15+ Cozy Indoor Date Ideas in NYC for Winter (2025 Guide)
Winter in New York City can be harsh. When the wind whips through the avenues, you need a good plan for a warm date night. Don’t let the cold stop you from having a good time. The city has plenty of great indoor date ideas in NYC for winter to keep you and your date entertained. We found some popular spots to help you plan your next outing.
15+ Cozy & Fun Indoor Date Ideas in NYC (Winter 2025)
Try New Foods at an Indoor Market
An indoor food market is a great date spot. You can walk around and sample many different kinds of food from local vendors. It is a lively place to eat and talk without being out in the cold.
- Where to go: Smorgasburg (Check for winter location)
- Address: Varies, often in Brooklyn or Manhattan
- Website: https://www.smorgasburg.com
Get Creative at a Paint and Sip Night
A paint and sip class is a relaxed way to do something creative. An instructor guides you through a painting, so you do not need any experience. It is a fun, low-pressure activity where you can chat and make something new.
- Where to go: Muse Paintbar
- Address: Multiple locations (e.g., 329 W 46th St, New York)
- Website: https://www.musepaintbar.com
Play a Round of High-Tech Mini Golf
This is not the mini golf you played as a kid. Modern indoor golf spots use simulators and have a full bar. It is a good way to have some friendly competition and a few laughs.
- Where to go: Five Iron Golf
- Address: Multiple locations (e.g., 101 E 17th St, New York)
- Website: https://fiveirongolf.com
Listen to Live Music at a Jazz Club
For a classic New York night, visit a jazz club. You can sit back with a drink and enjoy the music. It is a low-key setting that is good for conversation between sets.
- Where to go: Blue Note Jazz Club
- Address: 131 W 3rd St, New York
- Website: https://www.bluenote.net
Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art
You can spend a whole day inside The Met and still not see everything. Walk through the huge collection of art and history from around the world. It gives you a lot to look at and talk about.
- Where to go: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York
- Website: https://www.metmuseum.org
Browse the Shelves at The Strand Bookstore
If you both like books, The Strand is a must-visit. With floors of new and used books, you can spend hours looking around. It is a quiet and interesting way to spend an afternoon together.
- Where to go: The Strand Bookstore
- Address: 828 Broadway, New York
- Website: https://www.strandbooks.com
Find a Hidden Speakeasy Bar
New York has many hidden bars with interesting themes. Finding one can be part of the fun. These spots often have creative drinks and a quiet atmosphere for talking.
- Where to go: The Dead Rabbit
- Address: 30 Water St, New York
- Website: https://www.deadrabbitnyc.com
Play Games at an Arcade Bar
An arcade bar is a fun throwback date. You can play old-school video games and pinball while enjoying a few drinks. It is a great way to be playful and competitive.
- Where to go: Barcade
- Address: Multiple locations (e.g., 148 W 24th St, New York)
- Website: https://barcadenewyork.com
See a Broadway or Off-Broadway Show
Seeing a live show is a big part of the NYC experience. You can choose a major Broadway musical or find a smaller, more intimate play. It is a great way to have a special night out.
- Where to go: Various Theatres in the Theater District
- Address: Times Square area
- Website: https://www.broadway.com
Take a Cooking Class Together
Instead of just going to dinner, learn how to make a meal together. A cooking class is a hands-on activity that is both fun and useful. Plus, you get to eat what you made.
- Where to go: Sur La Table
- Address: Multiple locations (check class schedules online)
- Website: https://www.surlatable.com/cooking-classes
See the Animals at the New York Aquarium
Head to Coney Island to visit the New York Aquarium. It is a calm place to walk around and see sharks, penguins, and other marine life. It is a nice change of pace from the busy city.
- Where to go: New York Aquarium
- Address: 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn
- Website: https://nyaquarium.com
Unwind at a Korean Spa
A Korean spa is a great place to warm up and relax. You can spend the day using the different saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs. It is a good date for de-stressing together.
- Where to go: Spa Castle
- Address: 131-10 11th Ave, College Point
- Website: https://www.ny.spacastleusa.com
Solve Puzzles in an Escape Room
Test your teamwork skills in an escape room. You will have to work together to find clues and solve puzzles before the time runs out. It is an exciting and interactive date idea.
- Where to go: The Escape Game NYC
- Address: 295 Madison Ave, New York
- Website: https://theescapegame.com/newyorkcity
Watch a Movie with Dinner and Drinks
Upgrade your movie night at a theater that serves food and drinks. Places like Alamo Drafthouse bring everything to your seat, so you can relax and enjoy the film.
- Where to go: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
- Address: Multiple locations (e.g., 28 Liberty St, New York)
- Website: https://drafthouse.com/nyc
Admire the View in Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central is more than just a train station. It is a beautiful building to walk through. You can look at the painted ceiling, find the whispering gallery, and then get a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants inside.
- Where to go: Grand Central Terminal
- Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York
- Website: https://www.grandcentralterminal.com
Star in Your Own Movie with Sandbox VR
This isn’t your average video game experience; it’s a full-on, Hollywood-level virtual reality adventure. At Sandbox VR, you and your date get suited up in full-body motion tracking gear and step into a shared virtual space where you can see and interact with each other. Work together to fight off zombies, explore alien worlds, or become swashbuckling pirates. It’s an incredibly immersive, high-tech, and thrilling date that will have you talking for weeks.
- Where to go: Sandbox VR
- Address: Multiple locations (e.g., 30 Hudson Yards, Floor 5, New York)
- Link: https://sandboxvr.com/newyork
Don’t let the New York winter stop your dating life. With these indoor options, you can stay warm and have a great time in the city.
But If You Do Want to Brave the Cold…
Look, all these indoor spots are great for when it’s just too cold to function. But some winter days are just too nice to stay inside. If you are ready to bundle up and actually do the whole winter-in-the-city thing (ice skating, anyone?), we have a bigger list of ideas waiting for you.
Check out our full guide to Things to Do in New York City During Winter.
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