want a window-side table at this stylish museum restaurant for the best views across Central Park and Columbus Circle (also an excellent vantage for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade).

This comfortably luxe New American restaurant on the top floor of the Ritz Carlton hotel overlooks Battery Park and New York Harbor. Reserve window seats if you’re able, both for the best views and to avoid being surrounded by expense account business travelers. New executive chef James Dangler is bringing his take to classic dishes like Atlantic salmon, Maine lobster bisque, and braised short ribs. In the past, this restaurant has featured a special Valentine’s menu.

Waterfront property in Manhattan looks out over Queens or New Jersey. Diners at this Queens New American restaurant, on the other hand, take in stunning Manhattan skyline views. Located at the base of one of the few high-rise luxury buildings in trend-forward LIC, RiverView boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, a strong wine list and a casual attitude, despite its white tablecloth, low-light ambiance. An $85 per person fixed-price Valentine’s menu includes delectable options like roasted rack of lamb and Long Island duck.

Related: Best Bars for a First Date in NYC

Robert Haynes-Peterson is an editor and freelance writer living in New York. He is certified by the American Sommelier Association through its 24-week Vinification and Viticulture program, and the government of Mexico through its Master Mezcalier program (continuing). His work can be found at Examiner.com.

More: NYC’s 6 Best ‘Staycations’

The Guerlain Spa at The Waldorf Astoria New York is the perfect Park Avenue locale for Valentine’s Day pampering. Treat yourself and your loved one to a couple’s experience in the spa’s private suite. This package features two side-by-side 80 minute massages and reserved time in the exclusive spa treatment suite with dual rain showerheads and private steam room, champagne and decadent truffles for $495. Want to gift your best girlfriend on this day of love? The Just for the Girls package comes with choice of luxury manicure and pedicure, 50m massage or 50m facial and two Kir Royale cocktails while getting glammed-up at $175 per person.

More: NYC’s 5 Best Tequila Bars

Valentine’s Day romance isn’t only chocolate induced. Tequila is said to increase happy endorphins, be heart healthy and even reduce anxiety – so open up a bottle of Qui Tequila, exclusively available in New York City, with your Valentine and let things heat up! The world’s first platinum extra añejo tequila has already been enjoyed by the likes of Usher and Swizz Beatz and was poured at Alicia Key’s album release at The Box this past winter. Qui can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or in a cocktail so it can be the perfect gift for him, her or to enjoy together. Cheers!

Daniel Boulud’s Upper West Side eat-in and take-out market will be offering beautiful gift boxes with handmade sweets starting February 1. The Saint Valentine’s Sweets Collection includes Passion-Honey Marshmallows, Cherry Beignets, Praline Rosé Almonds and an edible heart-shaped bittersweet chocolate box filled with Pink Champagne Chocolate Truffles. Daniel Boulud’s sweets are as refined and delicious as they are playful and seductive. The store also affords the option to create a customized gift for a foodie Valentine – mix and match jams, cookies, candies, cookbooks and other French delicacies.

More: NYC’s Best Bake Shops For Gluten-Free Desserts

Tate’s Bake Shop, your favorite Hampton’s bakery, is offering a variety of deliciously sweet sets to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, including “Gluten-Free Treats for Your Sweet”, featuring delicious gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and brownies for your loved one on a special diet. Want to sleep in this holiday? Make sure to order Tate’s “Breakfast in Bed” gift basket with sour cream coffee cake, coffee, organic tea and homemade granola to linger under the sheets a few hours longer on this day of love.

More: The Best Cooking Classes In NY, NJ

There is nothing more romantic – or stressful – than cooking for your loved one on Valentine’s Day. Luckily, chef Bouley is organizing two exclusive cooking classes in his Test Kitchen on February 14, so you can put your culinary woes behind you! The Valentine’s Day Cooking Class ($275) will help you wow your lover, as you’ll learn how to prepare a four-course meal – and leave with recipes, ingredients and the culinary confidence of a chef! For those who wish to share this unique experience with that special someone, Bouley will be conducting a Cooking Class & Dinner for Two ($650; wine pairing $125 per person) starting at 7:30pm, where couples will learn how to prepare a six-course meal with healthy, local and all-natural ingredients.

Food is love in so many families. Why not show just how big your love is this Valentine’s Day by cooking a beautiful Italian meal with your significant other or little ones. Turn your apartment into your Nonna’s kitchen with Carmine’s Family-Style Cookbook ($29.95). Whip up a delicious Italian meal for two or make a family-style feast for your whole gang with dishes like a creamy penne a la vodka or herb-crusted salmon arrabiata that you’ve come to love inside this popular NYC restaurant.

Chocolate and sea salt is more than just a trend – it’s a best seller. Nunu Chocolates in Brooklyn offers an incredibly addictive caramel individually hand dipped in chocolate and topped off with a sprinkle of Fleur de Sel, for the ultimate Valentine’s Day indulgence. Want even more chocolate? Get close with their Cozy Hot Chocolate or treat a snack lover to Chocolate Covered Potato Chips, make with locally sourced North Fork Potato Chips dipped in dark chocolate.

Sweep someone off their feet with six charming classic vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream that spell out your L-O-V-E from Magnolia Bakery. These sweet treats are wrapped in pale pink tulle and sweetly tied with bakery twine and a vintage tag for $32. Available in stores only and for advanced orders only, so hurry and order these cupcakes to arrive in time for the day of love.

For more from the Best of New York, follow us on Twitter!

Sarah Shaker is the founder of the blog Bright Lights, My City.

Italy
 

Photo Credit Thinkstock.com

Italy has a long history when it comes to Valentine’s Day traditions, celebrating it as a Spring Festival. Couples would spend the day surrounded by the beauty of springtime in natural settings like tree arbors or ornamental gardens. Their time was spent listening to music, reading poetry or strolling through the garden. 

Another tradition in Italy’s Valentine’s Day history was the notion that the first man a girl sees on Valentine’s Day would be the man (or look like the man) she would marry within a year. Unmarried girls would wake up extra early to sit by their window to look for men who walked by. 

While the candy tradition in the United States usually consists of some sort of heart-shaped box of assorted candies, the traditional candy gift for Valentine’s Day in Italy is a chocolate-covered hazelnut called a Baci Perugina. The candy is accompanied with a small piece of paper that contains romantic poems in four different languages.

South Korea

Although the traditional Valentine’s Day is celebrated on Feb. 14, South Korea celebrates similar days of love on the 14th of every month. Each monthly celebration has its own significance and traditions depending on the corresponding holiday. 

The actual Valentine’s Day holiday tradition is meant for only women to be the givers of chocolate to their significant other and the following month it’s the men’s turn. March 14 is named White Day and men are meant to give their female counterpart a non-chocolate candy. April 14 is marked as Black Day and is geared towards those who are not in a relationship. The tradition for Black Day is for single people to mourn their single lives, hence the name of the holiday. Single people are supposed to eat jajangmyeon noodles, which are black in color, on April 14. While the tradition of women giving chocolate to their partners on Valentine’s Day is a widespread tradition in Eastern Asian countries, South Korea takes the tradition a step further than other countries with a bigger amount of chocolate given.

Great Britain

Photo Credit Mark Large - WPA Pool/Getty Images

 
Britain and Italy have a few similarities in their Valentine’s Day traditions: Both had similar stories about how the first man a woman saw on Valentine’s Day morning will be the one they will marry. However, Britain also has traditions all its own. 

While many countries’ citizens deliver handwritten notes and poems to their significant others on Valentine’s Day, paper Valentine’s were so popular in England during the 19th Century that they gave way to the production of mass-produced greeting cards we see today. In earlier times, a tradition for women the night before Valentine’s Day was to secure four bay leaves to each corner of their pillow before sleeping and to eat hard boiled eggs with salt while removing the yokes. This tradition was meant to provoke dreams of their future husbands on Valentine’s Day eve. Women would also write names on pieces of paper wrapped in clay balls to be dropped into water and the ball that rose to the surface first would be their future husband.

Denmark

Photo Credit Matt Cardy/Getty Images

People of Denmark referred to Valentine’s Day cards as “lover’s cards” and they were once made from transparent material that reflected a picture of a lover bestowing a gift to his or her significant other when it was held up to the light. Instead of the red roses many Americans associate with Valentine’s Day, Danish people give white flowers that they call “snowdrops.” People used to give pressed white flowers to their Valentines, but these days they have switched to bouquets. While love poems and romantic notes are given on Valentine’s Day, the Danish people also write unsigned, funny poems on neatly cut paper called “gaekkebrev.” If the girl is able to guess who sent it, she will receive an Easter Egg later in the year. Denmark takes its Valentine’s Day holiday pretty seriously and many people tend to take off work or book parties to celebrate this love-filled holiday.

France

Photo Credit FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

 
France is often referred to as the most romantic place in the world but the country’s older Valentine’s Day traditions are anything but lovey-dovey. In the past, the French custom called “drawing for” or “a lottery of love” would gather single people in houses facing opposite one another and make them call out the name of their hopeful partner through the window. Women who were jilted by their hopeful Valentine would gather to burn the images of the ungrateful lovers in huge bonfires. The bonfire events would turn pretty ugly, with women yelling and hurling abuses into the fire. Because the ritual would turn into an ugly event filled with ridicule, the French government eventually banned this practice. The St. Valentin Village located in Indre has held a festival since the 1960s to celebrate Valentine’s Day every year from February 12th to the 14th.

While traditions and customs may vary with each country, the basic idea behind the holiday remains the same. Valentine’s Day is a holiday to celebrate romance, relationships and affection towards the special people in your life. Make sure to make the most of this longstanding holiday this year and maybe try out an interesting Valentine’s Day tradition from another country.

For idea’s on what to get your loved one this Valentine’s Day shop at YourHolidayHints.com

Dining Together

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Become your own restaurant of the month club. Explore new dining-out ideas and pick the ones that sound most interesting to both of you, then make a reservation and get ready to have a night on the town. Stick to the same day every month to ensure you will always have time to dine together. This is a great opportunity to explore out-of-the-way places or new types of cuisine you’ve always been curious about but never tried. Build in a few romantic nights and feel free to embarrass other diners by making out shamelessly at the table.

Educate With Love

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Do both of you have an interest in do-it-yourself household projects or photography? Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to make sushi, wood working or Italian. Adult-education classes represent a great way for the two of you to expand your horizons and knowledge base together, plus acquire a practical skill of value. Make sure to choose an interest you both share and find ways of enjoying it outside of class, too.

Have A Breakthrough 

Couples-only retreats offer you the opportunity to not only explore your relationship but also enjoy activities like hiking, boating, couple’s massage or yoga together. An added plus is being with other, like-minded couples and forming new friendships, which are healthy for any relationship. Look for weekend retreats in interesting locations either close to home or far away, then suspend your current reality and enjoy being together in a completely new environment.

Have A Ball 

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Pursue a sports activity together, such as golf, bowling, paddleball or running. Make time to go to the gym or take tennis lessons. Some couples enjoy friendly competition, while others prefer to play games together as if they were little, goofy kids. Whatever your sports style might be, find physical pursuits you both can share that will help you keep both your bodies and your relationship fit and healthy.

Have An Adventure 

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Become tourists in your own home town by visiting sight-seeing destinations and attractions, like boat or bus tours, museums and landmarks. Pretend you don’t speak the language and ask people to take your picture together. Re-visit your own personal landmarks, too, like the place where the two of you met or the houses you both grew up in.

Take Time Out 

Photo Credit Thinkstock

Make the world go away by closing the door, shutting off the phones and dimming the lights. Remember that the little, day-to-day moments you share are just as important as the time you plan around activities together. Be a universe of two and spend some time remembering what brought you together in the first place. Congratulate each other on how terrific you are and celebrate being a couple, in any way you choose.

For idea’s on what to get your loved one this Valentine’s Day shop at YourHolidayHints.com

Freddie Jackson

Price: $45 in advance, $50 day of show
Hours: Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.Freddie Jackson sings bluesy R&B love songs, and is best known for his tune “You are my Lady.” He fell in love with singing in the choir at the White Rock Baptist Church, belting out soulful gospel tunes for the congregation. In 1985 he got a deal at Capitol Records and released his first album called “Rock Me Tonight.” Since then he has been crooning for audiences across the world. See Freddie at B.B. King Blues Club February 14th for what should be a lights-down-low, romantic night with the one you love.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Price: $19.50 to $118
Hours: Show starts at 8 p.m.

The Philadelphia Orchestra is playing a show on Valentine’s Day in the Stern Auditorium on the Perelman Stage at the world famous Carnegie Hall. The program includes “Concerto for Seven Wind Instruments” by Martin, “Violin Concerto” by Mendelssohn, and “Concerto for Orchestra” by Bartók. Charles Dutoit is the Chief Conductor and James Ehnes is featured on violin for this show. If you’ve never heard these pieces, or this phenomenal orchestra, Valentine’s Day is the night to get gussied up and appreciate the finest Philly has to offer.

The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess

Price: $55 to $145
Hours: Show starts at 7 p.m.”The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” is a musical about African-American life set in Charleston, S.C. in the early 1920s. Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier star in this Valentine’s Day version of the classic opera playing on Broadway. Take a journey to Catfish Row and immerse yourself in the intriguing story and music.

Rock ‘n Twang Live Band Karaoke

Price: Free
Hours: Karaoke starts at 8:30 p.m.Karaoke is a fun, interactive night of music, and Rock ‘n Twang Live Band karaoke at Hill Country BBQ Market is one of the best venues for singing along to your favorite songs because it features a live band. Browse the collection of tunes before you go, and get ready to impress (or embarrass) the one you love with your vocal style. The best part is free admission, leaving the cash for flowers, chocolate and a little somethin’ special.

Jessica Costello is a freelance writer. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

The Rainforest At The Central Park Zoo

Central Park Zoo
5th Ave., E 64th St.
New York, NY 10021
212-439-6500
centralparkzoo.com/

Why not try somewhere exotic? Or, as close as you can get to exotic in the heart of Manhattan. Lemurs may not scream “romance” to you, but the various viewing platforms make the perfect place to pop the question. Even better, you can then head for a glass of champagne at the nearby Central Park Boat House. You can even set up your own catered event at the zoo to celebrate or pick up some ideas for your upcoming wedding.

The Empire Room

350 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10118
(212) 643-5400

Filled with crystal chandeliers and fancy velvet chairs, the Empire Room is a romantic alternative to the top of the Empire State Building. Celebrate with one of their signature cocktails like the Empire (gin, dry vermouth, orange liqueur, lemon juice, raspberry jam and Champagne), or the Waldorf (Rye, Anitca, absinthe and Manhattan bitters). The 1920’s vibe inside takes you back to old Hollywood and is a fun place to have family and friends meet up after the big moment. Plus, you’ll be able to skip the long lines at the observation deck (and hopefully give you less time to be nervous).

Hayden Planetarium

Central Park West and 79th St.
New York, NY 10024
212-769-5900
amnh.org

More: NYC’s 5 Best Museums For Dates

Want to propose under the stars but are afraid you won’t see any in Manhattan? The Hayden Planetarium inside the American History of Natural History is just as romantic and you won’t have to freeze as you get down on one knee. The nearby wine bar, Wine and Roses on Columbus Ave, is the perfect spot for a post-proposal glass of champagne.

Ferris Wheel at Toys-R-Us

Toys-R-Us Union Square
1514 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
(646) 366-8864

More: The 5 Best NYC Bars For The Kid In You

For the couple that still feels like kids at heart, why not get engaged atop the giant Ferris Wheel at the Toys R Us store in Manhattan? It’s a playful way to start your life together. Plus, you can celebrate by laughing, screaming, and running around without anyone staring at you. This Toys-R-Us location even has an inexpensive $30 package where you can get airtime on a 40×50 foot board in the middle of Times Square. You can arrange for it to be shown that night or just minutes later. They’ll also take a picture of you during your proposal!

Straus Park

Ida Straus Memorial
Broadway, W. 106th St., W. End Ave.
New York, NY 10025

Ida and Isidor Straus captured the meaning of love when they chose to be by each others side as the Titanic famously sunk into the Atlantic Ocean. With your sweetheart by your side, declare your love in front of the sculpture dedicated to Ida Straus. Seasonal flowers adorn the memorial and the passage engraved, “Lovely and pleasant were they in their lives and in their death they were not parted” reminds us to hold onto the ones we love. Straus Park, named after this heroic couple, is located in Morningside Heights.

Federal Hall

1 South St.
New York, NY 10004
212-825-6888
nyharborparks.org/visit/feha.html

The perfect way to make your own mark in history is by getting down on one knee at the steps of Federal Hall. Located in the heart of Wall Street, this significant and beautiful monument is where George Washington took the oath of office as our first President of the United States. It was also the home to the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch Offices. To celebrate you can take a guided tour through this historical memorial and then toast to a new beginning at the nearby South Street Seaport.

The NY Public Library Schwarzman Building

Astor Hall
5th and 42nd St.
New York, NY 10018
nypl.org

You don’t even need a library card to set up an after hours excursion to The New York Public Library Schwarzman Building. Just call the Special Events Department (212-930-0730) to discuss your proposal plans. For 45 minutes, gorgeous Astor Hall can be yours to enjoy. Feel free to bring a photographer, your families, or just keep it private for the two of you. This romantic gesture will not go unnoticed. With one of the most beautiful halls in the city as your backdrop, it’s the ideal place to get engaged.

For more on Valentine’s Day and the latest from The Best Of New York, follow us on Twitter!

Carly Petrone is a freelance writer and make-up artist living in NYC.

A Chess Club

The Village Chess Shop
230 Thompson St.
New York, NY 10012
(212) 475-9580
Hours: Daily, 24 hours a day
www.chess-shop.com

Say you’re a rapier-witted woman looking to meet a brain-heavy fellow. Best place to go? Head to one of the two chess clubs/stores on Thompson Street: The Village Chess Shop or The Chess Forum, both just south of Washington Square Park. Talk about shooting fish in a barrel! Both places teem with guys at all hours (and rarely a woman in sight). But you don’t play chess, you say?…Even better! They’d love to teach you (what guy doesn’t enjoy having the upper hand on someone?). I’ll admit that the guys at the chess clubs aren’t necessarily daily bathers, but how many prodigies with 180+ IQs shower regularly? Olfactory comfort is a small price to pay for easy Mensa pickings.

A Writing Class at Mediabistro

Various locations
www.mediabistro.com

Or say you’re Mr. Intelligent and would like to meet your female counterpart? Look no further than the bevy of writing classes available through Mediabistro.com. Not the online ones — you won’t meet anyone that way — but the in-person, after work type, where women flock and men rarely tread. And I’m not only talking about Intro to Chick Lit Writing, I’m talking memoir, personal essay, blogging. Trust me; I teach them, and the woman-to-man ratio is typically about 9:1. So grab your pencils, boys, time’s a wastin’.

A Literary Reading

The Half King
505 West 23rd St
New York, NY 10011
(212) 462-4300
Hours: Mon to Fri 11 a.m. – 4 a.m.; Sat to Sun 9 a.m. – 4 a.m.
www.thehalfking.com

Finally, for a great place to meet the cute and cerebral of either gender, try a reading series or a literary bar. I’m partial to Sebastian Junger’s pub The Half King (with readings most every week) or the reading series at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg (run by Mira Jacob). Both match top-notch writers with the ability to buy your fellow listener a Brooklyn lager. Feeling shy? Just ask that cute guy if he liked the story or that charming woman if she’s a writer too. Oh, really? What do you write? I see. Want to have another Brooklyn before you take off? Hang on, I’ll be right back. See what I mean? Dork-lover’s paradise.

Related: 7 Creative Spots For Your NYC Proposal

Heat it up with the Ultimate Indulgence Package at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park. Guests will be treated to chilled Champagne and long-stemmed roses all from the comfort of their deluxe suite.This package also includes an in-room couples massage, cocktails and snacks in the exclusive Club Lounge, followed by a romantic dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, 2 West. The next morning after a night of pure luxury, guests will receive a full American breakfast featuring the finest seasonal ingredients. In addition, guests will enjoy two ferry tickets to the Statue of Liberty.

Bateaux New York

(866) 817-3463
Hours: 6:15 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Price: $149.90 per person
bateauxnewyork.com

Nothing says romance more than a Valentine’s Day celebration cruising around Manhattan on the luxurious yacht, Bateaux New York. Create memories that will last forever with unparalleled views of the city, delectable cuisine, live entertainment and dancing. Each couple will receive a champagne toast, a rose and a table for two for an elegant plated dinner. Enhance the evening by selecting a gold or platinum package that also includes souvenir glasses, a photo package and a bottle of wine. There is a dress requirement: Collared shirts for gentlemen (jackets requested) and cocktail wear, dresses or dressy-casual attire for women are required.

Click here for packages

More: NYC’s 6 Best Spas

The Oasis Day Spa offers a more relaxed, truly intimate way to celebrate and get pampered this Valentine’s Day. Choose from two packages. The Romance Package is the ultimate Valentine’s Day treat. It includes a 60 minute side-by-side massage at Oasis Day Spa, plus a gift card to the restaurant Artisanal Bistro. The Couples Duet Package is a romantic spa package that includes a relaxing 60 minute side-by-side massage, followed by a rejuvenating 60 minute side-by-side facial. A Valentine-themed aromatherapy experience can also be added to the spa services, you can choose from Rose Garden or Chocolate.

Click here for packages

Get a little “Wicked” this Valentine’s Day with the InterContinental WICKED package. Enjoy overnight accommodations, dinner for two at Todd English’s Ça Va Brasserie, plus tickets to the award winning Broadway production of Wicked.

Price: $995.00 per couple plus

Just a few hours outside of Manhattan, escape to Long Island’s wine country. The Victorian House bed and breakfast is offering a special Valentine’s Day weekend package for couples. Arrive on Friday, Feb. 11, 2012 where you’ll find a chilled bottle of Laurel Lake Vineyard Moscato and a scrumptious cheese, cracker and fruit platter and two dozen roses waiting for you in your room. Saturday morning enjoy a gourmet breakfast in the formal dining room, followed by a chauffeured four-hour wine tour. Sunday morning enjoy another gourmet breakfast followed by a 60-minute Swedish massage at Luna Mesa Day Spa.

Price: Click here for packages

So what if you’re single? The Mansfield can play host to any kind of celebration for Valentine’s Day. Get the party started with cocktails at M Bar, followed by a dance class and VIP tickets to dance the night away at one of Manhattan’s hottest clubs. The next morning, share all the sordid details over breakfast served right in your room. The ‘Dames Take Manhattan’ package also includes a free upgrade to deluxe double accommodation.

Traci Tournoux is a freelance writer living in New York covering travel. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

The Windsor

234 W. 4th St.
New York, NY
(212) 206-1208
thewindsornyc.com

With its white French window exterior, you could easily confuse The Windsor for another West Village bistro–and you wouldn’t be too wrong for thinking that. Although The Windsor is in fact a sports bar with flatscreens throughout, including at individual red booths, the restaurant churns out high-end snacks such as tuna tartar and truffle grilled cheese. Drinking options range from draft beer such as Spaten Oktoberfest to cocktails such as The Half Windsor (Hendricks Gin, Japanese yuzu limes, cucumber juice and a rose water spritz).

The Ainsworth

122 W. 26th St.
New York, NY
(212) 741-0645
ainsworthnyc.com

This 6,000-square-foot sports bar brings a fresh concept to Chelsea nightlife with its rustic-luxe decor. Antique pine walls and dark brown seating provide a handsome setting for soaking up the scores on more than 40 flatscreens. Munch on goat-cheese-stuffed lamb burgers and lobster roll sliders while you sip pitchers of beer or cocktails such as the pomegranate margarita. And if you’re still craving hot wings, you can get those here too.

Legends

6 W. 33rd St.
New York, NY
(212) 967-7792
legends33.com

While this massive three-level Irish pub is outfitted ornately with dark pine, iron railings, vaulted ceilings and a white-napkin dining area, the plasma TVs throughout are fully dedicated to sports viewing. Pull up a stool at the 60-foot-long bar for domestic and imported brews, wine or cocktails. The international crowd has caught onto this spot as well, so don’t be surprised if you see some European football mixed in with the American version.

The Chatwal

130 West 44th Street, New York, NY
212-764-6200 or 1-888-5-chatwal
thechatwalny.com

New on the scene, the Chatwal hotel, located a stone’s throw from the captivating lights of the Time’s Square Theatre District, is an unexpected escape from the city rush. Guests are swept back in time with the deep red and chocolate décor, oak paneling accented by art deco lighted columns, and a 30’s-era New York street scene mural seen from the lobby and balcony bar. The Empire State Building hanging bar lights recall the days of yesteryear when this iconic Standford-White designed building was the go-to spot for American theater icons and crooners such as Charlie Chaplin and Fred Astaire. Another throwback to the rich theater period is the legendary Lambs Club, headed by Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, who has worked his magic at other notable eateries, including Le Cirque, the 21 Club and The Water Club at the Borgata. Couples can cozy up in the red leather banquettes, and share some of the chef’s updated American bar and grill fare while reminiscing and swapping stories like the stars of years ago.

Today, after a complete renovation, couples can slip up to the modern guestrooms draped in fine suede with soft leather wrapped full closets, desk and night stands. The plush carpet leads the way to the private bar, perfect for mixing cocktails while playing with the complimentary Chatwal cards or backgammon set, or just summon your 24-hour butler for late in-room dining or a bucket of bubbly. Be sure to get a room with a heated, fully furnished private outdoor terrace to take in views of the quiet street. But, don’t overlook the bathroom, which is appointed with an in-mirror 19-inch television and luxurious oversized robes. After your tranquil rain shower, mist yourself with “The Chatwal No. 44,” created by French perfumer, Krigler, a favorite of Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The hotel’s Spa by Kashwere is another modern nod, with its indoor lap pool and two plunge pools, offset by private dressing areas complete with heated towels, over-sized bathrobes and steam showers. The intricately designed treatments appeal to the five senses for an all-encompassing experience, from the color & light therapy, to signature Chypre scented amenities, customized aperitifs in the lounge area and your choice of music playlist. Customized couples massages can also be held in the privacy of your guestroom for an intimate indulgence.

The Greenwich Hotel

377 Greenwich Street
212-941-8900
thegreenwichhotel.com

The Greenwich Hotel, located in one of New York’s most desirable neighborhoods, blends the luxury of Manhattan style with exotic Moroccan and Tibetan touches for an unforgettable romantic escape. The Drawing Room, with 12-foot ceilings, bookshelves stocked with the greats, and a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect setting for an intimate lunch. Just off the Drawing Room, beyond the French doors and walls lined with antique mirrored glass, lies a small courtyard tucked away beneath latticed vines, ideal for an after-dinner drink or to catch up after a day exploring the city. The luxury boutique hotel’s 88 guestrooms are a respite in themselves, with extra deep soaking tubs, plush sofas and DUX King-sized beds, perfect for curling up with a good book from the room’s private library. Draped in Tibetan silk rugs, offset with Moroccan tiles and handmade terracotta floors, the reclaimed wood furnishings create a comfortable, home-like setting.

The Shibui spa taps into the ancient traditions of Japanese massage providing a sanctuary of relaxation. From the romantic lantern-lit swimming pool and traditional bathing room to the serene lounge – the roof of which is made of from a 250-year old wood and bamboo reconstructed farmhouse, couples can tap into their sensuality and drift away. For those hoping to reconnect with one another, in-room massages are on offer, as well as private yoga sessions in the pool lounge or in your suite.

Bowery Hotel

335 Bowery, New York, NY
212-505-9100
theboweryhotel.com

Though the décor and atmosphere may beckon the nineteenth century, this downtown hotel is a scene for the younger – or the young at heart. With its hand-picked furniture, dark wood and antique rugs, the hotel has an old school charm with all the modern appointments you could need (including free WiFi – though hopefully you won’t have time to use it!). A tranquil escape from the hustle of New York, guests can enjoy a comfortable night in, chatting in the well-adorned lobby with locals or other young travelers. Don’t miss the amazing cocktails at the bar, which is also perfect for some great people – and celebrity – watching. After exploring East Village haunts, warm up at Gemma, the hotel’s delicious Italian restaurant, serving up tummy-filling treats such as a hearty bowl of papardelle with oxtail ragu. Finish the night off sharing warm bites of the restaurant’s chocolate cake.

For those looking for some alone time, head up to the guest rooms and indulge in a long, relaxing Bigelow bubble bath in the soaking tub. The hotel’s friendly staff has thought of everything to ensure a pleasurable escape, including moist chocolate chip cookies on your 400 thread count sheets left at turndown. There’s also a complimentary film library if you want to spend a night-in, watching the classics while sipping some champagne.

The Standard

848 Washington Street, New York, NY
212-645-4646 or 877-550-4646
standardhotels.com/new-york-city/

See Also: NYC’s 5 Best Beer Gardens

Couples looking to shake things up a bit should check out this newcomer to the Meatpacking District. Literally straddling the High Line park, this mod-esque hotel with sister locations in Hollywood, LA and Miami caused a stir when it first opened last year. With floor-to-ceiling windows on every wall (they even open!), the guestrooms are an unbelievable spot to see the views, or to be seen, for those so inclined. If you’re just testing the voyeuristic waters, the in-room “peek-a-boo” shower or over-sized bathtub is a good way to test it out in private. The Liberty Suite lends itself to a weekend of seclusion with a extra-large 7 ft. round platform bed and a “tea-cup” bathtub for two and a separate shower for two (see a theme here?). There’s also a fully-stocked wet bar, 42” plasma TV, Geneva sound system with iPod deck and an adjoining entertaining room with floor-to-ceiling paneling, plush carpeted platform seating and a six-person dining table should you want some company.

More On New York City Hotels & Hospitality From CBSNewYork:

NYC’s Notorious Hotels

Bed & Breakfast Inns Outside Of NYC

Best New York City Hotels For Families

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Join a team

Does an evening of dodgeball, bowling, kickball or inner tube water polo followed by a party sound like your kind of night? If you’re laid back and fun-loving, the NYC Social Sports Club wants you. Members of charity-focused Zog Sports may be a smidge more athletic and competitive, but they also enjoy plenty of post game happy hours. Focusing on the LGBT community, Gotham Volleyball , the city’s premiere gay sports organization, serves up volleyball games and training in a supportive, friendly environment.

Sign up for a Meetup

Walking into a room full of strangers is a lot easier when you know that you all have something in common. Meetup is an online network of local groups that allows individuals to organize or join groups of like-minded people and then meet with them face to face. Are you an aspiring actor , night owl, or amateur photographer?  There’s a Meetup for you. Each week there are hundreds, if not thousands, of different Meetup groups that get together in a variety of city venues. Whatever your passion, be it architecture, knitting or cuddle parties, chances are there’s a nearby Meetup coming up just for you.

Hang out at book stores and readings

Bookstores are the apex of free Wi-Fi and entertainment. On any evening, you’re sure to find free musical performances, book signings and discussions, and a thriving café culture. Chains like Borders and Barnes and Noble are often spacious even by suburban standards, but unlike their suburban counterparts, top authors and celebrities are sure to stop by on their promotional tours. If big chains aren’t your thing, Strand Bookstore also hosts a mix of literati and celebrity authors. For an edgier scene, leave the bookstores behind and stop by the Happy Ending Lounge for the monthly In the Flesh Erotic Reading Series, take in some poetry at the KGB bar. This Feb. 14, they’re hosting an Anti-Valentine’s Day poetry reading.

Learn something

The New School and NYU are city universities that offer hundreds of classes and certificate programs for adults. Classes are scheduled with flexible or evening hours to accommodate your work schedule. Learning hubs like Mediabistro and the non-profit New York Open Center also offer classes and programs for adults. If you’d rather not commit to a full course, they also have one day intensives or lectures. Each year, the NYPL offers a staggering 25,000 free programs city-wide, including classes, panel discussions, film screenings, lectures and concerts.

Volunteer

214 West 29th Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212-228-5000

Volunteering through New York Cares is a great way to try out a lot of different volunteer projects.  Attend a short orientation and you’re on your way to tutoring kids or teaching low-income adults crucial job skills. You can work alongside other volunteers to improve city schools and parks or deliver food to the elderly and homebound.  Animal lovers can help care for neglected and abused animals. A large time commitment isn’t necessary; the amount of time you spend volunteering is entirely up to you.

For other volunteer opportunities, click here.

Homemade Dinner From Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market
5 9th Ave
NY, NY 10011
212.243.6005

Chelsea Market has an amazing selection of specialty food shops, making it the perfect location to purchase supplies for an evening at home. They say cooking is the way to a man’s heart, but it is way more fun to spend time in the kitchen together. Dickson’s Farmstand Meats has a great selection of meats, all from local farmers. Spend time making the entrée, but leave it to Fat Witch Bakery to take care of the dessert for you. And of course don’t forget the wine, Chelsea Wine Vault has amazing selection of wines to pair with whatever meal you have chosen.

Sip & Skate

Bryant Park Ice Skating
40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenue
New York, New York 10018

Campbell Apartment
89 East 42nd Street (in Grand Central Station)
NY, NY 10017
212.953.0409

For just the price of skate rental (and nothing if you have your own) you can attempt to gracefully glide your way around the The Pond at Bryant Park. The line can get long, so try to arrive early. When your legs start to wobble and your fingers are cold, warm up in the beauty of The Campbell Apartment. Once owned by John Campbell, his personal office, turned bar and restaurant is a magnificent restoration of its original 1920’s splendor. And of course the drinks are a perfect complement to the décor.

See A Show

Carnegie Hall
881 7th Ave
NY, NY 10106
212.247.7800

Tickets range in price as much as the variety of performances at Carnegie Hall. With everything from The New York Pops to Billy Charlap and Renee Rosnes and tickets starting as low as $16 you are bound to find something you can both agree on, even if it is just the beauty and history of the hall itself.

Hot Chocolate & Art

Rubin Museum of Art
150 West 17th Street
NY, NY 10011
212.620.5000

City Bakery
3 West 18th Street
NY, NY 10011
212.366.1414

Avoid the crowds of Museum Mile while taking in the beautiful exhibits at the Rubin Museum of Art. Specializing in Himalayan works, the collections are fascinating and definitely will spark conversation. After you have worked up an appetite, walk a few blocks east to City Bakery for some of the best hot chocolate in town. Be sure to splurge on their famous homemade marshmallows. The hot chocolate is so rich, you might want to share, but I doubt you’ll mind – that is, if the date is going well!

Morgan Library & Museum

225 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
212.685.0008

After perusing Piermont Morgan’s private assemblage of books and artwork, you’ll be inspired to start your own library. Maybe it will even spark talk of a joint collection? The newly renovated library is just part of this amazing personal collection of books and artworks. The current exhibition of Roy Lichtenstein’s work is not to be missed. After taking this all in, enjoy bite to eat in the Morgan Dining room which will be just as inspiring as the rest of the museum.

Bouley

163 Duane Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 964-2525
www.davidbouley.com
Reviews & more info

Restaurants from the very most haute NYC chefs can feel a bit corporate, but the gorgeous low arched ceilings at David Bouley’s Tribeca institution make this white-tablecloth space both intimate and spectacular. The price is high, but the French cuisine is guaranteed to be ethereal and the service impeccable.

 

Your Profile

DON’T rely on clichés Before you write, “I love to laugh”, ask yourself, does anybody really detest laughing? Perhaps the most unnecessary and overused trope in dating profiles is any version of the “I’m just as comfortable in flip flops/jeans/ a dive bar as I am in a ball gown/tuxedo/at the opera.  Now, if you were only comfortable at the opera, or in flip flops, that would be an odd quirk worth mentioning in your profile. Do you “listen to NPR and read the NY Times”? Great, but so do a zillion other profiles. Why not confess that you also DVR Celebrity Rehab? It will make you seem less like a cardboard cutout.

Are you looking for your “partner in crime”? Yawn. Are you a well-educated, family-oriented professional who wants a similar mate? Put that in your profile and cash-strapped, Peter Pan types are less likely to distract you. If you want to meet local, vegan-friendly, creative types who don’t punch a clock, say so, and you probably won’t hear from that accountant in Toledo. Not everyone knows exactly what they’re looking for, but if you take the time to figure it out and then spell it out, your profile will act as a beacon to potential dates that are likely to appreciate fabulous you and also have the qualities that you’re looking for.

 

DO post at least several, recent photos

Professionally taken glamour shots that look like the airbrushed version of you, or that one great picture from ten years ago, do not belong on your dating profile. Sure, these types of pictures might get you a lot of interest, but wouldn’t you rather have your date be pleasantly surprised when they meet you, rather than see a wave of disappointment cross their face? In this city, there are a lot of actors, comedians and other performers who should be forgiven for posting professional head shots. But for all the rest of us, it comes off as a bit cheesy. Instead of posting only that one ‘magical’ picture, pick several flattering, but realistic, recent pictures for your profile.

Yes, it does suck that some people don’t want to date people due to their size, but posting only face shots is going to register as a red flag. Just because you might not fit the mold of generic “hotness” doesn’t mean that there aren’t men and women online who will find you attractive. Post clear, recent photos (including full body shots) and you can essentially weed out the people who won’t appreciate you, and therefore aren’t worth your energy, much less the time it takes to sit through an awkward date. Sure, the conventional hotties are going to get the most attention, but that’s not necessarily a good thing (see below). Online it’s about quality, not quantity.

DON’T register on too many sites at once

When every day brings a new onslaught of emails from hopeful dates, what’s supposed to be a fun quest for romance can turn into a tiresome homework assignment.  Pick just one or two dating sites so that you don’t get burned out and begin to find any excuse to “trash” potential dates just to lesson your workload. Another danger to over-indulging online is that you’ll have email and phone conversations with so many people that you won’t be able to keep their details straight. You’ll call Andrew ‘Jared’ by mistake, or ask Angela what is was like growing up in Montana, when in fact, that was ‘Chelsea’.

 

DO tell the truth

First off, no, ‘everybody’ doesn’t do it, but if you’re convinced that you must fudge your age in your searchable profile ‘stats’, then fess up in the body of your profile. At the very least, come clean about your age in the first email with a potential date. If you don’t do this, then you are willfully misrepresenting yourself and will incur the wrath of bad online karma. If you are unwilling to accurately represent yourself online, then you should stick to the offline world. You’re only setting yourself up for failure.

Unfortunately, there are people online that grossly misrepresent their looks, age, relationship goals, and even where they live (Connecticut is not Manhattan). Your intuition is the best tool you have to avoid these fraudsters. If you have a bad “gut feeling”, don’t engage them in conversation or go out on the date.

 

DON’T have too much contact before the date

The two of you text and email each other all day and then talk on the phone every night. You’re practically a couple already, but you haven’t even met yet. When you finally do meet, you realize there’s no chance for romance, but your date is still gaga. Now you have to ‘break up’ with them and they feel burned, or you could be the one getting dumped. Don’t get invested at all before you meet in person and keep the phone calls and emails to a minimum.

Who to Avoid Online

Mr. or Ms. “Picky”

In his or her profile, Picky laments over how hard it is to find someone. Although well into their 30s, and having dated scores of people, Picky has never, not once, found someone that they could “give their hearts to.” Picky appeals directly to your ego by sending you emails stating that you seem different, somehow better, than everyone else on the site, which Picky dismisses as somehow lacking. But chances are, Picky has been online for years, dated and rejected scores of great women/men, and never taken his or her profile offline. If you do go on a date, expect Picky to initially be charming and complimentary. But beware, it won’t be long before Picky blindsides you with “joking” or “well-meaning” critiques of your personality, looks and intelligence. You’ll never be good enough for Picky.

The Spammer: broken down by gender

Mr. Cut & Paste

His studiously generic emails usually begin along these lines: ‘I enjoyed reading your profile! Just had to tell you that I think you’re very attractive, and I think we have a lot of things in common. I’d really like to get you to know you better.” A rookie might think he seems sincere. But read his email a little closer, and you’ll discover there’s not one specific reference to anything in your profile. Mr. Cut & Paste is also known for ignoring (because he hasn’t read) any of your height, age and location requirements. Another trademark is his tendency to repeat information easily located on his profile “I’m a 5’ 11”, 31 year old, single male with green eyes” etc.. Basically, he’s filling space with as many words as he can in order to appear as if he’s read your profile and put thought into his email. In reality, he only looks at profile pictures, and any woman he finds “doable,” he spams.

 

She Scams, She Scams

The female spammer is a potentially dangerous, and possibly not even female, con artist that every guy should be aware of. One man I know confessed that he received up to 10 emails from suspected Spammers a week on Match.com, a mainstream, popular site that you have to pay a monthly fee for. These are the equivalent of Nigerian emails scams, but instead of winning $20,000,000 dollars thanks to a deceased, god-fearing Nigerian prince, the prize is the attentions of an attractive young woman.

The spammer has some telltale profile characteristics. Her age doesn’t seem to match up to her photo; she often looks younger than her expressed age. She usually has only one posted photo which looks overly posed and somehow unnatural. Although she claims to live in New York City in her profile stats, the body of her profile is devoid of any mention of her neighborhood or any of the usual New York-isms.  After receiving a suspicious ‘wink’ or email, a good rule of thumb is to immediately ask “Where do you live in town?” The spammer, unable to answer this question, will then typically reply that they are actually in Ghana, Columbia, or some other distant land, perhaps “caring for her sick mother” or some other sob story which eventually ends with pleas for money or your personal information.

Date in Transition

Unfortunately, the DIT is a common species on online dating sites. The DIT may claim that that they’re divorced in their profile stats, but in reality they are recently separated and in the beginning stages of a painful divorce with someone that they’re still in love with, despise, or some contentious combination of the two. In order to numb their heartbreak or simmering rage, the DIT searches the internet for potential numbing agents (aka, you), but is in no position to be able to give you anything resembling a relationship, or even a friendship, because their very fresh wound is months, or years, away from scabbing over. A good question to ask a potential DIT is “When was your divorce finalized?”

Prohibition

212-579-3100
503 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10024
prohibition.net

Reviews & more info

Roomy yet devoid of rowdies, modern without copping too cool a ‘tude, Prohibition provides an original twist on the Upper West Side social scene thanks to a relaxed lounge setting, a diverse roster of musical acts, great New American cuisine and the most attentive and attractive bartenders to ever tip a bottle in the city. Their martinis and mixers are particularly good (try either the Ruby Red or the Prohibition Mojito, each $11). Meanwhile, the backroom – which features a red velvet-topped pool table, a full private bar and your own personal waitstaff – is another option if you’re looking for either a quiet chat with an eyecatcher, or an easy way to get circles of mutual friends to comfortably intermingle. Live music plays from 9pm-12am Sun-Wed, 10pm-1am on Thu, and 10:30pm-1:30am on weekends.

Amsterdam Billiards & Bar

212-995-0333
110 E. 11th St.
New York, NY 10003

amsterdambilliardclub.com

Reviews & more info

As a famous shark named Fast Eddie once said: “Pool excellence is not about excellent pool … it’s about being a student of human moves.” Never was that philosophy more true to life, especially on NYC’s socially bustling billiards scene. And what better way to study the competition than shooting a friendly game of stick with strangers, especially the attractive and single kind? If you’re willing to take the cue, check out this stylized pool hall in Union Square. Oak-paneled and plush with a comfortable side lounge for breaks between breaks, AB has 26 available tables, plasmas TVs for current event junkies, a separate VIP section for celebs and high-ends who want to knock around, and a gorgeously curved bar where you can get anything from Jack on the rocks to a good glass of chard. And if you’re a novice to the scene, no worries: there’s a staff of good instructors who will happily show you how to avoid getting behind the eight ball.

Galapagos

galapagosartspace.com
718-222-8500
16 Main St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Reviews & more info

A one-time industrial warehouse that has since gone enviably green (its steel stage platforms are all recycled), this amazing riverside space in Williamsburg is a now-celebrated and swanky artistic venue that attracts and inspires all sorts. It also features great performers who frequently and unabashedly display all, much to the delight (and, on occasion, the highly-enjoyable chagrin) of its often-capacity crowds. Tenders well versed in the provision of drink serve constantly from side grottos on the top and bottom floors overlooking each of the stages, leaving you plenty of room to roam and see the shows. So if you’re aiming to break the ice in a group (or as a couple) and get a good conversation started, what better way to do it than by glimpsing wildly acrobatic women twirling from the ceiling a la Cirque du Soleil? Or Victorian-era takes on X-rated rock lyrics? Or selections of poetry done to a cabaret striptease? Or … well, you get the idea. Available for private parties too, but the price tag is hefty: $8,000 for cocktails alone.

Gutter Bar

thegutterbrooklyn.com
718-387-3585
200 N. 14th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Reviews & more info

A former factory that’s since been retro-fitted as a shabby, Brunswick-machined, eight-lane bowling alley by the owners of the popular Barcade (equally good, but not ranked here), The Gutter is the first rock-rollin’, pin-knocking joint to hit Brooklyn in almost half a century, and yet it looks like it never left town, thanks to some clever fringe antiquing (the 40’s-era phone booth alone is Superman’s dream). And despite heavy gripes about it not being stocked in Miller High Life (man, there’s just no pleasing hipsters, is there?), the alley bar serves a great selection of whiskey and at least 12 microbrews. But again, plastic fans: come prepared, for this is a CASH ONLY establishment. Games are $7 a person, with all the essential footwear available on-site at $3 a pair. If you’re in a group of 5 or more, it’s an hourly charge between $30-$40, depending. Given the abundance of beverages and its surroundings, hey … The Dude himself would abide.

The Iron Horse

ironhorsenyc.com
646-546-5426
32 Cliff St.
New York, NY 10038

Reviews & more info

Not to be confused with the upstate watering hole where the late, great Paul Newman shot his Oscar-nominated classic Nobody’s Fool, this downtown (and lowdown) NYC saloon is a great place for extroverts and gadabouts eager to gather and blow off some truly hedonistic post-work steam in rowdy and raunchy style. A much saltier (and far less crowded) option than Coyote Ugly, the Horse’s bra-clad fire-spitting crew (magazine model / drink-slinging skydiver Trish Lyndon is one of several local legends to have tended bar) is equally sexy, brazen and improvisational when it comes to breaking the ice with both its male and female patrons, who happily sip $2 cans of Rolling Rock while the bar gals perform stunts that involve everything from chocolate syrup to a flying trapeze. High-end drinks and classy behavior isn’t an issue here. The Iron Horse is all about letting your hair down and having fun. Prudes who find it lewd, hey … don’t the let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. For churchgoing sorts, there’s “Free Burger Sunday,” where if – between noon and 10pm – you order any drink (except Rolling Rock), you get a free burger or hot dog.

-By Kevin Byrne

A Central Park Picnic

Cliché as it might be, Central Park may be the ultimate date spot for New Yorkers. Pack a picnic for you and your date and find yourself a cozy spot for two. With 843 acres, there’s plenty of room for options. The Great Lawn is a good bet – plenty of space for privacy, but great opportunities for people watching. Plan to get there around sundown for a great view of the sunset over Manhattan – but remember to pack an extra blanket to keep warm in the autumn air. Enter at 79^th Street (hop on the B or C train to 72^nd or 81^st Street).

For more info, click here.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Take a tip from New York City’s ultimate power couple and hit up a local baseball game. Check StubHub for cheap tickets to a Yankees or Mets game!

If you decide to head to the Bronx, grab a drink or a bite before the game – try Gleeson’s Sports Bar & Grill for wings and $3 Coors Lights, or Yankee Tavern, where Yankee greats like Babe Ruth and Yogi Berra used to kick back with a cold one.

Gleeson’s Sports Bar
6115 Broadway (at 246th Street)
(718) 548-0606

Yankee Tavern
72 E. 161st St (Yankee Stadium subway stop)
(718)-292-6130

At CitiField, try McFadden’s for a meal or drinks (or both!) before the first pitch. The Irish pub serves up traditional American game day favorites. After the game ends, head back for a vibrant bar scene.

McFadden’s CitiField
12001 Roosevelt Avenue
Corona, NY‎
(718) 651-2220

Apple Picking

Make a day of it and engage in one of autumn’s trademark activities – apple picking! Head north or south of the city for some of the freshest apple farms where you and your date can grab some fresh fruit – and fresh air! For CBSNewYork.com’s complete guide to apple picking, click here.

Chelsea Piers

Escape the chilly temperatures and head inside for bowling at Chelsea Piers. Don’t worry, it’s not bowling like you used to in middle school. Chelsea Piers offers a more mature, upscale bowling experience, with dim lighting and food and drink service offered at all 40 lanes. If you and your significant other are looking for a bit more privacy on date night, you can book a private affair at the venue’s Club 300. Bar packages are available. For more information, click here.

For the sportier couple, Chelsea Piers also offers batting cages and golf. And when you’ve already worked up a sweat, take a break with a cold one at the Chelsea Piers Brewhouse.

62 Chelsea Piers (take the A, C or E to 14th Street)
(212) 336-6666

South Street Seaport

South Street Seaport offers several options for fun date ideas of the autumn variety. Check out the museum to learn about the city’s history, check out paintings and ocean liner memorabilia. In the evening set sail on a harbor cruise for a romantic view of the city’s skyline. On Thursdays, the Seaport offers wine cruises. Click here for more information.

Tucked away in Central Park at about 103rd Street is a place called The Loch. Here you’ll find some little-known waterfalls, and any of them will do as a place to propose. The water cascading behind you as you drop down on one knee is just breathtaking for any bride-to-be. Just make sure you pack the mittens.

If you are looking for more of a public scene, try the Loeb Boathouse. You can ask her in front of the lake, by the fountain, on the steps – all these spots provide the perfect winter backdrop, and the boathouse provides a real Hollywood moment for the bride-to be: It’s been seen in flicks like 27 Dresses. Just a short walk away is the Bow Bridge where Peter Parker proposed to Mary Jane in Spiderman 2. This bridge crosses over the same body of water. Being surrounded by this spectacular piece of nature, how could she possibly say no?

Act out Sleepless in Seattle and meet her on the top of Empire State Building. Enjoy the view and make the night absolutely unforgettable. You can see views of the city from Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center in Midtown.

For the winter proposal, you have three ice rinks to which to take her. Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center or Central Park should cause your other half to answer yes. From Thanksgiving until the end of January, Midtown is decorated with Christmas decorations, and if you time it right you could pop the question while the snowflakes at Saks Fifth Avenue gracefully accompany you with Hark Hail the Bells.

If you’re waiting til summer to work up the nerve to get down on one knee, thrill-seekers can hop on the subway and ride down to the historic Coney Island. There you can pop the question at the top of the Wonder Wheel or on the Cyclone rollercoaster. The boardwalk allows you to walk right along the beach. Be careful: This boardwalk can get rather crowded, so pick a low traffic time and location to ask.