The 8 Coziest Spots for A NYC Winter Day
Let's be honest... The main thing we all want to do on a cold winter day is curl up in front of the heater with the latest Netflix show. But the thing about New Yorkers is that we get restless pretty easy and if you're anything like me, a few days home and you're already going stir crazy. Luckily there are tons of places throughout the city that you can still get that cozy winter vibe. Whether it's sipping hot beverages with a group of friends, perusing aisles of books, or sinking into a warm thermal bath, there's something for anyone to weather the weather.
The Standard East Village Winter Garden
Ever wanted to cozy up in a yurt in the middle of Manhattan? Okay, maybe not. But now until March 1st you can at The Standard East Village! In case you didn't know a yurt is essentially a tent and when you book one for you and a group of friends, you'll get a yummy feast of hot fondue. It's $60 per person for 8 to 10 people and an additional $32 each for the drink package, which includes a pot of hot cider or mulled red wine, as well as wine carafes and Aquavit shots. If you don't want to break the bank with that though, you can just stop by the heated Winter Garden for a specialty cocktail.
Freeman's Restaurant
Maybe you'd hoped for a winter getaway to a cabin upstate with wood paneled walls, a fireplace burning, and taxidermy on every wall, but you just didn't book it in time before everything was all sold out. Make your way down a dark alleyway and step into Freeman's. You'll feel like you've stepped well out of Manhattan and into the Vermont wilderness (but with better cell reception and Manhattan-level cuisine).
The City Bakery
Raved about as the best hot chocolate in all the land, The City Bakery is 'the original' cup of rich creamy goodness topped off with a homemade marshmallow. They also have an annual Hot Chocolate Festival every February when a different flavor is featured every day.
The Lodge at Gallow Green
Set atop the roof at the quirky McKittrick Hotel you'll discover a cozy rooftop cabin, complete with plaid blankets, an outdoor firepit, and hot cocktails. You can dine inside a "sleeping bunk" with your group sitting on a real bed surrounded by books and other knickknacks. The bar is even lined with real pine trees which give off that fresh familiar smell.
BAITA at Eataly
The latest pop up space at Eataly has transformed into an alpine chalet. Only instead of the nearby hills of grazing sheep, you'll step off the slopes of Fifth Avenue to a view of the neighboring Flatiron building. You can enjoy the aprés ski lifestyle of faux fur throws and "snow" dappled everything without the hassle of actually skiing.
Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
If the 20-foot ceilings and the floor to ceiling book stacks weren't enough to draw you to this popular SoHo spot, your purchase of a new read will go towards this organization dedicated to healing those affected by HIV/AIDS. So get comfy and spend a few hours reading, sipping coffee from the cafe, popping next door to their thrift store, or even staying for an event like their comedy nights or open mic readings.
The New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building)
Step past the pair of lions guarding the entrance and up the steps of the gorgeous New York Public Library main branch in Midtown. You could spend hours here admiring the architecture alone, let alone when you begin to peruse the stacks and stacks of literature.
Aire Ancient Baths
Take "cozy" to new levels and get pampered at these thermal baths downtown. In addition to a variety of baths modeled after Greco-Roman and Ottoman rituals glowing in the basement, you can add on any number of treatments from massages to an extravagant red wine bath. If you feel like splurging on a relaxing experience this may just be your spot.
