The Ultimate Date: Manhattan
By Craig Boyer
Whether you’ve been to New York City or have witnessed it only in movies, you already know that Manhattan is the city for lovers. From Central Park to Broadway to Washington Square, Manhattan is the most romantic borough in The City. The list below represents a colorful fraction of the infinite variety of romantic experiences Manhattan has to offer.
1. Central Park: The Park is a separate world unto itself. Take a hansom carriage ride around it. Have a picnic on the old Sheep Meadow. Watch your favorite Hollywood stars perform Hamlet and Julius Caesar. Take a walk through Strawberry Fields. Make a reservation for an upscale dinner at Tavern on the Green. One of the most romantic spots in Central Park is the Bethesda Fountain, located near 72nd Street. The misty Terrace offers a tranquil retreat for soft conversation. Across the lake from the Terrace you’ll find the Boathouse restaurant, whose popular cuisine competes only with its spectacular lake views. At the Boathouse you and your honey can rent a rowboat—or ride with a gondolier if you’d rather—and take your time exploring this 22-acre lake. After your boat ride, share a kiss at the nearby famous Bow Bridge. You’ll recognize it from T.V. and movies.
2. Times Square: It’s not just for New Year’s Eve. If you and your sweetheart want to feel like you’re at the center of the world, take a rickshaw ride around The Square—or simply walk hand in hand amid the sea of humanity the forever swirls around one of the world’s most public places. Stop at the famous Embassy Movie Theater first, located on 7th Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets. Here you will find the information center. You can even catch a limo ride here. In addition to all the sights and sounds, there a plenty of first-class restaurants and shops along the way to engage your other senses.
3. Broadway: Sure you can see touring companies perform Broadway plays in major cities all across America, but it’s not the same as actually being there. Plan for dinner before the show or finish your evening with an elegant nightcap. Plan to see a show before your trip. You can reserve tickets for the hottest shows online at NYCtourist.com. Some of the current favorites include Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, The Lion King, Hairspray, and Spamalot.
4. Greenwich Village: If a literary ambiance is more to your liking, go to Greenwich Village. The village is a buzzing dynamo of politics and poetry. Visit the Bowery Poetry Club for a taste of the cutting edge. Take a stroll through Washington Square Park and let your surroundings inspire you like they once inspired Jack Kerouac William Burroughs, and Bob Dylan. The famous stone arch in Washington Square Park was built to mark the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration. The park is full of musicians, poets, and chess-players from morning till night. Share coffee at the celebrated Café Reggio and the historic Café Figaro on nearby MacDougal Street.
5. Christmas: Nothing says Christmas in New York like the Radio City Rockettes. As for Broadway shows, reserve your tickets online before you visit. If you plan your itinerary just right, you can take your sweetie to witness the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Have your picture taken beneath the famous statues of Atlas and Prometheus. If you’re not too clumsy, brave the ice-skating rink—but don’t break your camera! Manhattan has romance for everyone, cosmopolitan or provincial, sophisticate or epicure. Romance is the lifeblood of this city. Manhattan is the city of love.
Source
www.Nyctourist.com. 8/6/07.
