New York City is known as the City that Never Sleeps, a buzzing metropolis with countless things to see and do. All that hustle and bustle can be invigorating, but sometimes you just need to catch your breath. If you need an escape from the urban jungle, head to Long Island City, Queens.
Book Into a Hotel With a Focus on Wellness
Long Island City has many hotels focusing on health and wellness. Like all Z hotels, Z NYC Hotel believes that it should be a sanctuary for its guests. Join the sunset yoga class on the hotel’s rooftop, or let the tension slip away with an in-room spa experience. Visit Hipmunk.com to get a great deal on the Z NYC Hotel.
Sitting in your suite stroking your beloved pet is relaxing enough to lower blood pressure, but few of us get to experience this joy on vacation. You can bring Fido along when you choose Wyndham Garden Long Island City Manhattan View, a proudly pet-friendly establishment.
Leave the Car at Home
A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Audi found that driving in traffic can be as stressful as skydiving. No one wants to feel that anxious on vacation, so why not leave the car at home? The Ravel Hotel offers a free shuttle service into Manhattan, while the more affordable Fairfield Inn New York Long Island City/Manhattan View and Wyndham Garden Long Island City Manhattan View run free shuttles to the closest subway stations. These complimentary services allow you to save your legs and your sanity in the city.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
It might seem counterintuitive, but Dr. Matthew Edlund, the author of “The Power of Rest,” says that getting out of your comfort zone will do much more for your well-being than lounging about on vacation.
Challenge your taste buds at Big Alice Brewing, a nano-brewery that uses unusual ingredients such as purple potatoes, curry leaves, and kumquats in its brews. See what’s showing at MoMA PS1, MoMA’s rebellious little sister that displays the works of emerging, contemporary artists who push the boundaries. Make sure that you grab a meal at the on-site M. Wells Dinette, a restaurant that isn’t afraid to cook with foie gras, bone marrow, blood pudding, and escargot.
Get Back to Nature at Gantry Plaza State Park
Gantry Plaza State Park is a 12-acre oasis by the East River. Visitors enjoy superb views of the Manhattan skyline while being isolated from the hum of the city. Strolling along the park’s four piers, admiring its perfectly manicured gardens, and marveling at the quirky mist fountain are all excellent ways to recharge your batteries.
Active visitors can also enjoy the park’s basketball and handball courts, playgrounds for the kids, and the fishing pier with a cleaning table for you to prepare your catch.
If you’ve booked into one of Long Island City’s pet-friendly hotels, your leashed pup can stretch his or her legs in designated areas of the park between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Find your zen in New York with a stay in Long Island City, Queens.
Bio:
Lauren Katulka is a happily married freelance writer living on Australia’s Central Coast. When she’s not playing around with words, she loves roller skating, spending time in the kitchen, watching indie films, and cuddling her Devon Rex cat, Gizmo. She is currently working on the #HipmunkCityLove project.
