Why Honeymoon in New York City
Few cities pack in this much variety for every kind of couple. Theater lovers have Broadway and off-Broadway. Art lovers have the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Guggenheim and the Whitney. Food lovers can eat their way through every cuisine on earth, from a slice on a paper plate to a tasting menu.
It is also very walkable. Neighborhoods like the West Village, the Lower East Side and Brooklyn Heights are best explored on foot, with long afternoons drifting between cafes, bookshops and parks.
For US couples it is easy to reach, with nonstop flights from almost every major airport. You can come for a long weekend or use the city as the first stop on a bigger trip abroad. Either way, the city makes a honeymoon feel like an occasion.
When to Go
April through June and September through early November are the most comfortable months. Spring brings cherry blossoms and tulips in the parks. Fall brings crisp air, good light and colorful leaves in Central Park, usually peaking in early November.
July and August are hot and humid, with steamy subway platforms. Some locals leave on weekends, which can make restaurants easier to book. Rooftop bars and outdoor concerts are at their best.
December is festive and busy, with the Rockefeller Center tree, ice rinks and holiday windows. Hotel rates spike in the weeks before Christmas. January through early March is cold and gray, but it is the cheapest time for hotels and Broadway tickets. Snow in the city can be pretty on day one and slushy by day three.
Where to Stay
Choose a neighborhood first. Around Central Park, The Plaza and The Peninsula are classic grand hotels. Aman New York occupies the top floors of the Crown Building at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.
Downtown, The Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca has a candlelit, lantern-hung pool and a cozy, residential feel. Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo has bright, colorful rooms and a quiet garden. The Bowery Hotel has a moody, old-world lobby that is popular for a nightcap.
In Brooklyn, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge has rooms facing the Manhattan skyline across the East River. Prices are steep. Good boutique hotels often run roughly $400 to $700 a night, while the top hotels can reach well over $1,000. Rooms are smaller than in most US cities, so check square footage before you book.
Romantic Things to Do
Rent a rowboat at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park in warmer months and drift beneath Bow Bridge. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn toward Manhattan at sunrise, when the path is quiet and the skyline glows.
See a Broadway show and book a late supper afterward. For discounted seats, try the TKTS booth or digital lotteries. Spend an evening at a jazz club like the Village Vanguard, a small basement room with decades of history.
Walk the High Line, a park built on an old elevated rail line, then visit the Whitney Museum at its southern end. Take in the city from an observation deck such as Top of the Rock or from a rooftop bar at sunset. The free Staten Island Ferry offers a great view of the Statue of Liberty, especially at dusk.
Getting There and Around
New York has three major airports. JFK handles most international flights and many domestic routes. LaGuardia (LGA) is closest to Manhattan for domestic flights. Newark Liberty (EWR) in New Jersey is a good option for western Manhattan. Taxis and car services take about 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. The AirTrain links JFK and Newark to rail lines.
Amtrak trains from Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC arrive at Penn Station, often faster than flying once you count airport time.
Once here, skip the car. The subway runs around the clock and is the fastest way to cross town. Tap a contactless card or phone to pay. Yellow cabs and rideshares are easy to find, especially late at night. Walking is often the most enjoyable way to explore.
Food and Drink
Eating well is the main event. Plan a mix of reservations and walk-ins. Book your one or two splurge dinners several weeks ahead, since the most famous tables go fast.
Fill the rest with the classics: bagels with lox in the morning, a pastrami sandwich at a Jewish deli, pizza by the slice, dumplings in Chinatown and a late plate of pasta in the West Village. Dim sum on a weekend and a food hall lunch are easy, fun outings.
Cocktail bars are a city specialty, from speakeasy-style rooms to hotel bars with live piano. Natural wine bars and oyster bars are everywhere downtown. Tipping matters here: about 20 percent at restaurants and a dollar or two per drink at bars is standard.
Honeymoon Tips
Don't overschedule. Pick one or two big things per day and leave time for wandering. The best moments are often unplanned.
Wear comfortable shoes for both of you. Even short trips involve miles of walking and lots of subway stairs. Smart casual covers most restaurants, though a jacket or dress fits the grander dining rooms and hotel bars.
New York is generally safe in busy areas. Keep phones and bags close on crowded trains and in Times Square. Use licensed yellow cabs or rideshares at night rather than unmarked cars that offer rides.
Tell your hotel you are on your honeymoon. Many will note it and some offer a small welcome or upgrade when available. Buy museum tickets online to skip lines.
