Greatest Locations to Suggest in New York

So you live in town or you are visiting New York? And you want to propose? We’re locals and we know this city well! Here are the top 28+ locations to go to if you want to make a memorable proposal in NYC.

If you need creative ideas for the proposal itself. Don’t worry, we have your back. The aforementioned article has over 65 different creative proposal ideas. Most of them can be easily done in New York.

But back to the locations. Here are our top picks of the perfect locations in New York. Be ready to pop the biggest question of your life with style!

1. Empire State Building
2. Central Park
3. Green Acre Park
4. Top of the Rock
5. Metropolitan Museum of Art
6. Grand Central Station
7. The High Line
8. Brooklyn Bridge Park
9. Coney Island
10. The Hayden Planetarium
11. Harbor Cruise
12. Governors Island
13. The Little Red Lighthouse
14. Strawberry Fields
15. Washington Square Park
16. Times Square
17. Gramercy Park
18. Staten Island Ferry
19. Rockefeller Center Ice Rink
20. Helicopter Ride
21. Brooklyn Heights Promenade
22. Chinese Scholar’s Garden
23. Harlem High Bridge
24. Paley Park
25. Liberty Island
26. Mmuseumm
27. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
28. Tiffany and Co.
29. AKC Museum of the Dog
30. Ditmas Park
31. Jewelry Showroom

Empire State Building

Of all the buildings in New York that are globally familiar, none is more so than the Empire State Building. Featured in many great movies such as “Sleepless In Seattle”, “An Affair To Remember” and, of course, “King Kong”, it’s a location that is hard to beat, just for the sheer majesty of it.

Ignore those who say “Oh, but it’s such a cliché”.

The Empire State Building is never a cliché. However, if you really want to get the best out of your proposal, timing will be everything. The Observatory stays open until 2 am, so head out (and up) after midnight, and the deck will be much less crowded. Alternatively, book a ticket to see the sunrise. These are limited to just 100 people and is just that little bit different.

This is one of our top proposal recommendations from this list!

Central Park

Gone are the dark days of the 1970s, when Central Park had something of a reputation as a crime hotspot and was seriously rundown. It is now rightly seen as one of the world’s great showpieces. The 1980s and 1990 saw massive improvements and renovations which catapulted the park into near-legendary status. The current biggest problem for would-be proposers is where to pop the question. There are so many perfect stops.

You have the stunning Bow Bridge, but it can get a little crowded when the weather is fine. Under the walls of Belvedere Castle, with its turrets and towers built right into the Manhattan schist bedrock, you will always be able to find a quiet spot. The Loeb Boathouse, Shakespeare Garden, and Ladies Pavilion are also very romantic spots. If you so wish, the Park offers proposal packages, with planning help, a photographer, and a musician.

Greenacre Park

What if we told you that Manhattan has another park? One with a waterfall, and which is full of scented foliage and flowers? What if we also said that it is open to the public and is just off E 51st St? Well, that would be Greenacre Park, probably the best-kept secret in New York.

It isn’t big, at less than 6,500 sqft, but it is exquisitely beautiful. The park is only open from mid-April to early December, so you’ll need to plan your timing, but it’ll be worth it. It is a tranquil haven in a city of continual hustle and bustle. Although it has only a few hundred visitors a day, its small size means you’ll be unlikely to have the park to yourself. The upside is that everyone goes for the peace and quiet, so it will feel like you’re as alone as you need to be.

Learn more about Greenacre Park.

Top Of The Rock

If the crowds of the Empire State Building put you off a little, then opt for the less-well-known Top of the Rock. Although it doesn’t have the instant recognizability of the Empire State, its views are no less breathtaking. It’s also quieter, with the added bonus that you get a view of its taller cross-town rival.

The name comes from it being the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza – the “30 Rock” of the sitcom of the same name. The view rivals any in New York and deserves much more acclaim than it actually gets.

The bragging rights for a Rockefeller Center marriage proposal are pretty high!

It has the added benefit of being right next to the Estate Diamond Jewelry Showroom.

Click here to book tickets to Top of the Rock.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

What better than a roof garden in the summer or fall to propose? For art lovers, especially, the Met is one of the most beautiful places in the city.

A walk through the gorgeous garden, a drink at the bar and a proposal under a stunning sunset with spectacular views of Central Park and beyond. It’s like whoever designed the Met just knew what the outcome would be.

Click here to learn more about the Met.

Grand Central Station

Okay, so don’t go during rush hour. Off-peak, though, Grand Central really can get pretty quiet. Choose your time carefully, and there might be next to nobody there, actually. You have several choices, from the Marble Staircase to the 4 sided clock.

The most romantic part of the station is probably the Whispering Gallery. The domed construction means that a whisper said at one side travels to the other. Pick any of the 4 arches down on the dining concourse. Ask her to stand at the other side, and your proposal can be made across the 35 feet of the arch. We guarantee she won’t see it coming, but she will hear it!

The High Line

During the day, crowds on the High Line can reach epic proportions. Early morning or evening, though, the walks are much less crowded.

Lots of little nooks and crannies, as well as benches to sit on with beautiful views, make this a great place to ask for her hand. The location of the High Line also means that a wonderful dinner to celebrate is only ever a short walk away.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge itself, whilst a fantastic photo opportunity, is usually so crowded as to be impractical for a proposal. Instead, take a walk down the mile-long waterfront which runs underneath.

Uninterrupted views of the river are spectacular at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. There are also gardens and cafés to grab a celebratory cake and coffee. If the weather is nice, the stroll will take you less than half an hour, but there are plenty of places to stop and admire what you see.

This location makes one of the best places to propose in New York.

Coney Island

For the whimsical and fun-loving, there are few better places than the Coney Island Boardwalk. Whether you’re a roller coaster freak or you go for the hot dogs at Nathan’s, Coney Island is a place for little and big kids.

Propose on the Ferris wheel or down towards Manhattan Beach. Better still, stay for the nightly fireworks and propose under a sky full of color. Summer and Coney Island were made for each other, so hop the train to Stillwell Avenue and have a blast.

The Hayden Planetarium

Another great location that became slightly overplayed after it featured in an episode of Friends. But, several years later, the Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History is back to being gloriously romantic. Check the best times to visit when it’s a little quieter, and choose your moment.

A proposal under starlight, in the middle of the day? Why not?

A Harbor Cruise

NYC has so many landmarks, it can be hard to see them all in a day. It is also often difficult to get great views due to the nature of a packed and very small island. Do the next best thing and take a harbor cruise. Sailing down the Hudson on a warm evening brings views of the city that you can’t otherwise see. Propose on deck, with the greatest backdrop in the world, and you’ll both remember it forever.

Packages are available including food and drinks, at very reasonable prices, or you can even charter a boat, just for the two of you.

Governors Island

A former military base doesn’t sound much like the place to offer a proposal of marriage but think again. Now with lovely and serene parks that are perfect for picnicking, Governors Island is a world away from its traditional use. Rent bikes and take a leisurely peddle around an almost traffic-free island. Picnic Point on the south-west tip is the perfect spot to relax and catch the cooling breeze being drawn up through the Upper Bay. It also offers the best views of Liberty and Ellis Island on the NY side of the state line.

Lots of people still haven’t realized how great Governors Island is, and you can beat them to it!

The Little Red Lighthouse

Or Jeffrey’s Hook Light, to give it it’s official name. The only lighthouse left in the city, it was only saved by public demand after the construction plans of the George Washington Bridge included its demolition. It’s not the most scenic of destinations, perhaps, but it is historically important and offers superb views north and south.

It’s a little different, and a real talking point when you tell people how and where you proposed!

Strawberry Fields

Technically part of Central Park, but also a destination in its own right. The memorial to John Lennon is situated just inside the park gates opposite W 72nd Street. The corner of W 72nd and Central Park West is the location of the Dakota Building was the home of John Lennon. He was shot right outside the building in 1980. Although it may not seem romantic, the tiled mosaic memorial is always full of flowers and is incredibly peaceful. If your partner is any kind of music fan, she will surely appreciate the importance of the place.

Feel free to place your own flower on the memorial, as many do.

Click here to view the website.

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is great for many reasons, but the view is by far the best. At night, when the arch is lit up, you can look straight through it all the way up the 34th St. and the Empire State Building. It is a beautiful site, and the park will be alive with street musicians and food vendors of all types.

For a few dollars, you can find a musical to serenade you whilst you celebrate your engagement with a dance!

Times Square

Time Square is busy. In fact, Times Square is ALWAYS busy. Now that’s out of the way, don’t let it affect your decision to propose here. Plenty of Jumbotrons are available if you’d like to put your proposal in lights, or just pick a spot and propose. On Valentine’s, there is an annual “Love In Times Square” event, if you need emotional but unspoken support from other nervous proposers.

However you do it, a little bit of Times Square will always be yours.

Gramercy Park

If you really want to propose in style, consider a stay at the Gramercy Park Hotel. The hotel is fabulous, and a real celeb hotspot, but that’s not why it makes our list. The hotel has a private garden which only a few local residents and hotel guests can access. Every bit as stunning as the hotel, the garden offers privacy and style that is hard to find in a bustling metropolis on the scale of NYC.

Style of this quality isn’t cheap, but a one-off like your proposal deserves something special.

Staten Island Ferry

Not as elegant as a cruise liner, not as private as a charter yacht. But a million times more iconic than the pair of them combined. The Staten Island Ferry is one of NYC’s truly iconic features, and a nighttime voyage is perfect for a proposal. The ferry runs 24/7, so finding a quiet time is easy. Best of all, the ferry costs precisely nothing to use. In a world where everything has its price, it is a rare treat.

Famous for many things, why not add your own memory to its packed history?

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Sometimes, traditions start without any real intention to be so. When the first Rink at Rockefeller appeared, it’s unlikely anybody thought it would become so popular for wedding proposals, but here we are! You can go it alone or book one of the VIP proposal packages the center offers.

It might seem an odd location to propose. The rink is always busy, and you may well see at least one other proposal during your skating session. But, for all that, it’s a wonderful place to pop the question, and truly unforgettable.

A Helicopter Ride

If you’ve never taken a ride in a helicopter over NYC, you should. It truly is a breathtaking experience. Most of the tour companies are well-versed in in-flight proposals, so ask what choices you may have.

The answer to the question “Where did he propose?” has never had such an exciting answer!

Click here to order a helicopter ride.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

In something of a departure (literally) from the Manhattan flavor of this list, there are few more spectacular views of the city skyline than from the newly revitalized Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

If you had to list things to have in a backdrop for any event, let alone a proposal, this would have everything. The skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge and even Liberty herself provide a location unlike any other in the whole of NYC.

The Chinese Scholar’s Garden

Believe it or not, there is actually more to Staten Island than the ferry. In what was the first of its kind in the US on opening, the Chinese Scholar’s Garden is another of those secrets which deserves a lot more recognition.

An oasis of Chinese plants and flowers, the entire construction of the garden uses not a single nail or glue gun. As a metaphor for marriage, you can do no better than proposing somewhere that is based purely on how its components work in harmony.

Harlem High Bridge

Everyone proposes downtown, of course. So why not head for somewhere different? Up in Harlem (not down on Broadway), the Croton Aqueduct dates back to 1848 and is NYC’s oldest bridge. After a 40 year closure period, it was finally reopened in 2015 as a spectacular and amazingly peaceful walk across from the Bronx to Manhattan.

It might be a little out of the way, but that means much fewer people and the views of the city are stunning.

Paley Park

Paley Park is one of the city’s smallest and one best-kept secret. Favored by business people who need a few minutes respite from the turmoil of city working, tourists tend to just pass it by. Sitting discreetly amongst the towers around E 53rd St and Madison Ave, the park is in two parts.

The first, completed in 1967 is one of the world’s best for how it brings urban and rural life together. The other part, at 520 Madison Avenue is newer but incorporates pieces of the Berlin Wall. Paley Park is a wonderful place for a proposal in a wonderful city.

Liberty Island

If either of you is descended from immigrants to the US, particularly those in the late 19th century and up until 1954, they would have sailed up past Liberty to Ellis Island. She is an important part of US history, and the island is a terrific place for a visit in fine weather.

If you are thinking about proposing up in the crown, though, you may need to rethink. Only medication and cameras are allowed to be taken up. You can still propose, but you can’t do it with a ring. Just be aware that you must book in advance, and numbers are limited to 240 people per day.

Mmuseumm

One of the quirkiest proposal locations ever, and probably the most memorable. The Museum is in Tribeca and is actually a 60 square feet freight elevator. Amongst the exhibits are some incredible items. Remember the shoe that made George W Bush duck in the press conference? That’s here, as are items from the fake US fast-food franchises that have sprung up in Iran.

As we said, it’s quirky, and may not suit everyone. But different? It’s certainly that!

Click here to learn more about Mmuseumm.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden is one of the horticultural gems of the city. Beautiful at any time of year thanks to the care taken in the planting, with each season bringing new experiences. There’s no doubt, though, that it is at its best in late May/June, when summer is starting to really come to life.

Choose any one of what seems like a hundred perfect spots in the Japanese Garden, Herb Garden, Cherry Esplanade or one of the indoor pavilions. There really are so many places to choose from, it’s worth a solo trip first to pick the best.

Outside of Tiffany & Co.

When someone mentions Tiffany & Co., people either think of the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or they simply think about New York in general. The company offers private rooms where you can try on the engagement rings and enjoy the moment alone. 

But not everyone cares about the exclusivity of a private room. The Tiffany & Co. store window is even more legendary than any private room inside. 

Popping the big question in broad daylight to a backdrop of the busy New York streets will be a scene to remember for the rest of your life. And if you don’t have the engagement ring on hand, all you need to do is enter the store and pick the one that speaks to you both. 

Just be warned that their prices are rather expensive…

AKC Museum of the Dog

Do you love dogs? If the answer is an enthusiastic yes, then you might really enjoy planning a proposal in the Museum of the Dog. And if you’re a dog owner, then you’ll appreciate this suggestion even more. 

The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog originally opened in 1982 but closed down in 1986. After 32 years, it’s re-opening, and it has some amazing exhibitions in the works. 

One of the museum’s best attractions is a 2,000-year-old paw print, and they even have a fossil of a dog too. It’s the most fantastic place for any dog lover to make their proposal. 

Ditmas Park

The proof that New York has something for everyone is Ditmas Park, another neighborhood in Brooklyn. The Flatbush area of the borough holds this historic district that used to be a piece of land owned by the Ditmas family. 

What makes this location unique are the free-standing Victorian houses from the early 20th century. Walking down the Ditmas Park streets, you truly get a sense of stepping back into the past. 

One could spend hours admiring the architecture and preservation of these homes. Also, it’s a part of the city where most people wouldn’t think of visiting for a proposal. If you love the Victorian era, this could be a superb choice for you. 

Estate Diamond Jewelry Showroom

Some of the engagement rings being presented at our 5th Avenue Showroom

Like we mentioned above, you can just play it old-school and propose in the jewelry store.

We have a showroom located right next to Rockefeller Center. Book an appointment to view our vintage engagement rings and then you can propose in our stunning showroom above 5th Avenue on one side and Rockefeller Plaza on the other, and opposite the rooftop from the Spiderman Movie.