Seven Spots of Serenity in New York City

Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters is sort of an medieval outpost of the Museum--it is located at the very northern edge of Manhattan. The beautiful tranquility of the cloistered gardens is worth the price of admission alone.

Despite the ongoing popularity of this modest Chelsea tea room, it has maintained its reputation as a relaxing, refreshing space in which to take tea and a nosh. Perfect for those afternoons when you're gallery-hopping along 9th & 10th Avenues.

You'll definitely need a rest after hiking out to Long Island City in Queens to see this museum, but it's worth it. Noguchi, an American sculptor, designed this space himself, creating it out of a rennovated factory building. The galleries are spacious and inviting, and the garden area, with its neat walkways, is dotted with Noguchi's works.

If you find yourself lost in the quasi-Soho that is now Smith St. in Brooklyn, the Fall Café is the perfect escape. The music is low, the coffee and the snacks are cheap and plentiful, and the counterperson will probably cut out your tongue if you start yapping on a cell phone. (But you're welcome to fire up your laptop there!) It is the quintessential coffeehouse.

Easily accessible by subway, the garden is close to both the Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park, and would make the perfect relaxing final stop on a day trip to the borough (and the Children's Museum of New York is not that far away either). The museum's cherry blossom festival each spring is worth the hype--the garden contains some 200 species of cherry blossom trees.

All subways lead to Brooklyn Heights. Well, at least the N,R, 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains do. This promenade, even when crowded (as it can be on July 4th), is a welcome respite for the weary traveler. There are park benches aplenty, and the staggering, gorgeous skyline of Manhattan before you--plus plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops nearby.

After a long day on the Upper East Side's Museum Mile (i.e., Fifth Ave.) head north to 105th Street and Fifth Ave. for a peaceful respite that will make you feel as if you're not in the city. The Meer is a small lake located in the garden area; in the summer, it's not unusual to see folks fishing there! The Conservatory Garden is part of Central Park, albeit a very quiet and secluded corner where you won't feel as if you'll be run over by a pack of rollerbladers.