Quietest Places in New York City - by Nicole Kelner (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This charming guide invites readers to experience places of quiet magic and mindfulness hidden within the city.

Featuring beautiful watercolors and hand-drawn maps created for this book, this is a useful reference to finding serenity for residents and visitors alike. The author reveals a number of hidden gems, including waterfall parks, off-the-beaten-path cemeteries, cozy cafés, and many other tranquil spaces for contemplation. There are also personalized recommendations and mindfulness rituals to help readers unplug from digital noise, reconnect with themselves, and see the city through new eyes.

Emphasizing the important connection between natural spaces and better mental health and well-being, the list of locations is curated to include twenty public parks and green spaces, plant-based restaurants, rooftop farms, and environmental centers.

A perfect gift for introverts, travelers seeking hidden gems, and locals looking to deepen their appreciation of the city, this is a bucket-list guide to finding spaces for calm within the chaos of New York.

Review Quotes

"Reading this book--and admiring its gorgeous art!--felt like a walking meditation through the soul of the city. Nicole Kelner offers more than a guide to quiet places; she invites us into a sacred practice: noticing. In a city that asks us to speed up, this book gently reminds us that stillness is not only possible, it's essential. I felt soothed, seen, and reconnected to the New York that whispers instead of shouts. I turned each page like I would turn a corner in the city: curious, a little wistful, and always rewarded with unexpected beauty. A must for anyone seeking wonder, quiet, or themselves." -- Mari Andrew, author of Am I There Yet?

"A celebration of climate solutions, this book is the sweetest and most beautiful guide to my hometown." -- Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, author of What If We Get It Right?

"Let's say the quiet part out loud: this book is a marvel. Nicole Kellner's illustrations transport the reader into tranquil nooks of the world's craziest metropolis." -- Tom Toro, New Yorker cartoonist and author of And to Think We Started As a Book Club...

About the Author

Nicole Kelner is an artist who has lived in New York since 2015 and has a Google map with over 2,000 places starred in the city. She often feels overwhelmed with the city and seeks out places for quiet to foster calm and improve her mental health. She knows how to customize itineraries to create lasting memories and has translated those skills to create the dream guide for New Yorkers and visitors who want to slow down.