My family of five loves traveling to large cities, but the crowds, noise, and unpleasant smells can sometimes be overwhelming. That’s why, whenever we visit a city, we always make time to relax in a green space like a park or botanical garden.
Research shows that green spaces can help you de-stress from the city experience, explains Sandi Schwartz, author of Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer. “The farther you get from the noisy urban center, the more nature acts as a buffer and helps you relax,” she says.
Once you find your green space, Schwartz suggests ways to enhance that feeling of calm by stimulating your senses. Paying attention to all five senses helps you have a mindful experience of nature and unwind. Other suggestions include journaling (either writing or drawing), writing poetry, photography, or bird watching.
Tokyo
Yoyogi Park is one of Tokyo’s largest green spaces, and it offers a surprising escape from the surrounding skyscrapers. The park is known for attracting punk rockers, martial arts groups, and cosplayers. The park features open lawns, wooded areas, and a pond. In late November and early December, its well-known ginkgo forest draws visitors with a display of golden leaves.
(Some of the nicest gardens in Tokyo are hidden behind hotels)
São Paulo, Brazil
Praça Dom José Gaspar in São Paulo is known for its architecture, but the square is also shaded by a dense canopy of trees, creating a perfect spot to practice mindfulness. “Sometimes you just need a place where you can sit, take a moment, and breathe for a second,” says Melissa Locker, a travel journalist. “That’s exactly what Praça Dom José Gaspar was created for.”
The Boston Harbor Islands can be visited by ferry—and some even by car. Photograph by Sean Pavone, Alamy Stock Photo
Boston, Massachusetts
The Boston Harbor Islands—a collection of 34 islands and peninsulas—are accessible by ferry from Boston or Hingham, and some of the peninsulas can be reached by car. Each one offers unique experiences, with walking trails, natural beauty, and rich history. You can island-hop between two or three in a single day. If you are interested in an overnight stay, some islands have campgrounds or yurts. Check out the calendar for special events throughout the year like live jazz music, educational science classes, and art activities.
(How artists and artisans are reviving this old-school Barcelona neighborhood)
Barcelona
In Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella, travelers can walk, picnic, or row a boat along the lake. The park’s highlight is the Cascada Monumental, a fountain with a waterfall designed by architect Josep Fontserè. It is considered to be one of the most relaxing and scenic spots in the city. Visitors can also enjoy the zoo, the Catalan Parliament, and the European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM).
The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, part of the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, was originally constructed in 1902. Photograph by Sandra Foyt, Alamy Stock Photo
New York City
The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) spans 250 acres of green space in the Bronx. Fordham University students and faculty get free admission with their university ID to NYBG; my twins often come here after classes to unwind.
Nicholas Leshi, senior director of communications at NYBG, says his favorite place to destress is in the Thain Family Forest. “Its paths offer solitude,” he explains, adding that the trees provide shade in the summer and dazzling colors of in the fall. “Hearing and seeing the Bronx River that runs through it is also soothing and peaceful throughout the year.”
Toronto
If you want to escape the concrete, head to Kay Gardner Beltline Park and explore its unique green spaces and ravines. “Toronto has the largest ravine system of any city in the world,” says Matthew Jordan, owner and tour guide of Hidden Rivers Walking Tours. “You can enter this underground world of gorges and ravines” in the park. One of Jordan’s favorite features is the tree canopy that lines these natural spaces.
(The elusive urban forest that lies beneath Toronto)
Fuzhou, Fujian province, China
West Lake Park is largely covered by lakes, and the park has an island, a temple, and a pavilion all connected by a scenic path along the water’s edge. Small West Lake Square, located in the park’s northeast corner, has panoramic views of the park and is a gathering place for locals to play chess and cards, sing, and dance.
George Rodrigue Red Dog, Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, city park, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Photograph by Rubens Alarcon, Alamy Stock Photo
New Orleans Sculpture Garden, New Orleans Museum of Art, Overflow, by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Photograph by Rubens Alarcon, Alamy Stock Photo
New Orleans, Louisiana
Take the trolley to The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden to decompress from the city. Located next to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), this park features more than 90 modern art sculptures along a mile-long looped trail. Water plays a central role in the landscape, including a 280-foot canal link bridge that dips into the lagoon.
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Success Magazine and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA and an active member of SATW. You can find her at Bluesky @CherylMaguire
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