The Juice & the Squeeze

With such an abundance of things to do, sometimes it can be hard to identify really solid date ideas in NYC. This spooky season, skip the tricks and treat yourself and that special someone to an unforgettable date destination. And we’re not talking about the re-used cliche’s (like apple picking and cider mills). Here’s our curated list, leave the mundane behind and elevate your dating game with one of New York City’s best new date spots.

1. Fall in love and dive into an adult ball pit!

Coming this Fall, the Balloon Museum arrives at Pier 36 in The Seaport. After a successful European Tour, this 80,000-square-foot space will be coming to NYC and is scheduled to run through Jan 14, 2024. Invite your crush and go explore several exhibits that will blow your mind. The good news is that if you fall in love, there is a 4,000-square-foot ball pit to catch you.

2. Get energized at New York’s Coffee Festival!

NYC is truly the city that never sleeps. Grab that cutie you’ve been eyeing at your local coffee shop and head over to the Metropolitan Pavilion from October 6th through 8th for The New York Coffee Festival. Ticket prices include access to over 100 existing exhibitors, unlimited coffee samples, seminars, and demonstrations from world-class baristas and more. The icing on the cake? Every penny of profit goes towards the noble causes of Project Waterfall and charity: water, bringing clean water to coffee-producing countries. There’s nothing steamier than sipping on coffee, enjoying a fantastic date, and supporting a worthy cause.

3. Cheers to Oktoberfest!

October means Oktoberfest. Cheers to your date with a proper “Prost!” and head over to one of NYC’s many Oktoberfest events this month. Enjoy some imported beers, perfectly cooked sausages, and steaming hot pretzels. On October 14th, check out Stone Street for one of the largest celebrations in New York City. The party runs from noon to 11 pm, featuring free entry and plenty of delightful goodies available for purchase. “Prost” to an unforgettable good time!

4. Spook yourself at Blood Manor!

What’s better than a scary movie and cuddling up with a cutie? A real-life haunted house adventure. This month, visit Blood Manor, a 10,000-square-foot haunted house. Admission prices may vary, but one thing’s for sure: the spine-tingling scares you’ll experience will stay with you for days to come.

5. Get crafty at the Queens Craft Brigade!

Looking to add a touch of uniqueness to your wardrobe or bring home a piece of art that speaks to your soul? On October 28th, don’t miss the Halloween extravaganza hosted by the Queens Craft Brigade. This independent, queer-owned market based in Astoria brings together the crème de la crème of artists for a day of crafty shopping. There’s something truly special about helping your date find the perfect addition to their space, whether it’s a stylish garment or a captivating artwork.

Looking for a cutie to attend these fun fall events with? Download FFWD!

At FFWD, we really want you to get the most out of your first date. So, we designed an app that approximates the experience of meeting someone IRL for the first time. With unfiltered video profiles, that’re recorded on platform, you get to get a far better sense of your date before you even swipe right. Onboarding is fun, quick, and easy — just be yourself, take a quick video, and start watching other people’s “scenes” (aka trailers for your potential matches). Our whole team is based in the city, so we’ll continually be here sending you more NYC date ideas, cute opening lines, and giving you tips and tricks on navigating this city’s (insane) dating scene. Email info@ffwd-dating.com to join our mailing list of NYC date ideas, straight to your inbox.

XOXO

FFWD