Where to find serenity from sculpture parks to quiet gardens

Sometimes you just need a break from it all: the rumble of the train, the text alerts, the taxi honks. Here are some of our favorite places to recharge.

The hidden pathways in Sunnyside Gardens – Sunnyside – You’ll know you’re stepping into this section of Sunnyside when the trees suddenly get taller, the gardens lusher, and the houses infinitely more charming. It’s the city’s largest private park, and it’s meticulously maintained. Keep your eye out for narrow pedestrian alleys that let you cut through the block surrounded by greenery. (GMAP)

The magical world of Forest Hills Gardens – Forest Hills – Strolling through Station Square, by the historic LIRR station in Forest Hills, you’ll feel like you’re in a different city and era altogether. This neighborhood prefers “pastoral names like Beechknoll Road and Wendover Road, and it has its own road signs, painted a color called Harwichport blue,” according to the NY Times. Be sure to come back during snowy winter for further enchantment. (GMAP)

Image source: Flickr Creative Commons – user joeshlabotnik

The sculpture garden at the Noguchi Museum – Astoria – This little-known museum, a block from Socrates Sculpture Park, was designed by the artist himself as a naturally flowing indoor/outdoor space to house his own works of art. The abstract—but not confounding—sculptures will lend inspiration just as much as the away-from-it-all feel of the building and courtyard. (GMAP)

Image source: Flickr Creative Commons – use julesantonio

Lying in a hammock in Gantry Plaza State Park – Long Island City – The full skyline view at this waterfront park provides nice distance from the frenetic pace of life. Even though there’s construction happening all around, you can snag an orange hammock or picnic by the water for an extra measure of relaxation. (GMAP)

Joanna Eng is a Sunnyside-based writer covering arts, culture, and all things green. She loves biking, books, public parks, and Southeast Asian vegetarian food.