New Yorkers and everyone visiting town, we have the ultimate February guide to the big apple! It’s peak winter here and while it is cold outside, there are still so many things to do beyond visiting Times Square and going to the top of the Empire State Building. We love to share a unique experience, so you’ve come to the right place. This month, we have a mix of outdoor activities and indoor options to beat the chilly weather. There are fewer crowds this time of year to visit iconic landmarks and check out what the locals are doing all month long. Here is our full guide to checking out NYC this month!
Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day lasts all month long! There are so many things to do for Valentine’s Day, whether it be a nice dinner out on the town, going to the movies or even just staying in and enjoying time together! Little Italy has some of the best restaurants in town and of course, there are plenty of spots doing bottomless brunches for Galentine’s Day with friends! Eventbrite and SecretNYC always have the best finds too.
Celebrate Black History Month
It’s Black History Month! One thing that is incredibly important to do is reflect on the history of this country and continue to educate others on it. We have come so far, but there is always room to do better. Being allies and continuing to educate the younger generations are some of the best things we can do. Take this month to donate to great causes, such as Prosperity Now or Bridges 4 Life . Another amazing way to celebrate the month is by supporting black businesses! I am obsessed with businesses such as Smash Shoes, The Grey available on Goldbelly and glassware from Estelle Colored Glass! We love her latest work.
Sojo Spa Club
This is a super luxurious, multi-level spa in Edgewater, NJ, just across the river from the city. It offers a variety of amenities, including hot and cold pools, saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation areas, blending traditional Korean spa practices with modern wellness features for a tranquil, rejuvenating experience. We think this is a great way to spend a snow day or book it for a Valentine’s Day activity. It makes for a great gift, too!
Igloos at
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park’s Cozy Igloos are the place to be. Decorated with festive decor and warm lighting, these igloos are perfect for everything from a Bridgerton-themed night to a cozy date or fun Galentine’s day out. In addition to the igloos, Bryant Park is hosting a variety of events this month leading up to Valentine’s Day, making it the ultimate destination for romance and fun.
Winter Olympics at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
While the Winter Games may be taking place in Milan this February, the excitement comes stateside with weeks of Winter Games–inspired programming at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. From February 6th–22nd, you can cheer on Team USA during lively watch parties in The Lodge, enjoy themed skate nights, and take part in interactive winter sports experiences in an iconic NYC setting.
Highlights include the return of Bumper Cars on Ice, open through February 28th, where guests can spin and slide across The Rink in their own personal bumper car. Visitors can also try free iceless you from February 6th–26th or step inside a genuine Team USA bobsled from Lake Placid for a memorable photo op. Inside The Lodge, oversized screens will broadcast live Winter Games coverage daily, paired with festive food, drink specials and a medal-count wall to track the action. On select evenings beginning February 6th, the celebration extends to The Rink with international music skate nights and special skating lessons, making Bryant Park the ultimate winter gathering place.
Kids Night on Broadway
Kids’ Night returns to New York City on February 24th, offering families a perfect opportunity to experience the magic of Broadway together. Kids and teens 18 and under can attend a participating Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult, with 18 shows taking part including favorites like The Lion King, Wicked, Hamilton, Aladdin, and SIX. The evening is designed as a full family night out, featuring in-theatre activities, special restaurant deals throughout the Theatre District, and discounted admission to the Museum of Broadway. Tickets will be available at a later date, and families can sign up for The Broadway Fan Club to be the first to know when sales open.
Grand Central Tennis Courts
Grand Central Tennis Courts is an indoor tennis facility located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, offering high-quality courts for recreational and competitive play. It features both hard and clay surfaces, and provides convenient access for city residents and visitors looking to enjoy tennis year-round. This is a good idea for top things to check out with friends and a great way to spend a couple of hours staying active. It’s located in the heart of New York and easily accessible via several different subways.
The Color Factory
Afternoon Tea at the Lowell Hotel
The Lowell Hotel’s Tea for Dior is a luxurious afternoon tea experience inspired by the elegance and timeless style of the iconic fashion house. You get treated to a curated selection of gourmet teas, paired with delicate pastries and finger sandwiches, all presented in a refined, haute couture setting. The ambiance reflects Dior’s signature sophistication, with subtle nods to the brand’s rich heritage in both design and craftsmanship. This limited-time offering at The Lowell Hotel blends the worlds of fashion and culinary artistry for an unforgettable, high-end tea experience. The girls and I went recently and had the most amazing time! Check out our experience here.
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Valentine’s Day Manicure
For Valentine’s Day, embrace the love theme with creative nail designs like soft pinks, reds, and whites, adorned with heart shapes, delicate florals, or playful polka dots. Opt for classic French tips with a romantic twist using red or gold accents, or go bold with a gradient of pinks and glitters for a festive touch. Whether subtle or statement-making, your nails can be the perfect way to celebrate the season of love! Here is our list of Valentine’s Day nail trends to try out.
Watch the Super bowl
The big game is almost here! Airing on Sunday, February 8th at 6:30PM EST, two football teams will battle for the winning title. Personally, I love to watch for the halftime show! Bad Bunnie is performing this year and we are always eager to see the musical talent! This annual event is also the perfect excuse to have a party. I have a whole post about the best dips to make, check it out here! Spend your Friday evening planning out all the food for this and enjoy it Sunday.
Paint ‘n Pour at the Empire State Building
Paint ’n Pour at the Empire State Building offers a unique Valentine’s Day twist on the classic paint-and-sip, inviting guests to create their own ESB-themed canvas masterpiece 80 floors above the city skyline. The experience includes a professional two-hour guided session with all art supplies, an open bar, and access to the 86th-floor observatory for stunning views, making it a perfect blend of creativity and romance. With tickets available for select dates around Valentine’s Day, this adults-only event is ideal for couples or friends looking to celebrate with art, drinks, and iconic New York City views. They have availability for the 12th, 13th and 15th.
Mercer Labs
We love checking out interactive museums and this one has got to be one of the coolest I’ve seen in awhile! Mercer labs is an experimental exhibition that has 15 difference interactive experiences including unique listening encounters and immersive exhibits that perfectly blend technology with the world of art. Roy Nachum created this vision and he is most known for human perception and using his artistic abilities to bend them. The whole thing almost felt like an out of body experience, in the best way, as if you’re looking at the world mindlessly! Located at 21 dey street, there are several subway lines nearby so it’s easy to get to. Save this for your next weekend activity!
Attend NY Fashion Week
It’s the biggest week in fashion again in the city! New York Fashion Week is a week where we go to a bunch of fashion shows and events to learn all about new seasonal styles to look forward to. It’s the best time and I love seeing all of the looks! Are there any shows you’re looking forward to in particular this year? It’s all taking place the 11th-16th.
NBA Games
The NBA is back and it’s time for some games! Our team plays at Madison Square Garden and it’s always a fun time. There’s just something about taking the whole family to a game, eating stadium food and enjoying watching them play in such a lively arena. Kind of like a core memory in a childhood. It’s a great family activity to do and we’re looking forward to grabbing tickets this season!
Ice Skate
Ice skating opened up in the city this fall, but we never get sick of it. In fact, we try to take advantage of it all winter long and get our practice in! We live near The Rink at Brookfield Place, so the kids go there with their friends almost daily to skate and hang out. With amazing spots all over the city, it can be difficult to choose a location. This year, celebrate 75 years of memories at the iconic Wollman Rink with a year-long series of exciting events. Grab your significant other or best friend and join the fun for a week of love on and off the ice, kicking off just in time for Galentine’s and Valentine’s Day this year!
Check out our blog post about the best ice skating spots in NYC if you need any help!
Pink Pier
You know how much I love everything pink! The Pink Pier is back at the Watermark and it’s always a great time. There are delicious cocktails and tasty bites and they have the pink lit igloos for the cold weather. So you can go and know you won’t freeze this winter!
Restaurant Week
The most delicious week is ending soon! Running through February 12th, make some room with your meal plans! If you’re unfamiliar with this few week event, it is when restaurants have running deals where you can get a trio of pricing options normally $30, $45 and $60 for prix fixe lunch and dinners. This is a great idea for a date night or a night out with friends!
Broadway Week
Running at the same time as Restaurant Week, it’s Broadway Week! I always find it really convenient to have these at the same time for date night plans. This is where you can get 2 for 1 tickets to certain Broadway shows! Check out our latest post on Broadway shows to go see this season.
Aprés Ski Chalets
Rockefeller Center has 50 minute reservations for the most adorable ski chalets. You can order food and drinks while you enjoy the sights all around Rockefeller Center. This is a busy part of town, so you can make this a stop along the way while you shop or use it as a dinner pregame.
Ride Bumper Cars
The biggest one is Bryant Park. They have their winter village going on and you can sip hot cocoa after riding bumper cars on ice! We recently went to that one and the girls had so much fun! It’s a family-friendly activity that will have your kids wanting to keep going back.
Chinese New Year Parade
The Lunar New Year parade is taking place on February 22nd! This Lunar New Year Celebration is for the snake. Traditionally, celebrations last for 16 days and NYC has a New Year parade you can attend in celebration! Hudson Yards, Seaport, CMOM and more are having festivities this month! Sunday, February 22nd starting at 1PM, you can witness the parade beginning at Mott and Canal!
Winter Wonderland at The Bronx Zoo
If you have kids and are looking for one of the best places to spend your weekend, try the Bronx Zoo! They have a Winter Wonderland special, as the zoo is not in hibernation. Featuring bears, tigers, seals and so many more adorable animals, you can learn all about them. Make sure you get tickets first!
Go Sledding
We don’t have places to ski in NYC, although there are plenty around us to travel to, especially within a few hours. Sledding is the perfect option because we do have areas with hills. For instance, Central Park and Prospect Park both have great hills to slide down! We have a whole post about which sleds are the best, so you’ll have to check that out before going this season!
Intrepid Museum
It’s Kids Week at Intrepid just in time for the break in school for Presidents Day! If you’re looking for a fun and educational activity, the Intrepid Museum has STEAM based activities, exhibits, performances and workshops. We love going here to learn more about science and technology and this is the perfect week to go- February 14th-21st!
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