Despite its hustle and bustle that never sleeps, New York City has plenty to offer to newlyweds as a honeymoon destination. Amid the sprawling streets and skyscrapers are places that couples can go for food and drink, sightseeing, or a romantic time together. With so many places to go to in the Big Apple, there’s bound to be something every kind of couple will enjoy.
Plan Your Trip First
Before this guide dives deep into the go-to places for couples in the city, you should know that no honeymoon goes smoothly without proper planning. No matter where you and your spouse decide to go, choosing your honeymoon destination requires being practical about your budget and time. Lodging, entrance fees, souvenirs—everything must be taken into account.
In a city like New York, you can expect to spend quite a sizeable sum. According to Budget Your Trip, an online travel cost tracker, a one-week stay for couples can cost USD $3,336 on average. While you wouldn’t want to break the bank after just getting hitched, you also wouldn’t want to ruin the experience by being too stingy. (1)
With that out of the way, here are some of the city’s honeymoon hotspots worth visiting:
Central Park
Starting off the list is a place that’s as iconic as the city itself—Central Park. With over 50 city blocks’ worth of nature, culture, and art, this park may as well have everything couples could ever want in their honeymoon. In fact, the park’s no stranger to romance, as it houses plenty of places for a good wedding photo op.
When taking a stroll, there’s a good chance you can catch a concert or two from the plethora of concert venues. It can either be by a big name in the music scene or a full orchestra, paid or free. There’s also news of a mega-concert, organized by the city government, to celebrate the city’s reopening from COVID. (2)
If a more peaceful honeymoon is your thing, there are plenty of other activities in Central Park. Rent a boat and ride across the lake, visit the handful of art galleries, or marvel at the cityscape from your spot on the vast lawn. Before you leave, don’t forget to wish for a healthy marriage by Bethesda Fountain.
Ethnic Neighborhoods
New York is one of the most racially diverse cities in the United States, home to an assortment of people from all over the globe. Since the city’s founding in 1625, the influx of immigrants has made the city a melting pot of cultures.
For couples whose itinerary includes a gastronomic tour on their honeymoon destination, this is good news. With so many ethnic enclaves, it’s impossible to run out of cuisines to try. Even better, some exotic eats won’t take up too much of your honeymoon budget.
For instance, dim sum is aplenty, thanks to the city’s substantial Chinese population. Within New York’s Chinatown is a restaurant that serves dim sum for a little over a dollar apiece. Ever seen dumplings with soup broth filling? The thought alone makes you want to taste it yourself, maybe wonder how they put the soup in there.
If possible, take it up a notch with fusion, combining two culturally distinct cuisines to create a unique experience. For example, Little India is home to restaurants serving Chinese–Indian fusion.
Brooklyn Bridge
Connecting New York’s two well-known boroughs, Brooklyn and Manhattan, Brooklyn Bridge is a must-visit attraction. Nighttime is the best time to be here, as it offers a majestic view of New York’s lights. Nothing says romance better than seeing the city come to life after sundown.
You don’t need a car to enjoy this; the mile-long walk—1.3 miles, to be precise—is a better way to savor the experience. Renting a bike is also an option, but authorities advise caution because the bicycle and pedestrian lanes aren’t far apart. If walking doesn’t appeal to you, the city’s ferry and water taxi services offer another way to view the bridge and the skyline. (3)
As the bridge is a tourist hotspot, the daily crowd can affect your honeymoon immersion. Choose a slow day like weekdays (unless it’s summer) or rainy or cold weather. Also, as a heads-up, love locks on the bridge now come with a USD $100 fine, so maybe forego that tradition. (3)
Conclusion
New York might not be on most lists of the best honeymoon destination. However, its advantage lies in the abundance of places that newlyweds can enjoy. In the end, the best getaway is where you and your spouse make the most memories.
References
- “How much does it cost to travel to New York City?” https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/united-states-of-america/new-york-city
- “New York City Plans a Central Park Mega-Concert to Celebrate Reopening”, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/07/arts/music/postcovid-concert-central-park.html
- “WALKING THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE (EASY TO FOLLOW LOCAL’S GUIDE + TIPS)”, https://yourbrooklynguide.com/walking-the-brooklyn-bridge/
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