When you ask visitors what they love about New York City, one word inevitably comes up: energy. It encompasses the roar of the subway, the well-heeled foot traffic on Fifth Avenue, the hipster-packed Lower East Side bistros, and the fleets of Central Park bicyclists on a sunny Saturday. But where do you go to find peace and tranquility in this city of 8 million inhabitants?
Fortunately, this town has always pampered as much as it exhausts. And the pursuit of wellness has never been more relevant than it is today, as the Big Apple goes through a period of re-evaluating and, dare we say, decompressing. Now is the time to explore a gentler, more restful metropolis, where quietly luxurious hotels, organic-focused restaurants, and innovative day spas offer respite from stresses both global and personal. So pack your stilettos and your walking shoes and get ready to experience Manhattan’s relaxing side.
PLAY: WHAT TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY
In addition to its famous 24-hour entertainment options, New York City offers a surprising assortment of wellness-focused activities.
If you prefer to get your exercise outdoors, there’s a park in just about every neighborhood. Of course, the best known of the city’s green spaces is Central Park (spanning 59th to 110th streets from north to south and Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue from east to west), which offers plenty of room for a jog, bike ride, or leisurely stroll. But for a breath of fresh air above it all, check out High Line park, a former elevated railway running along the west side of Manhattan that has been transformed into a tranquil, green pedestrian promenade. The first section — from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 20th Street in Chelsea — opened in 2009, and the park will eventually stretch to Midtown, a total of 1.5 miles. (Consider staying at The Standard New York, which straddles the park, for easy access.)
Yoga enthusiasts should check out Kula Yoga Project, a popular fitness and yoga studio renowned in New York for its freestyle vinyasa — a fluid and creative sequencing approach. If you’re interested in exploring something a bit different, check out the New York Open Center while you’re in town. The nonprofit holistic learning facility features a variety of seminars, daylong classes, and events focused on topics like healing with Chinese herbs, aligning your chakras with sound therapy, living without clutter, and therapeutic painting. Free introductory classes on a host of topics are available frequently, and the center also offers very reasonably priced healing therapies — just be sure to book your treatment in advance because appointments fill up quickly.
Next: Where to Stay and Spa in New York City.
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