New York

The city of New York is probably second only to Los Angeles when it comes to putting on some of the country’s best film festivals. If you and your special someone happen to be fans of great movies, a trip to one or more of these festivals is a must. The Big Apple Film Festival is one that has made several “best of” lists, bringing some amazing films to the screen during early November. The Bryant Park Film Festival is a great destination during the summer, particularly for those that want to have a few drinks while they enjoy a film.

Having your special someone meet your best friend is essential to forming a good relationship. One way to do this and spend some quality time with both parties is to make a trip to the dog park into a date. Even the big city of New York has places where dogs are welcome. One of the larger ones is Tompkins Square Park Dog Run, a conveniently located park that is open all the way to midnight. Or check out Jemmy’s Run if you’re looking to avoid the crowds of some other, more popular dog parks. And there’s always Central Park.

Not every date needs to be bells and whistles, even when you live in a city like New York. Sometimes it’s better to spend casual time with the one you care about, just hanging out, having fun and getting to know each other better. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to do this and most of them are pretty cheap. Try hitting up a swimming spot and enjoying the sun together. From Astoria Pool in Queens to the John Jay Pool, there are plenty of places to get wet. Or head to one of New York’s many bowling alleys and enjoy some drinks and ball-tossing.