12 great ways to slow down the pace in New York City

Even “The City that Never Sleeps” slows down every now and then. And it all starts with an easy landing at the Teterboro Airport.

From the Teterboro, NJ, airport (TEB), getting to New York City is easy as “big apple” pie. In fact, Midtown is just 12 miles away. A Port Authority of NY/NJ facility, Teterboro exists so private aircraft don’t have to contend with the congested JFG and LaGuardia airports. Here is a complete airport guide.

Six FBOs are available for even more convenience and smoother operations. You can leverage an FBO to arrange your ground transportation to the City. Alternatively, on-demand car services are available as well.  GroundLink, for example, assures on-time pickup via app scheduling.

Chances are high that you’re breezing through Midtown for a packed day of meetings. Consider adding a day, or even a weekend, to your business trip to seize the best of the summer. Here are 12 ways to enjoy a slower pace in this action-packed city.

1.     Brunch in Brooklyn

Both native New Yorkers and visitors alike place “seeing the Brooklyn Bridge” at the top of NY must-do lists. After strolling the Brooklyn Promenade, where you’ll get great views of lower Manhattan past the Bridge itself, consider a Saturday or Sunday brunch from the rooftop of Alma restaurant.  Here’s a list of other great views of the City.  If going to or from Teterboro at night, plan a sidestep to Hoboken, NJ, for one of the best evening skyline views from the Stephens Institute of Technology campus.

2.     Relax on Governor’s Island

When’s the last time you kicked off your shoes and strolled in the grass?  With a picnic, perhaps? As great as the iconic Central Park is for these purposes, you do have other options, including Governor’s Island. This spot opens to the public each late May, coming alive even more twice a summer at the famed Jazz Age Lawn Party. A fun throwback to the American 1920s. Tickets are required, and be sure to look the part! You’ll need to take a ferry to get there. If you’d rather skip the ferry, head to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park instead for another refreshing green option.

3.     Stroll the High Line

Speaking of amazing parks…have you heard about the High Line?  It’s a public eco-park built atop raised railroad tracks in the Meatpacking District and West Chelsea. A meandering stroll is possible here as a great escape from the notorious fast and furious pedestrian flow of the city’s streets. You can access the High Line from various locations.

4.     Lunch at the Spotted Pig

Come off the High Line at Gansevoort St. and try for a table at The Spotted Pig in the West Village. Chef April Bloomfield was named the James Beard Award for Best Chef in NYC in 2014. Drawing on locally sourced ingredients, the Spotted Pig serves seasonal British and Italian fare. A leisurely lunch is a nice option since the restaurant does not take reservations.

5.     Visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum

9/11 is a reminder to everyone worldwide to take in life to its fullest. If you’re taking some time out during your NY jaunt, a visit to the 9/11 Memorial Museum will be a solemn, yet very moving one. Honor the many heroes and victims of that awful day by reading their stories and witnessing the shocking events of that day.

6.     Enjoy a Yankees Game

If your visit coincides with a Yankees Game, a trip to the Bronx is well worth it. Visiting Yankee Stadium is a rich experience regardless of whether you even like baseball—or root for a different team. It’s a chance to relax and enjoy one of America’s favorite pastimes. Either grab a pretzel from a street vendor before you head in, or enjoy some beers at the legendary Stan’s if you don’t mind the crowd.

7.     Sail at Sunset

You’ve seen the City from the street, rooftops, and from the sky. How about viewing it from the Hudson River? A sunset sail in an 1890s schooner is a relaxing way to take in the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Why not? It’s summer!

8.     Enjoy martinis atop the Met

If you’d rather stay on land, go for martinis at the Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar on top of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Spend some time ahead at this amazing museum, where you’ll discover some the world’s greatest pieces. Check the current exhibit schedule. If you have time for more museum hopping, add the Guggenheim, the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Frick to your list.

9.     Dine at Per Se

If you’re truly committed to slowing down in the City, you must add an unparalleled dining experience to your agenda. Options are limitless. But dinner at Per Se rises to the top. Thomas Keller of Napa Valley’s The French Laundry brought his culinary magic to the East coast via Per Se. The three-Michelin-starred restaurant delights all senses. Saving room for dessert is essential. See the latest list of Michelin’s NY selections, or consult this Michelin list with commentary. If you’d rather choose a fine restaurant by location, see this list with an interactive map.

10.  Take a day trip to the Glass House

You deserve a day off. Consider a day trip to Philip Johnson’s famous Glass House in New Canaan, CT. Built in 1949, it is a modernism marvel that’s worth the hour drive. You can stroll the three-quarter mile path to enjoy the downtime. Note that the Glass House is closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

11.  Cycle the NY countryside

If you can tack on a weekend to your NY visit, cycling the NY countryside is a must-do for cyclists of all levels, including recreational bikers. The best way to take in the farmlands, with hills included, is the Harlem Valley Rail Ride on July 26 this year. This incredibly well organized and top-rated ride lets cyclists choose their distance—from 23 miles to a full century with grueling yet rewarding hills. Other flatter routes are offered, and all rides take you along the pleasant covered rail trail. Be careful: you might spot a deer on the trail! The day starts with an expansive breakfast and ends with a fun barbeque. A wonderful event if you can make it work for your schedule.

12.  Hop up to Newport, RI

No East coast summer is complete without a visit to Newport, RI.  It’s easily accessible via Teterboro to Newport State Airport (UUU) in Middletown, RI. Newport is just two miles away and offers all the joys of a seaside town: great restaurants, beaches, and gorgeous scenery. Grab a coffee at Mokka Coffee downtown, the stroll up Thames to Memorial Blvd. From there, enter the entrance to the famed Cliff Walk for an incredible morning walk along the cliff-topped Atlantic. If you’re heading to the beach, choose Gooseberry Beach or Middletown’s serene Third Beach. For restaurants, skip the longtime tourist places and go straight to The Revolving Door; its menu changes every couple of months as new, elite chefs keep the menu revolving. Though crowded at times, The Clarke Cooke House is worth it for the food and waterside dining.

Remember: it’s summer. Time to slow down, even in the incredible city that never sleeps!

Governor’s Island photo courtesy The Trust for Governors Island, Photo by Tim Schenck.  High Line photo courtesy of the Friends of the High Line, Photo by © Iwan Baan, 2014.  Spotted Pig photo courtesy of The Corcoran Group. Museum photo courtesy of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Photo by Amy Dreher. Schooner photo and header photo courtesy of Classic Harbor Line. Per Se photo courtesy of Niall Kennedy on Flickr. Glass House photo courtesy of the Glass House, Photo by ©Robin Hill. Harlem Valley Rail Trail photo courtesy of the Rail Ride. Newport cliff walk photo courtesy of Discover Newport, Photo by  Onne van der Wal.