Fun Things to do for Couples in NYC

This past summer, we took a quick 3 day trip to NYC without kids and, as usual, had a great time. While we’ve both been to NYC several times, we always find new experiences, foods and areas of the city to explore. We flew from Phoenix to La Guardia on Southwest Airlines using our companion pass, which means we only had to pay for one flight. Here’s a quick rundown of everything we’d recommend.

How to get from LGA to Manhattan

We never rent a car when we come to NYC and I don’t recommend it. Once a friend and I spent literal hours driving around the city trying to find just one parking spot and ultimately ended up illegally parked. The public transportation in NYC is the best in the country so take advantage of it. You can catch the Q70 bus at no cost from La Guardia terminals B or C and take that to the subway. If you’re in Terminal A, you can take the M60 bus (but it’s not free), or you can go to Terminal B and hop on the Q70. You’ll want to use Apple or Google maps to know next steps from there because it varies depending on where in Manhattan you’re going.

Restaurants in NYC

The best tacos in NYC is hands down Los Tacos No. 1 and while we certainly haven’t had every taco in New York, we are from Arizona and we know a good taco. We visited the Chelsea Market location and ordered the carne asade tacos, chips and guac, and horchata. The tortillas were homemade, the steak was tender and flavorful, and the salsa was a little bit spicy. Their Horchata was the perfect cold and creamy drink to counteract the spice and I will be returning here.

Follow it up with some Earl Gray Tea flavored ice cream from Van Leeuwen ice cream (the absolute best flavor!), hop on the High Line for a stroll and have yourself a wonderful summer evening in NYC.

Some of the best pizza in NYC is either this random place in Little Italy that I had a slice at circa 2006 and don’t know the name of, or it’s at Joe’s Pizza on the corner of Fulton and Nassau in the Financial District. The line is usually out the door but moves fast, and the walls are covered with celebrities enjoying a slice. If you’re staying at the Beekman like we were, it’s practically across the street.

Butter is in Midtown and if you’re an OG Gossip Girl fan, you’ve likely heard of it. We came here for my birthday dinner before a broadway show. We had a reservation, and the food was pretty good. The rolls are excellent (but not free). Duane got the pork chop and said it was the best pork chop he’s ever had. I had the steak and it was also very good. But the standout here was the raspberry beignets for dessert. I am still drooling over them and I will be returning for those alone.

Maison Pickle is on the upper west side and is a perfect dinner spot after exploring Central Park. I came here with my oldest son in December and the food is really good so thought I’d take my husband this time around. The vibe inside is super cute and cozy. I ordered the Buffalo mac and cheese, he ordered the Chicken and Waffles and we both enjoyed it. Heads up though that the portions are massive, we could have shared something and still had leftovers.

Fun Activities in NYC for Couples

Go for a walk on the High Line – The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It opened in 2009 as a hybrid public space where visitors can experience nature, art, and design. It’s a really fun and different experience to be in the midst of such a big city and yet be surrounded by greenery. Grab dinner at Chelsea Market and then go for a stroll on the High Line for a perfect summer evening in NYC.

Bike around Central Park – we rented ebikes from Citi Bike using their app on our phones and we rode those all around Central Park. Fortunately they are motorized, because there are some hills to contend with! The views of the city from within the park are beautiful and there is lots of great people watching to be had. You do have to stay on the designated bike trails so please be courteous.

Visit the Friends Experience. While they have the Friends experience in several cities around the country, there is something extra fun about doing it in NYC where the show took place. This was a birthday gift for me, as I am a longtime big Friends fan, and it was absolutely a highlight of the trip. From the PIVOT couch, to Monica and Rachel’s apartment, and coffee at Central Perk I absolutely felt like I was living, even for just a moment, in the show I’ve been watching and loving for years.

Take the Staten Island Ferry for a closer look at the Statue of Liberty – the SI ferry is free and I assure you that you won’t be the only one doing this. When you board, head to the right side of the ship for a great seat to see the Lady of Liberty up close. Once you dock, unless you want to spend an hour in Staten Island, make sure to disembark and immediately run back onto the ferry. You can also get great views of the city when you’re out on the water.

A Broadway Show is just an iconic NYC experience and should not be missed. This time around we saw The Book of Mormon. While I thought it was funny, my husband thought it was absolutely hilarious and had moments where we could not breathe from laughing so hard. The basic plot line is (from Playbill’s website): A pair of mismatched Mormon missionaries, one serious and dedicated and the other socially awkward yet well meaning, are sent to Uganda to convert citizens to the Mormon religion. If you like Southpark humor (the play is done by the creators), you will probably like this.

Best Hotel in Lower Manhattan?

While I can’t confidently say this is the best hotel in lower Manhattan, I can say it’s a fantastic choice for either work travel or a couples getaway. The Beekman is located in the financial district which is in lower Manhattan, so heads up that it is a bit far from a lot of attractions like Broadway, Central Park, and the upper east/west sides, but there are several subway stops nearby and they’re not more than a 5-8 minute walk from the hotel. Plus you’re close to things like Wall Street, the Seaport, Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Bridge. The Beekman can be booked for 25,000 Hyatt points a night on average.

The lobby itself is a little bit like a trip back in time. You could easily sit in the lounge at night and imagine you’re back in the roaring 20’s. It feels fancy and smells like cedar when you walk in. When we checked in we were told that we were upgraded to a king bed and a “slightly larger room” – if you’ve ever been to NYC you’ll know that this slightly larger room was still pretty small. However, the upgrade was still appreciated.

Our room was on the 10th floor. As it’s an older building, there was a bit of a quirk in that we had to take one elevator to the 9th floor and then exit the elevator, walk around the corner, and get on a different elevator (or take stairs) to the 10th floor. There is a Michelin star chef whose restaurant is in the hotel, it’s called Gratin. The menu looked fabulous (it’s French food) but we couldn’t fit it in during our three days.

The service at the Beekman was great, and I’d expect nothing less from this level of a Hyatt property. Since it was my birthday my husband had prearranged some chocolates and champagne in the room which was a nice touch. They also keep the mini bar fully stocked if you’re feeling snacky.

Our whirlwind 3-day escape to New York City sans kids was filled with new discoveries, delectable bites, and captivating experiences. Our stay at The Beekman, though slightly distant from some attractions, proved to be a gem, blending old-world charm with modern luxury. In the future I’d like to stay someplace a bit more central, and for our next trip we will stay at both the Andaz on 5th and the Park Hyatt. No matter how many times I visit NYC I always leave with fun memories, and yet I’m always eager to return and unearth more facets of the enchanting NYC. If you’re headed there for your first (or tenth) time, I hope it’s amazing!