21 Things to Do in NYC For Couples (That You Don’t Already Know About)

Take your relationship on a cryptic adventure with a scavenger hunt through Manhattan! 

Part sightseeing, part puzzle-solving, and 100% fun, scavenger hunts like these are perfect for competitive couples who want a unique way to experience NYC’s landmarks while racing the clock.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve lived here your whole life or it’s your first visit to the city, we can guarantee you won’t have noticed all these city secrets before. Explore the city while solving clues and uncovering hidden gems, and then claim your bragging rights.

If you’re looking for things to do in NYC for couples that involve a little creativity, this is for you.

Lanterne Lab is an awesome creative powerhouse where you can create custom candles in the heart of Chinatown! 

Together, you’ll choose your own scents, colors, and designs to create personalized candles. It’s hands-on, aromatic fun that gives you something beautiful to take home (and, hey, it’ll come in handy when you want to set the mood for future cozy nights in).

If you and your partner love true crime or thrillers, this murder mystery adventure in Manhattan is for you! 

So, what is it? Basically, an opportunity to solve puzzles, take a second glance at the clues and work together to catch a killer as you explore the Chelsea district. 

Using nothing but your phones and your collective wits, you’ll unravel a story that takes you here, there, and everywhere on a quest to hunt down a (fictional) killer.

Sure, you know by now that NYC is full of romantic spots (we’ve all seen that photo of “The Kiss” at Times Square) but what about the other, lesser-known hidden gems?

I could spend the rest of this point reeling off loads of examples for you (check ‘em out here, if you like) but it’s probably easier if I give you a top 5:

• 📍Little Island
• 📍Morningside Park
• 📍Pomander Walk
• 📍Central Park Boathouse (aka Loeb Boathouse)

Feeling a little stressed out or want to give your partner some much-needed R&R? Check this place out.

As we all know, NYC is a pretty expensive city, and if you’re looking for a super budget-friendly option, this isn’t it. 

However, if you’re looking for a couples activity in NYC that comes in at around 100 bucks each (prices fluctuate from around $90-$135 depending on the day you visit), keep reading.

SoJo Spa Club offers couples a full day of pampering with saunas, steam rooms, and heated pools—plus, stunning views of the NYC skyline. Recharge your relationship with a couple’s massage or simply unwind together in total bliss.

Next up on our list of things to do in NYC for couples, something that you might not have realized was even possible…

Skip the crowds and go exploring at your own pace with a self-guided walking tour. 

The benefits to this are obvious: you and your partner can uncover hidden spots around the city at your own pace, you can start and stop the tour whenever it’s convenient for you, and you get recommended rest stops along the way.

But the other cool thing about this is that you don’t need any knowledge of NYC to uncover cool snippets of history or vignettes of its previous lives. 

You have to solve puzzles and answer riddles related to your surroundings, so you actually have to engage in the tour to see what’s lurking around the corner; perfect if you’re a couple who loves to learn.

Disney might have set the famous Lady and The Tramp spaghetti scene in some unknown New England town, but we all know the real setting should’ve been NYC. 

If food is your love language (no judgment, it’s definitely mine), get ready to carb-load on love with a cooking class! 

Learn the art of pasta-making from an Italian master chef, and impress your partner with your newfound culinary skills. Buon appetito!

Hear me out. Love is an amazing thing and you know what, too many of us take it for granted. But, you don’t have to.

Giving back to the community is a small way you and your partner can share a little of your love and feel a bunch of it come back to you.

New York Cares is an organization that helps you make the world a better place, one volunteering session at a time. And it’s not all helping out at shelters either (although, this is a great way to be useful).

You can volunteer as a bike ride marshal, clean up parks, tutor students, encourage fellow New Yorkers to vote…the list is endless.

Spirituality is a deeply personal thing and whether or not it’s your thing is entirely up to you. But if you’re looking for fun things to do in NYC for couples that are certainly unique, this is about as individual as you’re gonna get.

If you’ve ever wondered what your love energy (not language, that’s somethin’ else) looks like, head to Magic Jewelry in Chinatown. You don’t need to make a reservation unless you plan on going to the Flushing store, but otherwise, just turn up and get your auras photographed and interpreted. 

It’s a mystical, fun way to explore your emotional vibes together—plus, you’ll leave with a colorful keepsake that captures your energy as a couple.

Laughter is the best medicine, and nothing’s better than laughing in harmony with your SO.

If you’re into improv musical comedy, head to Magnet Theater. This is honestly one of the best comedic hidden gems in the city (tough, because NYC is a funny place without even trying).

In a nutshell, it’s budget-friendly, hilarious, wholesome, and speaks to that part of your soul that feels you should see the bright side more often.

How would I describe this? Like science class, just kinda inebriated. Cool, right?

Geek out together with an evening of cocktails and hands-on science experiments! 

At Science ‘n Sip, you’ll learn while sipping on custom drinks. It’s the perfect combo of brainpower and booze, turning date night into a unique, fun-filled learning experience.

If you’re on the hunt for things to do in NYC for couples that are into exploration, check this out.

You may or may not be aware that it’s possible to venture beneath NYC and find a whole new world under there, but, you are now! 

Offered by the New York Transit System, the tour starts from the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station and dives deep into the stunning, early 1900s architecture. 

Expect to see intricate tile work, brass chandeliers, and gorgeous skylights as you walk through this preserved piece of history. Perfect for couples who love a bit of mystery and want to explore one of NYC’s hidden gems. 

Note: Tours are limited and require membership with the Transit Museum, so plan ahead!

For a truly quirky night out with your partner, check out Burp Castle.

If I say “monks” and “beer” in the same sentence, you might think I’ve lost my marbles…but, I haven’t. Back in Medieval times, European monks were considered GOATs at brewing–beer, wine, mead, you name it, they made it. And in vast quantities too!

Inspired by this bizarre fact, Burp Castle is an homage to Belgian monks and the sanctity that existed in the monasteries and convents where these beverages were once brewed. 

This tiny, cozy bar has a strict “whisper policy,” making it the perfect place for quiet conversations over craft brews. What else can I say? It’s quirky, intimate, and unlike any other bar in the city.

Last but not least on our list of unique things to do in NYC for couples, an awesome movie theater.

As NYC’s last independent cinema, Film Forum is the perfect spot to catch rare indie films, classics, or foreign flicks. The vibe is retro, the movies are one-of-a-kind, and it’s the ideal way to cozy up with popcorn and good conversation (after the movie, of course!).

New York City is famous for being a sexually open-minded city, and it’s no surprise to anybody that the world’s first Museum of Sex opened up right here.

Talking about or learning about sexuality might not be your cup of tea, but I’d encourage most folks to see it at least once. 

There’s some pretty interesting sex ed history in there and it’s not gonna be like anything you’ve seen before, and hey, there’s a breast-themed bouncy castle inside. That alone might be enough to persuade you to go take a look!

If you or your partner is into Bridgerton or any of those shows set in the 1800s where everyone’s wearing big, flouncy dresses and swooning all over the place, this is for you.

High Tea is a quintessentially British pastime, although it might surprise you to learn that Britons are actually starting to prefer coffee over tea!

Regardless, settling down for an afternoon tea is a nice, cozy gesture to spend time with your partner, and there’s way more to it than just the cup of tea. High Tea typically involves sandwiches, an assortment of delicate pastries, and scones served the British way. 

Feeling crafty? Host your own tea party at home for a cozy, DIY version of this elegant date by ordering an at-home takeout version.

Ever noticed how some escape rooms only let you play if there’s more than two of you? Well, that’s not a problem you’ll have with these. 

For couples who love a challenge, outdoor escape rooms like these turn the entire city into your arena! You’ll work together to solve riddles and clues, racing the clock to rack up some points. 

And that’s not the only benefit, either. You can start the game when you want, pause it if you need a break, and you get plenty of exercise at the same time.

Tabletop games might make you think of fierce fights with your siblings but I’m here to tell you, they’re the perfect couple activity.

First of all, places like Uncommons have shelves full of games, from classics like Scrabble to modern favorites like Catan, so it’s unlikely you’ll get bored.

Second of all, it’s just good, old fashioned, wholesome fun. Once you get into it, this’ll become a new favorite habit (and then you’ll have to come back to this list to find something new to do).

Listen, nobody likes a third wheel, especially when you’ve finally got time to just hang out with your partner.

But, you might already have one, and they’re so cute you probably haven’t even considered how much love they steal from you and your partner. 

At Le Doggie Café, dogs are just as pampered as their owners. Relax over a latte while your pup enjoys some gourmet treats, and your partner gushes about how thoughtful you are.

If you look at the storybooks, it seems all romancers out there knew how to wield a bow and arrow (well, just Robin Hood and Cupid, now I think about it). 

Regardless, if you’re looking for things to do in NYC for couples who are in a bit of a rut of doing the same old thing, I’d recommend you give archery a try. 

Why? Because it’s fun, challenging, and definitely a date that hits the bullseye (couldn’t resist)!

If you didn’t know already, Pickleball is the latest craze, and the good news is, it's the perfect double-date activity! 

If you’re looking for things to do in NYC for couples, like, more than just you and your partner, I really recommend playing Pickleball. If you’ve never played before, Pickleball is a kind of blend of tennis and ping-pong. It’s quite fast-paced once you get the hang of it, and it’s awesome for some lighthearted fun and competition. 

Grab your other couple, hit the court, and let the games begin!