Some time with me, myself and I

You'd think that in a city as densely-populated as New York it would be hard to find space to be on your own.  People are always rushing to get somewhere, jostling you and getting in your face.  But you don't have to hide out in your apartment to get some peace and quiet.  There are places in New York - public places - where you can be alone, and take some time to just soak up the City and relax.

The Great Lawn, Central Park
In the middle of Central Park, from 79th Street to 85th Street, you'll find the Great Lawn.  They have concerts here during the year, but on sunny days the lush lawn becomes a haven for picnickers and sunbathers of all shapes and sizes.  Bring a rug or beach towel, a good book, and spend a few hours just soaking up the rays.  A good trick if you're coming in from the Upper West Side is to call into Zabars first and grab some lunch to enjoy when you finally find your Park spot.

Madison Square Park
Similar to the Great Lawn, but this green oasis is just closer to my house so it's my go-to hangout in summer.  This location has the added advantage of being opposite Eataly, so if you need the bathroom or a coffee or gelato, you're on a winner.  Don't bother lining up at Shake Shack, unless you want to be reminded of all the reasons you wanted to be alone in the first place.

Theatre/Cinema
It seems weird to think you could be alone in a crowded theatre or cinema, but nobody pays any attention to you when the lights go down and the show starts.  And buying a single ticket to a Broadway show is often an easy way to get the greatest seats, even at the last minute ticket booths.  But a warning - Sunday matinees are usually full of old, fairy-floss haired women who try and engage you in conversation during intermission.  Use this time to busily sort through your purse, or study the Playbill intently.

Battery Park
I love coming down here in sunny weather.  There are wooden benches overlooking New York Harbour and you can see the Statue of Liberty.  From that safe distance away, I like watching the tourists pushing and shoving each other to get on and off the cruise boats to Liberty and Ellis Islands.  Euphoric kids, exhausted parents.  And I like this location because there are always food trucks down there, usually selling churros.  Never a bad thing.

This is just a random selection of my favourite New York spots to go solo.   Getting out of town is also a great tonic, but not always possible, so I think it's important to find the places you can be alone here. The noise and the crowds and the craziness can do your head in otherwise.  And when you're in the right headspace, you feel calmer and you can appreciate the city, and the people who occupy it, a little better.

Ariel Sabar wrote a great book called "Heart of the City", a collection of "nine stories of love and serendipity on the streets of New York".  The people in these true stories aren't all from here, but the City certainly brought them together in a variety of ways.  In telling their stories, Sabar takes you on a tour of New York, from the city's iconic sites to the residential neighbourhoods of Brooklyn and the grimy back streets of Chinatown.  It's a wonderful book to make you look differently at New York, and remind you that while alone time is good, it is sometimes a good thing to actually engage with people, even in this crazy town.