I absolutely love Valentine’s Day. I know many believe it to be a “Hallmark” holiday, but I think its a sweet day filled with warm fuzzy love. The hearts, the sweet treats, everything pink, my inner girly girl loves the energy around the extra festive holiday. Whether Im home cozy with my kids, or planning an extra special date night with my husband I love celebrating the love we share. Ive gathered some unique ideas around New York City to celebrate the love’s in your lives.
Happy Love Day!
Magnolia Red Velvet Pudding

We all know and love Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding, but in February Magnolia offers the most delicious Red Velvet Banana Pudding. For the first year ever they’re even shipping it nationwide! Magnolia bakery is our household favorite for a sweet treat in the city, and this festive option is a Valentines Day must!
Rubirosa Heart Pizza
New York City is definitely known for its New York style slice of pie, and though pizza is delicious all year round, its extra special on valentines day. Head over to Rubirosa for a heart shaped pizza pie. Rubirosa is a New York City staple and is the best date idea if you’re looking for a festive but casual Valentines Day meal.
Tache Chocolate Making Class
Gifting chocolates on Valentines Day is an old and sweet traditiion. But gifting a chocolate making class is gifting a super fun shared experience. I’ve always been so impressed with the craft work that chocolatiers use to create these little bite size treats. A chocolate making class will help you create memories to last forever!
Moulin Rouge
Treat your Valentine to a sultry and classic broadway show. Moulin Rouge is the perfect show to see on Valentines Day. A show filled with romance, glitz, and glory it has audiences mesmerized. The music will have you dancing in your seat. You’ll definitely leave feeling like you’ve time travelled to old Paris.
AIRE Ancient Baths
Nothing quite like treating your Valentine to a spa. AIRE is like no other spa experience. A true magical oasis among our urban jungle. In a gently lit cavern this experience will have you feeling like a Greek or Roman god! Services include massages, olive essence ritual, a wine bath, Himalayan salt rituals, and so much more. It truly will be a Valentine’s Day experience your date will remember forever.
Cooking Class At The Institute Of Culinary Education
We’ve always been told how sexy it can be to get in the kitchen together and that “The way to a mans heart is through his stomach!”. So lets spice things up in the kitchen! The Institute Of Culinary Education offers many options to explore new recipes and techniques with your special someone. Whether you take a classic cooking class, a baking class, or a wine class, you’re bound to heat things up!
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.
The Nines
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an unforgettable evening at The Nines, where romance takes center stage. Indulge in a four-course prix fixe dinner for $325 per person, accompanied by live music from the house pianists to set the mood all night long. Bar seating guests can enjoy the full experience with à la carte options from the special Valentine’s menu, with limited walk-in cocktail seating available in The Parlor on a first-come, first-served basis. Make a reservation here.
Barlume
Barlume is offering a stylish yet relaxed way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the option to dine à la carte or enjoy a $95 prix fixe menu featuring festive, holiday-inspired dishes. The evening places a special emphasis on creative cocktails and indulgent desserts, perfect for sharing. For an extra touch, guests can opt into a curated wine pairing for $75, making it ideal for both low-key dates and elevated celebrations.
Loews Regency
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an unforgettable dining experience at The Regency Bar and Grill, one of the Upper East Side’s most iconic restaurants. Guests can enjoy a $225 per person multi course menu crafted by Executive Chef Manjit Manohar, served in the main dining room with live music setting the tone for a romantic evening. The menu begins with classic indulgences like oysters and caviar, followed by refined first courses such as hamachi crudo or foie gras torchon, a refreshing Granny Smith apple ginger sorbet and standout mains including filet of beef, seared Arctic char or hand rolled potato gnocchi. Dessert options include olive oil and orange cake or a rich Valrhona chocolate lava cake to end the night on a sweet note. Reservations are available via Resy or by calling the restaurant directly and guests can elevate the experience even further by booking the hotel’s Love by Loews package, which includes champagne, seasonal flowers, local chocolates and more. A staycation would make this an even more romantic weekend!
Leroy House
My absolute favorite restaurant in NYC. As a family we have spent Easter’s, Mothers Day’s, and other holidays celebrating in its gorgeous space. One of my favorite elements is the windows facing the rose garden. For Valentines Day the garden is decorated exceptionally festive to bring earthy romance in from the outside. Located on Hudson st. in a historic townhouse the neighborhood and building exudes charm and romance. Here are a few spots on our list of the Best NYC Restaurants We Have Our Eye On. Also check out our Favorite Romantic Restaurants In NYC.
The New York City Ballet
There’s nothing quite as classic and romantic as a date to the ballet. Whether you’re treating your mom, sister, or your sweet someone, the ballet its bound to be a magical evening. The music, costumes, and of course dancing with help you relax and escape our busy NYC lives to another world. Swan Lake opens on Valentines Day this year and is a true ballet classic everyone should experience.
Ice Skating In Central Park
An image right out of a romantic movie, ice skating in central park is an iconic NYC date idea. Central Park can sometimes be described as the heart of our city. The real jungle to our urban jungle. Take your valentine out for a special skating experience with some of the most peaceful views in all of NYC. Follow it with a romantic walk through the park!
Flower Shop Pop Up At Tiffany’s
*This post was originally published February 7th, 2020 and has since been updated.
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17 thoughts on “Valentines Day Guide To NYC”
oh my goodness i love this 🙂 i havent been to nyc in a long time but this would be a great little guide to do someday
Another great list for February. I love the idea of taking a cooking class together in town. And I had no idea I could see the Moulin Rouge, my hubby loved the movie and would love to go!
I want to get to NYC again! We’ll just stay in on Valentine’s Day since it’s too crowded. But I’ll be sure to get lots of chocolate.
I love your Valentine’s Day guide to NYC. What a fabulous list of things to enjoy during a Valentine’s Day or night out in NYC.
Watching a show on Broadway is on my bucket list. Hubby had already watched a show before – before we met. Hopefully we get to do it as a couple someday.
My daughter lives in Brooklyn, I’ll have to share this with her! I am also checking out Magnolia Bakery’s since they offer shipping!
I am going to have to take a day trip to Magnolia. I’m about an hour or so away and have never had the opportunity to go. Joanna and Chip are one of my favorite couples to watch on television. They are so cute together.
I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s day. So I probably won’t do anything special.
OMG thanks for these suggestions. It was only a few months ago that I had a piece of the goodness available at Magnolias. But this Red Velvet Pudding looks like the icing on the cake. This is perfect timing because I’ll be in New York this month!
Oh yay! Definitely grab some while you’re here.
These are all interesting and fun! I mostly want to try the Tache Chocolate Making Class. Well, because I like chocolates!
All these treats and activities look fantastic. I’ve been wanting to visit friends in New York and now I have even more things I want to do there.
Wow, I want to be in NYC for Valentines Day! So many great things on that list! I’d really like to visit AIRE!
AIRE is a total dream date!
You make the idea of spending Valentine’s Day in New York sound wonderful. I have never visited but it seems like there is so much to do.
Always so much to do in NYC!
I would love to spend Valentine’s Day in NYC. I need to try that Red Velvet Banana Pudding! It sounds amazing.
SO SO delicious!