6 Out-of-the-Box Valentine’s Day Dates

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While a romantic dinner for two is a classic way to celebrate the holiday, it can be just as fun to surprise your Valentine with something new and different. And don’t write off daytime dates—they can be just as romantic as nighttime plans. Check out our favorite unconventional date ideas that let you experience the city in a romantic way.

Play Bocce at a Neighborhood Bar

Floyd, NY
131 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Why not get a little competitive with your Valentine while enjoying drinks and conversation at a local bar? If you’re in the Cobble Hill or Brooklyn Heights area, head to Floyd (pictured above), which has a 40-foot indoor bocce court made of packed clay. Two or three teams can play at a time, so you might make a few new friends as the night goes on. If you’re feeling a little rusty when it comes to the rules, just check out Floyd’s website for a detailed rundown of how the game works.

Take a Tarot 101 Class

Grand Army Plaza 
Park Slope, Brooklyn 11238

Donna Henes is a wildly popular “urban shaman” who has been doing tarot readings in New York City for over 30 years. Celebrate Valentine’s Day a little late this year, on February 19th from 6:30 – 9:30 PM, and join her at her studio in Park Slope for a fun and informative class where attendees learn the basics of how to read tarot cards. Donna finishes each class with a mini reading for all participants, so you and your date can uncover new things about each other in a most unusual way. Tickets start at $60, and class sizes are small, so sign up quickly if you want to snag a seat!

Recreate your Favorite Rom-Com

Some of cinema’s most classic romantic comedies have been shot in New York City. For a sweet and original Valentine’s Day date, recreate your favorite rom-com with your significant other. Maybe go visit the observation deck at the Empire State Building for some great views, like in Sleepless in Seattle, or grab coffee and dessert at Cafe Lalo before wandering around Riverside Park, like in You’ve Got Mail. Consider getting lunch at Katz’s Deli before exploring The MET, as in When Harry Met Sally, or go ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park and then warm up with over-the-top hot chocolate at Serendipity 3, like in Serendipity. Hate all those ideas? Make up your own rom-com! 

Go on a Literary Pub Crawl

White Horse Tavern
567 Hudson Street (at 11th Street) New York, NY 10014

Did you and your significant other bond over your shared love of books? If so, a Literary Pub Crawl is a perfect date idea. Considered by some to be “the best walking tour” in NYC, this Greenwich Village tour has been going strong for twenty years. Grab your partner’s hand and wander the city streets while a knowledgeable tour guide points out the homes and haunts of some of the literary world’s biggest powerhouses. The tour culminates with brews at White Horse Tavern, where poet Dylan Thomas downed a significant amount of whiskey before retiring to the Chelsea Hotel where he later passed away. Looking to make it more romantic? You can schedule a private tour in advance and have it tailored to your favorite authors and eras.

Have a Spa Day

SoJo Spa Club
660 River Road, Edgewater, NJ 07020

The SoJo Spa Club in New Jersey is a wonderful Valentine’s Day date destination for couples who want to indulge in a little rest and relaxation. A free shuttle bus picks up patrons every two hours just outside of Times Square, delivering them to the front door of total rejuvenation. Once there, you have unlimited use of the many heated outdoor pools and baths, saunas, a volcanic sand bath, and yoga classes. Massages and other treatments can be purchased at the spa the day of your visit, and a healthy cafe is on site to restore your energy after a full day of pampering.

Go Rock Climbing

The Cliffs
11-11 44th Drive, Queens, NY 11101

Looking for something a little more adventurous and active? Rock climbing at The Cliffs in Long Island City might be just the ticket. If you have previous rock climbing experience, go ahead and purchase your day passes straight away. But beginners and those needing a little refresher are covered, too—guided instruction classes are offered, which include shoe and gear rental. Climbing session accomplished, pop over to Bierocracy, a German beer hall just down the street, for a filling lunch and a refreshing brew.

These Valentine’s Day date ideas only skim the surface of what NYC has to offer. If your appetite for adventure is piqued, check out these great ideas about how to get more out of NYC.