A diverse and vibrant metropolis, New York offers countless places to celebrate an anniversary and endless opportunities to get creative with your date. However, let’s face it: when you’re spoiled for choice, picking the right option can be challenging, so we’re here to help.
From classic options like going out for dinner and watching a movie to unique experiences such as stargazing or taking a helicopter tour, this article explores the best anniversary ideas in NYC for every taste and budget.
Citywide Romantic Anniversary Ideas
1. Book a private romantic photoshoot
One of the popular anniversary activities in NYC, a private romantic photoshoot can definitely qualify as quality time together. In addition to creating a memorable experience, a photoshoot provides beautiful keepsakes to remember your special day.
With its iconic architecture and vibrant cityscape, New York offers thousands of fantastic spots for a romantic photoshoot to choose from. Here are our top picks:
- Brooklyn Bridge Park. This place looks stunning at any time of the year, both during the day and night. Pier 1 is undoubtedly the top location, as it offers an awe-inspiring view of the Manhattan skyline with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.
- Central Park. A true oasis in the middle of the metropolis, with its picturesque bridges, paths, and water bodies, Central Park provides a variety of scenic spots for beautiful photos, such as the iconic Bow Bridge.
- The Edge. One of the highest outdoor sky decks in the city, The Edge offers the most breathtaking panoramic views of New York, especially at sunset.
- The Met Cloisters. This museum is set in a beautiful medieval-style building surrounded by gardens, providing a peaceful, romantic atmosphere for an unforgettable photo session.
- DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). This trendy neighborhood offers one of the most iconic views of the Brooklyn Bridge, with cobblestone streets and the Manhattan skyline as the perfect backdrop.
2. Take a cooking or art class together
A cooking or art class is an enjoyable way to celebrate your anniversary, whether it’s a year of dating or 20 years of marriage. Cooking or painting together is always a fun experience, filled with laughter, smiles, and kisses. As a bonus, you get new skills and a romantic meal or an artistic keepsake.
3. Explore NYC on a sunset cruise
Exploring the city on a cruise boat at sunset is one of the most romantic things to do for your anniversary in NYC, with the most beloved routes including sailing around Manhattan or along the Hudson River. Just picture yourself and your significant other on a boat, enjoying the gentle breeze, the serene atmosphere, and stunning views of iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline.
4. Plan a private anniversary catering experience
What about throwing a dinner party for two with a delicious meal prepared by a restaurant chef? While dinner is a common way of celebrating special occasions, having your meal prepared at your place by a professional hits different.
Without leaving the comfort of your home, you’ll have the food prepared, served, and cleaned up, so everything you should do is enjoy the evening. Candles, flowers, soft lighting, and a personalized anniversary cake can help you create a romantic atmosphere to remember. For a truly unique culinary experience, choose an unusual cuisine, such as Georgian. The Georgian restaurant Oda House offers several catering options, from drop-off to full-service catering, allowing you to indulge in luscious dishes anytime and anywhere.
Anniversary Ideas in Manhattan
5. Picnic in Central Park with a catered basket
A picnic date in Central Park is a charming and romantic way to celebrate your anniversary in NYC. A cozy blanket on a lush lawn away from the sounds of the bustling city and the views of the NYC backdrop are sure to create an unforgettable experience.
NY has multiple catering services that prepare picnic baskets to suit any taste and budget. Moreover, Central Park itself offers a range of picnic packages, from a romantic picnic basket for two to an all-inclusive option that includes everything from food and beverages to blankets and parasols.
6. Attend a Broadway show
A classic date idea, attending a Broadway show to celebrate your anniversary is sure to leave you both with lasting memories, even if you aren’t regular theatergoers. Whether you choose a thrilling musical or an emotional play, the excitement and glamour of live theater will create an unforgettable experience.
7. Discover the charm of traditional Georgian cuisine
If you and your better half don’t mind celebrating milestones at a restaurant but want to step away from typical options like Italian or French meals, Georgian cuisine could be an excellent choice. Food and wine are important parts of Georgian culture, making a meal at a Georgian restaurant an impressive culinary adventure.
Oda House, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, offers a wide choice of authentic Georgian fare prepared by a Georgian chef. Georgian food feels unusual yet familiar at the same time — it uses lots of fresh vegetables, herbs, meat, and cheese combined into delectable dishes.
Home to hundreds of native grape varieties and recognized as one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, Georgia boasts splendid wines you should definitely give a try. At Oda House, you can indulge in Georgian wines delivered straight from Georgia. From refreshing and floral to oily and plummy, the restaurant’s wine program has something for every taste.
Anniversary Ideas in Brooklyn
8. Take a sunset walk along the Brooklyn Bridge
Walking across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge is a delightful experience regardless of the time of day, but there’s something truly special about crossing it at sunset. In the summer, you can watch the sun set behind the Lower Manhattan skyline; in the winter, it dips lower on the horizon, setting behind the Statue of Liberty.
One of the most romantic things to do in NYC for an anniversary, it’s absolutely free. You can walk across the bridge in either direction, from Manhattan to Brooklyn or vice versa. Either way is amazing, and, not to mention, cyclists are no longer allowed to use the pedestrian-only walkway, resulting in safer and more enjoyable walks. The walkway, which is around one mile long, is on the west side of the bridge for both directions and takes about half an hour to cross.
9. Explore the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
As an alternative, you can ask your love out for a quiet walk in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which delights its visitors all year round. In the spring, people come here to enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms and a stunning peony collection. Summer is the time to admire roses in the historic Cranford Rose Garden and wetland plants in the Water Garden.
If your anniversary falls in the colder months, there’s still a lot to see — you’ll be amazed by the colorful foliage in the fall and festive light displays in the winter. Also, Brooklyn Botanic Garden features greenhouses that hold cacti, banana trees, bonsais, rare orchids, and other exotic plants.
10. Catch a performance at Brooklyn Academy of Music
If you agree that sharing a cultural experience is one of the best anniversary ideas, NYC’s Brooklyn has something special for you and for your significant other. Located in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Academy of Music offers theater, music, dance, and film.
The venue’s rich history and intimate atmosphere are ideal for a celebration, making the whole experience feel truly unique. So choose what you both love best — a live performance, a movie, or an avant-garde show — and enjoy your romantic evening together.
Romantic Tours in NYC
11. Horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park
A horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park is indisputably one of the most romantic anniversary ideas in NYC, an ideal choice for couples looking to create lasting memories. This could be your best option if you want to share a private celebration away from the noise of everyday life. Consider booking your ride for the evening hours — there’s something magical about gliding through the park in the dazzling glow of city lights.
12. Helicopter tour over the NYC skyline
Without a doubt, a helicopter tour over the NYC skyline is one of the most exciting New York anniversary ideas. Just imagine yourself holding your love’s hand, soaring high above the bustling streets, and witnessing iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Central Park from above. Many tours offer sunset or night options, adding an extra layer of magic as the city twinkles below. This is a perfect idea for couples who want to do something daring, unique, and truly memorable for their special day.
13. Wine and dine on a private boat tour
Another incredibly romantic way to celebrate an anniversary in NYC is by taking a dinner cruise along the Hudson River, around Manhattan, and past landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. Delicious food, perfectly paired wines, a breathtaking sunset over the water, and the city’s iconic skyline are sure to create an unforgettable experience for you and your better half.
Unique Anniversary Activities
14. Stargazing on the High Line
Stargazing on the High Line is one of the most unique anniversary ideas NYC offers to couples whose special date falls between April and October. During these months, the High Line hosts a free stargazing event every Tuesday between sunset and park closure, organized in collaboration with the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York.
The astronomers set up high-powered telescopes along the park and are readily available to answer your questions. On June evenings, the High Line invites visitors to celebrate its birthday month under the stars with surprise treats. A quick tip: you can start the evening with a stroll through the High Line at sunset to admire the golden hues over the Hudson River and end with dessert and drinks at a nearby rooftop bar.
15. Try an adventurous pottery or glass-blowing class
If you’re looking among unusual anniversary date ideas in NYC that combine creativity and fun, consider booking a pottery or glass-blowing class for two. Besides spending quality time together, you’ll learn new skills and create lovely keepsakes to display in your home.
Whether you choose pottery or glass-blowing, you can’t go wrong — these meditative activities are suitable for participants of all experience levels. Educational and fun, such an anniversary date night is a unique artistic adventure that promises unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
FAQ
New York boasts an exciting dining scene featuring multiple options for couples to celebrate their special dates, some of which provide truly unique dining experiences. Here are just a few examples you can consider: New York offers many beautiful parks where you can have your anniversary picnic, such as Central Park, Astoria Park, Clove Lakes Park, Marsha P. Johnson State Park, Fort Tryon Park, Governors Island, and Fort Tilden. Some parks require permits for picnics, so make sure you check the regulations in advance. Unique nightlife options span fine dining restaurants, rooftop bars, nightclubs, live music venues, stargazing on High Line, and speakeasies. Also, you can choose later hours for a horse-drawn carriage ride, boat cruise, or helicopter tour. This can substantially vary depending on the activity you choose. You don't need a reservation for a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge. Likewise, no reservation is required for general entry to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden; however, you should book at least a week in advance for a private tour. It's best to book a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park, a boat cruise, a cooking or art class, and a catered picnic basket at least 2 weeks ahead. A private romantic photoshoot, a dinner on a boat, and a helicopter tour should be booked at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Finally, you'll need to book a Broadway or BAM performance, a dinner at a restaurant, or private catering 1-2 months ahead. Yes, there are plenty of great, free ideas for celebrating your special date in New York. You can take a romantic stroll through Central Park, catch the stunning views from Brooklyn Bridge Park, watch the sunset from the Staten Island Ferry (it's free and gives you amazing views of the skyline), or stargaze on the High Line on Tuesdays from April to October.
Are there any unique dining experiences for couples in NYC?
Where can I have a picnic for an anniversary in NYC?
Are there any unique nightlife options for anniversary celebrations?
How far in advance should I book popular anniversary activities or reservations?
Are there any free ideas for celebrating an anniversary in NYC?
