New York is full of towns and destinations you wouldn’t ordinarily think of as “Romantic.” But combing through the following 35 ideas for romantic getaways in NY just might open your eyes to new places to explore together.
From snug B&Bs to sexy NYC hotels, revitalized cities, and quiet lakeside resorts, you’ll find something just perfect for the quirky, fun-loving, luxury-seeking couple.
Click on the link for weekend getaway itineraries covering fun things to do, romantic hotels, and the best restaurants.
For even more weekend getaway ideas, follow the link to our list of 150 romantic destinations in Northeast US.
Romantic Getaways in the Capital District
Schenectady NY
Schenectady NY is electrifying. Literally. It’s where Thomas Edison founded General Electric in 1892, and it still remains a company town. But of course, for romantics of a nostalgic kind, it’s got rose gardens for wandering, live theater, and Union College – not to mention a picture-perfect downtown. And since Schenectady is in the Capital Region, you can also visit two more nearby cities–New York’s Capital in Albany and trendy Troy.
Saratoga Springs NY
Soaking in warm mineral water is like “bathing in champagne.” A most exquisite feeling. Saratoga Springs was one of the country’s original “spa” towns and remains ideal for treatments and health-oriented lovers.
There’s also the horsey aspect. It’s where Carly Simon’s vain, gavotting guy’s horse “naturally won.” You can watch future American Pharaohs go through their paces, too.
After a 5-year renovation, the Adelphi Hotel recaptures its original intent: to impress the jaded, to indulge luxury guests, and, most effectively, to please the eye. It’s a place to impress your honey, for sure.
Romantic Getaways in the North County
The Adirondacks
There’s nothing like a Lake George sunrise in the Adirondack Mountains to spark (or re-spark) a romantic flame. Doesn’t hurt to watch it from your room at the iconic Sagamore Resort. Sunset views, warmed by a stone fireplace and accompanied by the grand piano in the lobby, aren’t half bad either.
Lake George NY is the gateway to the Adirondacks, a region known for the Olympic Village of Lake Placid. Lesser known, but just as scenic and full of adventure, is the northern Adirondacks region of Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake.
Thousand Islands
The Thousand Islands in New York offer a world of romance waiting to be explored. From serene boat cruises along the St. Lawrence River to charming island villages and delectable cuisine, discover the most enchanting experiences for couples. Whether you’re seeking secluded moments in nature or wish to immerse yourself in the region’s rich history, plan your perfect romantic getaway in this hidden gem of New York.
Romantic Getaways In The Finger Lakes Region
Corning NY
Get all hot and heavy while making your own glass at Corning Glass Museum. (Yes, you will get hot. The heavy is up to you). The Museum is not the only attraction in town. There’s a world-class Western Art museum, and a fun, happening, downtown district you’ll want to explore together.
The Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region of New York, which includes Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake, Canandaigua, and Skaneateles Lakes, is a dreamy destination for romantic getaways. With its picturesque landscapes, lake wine trails, and serene lakeside retreats, it sets the perfect backdrop for couples seeking romance. In addition to the lakes themselves, the region is home to several cities worth a visit.
Seneca Falls NY
Though it might be known as the site of the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848 (with a terrific Women’s Rights National Park and Women’s Hall of Fame), Seneca Falls was also purportedly the setting for Frank Capra’s movie, It’s A Wonderful Life. In fact, there’s actually an It’s A Wonderful Life Museum here.
If that isn’t sentimental, I don’t know what is. Stay nearby in Newark NY at the idyllic Vintage Gardens Bed and Breakfast, an exquisite 5-room inn with a special pedigree. It was the Victorian home of Charles Perkins and the headquarters of the Jackson Perkins Rose Co., the floral brokers who brought roses to America.
Auburn NY
Does the real possibility that Harriet Tubman helped hide escaped slaves in the thickets behind this luxury inn give you goosebumps? Are you both fans of this American hero and want to pay respects at her grave?
That’s reason enough to make a trip to this Finger Lakes town. That, and the Springside Inn is a warm, welcoming and upscale place for couples – of any age – in love.
Ithaca NY
Gorges and waterfalls aplenty. That’s all you need. But there’s so much more. Home to an Ivy League College and the restaurant that inspired a cookbook known as the “vegetarian’s bible, Ithaca’s greatest claim to fame may be that it’s the birthplace of the ice cream sundae.
Elmira NY
Mark Twain’s hometown is also the Soaring Capital of America. Explore cultural gems, scenic landscapes, and unique experiences that make this city a must-visit destination
Romantic Getaways in Western New York
Buffalo NY
Buffalo as a romantic destination? Yes! Especially if you stay at The Mansion on Delaware where a personal butler is on call 24/7.
Just 20 minutes from that Newlywed Destination of old, Niagara Falls, this proud city is back. Find a burgeoning brew and culinary scene (far beyond the famous wings), a redone Lake Erie waterfront, and lots of Frank Lloyd Wright charm. There are plenty of excuses to extend a weekend getaway into a much longer stay.
Or, return because the bucket list of notable luxury hotels now includes the HH Richardson-designed Insane Asylum, restored in 2017 as the uber-cool Hotel Henry. Do get culinary credits for a candlelight dinner in the in-house dining room.
Jamestown NY
Is your relationship like a sitcom? Then, plan a trip to the birthplace of Lucille Ball, Jamestown, now home to the fresh (in so many ways) National Comedy Center – an interactive museum you’ll never want to leave.
And if you come during the summer season, plan a few days at the Chautauqua Institution down the road, where brainiacs, activists, politicos, the spiritual-minded, and music and art lovers all converge for 9 weeks of lectures, classes, shows, and exhibitions centered around a different theme each week.
Orleans County NY: Medina, Lake Ontario, and the Erie Canal
An Erie Canal-Town Opera House turned posh hotel, a 7th Generation female fruit farmer creating world-class luncheons from just-picked produce, small villages lost in time, and two Ripley’s Believe it Or Not attractions – all make a weekend in Orleans County NY perfect for romantics who shy away from the crowds.
Genesee County NY: Batavia and LeRoy
Interested in how land deals were conducted in the US the early 1800’s? Or, where Jell-O was first created? Or – do your proclivities bend more towards betting on the ponies, seeing your favorite bands in concert, or staying in an ultra romantic luxury hotel in a tiny village? You’ll find all this and more in the Western New York towns of Genesee County NY – Batavia NY and LeRoy NY.
Romantic Getaways In Central and Upstate New York
Cooperstown NY
Have you bonded over “America’s Favorite Pastime” (Baseball Hall of Fame) or beer (Ommegang)? Then this town, far from any interstate, will thrill.
Throw in a New York-themed carousel with characters carved by history teachers, a pristine lakeside golf course and stunning renovated waterfront hotel (Otesaga), and you’ve got the makings for a heart-felt getaway.
Rochester NY
Enlightened couples love the college town that also spawned the career of the inventor of the “film camera,” George Eastman. Susan B. Anthony lived here, and like the Eastman Museum, you can certainly visit her home.
But your greatest number of hand-holding hours will be spent in the Strong Museum of Play. Think of every cherished plaything you’ve ever owned, even if it was the original, terrifying, Thomas Edison Singing Doll.
Stay in the Victorian-Romantic Ellwanger Estate B&B, home of a well-to-do horticulturist. Just imagine how beautiful the gardens are there.
Syracuse NY
Yes, it’s a college town. Syracuse was also a Canal Town. As in, the Erie Canal once ran right through downtown. And it’s home to the first ever Dinosaur BBQ.
But venture a few miles away and lovebirds will fall for Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards. “Pick-your-own” and then retire to the on-site 1911 Distillery. Their “Tipsy Cow” (Cold Pressed Coffee Vodka, Chocolate Milk, Coffee, topped with Whipped Cream and half a Cider Donut) is an affair to remember.
Utica NY
What’s so romantic about Utica NY? Well, the food culture (diverse), the coffee culture (indie), world cultures (“A City of Refugees”), and a Philip Johnson-designed art museum to start. Discover it before the crowds do.
Romantic Getaways in Westchester County Near NYC
Bedford Katonah
Ahhh. Nothing like a balmy summer night, you and your love beneath the stars, sipping wine and listening to your favorite live music. Caramoor is but one reason to getaway to this suburb of NYC where historic whitewashed buildings circle the central Green – and the local luxury Bedford Post Inn is owned by Richard Gere.
Sleepy Hollow NY
One of the most charming, ivy-blanketed cottages on the Hudson River was actually owned by a confirmed bachelor–and a famous one at that. Washington Irving, who dreamed up Rip Van Winkle and the Headless Horseman, lived in a home made for romance. But there are so many other places that lovebirds can explore, and at least one “royal” place to stay in this Westchester County hamlet just 30 minutes from NYC.
Port Chester/Rye
Ride an historic roller coaster at Playland, catch a hot concert at The Cap, eat cheap, walk on the serene side, and stay in a brand new boutique hotel – all in these Westchester County towns of Port Chester, Rye, and White Plains
New Rochelle NY and Hotel NoMa
Romantic things to do in New Rochelle NY?? Of course! An outlier among Westchester County NY suburban towns and cities in terms of tourism – New Rochelle was actually a Big Band hotspot in the 1930’s and seems poised to reclaim some of that waterside magic. Position yourself closest to several waterfront parks at a newly renovated and rebranded boutique hotel – with one incredibly sexy on-site restaurant. We give you all the details in the post.
Romantic Getaways in Hudson River Valley
Mid-Hudson Valley
There’s something divine about the sunrise over the Hudson River and this simple pleasure can be yours on blue-sky mornings in the Mid-Hudson Valley at Buttermilk Falls Inn It’s one of the best places to escape New York City with your soulful honey. Bring a book and an appreciation for farm animals, leisurely strolls, and the simple life.
Visit nearby Hyde Park and Poughkeepsie for a “delicious” historic getaway. Get to know President FDR and his wife, Eleanor at the FDR National Historic Site, and then dine in one of the most romantic restaurants around – Bocuse – based on the Culinary Institute of America NY campus.
Washingtonville, Salisbury Mills, Woodbury Common – Stay Caldwell House
For this Washingtonville, Salisbury Mills, and Woodbury Common Getaway, we turn to high-end designer goods shopping at a discount, and the country’s oldest winery still in operation, topped off by a stay in a charming 1802 home just a few miles from both – the Caldwell House B&B.
Northern Dutchess County
Guy and gal pals turn positively giddy anticipating a getaway to these small towns in the Hudson Valley. Find unique public-private gardens, one of the coolest drive-in-theaters, horseback riding, a swanky Orvis compound, and some incredible restaurants from fine to casual.
The once slightly tattered Pine Plains, Millerton, Amenia, and Millbrook NY have pulled off a revival of sorts: increasingly, city dwellers have been finding their way here.
Rhinebeck NY
As with the Adirondacks – a few hours north, there are several things to do in Rhinebeck NY that your grandparents might have done. Perhaps they stayed at the Beekman Arms Hotel (opened in 1766), dined at Foster’s Coach House Tavern (opened 1890), shopped on Market Street in town, or took in an airshow at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome (opened in 1956). Or maybe they took a Sunday Drive to ogle the fine mansions along the Hudson River. Whether you call it “old-school” or “retro,” can still do all of these and be just as impressed as your ancestors were.
Nyack NY
Take your favorite gal or guy to the newest edgy boutique hotel to hit the outskirts of NYC on the Hudson River. Hometown of American artist, Edward Hopper, Nyack was also the perfect vantage point from which to watch the progress of the “New NY” Bridge that just replaced the old dangerous Tappan Zee.
Nyack has long been known as a haven for artists, with cool shops and restaurants, but the recent addition of the boutique Time Hotel, added another level of chic to this Hudson River Town.
Hudson NY
If the website Etsy was an actual place, it would be Hudson NY. This artsy town on the Hudson River has managed to out-Brooklyn Brooklyn in cutesie-pie-ity. Couples looking to furnish their nest can fuel a bit of passion while they’re at it.
Kingston NY
Lovers who love Maritime and American History will adore this Hudson River town. Not only is it steeped in Colonial atmosphere–Kingston boasts some of the most beautiful murals in the country–and Brooklyn shops are moving in. Plus, chic boutique inns and hotels have established a presence – with more to come.
New Paltz NY
If stone homes turn you on, you’ll find your bliss in this Hudson River Valley town. You can tour some of the oldest in the country (Historic Huguenot Street) and stay in one (Stone House B&B). Learn about the Canal Barges that plied the short-lived D&H Canal, and commission an artisanal blacksmith to forge something special for you.
Beacon NY
It’s got just the right amount of cute and eccentric for you and your artsy companion. When large art-installation museum, DIA:Beacon, opened in 2002, it gave culture hounds a reason to come upriver for the day. As more people came, artists, chefs, and aspiring retailers did, too.
West Point NY
Are you the kind of patriotic couple who salutes each other at home? Then, you’ll want to stay a night or two at the updated and now luxurious Thayer Hotel on the campus of West Point Military Academy. Take a tour, learn about the place that makes officers out of cadets, and moon over each other and the “Million Dollar View” of the Hudson River.
Romantic Getaways on Long Island NY
Eastern Long Island
What’s your pleasure? The quiet wine region of the North Fork? The remote must-get-to-it-by-boat Shelter Island, the rising hipster cred but ultimately laid-back Montauk, or the see-and-be-seen Hamptons? Cue There’s A Place For Us from West Side Story, and choose one (or all).
Western Long Island
You can stay in a Long Island Castle at OHEKA in Gatsby’s Long Island. Or, visit the port town once known for it’s colonial-era shipbuilding prowess: Port Jefferson. Lastly, mind-meld on a pristine beach with your honey on Fire Island on the western end of New York City’s backyard.
Queens- Long Island City and Astoria
Queens as a getaway? Natch – it’s part of NYC after all. Long Island City and Astoria have the Museum of the Moving Image, Noguchi, MoMA PS1, and other art museums and parks to fill up a whole romantic weekend.
Romantic Getaways in The Catskills NY
Great Western Catskills (Delaware County)
Replete with farms, fine fishing rivers, beverage makers, hiking and biking trails, and a growing repertoire of artists and other creatives, Delaware County NY is arguably the least visited part of the Catskills. It’s often said that there are more cows than people here. Yet, it’s most deserving of at least two- or three-days exploration. B & B’s and Airbnb’s abound, but for maximum romance, stay in the kitschy, fun Andes Hotel (Andes NY) or Roxbury Motel (Roxbury NY).
Catskill NY (Greene County)
You could say that America’s great love affair with the “wilderness” began here. Thomas Cole, father of the Hudson River School of Art, painted Kaaterskill Falls. His artwork spawned a movement, plus a desire for vacations in the wilds of the Hudson Valley.
You can still go hand in hand on a rocky half-mile (each way) hike to the Falls, or mountain bike down ski trails. End an adventurous day in Nature with a stay in a lovely historic B&B.
Sullivan County NY
What’s sexier than the hallowed grounds of the Woodstock Music Festival? If you’re a Boomer, not much. But young-‘uns are discovering this reemerging portion of the Catskills too. Chic inns, like The DeBruce in Livingston Manor, turned old boarding homes into foodie-approved lodging.
Phoenicia and Woodstock NY in the Catskills (Ulster County)
Grab your sporty, hippy pal for this mountain escape. Hike the state park, go horseback riding, join a drum circle, and then plan to stay at the newly renovated Emerson Hotel and Spa in this artsy part of the Catskills.
Saugerties 10 Miles From Woodstock (Ulster County)
Not as well known as Woodstock, Saugerties is indie minded, creative, and full of kind people. Shop the indie shops, eat in indie restaurants, and stay at Diamond Mills – perched on a roaring creek. A couple of days here can calm some nerves that have built up over the past few years: even if all you want to do is hang out in an indie bookstore/coffee shop all day.
Romantic Getaways In NYC
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan may be known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, but it also offers an unexpectedly romantic backdrop for couples seeking a metropolitan escape. Amid the city’s iconic landmarks, you’ll find intimate dining spots like the historic Oyster Bar in Grand Central Terminal and the fine dining experience of Le Bernardin.
Check out our guide to Midtown Manhattan for all the best date spots and our recommendations for romantic hotels, including one of our favorites–the Dream Midtown.
This Dream is worth staying the whole night, especially with your loved one beside you. Besides the arts and culture of Midtown Manhattan, couples adore the underground arcade bar and double-decker rooftop bar (perched far above Late Night With Stephen Colbert Show.)
Downtown NYC
A romantic getaway in Downtown NYC offers couples a thrilling blend of culture, history, and modern urban life. Begin your day with a stroll through the cobblestone streets of the Financial District, where the city’s storied past meets its towering present. Enjoy an intimate cruise around New York Harbor, offering picturesque views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Immerse yourselves in the eclectic vibe of neighborhoods like Tribeca and Greenwich Village, perfect for cozy dinners at charming restaurants and evenings of live jazz or theater.
Stay at the Marlton Hotel in Greenwich Village. It offers couples a cozy, Parisian-inspired retreat with vintage charm and modern comforts for an intimate romantic escape.
Hudson Yards NYC
What was once a wasteland on the Hudson is now a zesty tourist zone, reconfigured as a mixed-use neighborhood with exorbitantly priced condos, a massive mall, fantastic restaurants, and interactive attractions.
Key among them are, 1) The Vessel, a basket-weave sculpture made up of grand staircases that visitors climb for optimal views of the Hudson (best at sunset); and The Shed – an off-the-wall art museum and performance space on wheels. Looking for “date night” ideas? Come here.
Times Square
Really? That touristy of tourist traps in New York City? Discover the classiest place to stay, most unique restaurants, and adult-only entertainment. Plus, the one and only rooftop bar at Times Square will draw out the lovin’ feelings in even the most stoic.
Central Park South
The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, sits on what is arguably the most photographed and filmed slice of New York City. Central Park’s Southeast corner puts you within steps of Central Park Zoo, Wollman Skating Rink, and the Plaza Hotel. And, for now, it’s where to catch here now, possibly gone tomorrow, horse-drawn carriages.
The Pierre is the epitome of “Romantic New York.” Quiet, lavish without being showy, and eminently elegant rooms and suites. All that, and it’s got a rare commodity: a friendly, anticipatory human touch.
There’s an abundance of lovey-dovey stuff to do in this long-ignored borough of New York City. For starters, there’s THE VIEW. Admire midtown Manhattan (UN, 59th St. Bridge, Chrysler, and Empire State Buildings, etc.)
Then there’s the East River esplanade, a museum dedicated to the moving picture industry (now called “Hollywood,” but the first studios were here), an edgy MoMa, sculptor Noguchi’s first showroom-now-museum, and lots more art.
More Romantic Getaways In New York City:
- Discover Awe-Inspiring Culture In Flushing NY (Queens)
- 24 Hours in DUMBO Brooklyn; a Brooklyn NYC Itinerary
- Chelsea NYC
- Madison Avenue Shopping Getaway
More New York Hotels
Looking for more Romantic Getaways Nearby?
For the complete list of our choices for romantic escapes from Virginia to Maine, check out our comprehensive list of 150 Northeast US romantic destinations.
- 12 Top Romantic Getaways In NJ
- 18 Top Romantic Getaways in PA
- 55 Surprisingly Romantic Getaways In New England
Had to cancel our trip next year. Have book marked this page for when we plan next year – thanks for the tips
I’ll definitely save this list for our trip too. And just like you, Janice we did cancel our plans but I hope we can carry on with the trip this year.