Ah, New York City! Between the bright lights and the numerous tourist attractions, many trips to NYC involve time intensive, action packed, airtight planning to hit every sight on the to-do list. Many of New York’s most popular destinations are iconic for good reason. The views from the Empire State Building are breathtaking, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is impossible to get bored of no matter how many times you go, and Times Square…well Times Square is really just okay, but even so it’s worth going once in a lifetime to say you did it.
But sometimes, even the most adept of thrill-seekers need a rest day. Maybe you are someone who wants to visit New York but isn't so into the hustle and bustle of the city. For those looking for a different kind of New York moment, here’s my comprehensive list of travel spots.
487 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Located in the calm nook of Greenwich Village, this “secret garden” is as peaceful as it gets. It’s also fairly cosy- it feels almost misplaced in its quaintness.With benches tucked behind lush greenery, this is the perfect place to spend a moment reading a couple chapters of that book you’ve been saying you wanted to start reading for months now.
The Museum of Modern Art, 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
In need of some inspiration to help you recharge? With its sculpture exhibits cycling throughout the year, the Museum of Modern Arts courtyard is the perfect place to sit and journal or muse about the city’s art with your travel companions.
154 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014
NYC is filled with any kind of bookstore you’d like from the decorous and grand to the tiny and hyper-niche. The Three Lives Bookstore is the Goldilocks of NYC bookstores. Not too big, not too small, perfect for acting out your “meandering an aesthetic book shop” dreams. The assortment of books is both knowingly curated but accessible and engaging to all tastes. A perfect place to bring a date to show them that you're that perfect mix of cool and smart.
Mid-Central Park between 73rd and 79th
A list of serene New York City spots would be noticeably incomplete without any reference to the famous Central Park. In Central Park's vastness there are more than a number of beautiful landmarks to behold- from the populous Bethesda Terrace to the vast green of Sheep Meadow to the romantic Bow Bridge. The decision to trek through Central Park is a feat, and every hero’s journey deserves the most noble of destinations. Enter The Ramble. Located in the deepest part of the park, right below the very middle, the city becomes virtually undetectable. Paths begin to wind, footpaths grow taller. Birdsong is one of the few noises that remains. In the heart of one of the biggest cities in the world, you can take a moment to feel the endless possibilities circle around you.
Pier 55 to Pier 45
For those drawn to the water, walking the Hudson River Greenway through Chelsea is the perfect way to enjoy the breeze and watch the waves gently churn in the Hudson River. Frequented by dog walkers, joggers, and friends catching up, it’s the right path to watch the people passing by or the sun as it dips down. Start off at the new amphitheatre and park Little Island and Chelsea Market and make your way down to the pier to get the best views. And once you're done, you're in just the right place to dip back into the nightlife at whatever bar caught your eye on the way there.
542 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
When the world is bringing you down, there’s always room up on the roof. Located above the theatrical piece Sleep No More’s McKittrick Hotel, this rooftop bar changes with the seasons, making it comfortable year round, which is a feat in the blistering winter months! NYC and rooftop bars are a match made in heaven, and this is just the right mix of bustling and calm to cheers a drink into the night. With a view of the city, and a cocktail in hand, Gallow Green offers a view from the top, as comfortable as can be.
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