Like myself, a lot of New York City's residents and commuters live active, busy lives. Launching my new startup, HiGabriel.com, leaves me wondering what day it is. New Yorkers can tend to feel overwhelmed and worry that we will never be able to find enough time for ourselves? Having trouble sleeping at night with taxicab's blowing their horns at all hours of the night? Nervous that there is an earthquake every time the subway rumbles beneath your feet? Feel like you haven't seen the grass in decades?
Regardless of how much we love the hustle and bustle of the city, there is always a
craving for a break, a time-out.
For my sanity and your convenience, I created a list of 9 rather unknown spots where you can find peace and quiet in Manhattan:
1) Garden at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields: Being one of the most distinctive and admired gardens in New York City, the Church of St. Luke in the Fields welcomes the public to a place of respite. Take in the singing birds, the rare hybrids, and the American floras.
2) United Nations Meditation Room: Within the United Nations headquarters, there is a room fully dedicated to silence. It is a place where only "thoughts" should speak, not words. To get here, all you have to do is go through security in the main building. Then, you just find your
way to the Meditation Room!
3) Teardrop Park: Located in Battery Park City, this area can be quite difficult to find in between all the overwhelming skyscrapers. The park is filled with shady walkways, lush foliage, berry covered bushes and gorgeous white flowers.
4) Church of St. John the Baptist and Church of St. Francis of Assisi: These two churches can be found within a couple of blocks of Madison Square Garden. Although located in one of the most congested parts of NYC, both of these places offer peace and quiet in their sanctuaries, shrines and
gardens.
5) The lobby bathroom at the Waldorf-Astoria: Need a break from the glam and glitter of the artwork? The restrooms in the Waldorf-Astoria (located right off the lobby) provides a surprisingly desired getaway from midtown's rush.
6) Passageway under 1251 Avenue of the Americas: This spot connects the N, Q, and R subway station at 49th Street to the main Rockefeller Center complex. Here, there is no cell phone service and the hallway is like a never-ending tunnel.
7) Conservatory Garden: In this harmonious area of Central Park, there are no bikers or runners allowed. Unlike the naturalistic look of Central Park, this garden was designed as a formal garden with symmetrical pathways and plantings.
8) The Astor Chinese Garden Court at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: This garden is based off of a famous scholar's garden is Suzhou, China. Surrounded by a wooden structure and coy fish ponds, you can imagine yourself a Ming Dynasty scholar.
9) Rose Main Reading Room at the New York Public Library: Although a library seems an obvious quiet spot, don't let that stop you from checking it out. The Rose Main Reading Room is no secret, but with its sheer grandeur of space, people are creating great works of art.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy parts of New York that don't necessarily include the "City".