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As the winter chill sets in, New York City transforms into a cozy haven with plenty of ways to warm up and unwind beyond your couch.
From rooftop saunas to slurping soup, explore these hidden winter wonders as the city offers a perfect mix of comfort and charm.
Whether you’re seeking something to eat or something to do while escaping the cold, these are the coziest options in NYC this winter to make the most of the season.
Warm up with wellness
Governors Island’s sprawling Italian day spa QC NY is expanding with a new, multi-floor 15,000-square-foot addition. Building 111 will feature waterfalls and several relaxing rooms including an Ice Room, which will only make the saunas and pool feel that much warmer.
Just a quick ferry, car or train ride from Manhattan, The Rockaway Hotel has transformed its outdoor pool area into the cozy Winter Pool House, complete with outdoor cedar barrel saunas, plush robes and furry blankets to wrap yourself up in the lounge. The outdoor pool offers the perfect refreshing plunge in between sauna sessions and HigherDose, express spa services. Hotel guests have full access to the Winter Pool House, with day passes and special pricing for spa guests.
For those who want something tucked away but don’t want to leave Manhattan, mosey on over to Soho for Libitm‘s wellness speakeasy. Starting Nov. 18, guests can enter the space for a 60-minute Vibroacoustic Meditation. Lay on the Opus SoundBeds with beats, guided breathwork and a custom scent blend designed to soothe the senses, enhance focus and reconnect with your inner calm.
QC NY: 112 Andes Rd., Governors Island, qcny.com
The Rockaway Hotel: 108-10 Rockaway Beach Dr., Rockaway Park, therockawayhotel.com
Libitm: 424 Broadway, Soho, libitm.com
Stay toasty with things to do
Happy Medium — an art cafe in Chinatown — has announced three new classes to beat the winter blues this month: Picture Day (a self-portraiture workshop), Build-a-Lamp and a new painting class inspired by one of the team’s favorite Fauvist painters.
Bryant Park Winter Village Curling Café is offering its first-ever iceless curling experience. Lanes opened on Nov. 13 and will remain open through the holiday season. Reservations at the Curling Café include 90 minutes with a lane and a heated bubble igloo tent where you can cheer your team on with food and drinks.
Sail around on the Statue and Skyline Holiday Cocoa Cruise taking off from Chelsea Piers starting Nov. 16. The festive, climate-controlled yacht cruise along the Hudson River and New York Harbor is complete with holiday decor and snuggly seating as you take in hot chocolate and the most famous skyline in the world.
Happy Medium: 49 Market St., Chinatown, happy-medium.co
Bryant Park Winter Village Curling Café: 42nd Street and 6th Avenue, bryantpark.org
Statue and Skyline Holiday Cocoa Cruise: Chelsea Piers, Pier 62 at West 22nd Street, sail-nyc.com
Snuggle and sip
The Dead Rabbit — previously named one of the World’s Best Bars — will take over Pier 17 in the Seaport from Nov. 21 through mid-January to serve custom cocktails like the Gingerbread Man: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey, Gingerbread Spices, Lyle’s Golden Syrup. Drinks will be served in The Cottages next to the ice-skating rink which boasts panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.
Ophelia opened its iconic Snow Globe in the Sky for the holiday season on Nov 11. The rooftop bar has been transformed into a shimmering snow globe 26 stories above NYC, dripping with crystals and sparkling snowflakes, giving revelers a cool cocktail experience. Guests can let the warmth bubble up when they order a “Champagne Experience” or the Amaretti Crostata: Lustau Gran Reserve Brandy, Amontillado Sherry, Caffo Amaretto, Worthy Park 109 Rum, Brucato Orchards Amaro, Macadamia Orgeat, Lemon, Apricot, Tonka and Egg White.
Want the splendor of Eleven Madison Park without the hassle of getting the tough reservation? Walk in and take a seat on the banquette at Clemente Bar, the intimate wooden cocktail bar on the second floor of the Michelin-starred vegan restaurant. Sip on a whipped Doctor’s Order: Ten to One Dark Rum, Peated Scotch, Fermented Carrot and Osmanthus or the Koji Café: Havana Club Aged Rum, Raspberry Eau de Vie, Coffee and Koji Cream as you take in the story of the art from Francesco Clemente.
The Dead Rabbit: 30 Water St., thedeadrabbit.com
Ophelia: 3 Mitchell Place, 26th floor, opheliany.com
Clemente Bar: 11 Madison Ave., clementebar.com
Get your comfort cravings
The heat from Chef Russell Markus’ Hot Soup pop-up soup counters has boiled over into a two-month takeover of the old Scarr’s Pizza location in the Lower East Side, which started with a long line wrapping around the block on Nov 2. Markus partnered with Reid Webster of the pizza pop-up Bad Larry’s who has switched to sandwiches. The duo is now providing the perfect $20 soup and sandwich combo with menu changes weekly at Hot Soup & Bad Larry’s Sandwiches.
Wildair has begun a Donut Farewell Tour to allow customers to savor every last delicious and unique bite of their fan-favorite donuts — like the concord grape cheesecake glazed donuts, pictured above. The restaurant will be serving a new flavor every Saturday until Dec 14 with each weekend hosted by a former collaborator or popular fanatic.
Slurp up the best new ramen in the U.S. outside of NYC at Youta Ramen in the Long Island village of Mineola. The spot opened last summer and quickly earned a loyal following, many of whom especially enjoy the homemade pork broth that has been cooked for 16 hours.
Hot Soup & Bad Larry’s Sandwiches: 22 Orchard St., soupandsandwich.nyc
Wildair Donut Farewell Tour: 142 Orchard St., wildair.nyc
Youta Ramen: 58 Old Country Rd., Mineola, youtaramen.com
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