Whether you’re spending those first moments with a new person in your life, or looking for new forms of entertainment to enjoy with your significant other, a successful date location is all about providing an interesting backdrop for your adventures in human relationships. Good conversations are spurred on by interesting locations that also allow for the intimacy of close conversations, making dates in the boroughs other than Manhattan the ideal place to gain a bit of breathing room while still remaining inside an incredibly inspiring city. So find the explorer within you and hop aboard the Subway with your companion to travel to these ten close-by, yet exotic destinations. — Liz Levine

1. Green-Wood Cemetery – Sure it may seem creepy to suggest a graveyard as the sight for your romantic outing, but once inside this destination is undoubtedly charming. Created in 1938, it boasts the highest point in Brooklyn, Battle Hill, and is the final resting place for such famous folks as Jean Michel Basquiat, Leonard Bernstein, Horace Greeley, and “Boss” Tweed. Meet at the main entrance on 5th Avenue and 25th street to walk through the entrance gate, crafted in the Gothic Revival style and home to hundreds of adorable green parakeets. Stroll down woodsy paths or sit and gaze at the picturesque lake with its families of ducks and geese. Open daily from 8-5, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to wind your way back to the entrance, lest you end up having to spend a wacky-sitcom style night among those who are no more.

2. Sunset Park – An excellent location for a sunny stroll on a clear day, Sunset Park occupies a giant sloping hill and offers awesome views on Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and beyond. Come equipped with geographical knowledge with which to impress your date as you marvel together at the distances you’re able to see, or bring your dog or sporting equipment to take advantage of the park’s grassy expanses. Once you’ve satiated your craving for nature, stroll through the blocks nearby for NYC’s best tortas at one of many restaurants offering Latin cuisine, or visit Brooklyn’s Chinatown.

3. Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park – Located in DUMBO and occupying the space under the Manhattan and Brooklyn Brides, this green sanctuary lies right next to the water and offers arguably the best views in Brooklyn. While you may have to contend with tourists or giddy wedding parties taking advantage of the gorgeousness, there’s plenty of room for you to gaze poetically out to sea or skip stones with your date. Drink in the urbaness of it all together as the D and N trains rattle overhead across the stately Manhattan Bridge. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to nearby Grimaldis’ Pizza for one of the best slices in town (there will be lines), or skip into Jacques Torres Chocolate for an amazing Wicked Hot Chocolate. Back at the water for sunset, tell your date he/she is sweet as you feed them delicious morsels.

4. Staten Island Ferry – Could there be anything classier than taking your date on a fine boat ride (pictured, upper right)? Combine the luxury of gliding on the sea with the casualness of major urban transport as you lean over one the decks on your way to NYC’s other borough. Wow your date with historical knowledge as you glide closely by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, perfect landmarks to inspire thoughtful conversation and revelry in the greatness of the city. Furthermore to providing the trip for free, the Ferry offers alcoholic beverages for sale, no matter if it’s only cheap canned beer. There’s nothing like taking in a few cold ones on the high seas. Once you’ve reached the Island, you can either stay for a while or turn right back around and take the ride again, this time with the opportunity to stand right at the front of the vehicle, Titanic style, and ride as if on the wind straight toward lower Manhattan. You may however not want to mention this film while on a boat.

5. Bohemian Hall Beer Garden - This Astoria, Queens institution is the perfect place to take in a bit of culture while knocking back some drinks with your sweetie. This Czech beer hall was completed in 1919 and serves traditional beer, food, and entertainment in many forms. While the place can become quite crowded during summer weekends, the expansive outdoor area has plenty of picnic-style seating and lots of tasty morsels like kielbasa for snacking upon. Dream of summer BBQs back home as you relax under the trees, only to be witness the next moment to a customary Czech song and dance performance. Celebrate both tradition and new acquaintances as you clink glasses with your date.

6. Brooklyn Museum – A museum is an excellent place to take your date for the day, as the myriad priceless items on view provide endless conversation fodder and chances to impress with remembered tidbits from Art History class. Wander the grand halls in this, the second largest museum in NYC that houses over one million pieces. The permanent displays cover a broad range of periods and traditions, including the impressive Egyptian wing and famously sizable African and Feminist collections. On nicer days take a leisurely walk through the impressive sculpture garden, and if you find you’re tired of staring at masterpieces, continue your walk in the enormous and neighboring Prospect Park.

7. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens – Stunningly gorgeous when the sun is shining, but still home to plenty of indoor fun, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers thrills for the eyes and nose. Outside there are ponds, paths, and expanses of terrain all ideal for helping yourself and company to forget abut the bustling city and remember the finer things in life, such as the beauty of a budding romance. The splendor of the Cranford Rose Garden recalls illicit encounters in quiet corners of English gardens, while the Cherry Esplanade in the Japanese Garden is so thick with fragrant blossoms in the Spring that you feel you may drown in the smell. On colder days, visit the famous C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum or one of the many other enclosed areas. Be careful though – after all this beauty, your date may no longer be impressed by the typical bouquet of flowers.

8. Brooklyn Brewery – Located in Williamsburg, the Brooklyn Brewery creates delicious libations, including a number of “core brews” and a rotating selection of seasonal specialties. All can be sampled in their large bar area that offers picnic table seating and a casual atmosphere. Go on a Saturday to add something educational to your experience, with free tours offered every hour from one to four in the afternoon. Not only is beer-related knowledge a wonderful way to enrich the mind, but it will give your and your date the know-how to expertly taste from the taps afterwards.

9. Wave Hill – A large public garden in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, the beautiful Wave Hill grounds are all about nature and its importance in our lives. Feel connected to Mother Earth as you explore the many gardens and cozy picnic areas – all backgrounded by breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades. Events and art exhibits feature artists from around the world exploring our relationship to nature. Gain a more environmentally conscious outlook as you and your date drink in visual lessons of beauty, the added bonus being how naturally romantic it all is. The grounds are open late once a week for Sunset Wednesdays, during which you can do your own thing as you watch the sky painted in color, or splurge and take a meal at the indoor/outdoor café.

10. Water Taxi Beach – What better way to celebrate the summer months than to adorn yourself in skimpy clothing and play all day in the sand? While one cannot actually swim there, the Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City, Queens is a fantastic artificial beach that’s perfect for concrete-weary city dwellers. Easily accessible by Subway, the more adventurous method of transportation is a short ride aboard the Water Taxi to the Hunters’ Point stop. Once there, enjoy beverages alcoholic or non and a barfood menu all while lounging in the sand and gazing at the upper-Manhattan skyline. Special events include movie nights and DJ’d beach parties where you can get to know your date on the dance floor in this urban oasis.

And so we have a fine selection of city adventures that provide near-by romance for those tired of being packed into crowded Manhattan establishments. Celebrating nature, culture, or simply the joys of kicking-back, it’s refreshing to remember how expansive the city is and how rich with possibility.

Liz Levine lives in Brooklyn and is the co-founder and co-editor of lizandlaura.com where she writes about music, pens poetry, and covers a number of humorous topics. Her work also appears at thestonewailer.com.