{"id":19457,"date":"2019-01-28T12:24:25","date_gmt":"2019-01-28T16:24:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/?p=19457"},"modified":"2019-01-31T11:47:48","modified_gmt":"2019-01-31T15:47:48","slug":"plan-nyc-valentines-day-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhabitat.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/28\/plan-nyc-valentines-day-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plan an Amazing NYC Valentine\u2019s Day (On a Budget)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The \u201cheart\u201d of New York City celebrates Valentine\u2019s Day every year with a heart-shaped tribute to love. (Photo credit: Forgemind ArchiMedia)<\/p><\/div>\n

Everyone wants to show their sweetheart just how much they care on Valentine\u2019s Day<\/strong>! When you\u2019re in New York City<\/strong>, it\u2019s easy\u2014the city has an exciting energy, breathtaking sightseeing, world-class dining, and plenty of unique shops to find the perfect gift.<\/p>\n

However, because New York is a world-class city, Valentine\u2019s Day plans may also come at a world-class price tag. Fortunately, you don\u2019t have to be rich to create a thoughtful, romantic and exciting Valentine\u2019s Day with your significant other! With some creative ideas and the cost advantage of renting a vacation rental with New York Habitat<\/a>, you can plan a romantic<\/strong> getaway without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n

1. Pick up a bouquet of blooms in Chelsea<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Start your Valentine\u2019s Day with a visit to New York City\u2019s Flower Market in Chelsea to surprise your Valentine with a bouquet of fresh blooms, customizable to your budget. (Photo credit: Ran Allen)<\/p><\/div>\n

Is there anything more romantic than a bouquet<\/strong> of roses? New York City makes flower shopping easy on Valentine\u2019s Day thanks to its abundance of flower markets<\/strong>, nowhere more prevalent than in the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea<\/a>. The stretch of 28th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues is known as the Chelsea Flower Market<\/strong> for its abundance of flower wholesalers in the area. Besides making it simple to construct the perfect bouquet, you\u2019ll also enjoy a burst of brilliant blooms in the storefronts (and sometimes out on the sidewalk, though this is less common in the winter).<\/p>\n

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A bouquet of fresh flowers will look great in your furnished apartment rental! (Rental ID: NY-15238)<\/p><\/div>\n

A bouquet from Chelsea<\/strong> makes a great Valentine\u2019s Day gift, and is a sweet and thoughtful way to brighten up the room in your vacation rental<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Cost:<\/strong> Varies (depending on the type of bouquet you want to buy)<\/p>\n

2. Get close for a photo in front of this year\u2019s Times Square Valentine Heart<\/strong><\/p>\n

Times Square is a popular destination year-round<\/a>, but on Valentine\u2019s Day, it becomes a great spot for couples! Every year, Times Square Arts<\/strong> commissions a love-themed sculpture to celebrate Valentine\u2019s Day. The 2019 design is \u2018X,\u2019 designed to represent crossed paths in the heart of New York City, as well as the use of the letter x to represent a kiss. You can pull your sweetheart close for a romantic photo or a playful selfie in front of the statue, all with the bright lights and the thrilling pulse of Times Square around you!<\/p>\n

Times Square is also a popular destination for couples looking to propose or renew their vows on Valentine\u2019s Day. Enjoy the atmosphere of love, or consider popping the question to your significant other yourself!<\/p>\n

Cost:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n

3. Spend some alone time in the romantic tranquility of Central Park<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Central Park is a beautiful place to visit for free, and a stroll in the park is always romantic. (Photo credit: Ivo Jansch)<\/p><\/div>\n

Another idea for those looking to do something both romantic and classically \u201cNew York\u201d is to take a stroll through Central Park<\/strong>! One of the crown jewels of Manhattan, the park is full of vistas, trees, meadows, and plenty of secluded spots for enjoying a quiet moment together. Grab a cup of hot chocolate<\/a> to keep your fingers warm (the one that\u2019s not holding your partner\u2019s hand, of course!) and if you\u2019re lucky, you may even get to admire a dusting of snow in the park. You can also go ice skating<\/strong> at Wollman Rink<\/strong> for a little extra money\u2014it\u2019s a romantic winter activity in Central Park<\/a> and great for an active couple.<\/p>\n

Cost:<\/strong> Free – $29 each (the cost of admission + skate rentals at Wollman Rink)<\/p>\n

4. Get inspired at the MoMA<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Enjoy some introspection with your loved one in the Museum of Modern Art for a creative Valentine\u2019s Day afternoon. (Photo credit: Luca Vanzella)<\/p><\/div>\n

Creative couples will be in heaven in New York City, which is known for its renowned art museums<\/a> including the Metropolitan Museum of Art<\/strong>, the Guggenheim Museum<\/strong>, and the Whitney Museum of American Art<\/strong>. However, the MoMA<\/strong> (Museum of Modern Art) is our top pick for Valentine\u2019s Day! Thought-provoking works of abstract and impressionist art, sculpture, and installations will inspire some creative and stimulating conversations between you and your partner. Plus, you can see dreamy (and very famous) works of art like Van Gogh\u2019s Starry Night<\/em> and Magritte\u2019s The Lovers<\/em> in person.<\/p>\n

Cost:<\/strong> $25<\/p>\n

5. Enjoy a carousel ride with dazzling views<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ride Jane\u2019s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park for a classic date idea with a New York twist. (Photo credit: Natalia de Castro Leite www.nataliacastro.net, Instagram: castronat)<\/p><\/div>\n

There\u2019s something about a spin on an old-school carousel that\u2019s so sweetly romantic. If you head over to Brooklyn Bridge Park<\/strong> (and we recommend walking across on the Brooklyn Bridge<\/strong>), you and your sweetheart can entertain your inner child with a spin on Jane\u2019s Carousel<\/strong>, a beautiful and unique restored merry-go-round from 1922. As an added bonus, the carousel is enclosed in a glass atrium with panoramic views of the East River<\/strong>, New York skyline and Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge<\/a>, so you can enjoy the stunning views out of the cold while you ride! Pick the perfect pony and then try to steal a smooch from your partner for a great photo opportunity.<\/p>\n

Cost:<\/strong> $2 per person to ride the carousel<\/p>\n

6. Sample something sweet from a New York bakery<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Taste some world-class baking at an affordable price by picking up pastries for two at a New York patisserie like Dominique Ansel Bakery. (Photo credit: Travis Wise)<\/p><\/div>\n

Eating out gets expensive quickly in New York, especially on Valentine\u2019s Day, but you can still sample some of the finest cuisine in the city for less at one of the Big Apple\u2019s many pastry shops<\/strong> and bakeries<\/strong>! Renowned chefs from all over the world have come to the city to set up shop, so don\u2019t miss the chance to indulge your sweet tooth with the best of the best (besides, what\u2019s more traditional to Valentine\u2019s Day than chocolate?). Some of our recommendations include Dominique Ansel Bakery<\/strong>, Lafayette,<\/strong> and Mille-Feuille<\/strong> in Manhattan, Bien Cuit<\/strong> and Almondine<\/strong> in Brooklyn, and Cannelle Patisserie<\/strong> and The French Workshop<\/strong> in Queens.<\/p>\n

Cost:<\/strong> Varies depending on the pastry and shop, but you can definitely get a yummy treat between $5 and $15!<\/p>\n

7. Dive into a bouquet of tropical flowers at New York\u2019s gardens<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The brightly-colored flowers of the Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden create a beautiful and romantic atmosphere for strolling with your Valentine! (Photo credit: Alex Lorenz)<\/p><\/div>\n

What better way to delight your senses on Valentine\u2019s Day than with a stroll through the bright colors and sweet perfumes of beautiful flowers and plants? Even in the dead of winter, you can enjoy the beauty of tropical plants and flowers inside the conservatory of the New York Botanical Garden<\/strong> in the Bronx. Plus, there\u2019s even more to explore outside, with trails, pine forests, and the arboretum. Or, you can visit Wave Hill Public Gardens<\/strong> (also in the Bronx) for more tropical plants in their conservatory and stunning views of the Hudson River<\/strong> on the grounds.<\/p>\n

Cost:<\/strong> $10 – $28 each (adult admission for Wave Hill and New York Botanical Garden, respectively)<\/p>\n

8. Find a thoughtful gift at Chelsea Market<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Find a unique gift at Chelsea Market, or just enjoy the variety of dining options under one roof. (Photo credit: Shinya Suzuki)<\/p><\/div>\n

Chelsea Market<\/strong> is sure to satisfy couples of all kinds! With unique artisan goods for sale at the flea market<\/strong> Artists & Fleas, bookstores, chocolate shops, and more, you can browse for the perfect gift to your heart\u2019s content and pick up something one-of-a-kind (within a variety of budgets!). Plus, we recommend going later in the day, as the dining options at Chelsea Market are top-notch and<\/em> budget-friendly. You\u2019ll find restaurants serving everything from counter-serve Mediterranean to a fancy seafood dinner.<\/p>\n

Cost:<\/strong> Free (to enter and browse Chelsea Market, dining varies in price)<\/p>\n

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A cheap and intimate way to eat on Valentine\u2019s Day is to order takeout to your apartment rental and have dinner in. (Rental ID: NY-16215)<\/p><\/div>\n

Another budget and unexpectedly romantic option is to order a classic New York pizza pie and get it delivered to your furnished apartment<\/strong> or vacation rental<\/strong>. Dining in the privacy of your own apartment lets you spend some much-appreciated alone time with your sweetheart, and you\u2019ll enjoy the comfort of your own private dining table (or sofa!). Plus, many pizza places can prepare the pie in the shape of a heart if you ask. Need some ideas? Here are our favorite pizza spots in New York<\/a>!<\/p>\n

9. Give your movie date an independent twist<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Catch a movie at Angelika Film Center in Soho, which shows the latest in indie cinema and offers delicious caf\u00e9 snacks! (Photo credit: Angelika Film Center)<\/p><\/div>\n

Movie dates<\/strong> are a tried-and-true classic and a great way to end the day, but in New York you can give yours an interesting twist! At the Angelika Film Center in Soho<\/strong>, you can see a variety of independent and foreign films, plus occasional Q&As with directors and film stars! The Angelika is also a quaint caf\u00e9. If you still have room after dinner, why not skip the popcorn and grab a macaron<\/strong> or a croissant<\/strong> to enjoy with your movie?<\/p>\n

Cost:<\/strong> $16 per ticket<\/p>\n

10. Retire to your very own NYC vacation rental<\/strong><\/p>\n

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