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Whether you love it or you’re still deciding which way to swipe, Valentine’s Day raises feelings like heart-shaped mylar balloons escaping to their destiny in the sky. For some, it evokes notions of romantic restaurants and big candy boxes. For others, it inspires a hasty run in the direction of the closest dive bar. In any case, the big day will arrive, and before you know it, reservations will be full up. So book while the booking is good before you're both feeling blue. And remember that old love poem on this, and every culinary holiday, “Roses are red, violets are blue, prices are pre-tax and tip, and spots book quickly, too." RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Valentine’s Day for NYC January 2025: This has been updated to reflect this year’s best picks for Valentine’s Day dinners, including Santi, Le Jardinier, Café Boulud, The Noortwyck and Le Rock. 

Sure, we love that deeply-discounted post-holiday chocolate from whatever Duane Reade is closest to you as much as the next New Yorker, but some occasions call for the good stuff. Times when you aren’t just giving a confectionary gift, but rather presenting one, maybe even in a sweet heart-shaped box, require a visit to NYC’s best chocolate shops, candy stores and bakeries for top-notch truffles, creams, cordials, classic bars and other delectable desserts. Get excited, sweet tooths: these small family spots and international behemoths are the best in the business right now.

Few things are better than a cup of coffee from one of New York City’s best coffee shops, but a sweet, rich, marshmallow-topped hot chocolate is definitely close. Served alongside imaginative cookies and pastries at the city’s best bakeries or even as a hot cocktail on a frosty night out, a good hot chocolate features the finest coca, surprising mix-ins and deliciously ooey-gooey toppings. Our favorites also showcase the work of the city’s best chocolate shops, melting milk, dark and white bars into the perfect drink to sip as you stroll around the city. Grab your scarf, your gloves and your cup—and don’t forget the ‘mallows! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best restaurants in NYC  

On a frigid winter afternoon, I escaped New York City's chill by slipping into a decadent bath experience at the Lush Spa on the Upper East Side. As the bathwater turned pinkish green around me, I realized it was the first time I'd felt truly warm—and gloriously disconnected—in days. But this isn't any ordinary soak. Lush collaborated with Universal Pictures to make a Wicked-themed bath experience complete with products inspired by the movie, a soundtrack, and even an Oz-influenced drink. It's bookable now for $75 with appointments through late 2025. I left feeling almost like I could defy gravity. RECOMMENDED: The best spas in NYC to visit for some R&R Let's start at the beginning: When Lush reached out to ask if I'd be interested in trying the Wicked-themed book-a-bath experience, it was an immediate yes. I'd written about the spa when it opened in fall 2023 but had yet to try it myself. Considering Lush invented the bath bomb, I had a feeling they were going to take this bath experience to the next level—and I was not wrong about that. When I arrived at Lush Spa, I had a few minutes to walk around the sales floor and sniff all the products. I spotted several Wicked-specific items, like the Glinda's Wand bubble bar, the Shiz University massage bar, and a green shower elixir, to name a few.  Photograph: Courtesy of Lush When it was my turn for the bath, I headed upstairs to the cozy spa. Unlike a lot of other spas in the city that keep the design stark and white, this...

It's said that the early bird catches the worm, but this Saturday, the early bird scores free admission to ice skate at Wollman Rink. The first 75 skaters at the door on Saturday, January 25, will get into the rink for free as Wollman Rink celebrates its 75th birthday. The rink opens at 10am, so prepare to get there early! Even if you don't nab free admission, skating this Saturday promises a nostalgia-packed experience with an interactive photographic journey through Wollman Rink's storied history, plus classic treats inspired by the past seven decades.  RECOMMENDED: Where to go ice skating in NYC A birthday party wouldn't be complete without sweet treats, of course. So to celebrate the occasion, there will be a retro-inspired candy bar that takes skaters on a sweet journey through the last seven decades. The Café located in The Clubhouse will also serve free hot chocolate, an ice skating staple that never goes out of style.  Photograph: Courtesy of Wollman Rink As for entertainment, skaters will be treated to performances by members of The Skating Club of New York and Ice Theatre of New York, who will perform special routines at 12pm and 2pm. Those performances harken back to the rink's opening day in 1950 when skaters from the Junior Skating Club of New York took to the ice for a festive performance. Though this weekend's festivities celebrate 75 years, ice skating has been a part of Central Park's DNA for much longer. In fact, original drawings by Central Park's star...

ARTECHOUSE, the immersive art experience in Chelsea, typically features the work of a single artist exploring a single topic, such as Afrofuturism, AI·magination and outer space. But for their new installation, ARTECHOUSE has turned over the venue to dozens of emerging artists for a wide-ranging, year-long art extravaganza. Titled “Submerge,” the show will feature more than 100 artists over the course of 2025. The work of artists from across the globe will rotate every four months amid an open call for submissions. Expect to see everything from 3D animation to AI innovation to multimedia storytelling—anything that takes creativity out of confines of computer screens and onto an IRL canvas. Submerge is open to all ages through December 31 with tickets starting at $23.85.  RECOMMENDED: Incredible immersive experiences to do in NYC right now Think of Submerge like a living laboratory and launchpad for a new generation of creatives. Visitors are asked to "submerge" themselves in a continuously changing world of digital art that expands the boundaries of what art can be. The project offers resources, collaboration, mentorship, and exposure to help emerging digital artists thrive.  Photograph: Courtesy of ARTECHOUSE “Submerge Project does for digital art what MTV did for music videos and Hollywood did for movies: it redefines how we experience immersive art today, and helps shape the democratization of its future," ARTECHOUSE leaders say.  The first group of Submerge artists...

New York City Restaurant Week’s winter edition is back! More than 500 restaurants are offering special pre fixe specials citywide from January 21 to February 9. This year’s price points are $30, $45 and $60 for brunch, lunch and dinner menus on the days of each venue’s choosing. With so many sensational spots, and so little time to taste them all, it can be hard to narrow the field. Luckily, I have thumbed through the list and highlighted the top options to snag that reservation. Check out the best places to visit and everything to order during NYC Restaurant Week this winter. Updated January 21: We added information for deals at Alice and Time & Tide. 

New York City Restaurant Week is among the five boroughs’ best food holidays. Traditionally, New Yorkers (and a few lucky tourists) clear their dining schedules and make reservations at the city’s best special occasion spots, high-profile newcomers and all-time favorite restaurants for deals unseen the rest of the year. Hundreds of destinations participate citywide, with menu prices below their typical tabs.  What is Restaurant Week in NYC? New York City Restaurant Week actually comes twice a year, in summer and in winter, and each edition lasts for about a month. Restaurants curate their menus and produce prix fixe selections for brunch, lunch, dinner and sometimes all three. Saturdays are formally excluded and Sundays are discretionary, so expect regular menu prices at those times unless otherwise stated.  This winter's price tiers are set at $30, $45 and $60 price tiers for two- and three-course specials during Restaurant Week Winter 2025.  RECOMMENDED: The 50 best restaurants in NYC right now When is Restaurant Week in NYC? Reservations for Restaurant Week Winter 2025 will open on Tuesday, January 7. Prix-fixe menus will drop that day, too. The campaign will run from Tuesday, January 21 through Sunday, February 9. That's nearly a month to choose from oodles of NYC classics and recent culinary additions.  NYC Restaurant Week deals and offers We have some great reccs here and below.

New York City is packed with world-renowned museums and cultural attractions, of course, but visiting them comes at a price. Unlike our neighbors in Washington, D.C., we've got to pay to get inside these institutions.  But thankfully, New Yorkers (and visitors, too!) can get discounted tickets right now through NYC Must-See Week. This week (well, technically three weeks, but we're not complaining) runs from January 21-February 9 with two-for-one tickets to attractions, museums, performing arts, and tours across the five boroughs. Booking is now open here. RECOMMENDED: Here's how to score a cheap hotel stay in NYC right now We scoured the list of 63 featured attractions. While all are incredibly worthy in their own right, we're going to highlight 10 of our absolute must-dos, with a focus on spots that rarely offer other cheap admission deals.  Photograph: Lila Barth for Time Out New York | Isis in Life and Trust Dizzy's Club: Tap your toes to the sounds of jazz during a night at Dizzy's Club. This cozy club in Columbus Circle offers skyline views and incredible performances every night of the week. Steve Cohen's Chamber Magic: This jaw-dropping magic show absolutely dazzles. Steve Cohen, dubbed the Millionaire's Magician, shows off trick after trick inside the fancy Lotte Palace New York. Tickets start around $175, so score this deal while you can. Life and Trust: If you're mourning the loss of legendary immersive theater show Sleep No More, then get yourself to Life and...

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a reach that expands across the globe and back in time. Its collections cover everything from First Century Chinese pottery to Medieval armor to masterpieces of Impressionist painting. Now, for the first time, part of the collection has gone underground.  As part of the exhibit "Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now," see three site-specific installations inside local subway stations. The artworks, commissioned by MTA Arts & Design, "are critical to the story of the ongoing reception of ancient Egypt within Black communities," Met officials explained. Though the pieces are off-site, they are considered part of The Met's exhibition. If you want to get a full understanding of "Flight into Egypt," on view through February 17, you've got to check out the museum's exhibit and the subway art, too. RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now Art in the subway is nothing new. Since the 1980s, the MTA has commissioned permanent artworks for the public transit system. But for the first time, the MTA and The Met worked together to highlight three existing works inspired by ancient Egypt at subway and Metro-North railroad stations. All three of the featured subway artworks are located within a two-mile radius of Harlem. “Celebrations of ancient Egypt unite these three site-specific works.”  "Celebrations of ancient Egypt unite these three site-specific works, symbolizing the global diasporic resonance of and...

Brownstone Brooklyn's newest attraction is a win-win for kids and parents.  While you're sipping a hot chocolate (perhaps with a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream), your kiddos can whip around Court Street Tavern's debut ice skating rink. The newly opened Carroll Gardens restaurant has taken outdoor accommodations and upped the ante; while most eateries have opted for heated tents, this South Brooklyn spot has created its own destination for winter fun.  Meet the Court Street Ice Rink. Photograph: Time Out / Danielle Valente Photograph: Time Out / Danielle Valente Photograph: Courtesy Emily Bartlett Perfect for ages 13 and under, the super-cute "glice" rink from Matt Shendell of Paige Concepts is open daily from 12:15–7:15pm for $25 per child (including skate rentals). Parents can make reservations on Resy for 45-minute sessions and walk-ins are welcome. For an additional $10, moms and dads can rent a skate aid seal—an adorable buddy looking to help your little skaters keep their balance. Note that lockers are not available, so be prepared to hang onto those winter boots.  Plus, there's more good news. TVs are stationed right above the rink, so you can have your eyes on the game, your lil' winter Olympian and that tasty Hot Toddy. We told you this would be a win-win for everyone! Court Street Tavern is located at 449 Court St in Carroll Gardens.  Most popular on Time Out - Awesome things NYC families can’t miss in 2021- New kids’ movies coming out in 2021 that you can’t...

Are your little ones missing their favorite reading circle? Don’t worry, Mom and Dad: We have the perfect solution! Time Out is partnering with the New York Public Library to present digital storytimes for pint-sized bookworms. Beginning August 10, families can tune in Monday through Thursday at 10am—right here—for a remote read-aloud. Curious about the lineup? The Time Out New York Kids newsletter will reveal forthcoming story time schedules on Fridays, so sign up today! Monday, January 4 Susan Burkhardt from Van Cortlandt Library in The Bronx The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock by Jim Aylesworth and I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon Tuesday, January 5 Dana Keddy from Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library in Staten Island I Went Walking by Sue Williams and Boo! by Ben Newman Wednesday, January 6 Ruth Guerrier-Pierre from Kips Bay Library in Manhattan Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson Thursday, January 7 Nanette Rivera from Mulberry Street Library in Manhattan Perfect Square by Michael Hall Friday, January 8 Katie Loucks from Mosholu Library in The Bronx Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush and Rock-a-bye Baby by Jane Cabrera

Update: The completely redesigned Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will now open in spring 2021 as opposed to February 2021. An exact date has not been revealed. We'll be sure to update you as soon as we know more.  Looks like we're going to have to be patient.  The Museum of Natural History's completely redesigned Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will now open in 2021 as opposed to this fall. But judging from the details, we have a feeling it'll be well worth the wait. On Feb 17, 2021, the family attraction will welcome visitors to the 11,000 square-foot space that house roughly 5,000 pieces from 95 countries. Guests can catch a glimpse of a 3,000-pound block of iridescent green and blue labradorite, the Singing Stone from the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and the new "Beautiful Creatures" exhibit, which will celebrate historic and contemporary jewelry inspired by animals. Patrons will be able to find it in halls’ first temporary exhibition space. Plus, as an added bonus for the little learners in your crew, the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will be the perfect spot for children with an interest in earth science, as it promises to be an invaluable resource for schools and camps.  Courtesy AMNH “Generations of New Yorkers have loved the Museum’s mineral and gem halls, storing up memories of family visits and marveling at the glamorous displays of utterly spectacular minerals and gems,” Ellen V. Futter,...

A library card goes a long way in New York City.  Today, the New York Public Library, Queens Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library announced that Culture Pass will resume for 25 attractions—with limited capacity—on Nov 1. This program provides New Yorkers with library cards free access to their favorite family attractions.  The 25 institutions participating:  Alice Austen House Museum American Museum of Natural History Asia Society Museum Brooklyn Museum The Drawing Center Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Fraunces Tavern Museum International Studio & Curatorial Program The Jewish Museum King Manor Museum Kingsland Homestead The Metropolitan Museum of Art Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) MoMA PS1 Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum of Arts and Design Museum of the City of New York National Lighthouse Museum New Museum New York Botanical Garden The Noble Maritime Collection The Noguchi Museum Poster House The Rubin Museum of Art SculptureCenter How to snag a freebie:  Beginning Nov 1, in-person passes can be reserved up to one month in advance on culturepass.nyc. (Learn more about Culture Pass rules.)  More good news:  Additionally, Culture Pass is rebroadcasting virtual arts and cultural programs for all ages from NYC's favorite institutions through Nov 21.  Besides mapping out your Culture Pass plans, be sure to check out the best new and upcoming exhibits at our go-to kids' museums, sit in for virtual storytimes from the New York Public Library every Monday through Friday and see what...

November 3 is quickly approaching, and the New York Public Library is in a political state of mind.  In honor of the upcoming election, the NYC institution has released a 2020 Election Reading List for three age groups: children, teens and adults. The selections focus on voter issues such as climate change, foreign policy and healthcare, among many others.  If your little bookworms are curious about this historical moment in our nation's history, have a look at some of the inspiring kids' books below that have landed on the ballots!   2020 Election Reading List for Kids Around America to Win the Vote by Mara Rockliff  Dreamers by Yuyi Morales Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson Out of the Ice: How Climate Change Is Revealing the Past by Claire Eamer Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Doreen Rappaport Courtesy: NYPL 2020 Election Reading List for Teens Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook & Ryan Estrada Displacement by Kiku Hughes Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Life & Work by Victoria Ortiz Election Manipulation: Is America's Voting System Secure? by John Allen It's Getting Hot in Here by Bridget Heos Courtesy: NYPL For the full list for each age group, visit nypl.org/election2020. While you're at it, be sure to check out Time Out's daily virtual storytimes with the NYPL and get homework assistance with the NYPL's free virtual tutoring—a game-changer for parents.   Most popular on Time Out - NYC schools closed: a running list of building...

Milk & Cream is at it again!  After the success of the limited-edition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle treats (ice cream pizza!), the Instagrammable dessert spot is continuing the fun with a second installment of the Nickelodeon flavor takeover (#NICKFLAVORTAKEOVER). This time, the focus is on Blue's Clues.   Show one of your favorite TV shows for kids some love by stopping in for a snack. Now through Oct 25, the shop will offer Blue's Snack Time Treat, an ice cream sammie with cookie dough, chocolate chips and dark chocolate-covered pretzels and Josh's Ultimate Ube Surprise, a purple yam ice cream sandwiched between two chocolate wafers and dusted off with chocolate crunchies.    Courtesy: Milk & Cream Cereal Bar   Of course, the ice cream hotspot will be decked out in all-things Blue's Clues, so make sure there is room in your camera roll. (We did tell you this was an Instagrammable dessert spot, after all.) Plus, temporary tattoos will be given out with your Blue's Clues purchase.    Courtesy: Milk & Cream Cereal Bar   If all of these dreamy desserts have given you a hankering for the Nickelodeon of yesteryear, check out where you can stream the coolest old-school cartoons (Doug, Hey Arnold, Ren and Stimpy, etc.).  Most popular on Time Out - NYC DOE reaches a new decision about the return to school- The NYC School Calendar for 2020-2021- A drive-thru fair food festival headed to New York this fall- The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is opening a second location this year-...

Sleeping is overrated when there is a good book to finish.    Now that the New York Public Library has released its list of "125 Books We Love for Teens," a good night's rest will likely be few and far between. This brand-new collection of YA goodness joins the ranks of the Library's 125 favorite books for adults and children, both of which are in celebration of the attraction's milestone anniversary.  Now readers 12-18 (and the young at heart, of course) can enjoy tales of identity, self-discovery and love. (It's not all about unrequited crushes and the cool clique in homeroom, though there's plenty of that.) Curious what books made the list? Have a look at some of our favorite selections:  Go Ask Alice Anonymous The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier The Giver by Lois Lowry The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes You can take a gander at the full list on the NYPL website and download your favorite selections (aka everything) on the SimplyE app.  Have younger readers in your crew? Check out daily storytimes from Time Out New York Kids and the New York Public Library, where you can sit in on a digital read-aloud of your favorite kids' books.  Most popular on Time Out - NYC DOE reaches a new decision about the return to school- The NYC...

Museums in New York City were given the green light to reopen at limited capacity on Aug 23. Although family attractions such as The Museum of Natural History and The Met started welcoming back visitors, most of our favorite children's museums only remain active online. However, the Children's Museum of the Arts just announced its plans in a Sept 18 newsletter.  "After evaluating options to reopen safely, we have made the difficult decision to stay closed for the remainder of the year," the note read. "Though our doors remain shut, we are more dedicated than ever to pursuing our mission of providing transformational and accessible arts opportunities through online content and programs." There are still plenty of ways to enjoy the best of the attraction: Art pods, parent workshops and virtual kids' classes are some of the offerings that'll keep the creative juices flowing this fall. No matter your little artist's interest, CMANY has the perfect fit, from its graphic novel club to animation and character design, among other cool after-school programs. Check them out! You can stay up-to-date on kids' museum reopening plans at Time Out New York Kids.  Most popular on Time Out - NYC DOE reaches a new decision about the return to school- The NYC School Calendar for 2020-2021- A drive-thru fair food festival headed to New York this fall- The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is opening a second location this year- The best apple picking NY kids and families love Get us in your inbox!...

Summer vacation is practically in the rearview mirror, so now is the time for kids to soak up that last bit of freedom.  Plus, there are a few end-of-season perks to enjoy. Some of NYC's best family attractions are offering free and discounted admission for students before the first day of school on Sept 21. Count us in! “Arts and culture are a critical part of New York City’s social fabric, and we thank these organizations for providing our kids with safe, educational activities before schools open next week,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said during his Sept 14 press briefing.  Making day trip plans? Here are the participating institutions, according to the city's website:  American Museum of Natural History: The museum welcomes NYC schoolchildren and their caregivers back, with a hall to visit for every grade and every age. Tickets are pay what you wish for NYC residents. Reserve on their website: https://ticketing.amnh.org/#tickets. Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Met is welcoming students and caregivers back to both their main building on Fifth Avenue, and to The Cloisters. For NYC residents, admission is pay what you wish. Closed to the public Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Reserve a timed ticket on their website: https://engage.metmuseum.org/reservation. Morgan Library and Museum: The Morgan Library & Museum is providing free tickets to school-aged kids aged 18 and younger and their caregivers on September 16, 17 and 18. Advance reservation required. Families can...

Update: You can snag 50 percent off a child's ticket (with the purchase of one adult ticket) when children where their costumes to Boo at the Zoo. Use "COSTUME" at checkout to claim the offer.  In a spooky state of mind? You're not alone.  Tickets have just gone on sale for the Bronx Zoo's annual Boo at the Zoo festival, and this year's celebration is chillingly wicked—in a good way!  Thursday through Sunday from Oct 1 to Nov 1 is your chance to revel in the Halloween fun, from magic shows and pumpkin carving demonstrations to mind reading and trips through the spooky extinct animal graveyard. Each day, animal-themed costumed stilt walkers and Halloween animal puppets will put on a "MASKerade" while the Wildlife Theater will pull out all the stops with performances in Astor Court.    Photograph: Courtesy Julie Larsen Maher   Like other family attractions, the Bronx Zoo had to make some adjustments to this year's festivities, but that certainly doesn't mean Halloween is canceled—far from it. All guests 3 and up are required to wear a mask and social distance when on the grounds. Additionally, advanced tickets are required before attending and reentry is not permitted. A full list of health and safety guidelines is available on the zoo's website.  You can snag tickets online ($39.95 adults, $29.95 children ages 3–12) and map out your other fall activities. We suggest apple picking, checking out Six Flags' new HALLOWFEST and, of course, marveling at the pumpkin artistry on...