PLACES TO CHILL: A guide to relaxation in the big city.
Living in the Big Apple can be exhilarating, inspiring, and will keep you on your toes! But sometimes we all need a little escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city. “but, where can i find these places?” you may ask, don’t worry we’ve got you covered on 4 dreamy places you can go to chill without even having to leave the city!
Noguchi Museum
9-01 33rd Road (at Vernon Boulevard), Long Island City, NY 11106 | 718.204.7088
In 1985, the Noguchi Museum was founded and designed by internationally renowned, Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) for the display of what he considered to be representative examples of his life’s work. Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Long Island City, Queens, the Museum is housed in an old industrial building. The inside of the museum is full of concrete sculptures created by Isamu Noguchi, and is bustling with an incredibly peaceful energy which will keep you there for hours. They even have an outdoor sculpture garden you can sit and relax in! An added bonus is there's a really great sculpture park literally right around the corner that over looks the water! Its perfect for day outings with friends, or loved ones when you're in the mood for museum hopping without all the hectic traffic of the more notorious art museums.
Sakura Park
Over in Morningside Heights lies a park on Riverside drive where 2,000 cherry blossom trees call home. Sakura Park is absolutely stunning and a perfect place to go for a peaceful picnic or taking photos!
Ford Foundation Atrium
320 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017
Located inside the Ford Foundation Building in Midtown is a tropical oasis built as a public space in the building. The Ford Foundation Atrium features a lush tropical garden. The garden’s serene aura is aided by the fragrance of gardenias, and the sound of running water supplying a pool hidden amid the trees. This location is really good for taking a nice stroll to escape the hectic Midtown traffic and crowds.
New York Chinese Scholar Garden
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
Inside the popular Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden. The Garden is a unique attraction that helps you add new perspective to understanding life in ancient china. It features magnificent rockery that resemble mountains that inspired the poetry and paintings of Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist monks and other scholars. It also has a bamboo forest path you're free to explore, water falls, and a koi fish pond. It's such an inspiring place to relax and sight see while learning a lot from the environment!