Finding Quiet Places in New York City
BY Shreya Polkampally
Moving to a big city is a huge change - especially with this semester being in person after a year of online school, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed, but that’s okay! Here are a few quiet places in the city that I have discovered, and I hope you can visit and find some solitude as well.
1. Pier 62
This one’s a bit of a trek depending on where you live in the city, but I always loved long walks up and down the Pier. While there are a lot of beautiful sections (Pier 45 is a popular one), Pier 62 is a special place, in my opinion. There’s a vast grassy expanse, and you can always see people laying down picnic blankets and just enjoying the sights. It’s a perfect place to have a moment or two to yourself and reground. I recommend riding a bike there and giving yourself a few hours to calm down in the midst of all of your midterm studying!
2. The Garden at St Luke in the Fields / West Village
There’s an adorable little park right near Greenwich Hall called The Garden at St. Luke that’s open from 10 AM - 6 PM for people to come and sit down for a few moments. It’s small, but it’s beautiful and very peaceful. Feel free to walk here in between classes (15 mins away from campus) and take a moment for yourself. If you want to keep the peacefulness going, explore West Village as a whole!
3. Barnes & Noble at Union Square
The Barnes and Noble at Union Square is super big and has four floors for you to explore, read, or do work! There’s a Starbucks on the top floor with many seating areas and beautiful windows overlooking the park. My favorite section is the kids' section because of their window sills that you can sit and read at for an afternoon :)
4. Central Park
This one might seem like an obvious one, but Central Park is a fantastic place to destress. Bring a picnic blanket, some good food, and spend a few hours reveling in nature and all that the park has to offer. If you’re feeling up to it, the MET is nearby, and you could spend time in the museum.
5. Prospect Park
Prospect Park in Brooklyn is also another great place to catch your breath and reground. In late October, an ice skating rink opens up called the Lefrak Center, which lets you try out skating. If ice-skating isn’t your thing, the park is enormous with many places to explore and find a quiet moment.
6. New York Public Libraries
There are a ton of public libraries, not just the big ones in Bryant Park. And while that is a fantastic place to read a book or finish some work (look at the pic below), there are tons of smaller ones around your neighborhood – you just have to google them!
7. Gardens at the Met Cloisters
The Met Garden and Cloisters is a famous gem of New York City and is especially treasured by those who love art and architecture. It’s a beautiful place to have a peaceful afternoon and take in all of the sights around you :)
New York is amazing, but it’s easy to get swept up in everything this city has to offer. It’s hard to find a moment for yourself, so I hope that you’re able to visit some of these quiet places and discover more. In all of this midst, don’t forget to prioritize your well-being. Happy midterms :)