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.