Romance in the Big Apple

New York -- City of Romance? Absolutely! This whirlwind weekend vacation will have you reeling with excitement.

Begin your day with a romantic carriage ride through Central Park. The lush lawns, private corners, gorgeous lakes and twisting paths make it the perfect respite for New Yorkers. Pack up a deli sandwich in a picnic basket and have lunch along the lake. With so many people enjoying the outdoors in the park, the atmosphere is delightful.

If you are looking for something more active, you don't have to own your own horse to ride in the park. The Clermont Riding Stable (212/724-5100) will rent a horse to accomplished English riders to tour the scenic bridlepaths.

Stroll hand-in-hand through the streets of Greenwich Village, nestled between the skyscrapers of lower and mid-town Manhattan. The Village is a shopper's adventure. Sixth Avenue and Christopher and Bleecker streets have, within walking distance, a plethora of quaint shops that sell records, old books, offbeat clothing, ephemera and works by classic and contemporary artists. You can find an assortment of jazz cellars, coffee houses and small boutiques. The music can be anything from blues and jazz to rock, folk and more. Coffee shops dating back to the Beatnik era dot MacDougal and Bleecker streets. This is the place to sample a cappuccino, delicate pastry or health food concoction.

Take an elevator to the top of the Empire State Building (212/736-3100) once the tallest but still with the most spectacular view in the world. Walk out on the deck and see the city from above. There's romance in the air here, as portrayed in the films "An Affair to Remember" and "Sleepless in Seattle." Or view the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn Heights, the way they did in "Moonstruck". Then, what could be more romantic than a Staten Island Ferry ride with the skyscrapers illuminating the early evening.

Set aside a night or two to take in a Broadway play. A few selections for lovers: "Beauty and the Beast," "Grease," or "Phantom of the Opera." You can pick up a half-price ticket for a Broadway evening performance at TKTS Ticket Booth in Times Square.