A short New York City honeymoon: two unhurried days

Give each day one part of the city and one evening worth dressing for. For two or three nights, this plan works: day one downtown and across the Brooklyn Bridge, ending with dinner on the Brooklyn waterfront; day two around Central Park's Lake, an observation deck at dusk and a late drink with live music on the Upper East Side.

The city sells romance by the package, and much of the premium pays for privacy. The Empire State Building's proposal package starts at $1,000 for a private space and a guided tour; a ticket to the open-air 86th-floor deck starts at $46. Unless the private moment matters to you, put the difference toward dinner. [1]

Day one: the harbor, the bridge and the waterfront

Start in Lower Manhattan with the Staten Island Ferry, which crosses the harbor every day without a fare. A round trip needs no booking, so you can go whenever breakfast ends. [2]

In the late afternoon, walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn. The pedestrian promenade is open at all times, so you can time the crossing for the light. [3]

Brooklyn Bridge Park, at the far end, is open from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Jane's Carousel stands there in a glass pavilion beneath the bridge: a carousel built in 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and restored for the park. It is very hard to ride with a straight face. [4]

For dinner, The River Café sits on the water under the Brooklyn Bridge at One Water Street, with live piano music. It describes itself as the setting for countless engagements, and it keeps a dress code to match: men need jackets and collared shirts, and jeans, athletic wear and sandals are not allowed. Book well ahead and check the menu prices before you do; this is a special-occasion room. [5]

Afterward, NYC Ferry's East River route stops at DUMBO/Fulton Ferry beside the park, or you can take a taxi back. If you would rather not leave the waterfront at all, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is at 60 Furman Street on the same shore, with views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline. We mention it for its location; we have not reviewed it. [4][6]

Day two: the Lake, a view and a late drink

Spend the morning around Central Park's Lake. Start at Bethesda Terrace, mid-park at 72nd Street; its fountain is off for a restoration the Central Park Conservancy expects to take about a year, but the terrace is open. Cross Bow Bridge, which the Conservancy calls one of the park's most romantic spots, and walk to the Boathouse on the Lake's eastern edge, where the park's rowboats launch. Boat rentals are seasonal, so confirm they are running before you build the morning around them. The Boathouse restaurant takes reservations if you want to eat by the water. [7][8][9]

Book an observation deck for about an hour before sunset, which One World Observatory recommends for anyone who wants the sunset. Top of the Rock is the closest to this route and puts the Empire State Building in your picture; our deck comparison covers the others. [10][11]

End the night at Bemelmans Bar in The Carlyle, at 35 East 76th Street, a room painted with Ludwig Bemelmans's murals. A pianist opens at 5:30 p.m. and a jazz trio plays from 9 p.m. A cover charge applies: $25 to $35 a person at a table and $20 to $25 at the bar, depending on the artist. If you would rather see a show, TKTS booths sell same-day theater tickets at up to 50% off, plus $8 a ticket. [12][13]

What to book and what to leave open

• Book dinner for your main night first, as far ahead as the restaurant allows.
• Book the deck time slot, about an hour before sunset. [10]
• Book a table at Bemelmans if you want to sit; the cover is lower at the bar. [12]
• Leave the ferry, the bridge, the park and the carousel unbooked. None of them needs a reservation. [2][3]

Stay near where one of your evenings ends. On this plan that is the Brooklyn waterfront for night one or the Upper East Side near the park for night two. You pay for the other night with a cab or subway ride, which is a fair trade for waking up somewhere you like.

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