Where to Propose in New York

New York City Proposal Ideas

New York City is full of romance and iconic locations, so if you’re looking for the ideal spot to propose you’ll be plenty of choices. A magical moment is easy to arrange in a city where every street resembles a movie set, and everyone knows to expect the unexpected.

Here are some ideas on places to propose in New York, whether you are looking for a stunning view of the famous Manhattan skyline, a greener location in Central Park, or an iconic New York landmark.

Proposing with a view of the Manhattan skyline

Few images more recognizable than the awe inspiring Manhattan skyline and there are many ways you use it as a backdrop for your proposal. The most obvious is to propose at the top of the Empire State Building, which is the ideal location if you know your girlfriend is a fan of An Affair to Remember, or Sleepless in Seattle.

Although the Empire State Building is a very memorable place to propose, it isn’t always a private choice and you may have to deal with crowds of tourists. A slightly quieter alternative might be the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rocks which also has a stunning view of the Manhattan Skyline.

Finally if heights aren’t your thing, take a romantic ride on the Staten Island ferry as it gets dark, and pop the question on the way back as you are approaching Manhattan. Just be prepared to look a little windswept in your engagement photos.

Proposing in Central Park

A green oasis in the center of the city, Central Park provides the perfect combination of natural beauty and the energy of New York City. A tour of the park in a horse drawn carriage could be a very romantic way to pop the question, but if you’re planning a summer proposal these can get very hot in the midday sun.

Other romantic locations in Central Park include Cherry Hill Fountain which offers beautiful views of the park, and the nearby Bethesda Fountain with the famous Angel of Waters sculpture. The Conservatory Garden is Central Park’s only formal garden, and is usually a peaceful location to propose.

You could also choose to propose at the Victorian Ladies Pavilion on the west side of the park. This is also a popular location for Central Park weddings, which are free if you have less than twenty people in your wedding party.

If your girlfriend is a fan of music, the Strawberry Fields Memorial, in honor of John Lennon, is a very spiritual part of the park, and visitors often light candles there which can add to the atmosphere at dusk.

Proposing at an iconic location

With New York’s vibrant history and arts scene there are countless places that will hold significance for your girlfriend. One of the classic proposal locations is Tiffany’s on Fifth Avenue, but this is only recommended if you can afford to buy one of their legendary diamond solitaires, and if you’re fairly confident she’ll say yes.

If you are planning a Christmas engagement, nowhere beats the ice rink at the Rockefeller Center. With its giant Christmas tree and party atmosphere, it is a fun and romantic spot for a winter proposal.

If your girlfriend is interested in art, there are a huge number of galleries and museums to visit in New York. Proposing in front of her favorite painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art will create a memory to treasure forever. If you want somewhere more private to propose in the Met, the Fort Tyron Park in the Cloisters section has an amazing view over the Hudson.

Romantic Restaurants in New York

Whether you wish to carry on the celebrations after she has said yes to your proposal or set the mood before you pop the question, you will undoubtedly be on the look out for romantic places to dine in New York. Here are seven great choices:

1. Try Aureole on West 42nd Street for a contemporary and ultra stylish restaurant serving progressive American cuisine. Charlie Palmer’s restaurant is located close to Time Square and a trip to Aureole can easily be combined with a Broadway show.
2. For an exclusive and romantic retreat, complete with 1930s glamor, check out Upstairs at 21. This intimate salon style restaurant with just 32 seats is located above the famous Bar Room restaurant of the 21 Club. A short walk from Central Park, this could be the perfect post proposal dinner destination, but it would also make an ideal spot to pop the question, and the attentive staff can help you make arrangements.
3. For a downtown alternative, The Savoy is a classic choice, and the combination of traditional methods, local produce, an evolving menu, and warm hospitality create an atmosphere guaranteed to enchant your new fiance.
4. The West Village is a great option for a relaxed dining experience with superb food at reasonable prices. One if by Land, Two if by Sea may be a bit of a mouthful, but the picturesque setting of a converted colonial carriage house along with its new American cuisine make it worth checking out.
5. The Place, also in the West Village, is ideal for summer when you can sit out on the candle lit terrace to sample pan European and new American cuisine, and as 10% of their profits go to charity you can ease your social conscience at the same time.
6. Union Square Cafe, Danny Meyer’s first restaurant, has had the honor of being voted New York’s most popular restaurant eight years in a row so make sure you reserve early. Described as “American food with an Italian soul” this restaurant offers great food, good value, and plenty of options for vegetarians.
7. Finally The Sea Grill at the Rockefeller Center is ideal for sea food lovers looking for a bright, modern restaurant with sleek decor. Serving fresh Oceanic delicacies, it overlooks the Rockefeller ice rink, making it the perfect follow up to a snowy Christmas proposal.

Romantic Activities in New York

Your proposal will only take up a small part of your trip to New York, so why not carry on the fun with your new fiancée by seeing what else the city has to offer. Here are some great post proposal activities:

• Take a helicopter ride over Manhattan and see the Chrysler building close up
• Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art not forgetting the stunning roof garden
• Stroll hand in hand along the Brooklyn Heights Esplanade
• Take a picnic in Central Park or book a gondola at the Boat House
• Check out the Lincoln Center fountains and catch some live Jazz
• See a show on legendary Broadway or simply take in the buzz of Time Square

Where to Stay in New York for Your Proposal Trip

Getting engaged is a truly special moment in both your lives and you’ll want to make sure your accommodation lives up to the romance of the occasion. Here are a few great hotel choices, whether you are looking for sheer elegance and luxury, bohemian culture, or an uptown boutique hotel.

Hotels with classic luxury and elegance

To really get the feel of old style New York, stay in one of its famous luxury hotels. The Waldorf Astoria is one of America’s most prominent hotels and was originally an amalgamation of two buildings located in the current location of the Empire State Building, before it moved to its current Park Lane address.

For a Fifth Avenue alternative, nothing says style like The Plaza, which is frequented by the rich and famous. It retains its old world splendor and tradition despite recent multi-million dollar renovations. The Pierre is a less well known haven on Fifth Avenue, offering the ultimate in service and exclusivity.

Hotels with a bohemian artistic vibe

Hotel Chelsea is the ideal choice if you are looking to embrace the cultural heritage of New York. Bob Dylan, and Jack Kerouac both called this hotel home, along with a whole host of other artists and intellectuals. It has a laid back bohemian vibe and is located in the Chelsea district, close to the Empire State Building.

For a historic hotel in the Theater District, The Algonquin provides a gathering point for a diverse mix of New York’s cultural and artistic elite. An intimate hotel, well known for its hospitality, the Algonquin was the literary birth place of the New Yorker magazine.

Boutique hotels in uptown New York

If you’d prefer a stylish modern hotel away from the bustle of downtown Manhattan, On the Avenue is a cool, urban boutique hotel on the Upper West Side. Across town on the fashionable Upper East Side, The Lowell and The Carlyle, both on or around Madison Avenue, offer exclusive accommodation in landmark buildings.