Peaceful Places: New York City

Book excerpt: Sensory overload may make for exciting urban life, but sometimes it's just too much. Kicking off a new series of city guides, 100 Peaceful Places: New York City leads both residents and visitors on an unexpected path. Author Evelyn Kanter shares the inspiring, restorative pockets she has come to love over a lifetime of exploring and living in New York City. While her native Manhattan serves up many calming spots, this unique guide reflects New York's colorful ethnic diversity, revealing the unexpected sanctuaries, gardens, vistas, beaches, neighborhood strolls, and peaceful cafés that can be found throughout the city. And by knowing when to go or where to head once inside, visitors can escape the crowds even at popular, tourist-heavy destinations like Grand Central Station and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a bonus, many of the sites offer free admission, and none are exorbitantly expensive.