I was perusing the Travel and Leisure website for the latest happenings in the travel industry when I came across the article “The Ultimate Girlfriend Staycation!” And it inspired me to write this post.
With the Dow doing push ups and murmurings of a second recession, the prospect of a perfect getaway with your girlfriends can seem like more of a far-fetched idea than a reality. Here are some ways to have fun stateside while you and your girlfriends save for your vacay overseas. All of my suggestions are based in New York City, but can be easily adapted to any city if similar places are found in the area.
The Girl’s Day Spa Staycation
A good way to kick off your Spa Day Staycation is by heading to a place like…
Spa Castle
This place is like a spa theme park. It’s a combination of traditional Asian saunas and European spas. For just $35 ($45 on weekends) you gain admission into the castle and unlimited time and use of their spa facilities, which include: outdoor pools; Sauna Valley, a sauna house with seven different European and Asian saunas; an indoor spa; a skincare and massage facility; Yoga and dance classes; a water bar, yes, a bar IN THE WATER; a water park and the list goes on. I believe my sister is planning something like this for her birthday, so hopefully I will be checking out Spa Castle soon. I’ve read reviews for Spa Castle and there has been grumblings about crowds, kids in the pool and the “no shoes or flip flops” rule. For the crowd problem, I would recommend getting an early morning start to beat them. Spa Castle is located in College Point, Queens. For more information please visit their website at http://www.nyspacastle.com/eng/main/main.php
If the thought of traveling all the way out to College Point, Queens and being surrounded by a crowd already has your heart palpitating, then maybe you should shoot for a simpler Spa Day. A place like…
Green Tea Spa Massage
is a good place to start. For $10 you can get a ten minuet body work massage and a fifteen minuet aromatherapy massage for $20. For more information about Green Tea Spa Massage, check out their website http://greenteabeautyspa.com/
When you’re done, you can hope in a taxi and head to…
Little Korea
Another option is to get your nails and feet looking pretty at a place like…
Q Spring Nail
A Manicure and pedicure will only cost you $7 each and a lip, chin or eyebrow wax only $6 each. You can’t beat that! Visit Q Spring Nail’s website at http://www.qspringnail.com/therapies/
And after your piggies are looking fresh, you and your girls can go out for Martinis! Now how is that for a simple spa day?
The Girl’s Nature Staycation
The Cloisters
Located in Fort Tryon Park, The Cloisters is the perfect place to spend the day and can make you feel like you’re in Tuscany or Greece. After I posted pictures of my visit to The Cloisters on my Facebook page, I received many inquiries asking where I was. Some of my friends thought I was in Italy or back in Buenos Aires. It truly is a beautiful place. I recommend having a picnic in Fort Tryon Park first, then visiting the columns and the many exhibitions. You can travel to The Cloisters by taking the A train to 190th street. Visit the website http://www.metmuseum.org/cloisters/ for more information
Central Park Bicycle Shop
A nice bike ride around Central Park with a good friend is another great way to spend the day. At the Central Park Bicycle Shop, you can rent a bike online for $8. This allows you to rent the bike for one hour. Visit http://www.centralparkbicycleshop.com for more information.
Wave Hill
Talk about a secret getaway! If I did not know this place was in the Bronx, I would not believe it if someone told me. Wave Hill is, as quoted from their website: “A 28-acre public garden and cultural center in the Bronx overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades.” With images like these…..
I am sold! You can get to Wave Hill by taking the # 1 train to 242nd street. A free van service, provided by Wave Hill, picks visitor’s up by the # 1 train station in front of Burger King and has a return service as well. The van’s schedule is 10 minutes pass the hour from 9:10am – 4:10pm. Admission is $8. But it’s free on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:00am – 12:00pm. Visit http://wavehill.org/home/ for more information.
You might want to try these ideas out before Old Man Winter blows into town. If you do, give me a shout out at jennifer@imported-chocolate.com and let me know how it worked out for you. :0)
Note: Spa Staycation photos found via here, here and here I don’t own any rights.
Girl’s Nature Staycation Wave Hill photos found via here. I don’t own any rights. First Cloisters photo author’s own. All rights reserved. Second Cloisters photo found via here. I don’t own any rights.
