Upper West Side panorama by Jake Sigal.
It’s great to get away during the summer. But for people contemplating a staycation this year, or just taking a mental health day in the neighborhood, where’s the best local spot to de-stress?
Comment on this question, or anything else neighborhood-related in the comments. And, as always, be respectful to your fellow Upper West Siders.
(Two notes about previous items: There’s a press conference on the steps of City Hall on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. about the bill to ban tourist helicopters, and supporters are hoping for a big turnout from people who support the bill. And the Joseph Stiglitz talk on July 29 has been moved to Lincoln Square Synagogue on Amsterdam and 68th.)
Enjoying a coffee, while my bulldog enjoys a nap, on a bench overlooking Riverside Park.
@Siddartha have you thought about what would be a more effective alternative to this law?
I walk along the Hudson. Plenty of places for sitting. I am always amazed that so few people are there. Been doing the same for 40 years.
Either reading a book on a blanket deep in the Rambles in Central Park (in one of those sunny clearings) or down on the long pier below the (He Who Shall Not Be Named) Buildings – beyond Pier i restaurant.
I have to think about my answer, but I just have to say I am very happy to get WSR EVERYDAY!!!!!
That DE-STRESSES you?!?
PaulRL, you misunderstood my comment. I said I had to think about my answer as to my favorite oasis, but that I like getting WSR on a daily basis. For your information my favorite oasis is the Community Garden on 89th Street between Columbus & Amsterdam. Very peaceful and I can even bring my dog. Is that ok with you?
I suppose I shouldn’t expect everyone’s blood pressure to go up like mine when reading some of the news & comments on the WSR. But that’s why I love it. By the way, my oasis is The Pool & surrounding waterfalls in Central Park.
See you in the Garden – I’ll bring the doggie treats!
PaulRL, I happen to like the pool also. Not many people have walked all the way through the North Woods, as it’s called. The waterfalls are the best part. My dog
Carlie looks forward to the biscuits.
Reading certain people’s comments is good for a laugh. 🙂
I’ve always loved seeing the latest graffiti on the abandoned subway platform on 91st street. Looking out of the windows after or before 96th street is something I’ve enjoyed since I was a kid. I also used to love seeing the Chris Pape murals in the tunnels below Riverside Park and talking with Bernard who lived down there.
As an “old woman”, I enjoy the sun, the landscape, the safety, and the people watching possibilities on one of the benches on the BROADWAY MALL in the upper 80s. I can read there, write notes or poetry or rest during trips or errands. Like the flowers in season, too.
Tall cold one on a hot summer evening at the Emerald Inn on W 72nd St.
Wednesday Wishlist:
Thinking of the large empty space at 27 W 72nd, formerly occupied by Dallas BBQ, what do my fellow neighbors wish would move in? Has to make sense and have a chance at success. Consider the size, the location, and the surrounding area.
Personally, I’d love to see Otto, Mario Batali’s most casual restaurant, move in. It’s affordable for families, suitable for just drinks or dessert, and with a fairly interesting menu.
Interested to see other people’s best hopes.
It’s a grand space by Manhattan standards.
I fancy something to counter Tavern-on-the-Green in terms of catering/banquet services.
The feasters walk to Central Park for photos, etc.
That’s a popular discussion among my friends / neighbors who live in the bldg next door. I like your idea, James! My husband and I are hoping for exactly what you have described. The Ribbon is a great addition to the block but I’m still hoping for my kitchen away from home where we could go on a regular basis
Ribbon is a huge disappointment, the food is bland and mediocre. We had big hopes for this place, but it is noticeably poor quality, especially compared to the other Blue Ribbon spots around the city. The service was not great either.
Is it just my imagination, or are there really more dead trees on the UWS than across town? Every time I’m on the East side I realize that the trees look healthy, but here I see dozens of dead trees, mostly with flowers around their bases. They need deep watering because the flowers use the water. The East side building workers seem to water the trees.
Nothing relaxes me like a soothing ride on a tourist helicopter. So peaceful. Everything looks small and far away.
I love to grab a pretzel croissant at City Bakery or some cheese from Zabar’s and a M. Kayser baguette and walk into Riverside Park and sit around 81/82nd street down by the water (on the grass behind the benches). There I take out my newest New Yorker or Economist or Shopaholic book (guilty pleasure ha)and read for a couple hours while watching sailboats and people. Usually my husband kindly brings me an iced coffee and we chat about our dreams of owning an apartment haha.
I don’t know why people are so stressed over helicopters. I live on Riverside Blvd. and I hardly ever hear them. Maybe just accostum to it! I hear the drone of the West Side Highway more often. And the fire trucks, and the garbage trucks and the M72 bus idling but rarely I notice the noise of helicopters. I could complain about all the noises I hear but I KNOW it comes with the territory of living in the city! And I’ve lived here most of my life. I think there are a lot of people who haven’t lived in NYC long and not used to city noise. In any case, I couldn’t ask for the West Side Hway to close during certain hours nor can I ask that the garbage not be picked up at 4 in the morning nor can I ask if the buses took a different route or firetrucks turn off their sirens. I think people just like to complain a lot regardless. And if it’s too much for you. Move!
Perhaps you don’t hear the helicopters because they fly over the Hudson instead of over your building?
I never hear them flying over the Hudson when I’m in Riverside Park, but I DO hear them at all hours flying across the 80s and Central Park. I’ve lived here all my life,too, and 4am garbage collection has nothing on the helicopters at night.
The oasis for me is the (now endangered) garden behind the Museum of Natural History. The benches under the shade trees behind AMNH are a delightful place to spend an afternoon. A steady parade of families and dogs on their way to the nearby dog park, it provides visual entertainment but it’s still quiet enough to pass the time reading, too. It’s literally a breath of fresh air and a treasured escape from my tiny UWS apt.
I’m so gratified to see so many name my oasis, Riverside Park. I love the premanade in the 80s, the 87th St dog run and the People’s Garden, but my favorite area is by the river. Love having meals at The Boat Basin Cafe and Pier 1. The best news I got this year was the reopening plans for the dock at the boat basin. Can’t wait for next season!
I take my bike to the east side over the 103st bridge to Wards/Randalls Island. I played ball there as a kid and what they’ve done there is nothing short of phenomenal. It’s a real urban escape and is only about 25 minutes away by bike.
Highly recommended!
Hands down, my oasis is the Sony atrium. I cannot do it justice without including the link to its images below. It is unbelievably quiet, wonderfully clean and uncrowded. Enjoy its peace and its large tables especially on a Saturday or Sunday morning, or before work. It even has a public bathroom (which is usually immaculately clean)!
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+sony+atrium&as_qdr=all&biw=1034&bih=751&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CEIQsARqFQoTCKDkrK-v8cYCFQIdPgod3xwFOw
I take the liberty to comment on “anything else.”
Have others replied to a comment and found that their response became meaningless because it ended up in the wrong location?
I think that, each time, I click “reply” under the comment that I’m addressing.
D.R.
On the occasions that my Reply has ended up in an unintended place, I have found that it was I, me, myself who created that unintentionally.
Gotta be careful not to “Reply” to a Comment, and then, unintentionally “Comment”.
Thanks for the tip, Dannyboy.
I, me, myself will have to be more careful!
I used to savor a long ride on the Fairway elevator for an hour or so of peace and quiet. Now that’s gone too….
As you get older, Ted, you will get numberless chances to savor hours of peace and quiet — in doctors’ waiting rooms.
Other Oases (*sp?): The Cloisters’ and the Frick’s courtyard.
Also relaxing is a weekend glass of beer or wine at On Tap in Columbus Circle’s Whole Foods. You can have a picnic table for four all to yourself — until you begin to feel guilty about it; that would be at about 2:00, when it begins to fill up.
Question on “anything else”
What is Levain on 74th street about and why are there always lines of young adults waiting to buy their bakes goods — even in the rain and snow.
They must bake something superbly. What is it?
They’re widely known for serving the best chocolate chip cookie in New York. in recent years, it’s been featured on Food Network shows like Throwdown and Best Thing I Ever Ate. if you have not had one, best to join the line immediately.
Thanks, James. Finally an answer!
All these young people — lining up just for cookies. Okay.
So now the images of Alice B. Toklas recipes can stop dancing in my head!
Young adults.
They bake young adults?
don’t think so?
The WSR is big enough to tolerate our different points of view. I HEART WSR.
I love Dante Park, a little sliver of nirvana (with tables and umbrellas!) on Broadway between 63/64th, across the street from Lincoln Center. Weekend morning ritual: iced coffee and NY Post while people-watching. Also sometimes read here on hot summer weeknights; the street lights are just bright enough! Check it out.
I don’t want to eat where there are trees (and birds) over my head.
I can’t bring myself to divulge the name of my favorite UWS oasis! It’s a terrace bar with great decor. So nice for a glass of wine in good weather.