Make this a Valentine’s Day to remember by taking your sweetheart to New York City’s most romantic destinations. You’ll recognize these landmarks from classic movies and news reports of creative marriage proposals. The best part? Most of these attractions are low cost or free!
The Empire State Building (Photo: Leslie Koch/DowntownTraveler.com)
#1. The Empire State Building
Hollywood films like An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle established the Empire State Building as the most romantic destination in New York City. The 102-story skyscraper was built in 1931 in the Art Deco style and is currently the tallest building in the Big Apple. The 86th Floor Observatory is the perfect setting for a marriage proposal.
> Cost: Adult tickets start at $19.29 (plus $2 surcharge)
> Website: www.esbnyc.com
> Twitter: @ESBObservatory
Top of the Rock (Photo: Randy Le'Moine/Flickr Commons)
#2. Top of the Rock
Get great views of Manhattan in the heart of Rockefeller Center. Top of the Rock is located next to the ice skating rink, so you can work off your jitters before popping the question atop the Rock. The TV shows Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock are set in the neighborhood, so you might even bump into a celebrity!
> Cost: Adult tickets start at $22.00
> Website: www.topoftherocknyc.com
> Facebook: www.facebook.com/TopOfTheRockNYC
The Statue of Liberty (Photo: aa7ae/Flickr Commons)
#3. The Statue of Liberty
Lady Liberty is not only a symbol of New York, but of the freedoms we enjoy in the United States. The 151 ft. tall statue has greeted immigrants and tourists since it was dedicated in 1886. Make sure to snap a photo in front of the statue, which is flanked by the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan. You can view the statue from the Staten Island Ferry or visit the grounds with a Statue Cruise boat trip.
> Cost: The Staten Island Ferry is FREE; Statue Cruises tickets start at $13
> Website: www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm
> Twitter: @StatueLibrtyNPS
Citi Pond skating rink (Photo: Leslie Koch/DowntownTraveler.com)
#4. Bryant Park
The Citi Pond ice rink at Bryant Park is the perfect place to spend Valentine’s Day. As part of the Bryant Park 2011 Film Festival, the ice skating love story Cutting Edge will be shown on an outdoor screen near the Sixth Avenue entrance. You can even watch the movie as you skate! Citi Pond sits in a perfect location– just a few blocks from Times Square– and is surrounded by skyscrapers.
> Cost: FREE (if you bring your own skates)
> Website: thepondatbryantpark.com
> Twitter: @CitiPondNYC
The Brooklyn Bridge (Photo: Maurice/Flickr Commons)
#5. The Brooklyn Bridge
This bridge, which connects Brooklyn and Manhattan, has seen its share of marriage proposals. One creative groom had strangers deliver pink balloons to his girlfriend as they walked across the bridge. After receiving a few balloons, she started to catch on. “Too many things were going through my mind,” the bride revealed to Glamour.com, “just random thoughts like he is so cute, who are these people, wow I’m really lucky, doesn’t this only happen in the movies? Is this real?”
> Cost: FREE
> For more info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Bridge
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Great article and pics! Makes me want to incorporate one of these on our big night : )
Thanks Krista! Hmmm… maybe you’ll get an extra special present for Valentine’s Day this year 🙂
Very nice list – will be sure to visit all of them when we get to NYC.
I’v been both to the top of the rock and the empire state building, the top of the rock is wonderful, great views and they have a lounge if you get too cold outside!
Good to know! Thanks Alyson 🙂
For me, one of the most romantic landmarks in NYC floats- the Staten Island Ferry.
And the best part– the ferry is free!
Lovely! I wanna come to New York for Val’s… but will you let me & hubs stay at yours?! 😛
Sure! Would love for you guys to visit. We have a small apartment though… you’ll be sleeping on an air mattress in the kitchen. Hehe 🙂
wow i only went to empire States building… lol I’m a bad New Yorker
I think you are the norm! I went to a lot of these landmarks when I was little, on school field trips. They really are beautiful!
I love bridges and have been to Brooklyn a few times, but never walked on the bridge. This will be a must for me next time I find myself in your lovely city Leslie! 🙂
Hope you make it to NYC. When you do, we’ll have a tweetup!
Really great ideas for a low cost yet cool place to go with your significant other!
Damn seeing this really makes me miss New York City! I’ve been living by the beach the pats 6 months so I can’t complain, but I could go for a good walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s one of my favorite things to do when I’m in the city.
What a great roundup of all the romantic places in NYC. I hear Bryant Park is amazing…but my vote still goes to the top of the Empire State Building. Great article my friend!