New Yorkers Share Their Favorite Silent Places in the City Pt. 2

I took to the streets for a second time and asked some more New Yorkers about their favorite places to find down time in the city. Here's what they said. 

Hope you enjoy!

The Met

What is there left to say about the Met that hasn't already been said? 


Its a place full of culture and art and tourists - basically every New Yorker's dream.

But seriously, the Metropolitan Museum of Art of chock full of amazing galleries and ever-changing exhibits. It is the perfect place to sit back and relax and read, write, or draw. 

The Met is also a great rainy day activity. Take some shelter in within the art filled walls of the Met. 

If at this point you're thinking "yeah this sounds great and all, but art really isn't my thing", think again! I also thought this upon my first visit to the Met, but after wandering around for a little while, I began to find a new beauty in the pieces that I was looking at.

Whether it be modern art or sculptures you're looking for, the Met has it. Its also a great place to escape to on super hot or rainy days in the city, so go check it out! 

Pro tip: the prices for admission to the Met are all suggested, so you can really give as much or as little as you want to get in. This is a secret that they don't really like to share, but now you know.  

New Yorkers Share Their Favorite Silent Places in the City

Some of my fellow New Yorkers took some time to share their secret getaway places around the city

Comment and share your favorite place to find silence in New York!

New York Public Library - West Village

If you have ever wanted to study for an exam in a castle, the New York Public Library in the West Village is just the library for you!!

The New York Public Library located in the West Village, upon first glance, looks nothing like a library. It looks more like a medieval castle than a place to do research for a paper. It boasts stone, spiral staircases leading to underground study rooms that are full of history and stories. 

This library is perfect for those of you that enjoy studying in unconventional spaces, or you have taken a particular liking to the Middle Ages and aspire to be in a castle as often as humanly possible. 

So, take a trip through history and head on over to this beautiful New York library, located in the always picturesque West Village. 

NYPL - Bryant Park

Where does one even begin with the the New York Public Library? 

The actual building itself is an impressive structure of white stone, complete with two lions keeping watch on either side of the massive staircase leading up to the doors. 

It is incredibly easy to get lost in this building (and believe me, I have... many times...) because it is just so massive. There are staircases leading to more staircases and unique rooms and collections. 

The one room that impresses me the most is the reading room. The reading room is BEAUTIFUL. With its high ceilings and rows upon rows of wooden tables, its hard not to be inspired by just walking into the space. There are books lining the walls and murals on the ceilings. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places to study in the city. 

There are so many reasons to visit the New York Public Library, just be sure that you are ready to be wowed by the beauty of it. 

Top Libraries to go to in NYC

Are you looking for a quiet place to study? 

Maybe a fun place to catch up on some reading? 

Are you just tired of all the strangers yelling on the streets and need a place that is guaranteed to be silent? 

Then look no further than the libraries in NYC. 

These little gems are quiet places of solace in the midst of all the rowdiness of New York. So, I have compiled a little list of libraries for you to visit ASAP. 


1. New York Public Library - Bryant Park. 

Oh, if only I had a photo of the reading room in this library. It is a true sanctuary of knowledge and learning. It is also a silent space, as in no talking is allowed, so you're sure to get plenty of work done... that is if you can stop staring at the pure beauty of the room. 


2. New York Public Library - West Village

This quirky library is full of nooks and crannies for you to curl up in and study. Not to mention the fact that IT IS IN A CASTLE. Who doesn't want to feel like royalty when studying for that big microeconomics exam?


3. McNally Jackson Books

Okay, so this place isn't exactly a full on library, but it is the next best thing - a bookstore AND a cafe. The cool thing about this place is that there are books hanging from the ceiling (!!!!). Is there any better way to be inspired to study than by being surrounded by flying books? I don't think so. Or at least I yet to find a better way. 


That concludes my list of great libraries or library-like place in New York, although there are more out there to be discovered! Please, get your library card and go to these places. Enjoy the silence that comes with them. 

Finding Silence in the City - Why is it so important?

Let's take a step back. 

Why is is SO important to find silence in New York? 

Well, for me, I need it to recharge. I am an introvert, so finding quiet places, or places where I feel like I'm alone is what keeps me going. Its how I recalibrate at the end of the day, and where I get my energy for the next day. 

If you're not an introvert and you thrive in the company of people, you may need quiet or relaxing spaces for another reason, or the need for a space just may not arise as often. 

Regardless of why or how often you need your alone time or quiet time, you will need it, especially after living in the city for any amount of time.

 

So find a cozy coffee shop, a nice park bench, or a quiet museum and take time for yourself. Don't get caught up in the lie that New York likes to tell you - that you have to be busy all the time. 

Don't be afraid to take the day off and find a beach and spend the day relaxing, or just exploring the city. At the end of the day you'll feel more relaxed and it can even help you to be more productive!! 

Rest up. 

Kayaking - not just for the outdoorsy people

Kayaking is something I never thought I would enjoy. I grew up in the South, so being "outdoorsy" was a big deal, but I just never really caught on. However, after moving to New York I realized how important being in nature really is.

After my first experience going kayaking in the city I was completely hooked.

Like wow.

Who knew that I would ever enjoy something that much. Being out in the water, just you and your kayak, is so relaxing.

There are also several places that offer kayaking for no charge. This is especially great for me considering I'm operating on a college student budget.

 A final bonus of kayaking in NYC is the view. Its hard to top an afternoon spent relaxing on the river, looking at this view.

Check out this blog post for places to partake in this free kayaking in New York!
http://nysilent.blogspot.com/2016_10_01_archive.html

Rooftop Relaxation

Rooftops are, without a doubt, one of the best things about New York. There is no better place to sneak away to for some good rest and relaxation. 

Here is my list of reasons that rooftops should be at the top of your list of places to get some r&r.

1. Rooftops put you physically above all of the chaos and noise of the city, making them the perfect place to find a quick escape. Its perfect for reading or doing homework or making a phone call. 

2. Perhaps one of the most impressive perks of rooftops is that they can provide some incredible views for you to admire while you unwind from a long day. 

3. Rooftops are the perfect venue for hanging out with friends. There are few more relaxing things than sitting with a good friend at the end of the day and watching the sun set. Or just hanging out and talking about your latest life updates.

4. But what do you do if you're building doesn't have a rooftop??? Just because you're building doesn't have a rooftop doesn't mean that you can't find one! Befriend someone who does have a nice rooftop on their apartment building. Or, if you're feeling risky, sneak up onto different buildings rooftops. This is great if you're looking for a fun combination of relaxation and adventure. 

If you're looking for a fun place to relax, rooftops are a great place to do just that! Whether you're looking for an incredible view or some silence, rooftops provide the perfect venue. 

Central Park

If we're being honest here, and we are, when I moved to New York a couple of years ago Central Park was not one of the things I was very excited about. Parks and grass and nature in general has never really been "my thing", which is why I though Manhattan and I would just fit each other perfectly. And we do... for the most part.

What I didn't account for when I moved here, however, was my need for fresh air and peaceful places. Central Park, I quickly found, offered me just that.

There is nothing quite as magical as Central Park right after is has snowed. The snow-lined pathway leading to the Fountain of Bethesda looks like a scene straight out of a movie. 

Central Park has been there for many outings with friends the day after a blizzard. It is home to the place I first sled down a pile of snow and my first snowball fight. 

 It boasts beautiful scenery and quiet fields which are perfect for siting a contemplating the complexities of life. It provides benches for people watching or reading a book. It also has several attractions such as the Swedish Cottages, which is like something out of a fairy tale. 

This park is by far one of my favorite places to frequent when I need a good place to clear my head. It is especially whimsical, in my opinion, during the Fall and Winter. 

So go layer up and calm down in the beautiful Central Park. 

Top Five Places to Be Alone

New York, New York, the city so nice they named it twice. Its also the city that never sleeps, and for introverts like me, it can be a nightmare to always be surrounded by noise and crowds.

I place a high priority on my quiet alone time, and finding that in NYC is just a little bit difficult at times.

SO, I have compiled a list of places that I have found to be most helpful to go to when I am in need of some alone time or just some peaceful scenery. Plus these places are free, so they really fit into that college student budget that I'm currently working with.

1. Central Park.

Yes, I know what you are thinking - wow what a novel idea, to put Central Park on this list of relaxing places. BUT Central Park is just so nice. It has grass, which is a rarity in the city. It also offers many cool places to explore and things to see and places to sit. I would recommend Sheep's meadow, Bethesda Fountain, the Swedish Cottage, and Belvedere Castle.
BONUS: if you're one of those people that relaxes by exercising, Central Park has a multitude of running and walking trails for you!

2. Rooftops

Rooftops, in my opinion, are one of the best parts of living in the city. The feeling of being so high up and looking down on the busy streets below has an oddly calming effect on me. They're a great place to escape to do some reading or make a phone call. (If your building doesn't have a rooftop, make friends with someone who does... or just sneak onto one...)

3. Kayaking

PSA: This is only offered certain months out of the year, but boy oh boy is it a fun time.

Kayaking is one of those things that I never really thought I would enjoy, but after going a couple of times it has become one of my favorite things to do. Here I was this whole time thinking that I would be so stressed out by floating aimlessly in the water, trying to steer my boat with a paddle that I had little knowledge how to use, but oh how wrong I was. It is easily one of the most relaxing experiences I have had since moving to the city a little over two years ago.
Places to experience the wonder that is kayaking include: Manhattan Community Boathouse at Pier 96 and New York City Downtown Boat House at Pier 26.

4. The Met

Here I go again, stating what must be so obvious to all New Yorkers - that the Met is a fun place to go when you think you have some down time and are in the mood to feel cultured. While I frequently feel neither of those things, the Met is a great place to go if you enjoy people watching or staring at art for long amounts of time. Personally, people watching is one of my favorite hobbies, and I have found that the Met is one great place to do it. With its visitors ranging from aspiring artists to completely lost tourists, it makes for a delightful break in the mundane and a fantastic place to wind down.

5. The Staten Island Ferry

I didn't discover this little jewel until just recently, but the Staten Island Ferry is just incredible. While Staten Island itself may be a little lack-luster, the boat ride getting there is nothing short of refreshing. There is just something about standing at the back of the boat as it slowly glides away from the city that gives me shivers. People aren't super talkative on the ferry, so pop in some headphones, put on a relaxing song, and watch the skyline fade away and boom, you're relaxed.