Valentine’s Day weekend is here so we’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in NYC with the one you love. From new public art installations and a love potion-making class to a sip-and-sketch night and unique New York City adventures, check out all of the different ways you can spread some love this weekend!
1. Check Out Love Letters, Time’s Square’s Annual Valentine’s Art Installation
Admire the views in Times Square while resting with your Valentine inside a brand new interactive art installation, Love Letters, by Soft Firm. The sinuous sculpture forms the shape of two interlocking hearts when viewed from above. At ground level, the many curves create private nooks that offer safely distanced seating. Love Letters is just one part of Times Square’s Valentine’s Day activity line-up which includes safe and socially distanced weddings, surprise proposals, and a (mostly) virtual vow renewal ceremony featuring a few select couples joining in person. You can check out all of the festivities here!
2. Take a Virtual Tour of the Tenement Museum
Cuddle up with your Valentine for an adventure that doesn’t even require leaving the couch! Join Untapped New York and the Tenement Museum for a behind-the-scenes look at how the 158-year-old tenement building at 97 Orchard Street was transformed into one of New York City’s favorite museums. This virtual tour will explore the process and philosophy behind the museum’s approach to recreating historic spaces.
3. Valentine’s Day “Stupid-Cupid” Drink-&-Draw Party
The Art Students League of New York’s Second Annual Valentine’s Day Stupid-Cupid Drink-&-Draw Party will take place on Friday, February 12th at 6:30PM. This free online Valentine’s Day event will be hosted by the League’s own multiple-disciplinary artist Valentine Aprile. In this class, lovers and singles alike are invited to sip and sketch live models from the comfort of their own home. There will be inspiring poses, silly contests, and prizes. Sketches in all mediums are welcome!
Valentine’s Day events aren’t the only celebrations happening this weekend! This Friday is the Lunar New Year which mark the beginning of the year of the ox. Welcome the new year with The China Institute’s online Chinese New Year Family Festival. On Saturday, February 13th, the Institute will present a free lion dance and puppet performance. These opening performances will be followed by New Year-themed workshops and activities including dumpling making and lantern painting classes which you can purchase tickets to for just $10.
5. Louis Kahn at 120
Love architecture? Celebrate the legacy of noted architect Louis Kahn by attending a virtual discussion led by his three children, Sue Ann Kahn (CW’61), Alexandra Tyng (MSED’77), and Nathaniel Kahn. This event, moderated by Richard Saul Wurman (BArch’58, MArch’59), will cover Kahn’s influence, as well recollections of him, his continuing legacy, and his relevance in the world today. Untapped New York is proud to be a media supporter of this event presented by the Weitzman School of Design and Designers & Books. On Wednesday, February 17th, Designer & Books will launch a Kickstarter campaign to support the re-issue of Kahn’s 1962 book, The Notebooks and Drawing of Louis I. Kahn . You can learn more about the project here!
6. See Inside Manhattan’s Oldest Residence
On an upcoming virtual tour of the Morris-Jumel Mansion, a colonial summer home built for a British colonel and his wife, you can see where former resident Eliza Jumel (one of New York City’s wealthiest women) married former Vice-President Aaron Burr, admire the fine period furnishings of the rooms, and see what life in New York City was like from 1765 through 1865. This virtual tour will be led by Untapped New York tour guide and Morris-Jumel docent Alan Cohen, who knows all the secrets of this historic, and allegedly haunted, home! Tickets for this live virtual tour are just $10. Untapped New York Insiders can attend for free!
7. See and Ice Cream Truck Covered in Flowers at Rockefeller Center
Courtesy of Tishman Speyer
Rockefeller Center has been hit with a “flowerflash!” At Rockefeller Plaza, between 49th and 50th Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues, you can now find two custom-made Mister Softee trucks cascading with thousands of multi-colored roses, hydrangeas, daffodils, chrysanthemums, mimosas, and more. The flash art installation was created by renowned floral designer Lewis Miller Design and is part of Rockefeller Center’s month of “Love at the Center.” In addition to the floral display, a Lewis Miller Design custom-designed NYC hot dog cart will also be on view at Top of the Rock Observation Deck throughout the day.
8. Book a One-of-a-Kind Stay at Bryant Park
Courtesy fo Booking.com
New Yorkers have the chance to win a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day stay at Bryant Park this Valentine’s Day weekend! This unique overnight getaway presented by Booking.com includes custom-designed accommodations in the park’s Polar Lounge and a safety-first itinerary including hot chocolate and treats in an igloo, midnight ice skating, a gift card for shopping at the Bank of America Winter Village Shops, and dinner via room service courtesy of the Bryant Park Grill. Two overnight stays will be offered on February 13th and 14th for just $14.21. Try your luck at booking a stay exclusively on Booking.com here starting on February 12, 2020 at 2:00PM EST!
9. Take a Romantic Stroll Across the Brooklyn Bridge
Take your Valentine on an adventure by joining Untapped New York’s Secrets of the Brooklyn Bridge walking tour. As you walk hand in hand across the span of the bridge and take in incredible views of the Manhattan skyline, Untapped New York’s expert guide will reveal hidden features of the bridge and surprising stories from its history. Learn about the bridge’s abandoned Cold War shelter and secret champagne vaults, hear about the supposedly cursed family who designed the bridge, uncover the site of America’s first White House, and more!
Looking for more adventures to take with the one you love? Purchase an Untapped New York Gift Card which can be applied to any of our tours! You can also use a gift card to book your own private tour for just you and your sweetheart.
Mix up a love potion in a special Valentine’s Day class at The Cauldron! During this 1 hour and 45 minutes experience you and your Valentine or a small group of friends can enjoy a welcome drink and cook up your very own “Red Ruby Slippers” love potion to-go made with vanilla vodka, raspberries, and red wine. The potion making package is $75/per person and includes an entrée in collaboration with The Migrant Kitchen. The Migrant Kitchen will help spread the love by donating 2 meals to people in need for every entrée ordered at The Cauldron this weekend! Enchanting snow globes (ventilated and heated) are available outdoors for booking on Friday and Saturday with indoor dining options available on Sunday.
11. Uncover the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal
Under the stars of the iconic ceiling of Grand Central Terminal’s main course, uncover the secrets of this beloved landmark with your Valentine at your side. On Untapped New York’s Secrets of Grand Central Terminal walking tour, discover hidden gems of the terminal that thousands of commuters walk past every day. Learn about the terminal’s golden age and its near demise, discover design quirks, hidden spaces and more!
Nicole Saraniero is the Insider-in-Chief at Untapped New York, leading our Untapped New York Insiders membership program. Nicole graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Televis
