New Yorkers may be the toughest of breeds, but everyone knows that underneath every hard-ass lies a softy—and we’re no exception.
When life or the city knocks you down, sometimes you just need to let out a good cry. Lucky for us, New York is full of so many people wherever you are that not a soul would blink twice at the sight of you having a full blown meltdown.
So for those curious, we’ve curated some of the best spots around town to let out a shuddering sob. We promise you’ll feel much lighter afterwards.
Best places to cry in NYC
1. The subway
Ah, the NYC subway. Home to buskers and pesky rats. What’s a person crying on the subway to all of that chaos? Honestly, a crying passenger screams normalcy out of all the things that happen on a daily basis in the subway.
2. Toilets of the New York Public Library
Library’s aren’t just for literature, they can also be the best place to get some peace and quite—the perfect environment for a good cry. Not feeling like hiding behind a book? Go into the bathroom! No one will see you, plus they’re one of the nicest public restrooms in the city.
3. While walking on the sidewalk
Literally anywhere on the street is a good place to let the water works begin. If anything, it could just be the wind causing the leaky phenomenon to fall from your eyes as we New Yorkers just walk so fast. Truly, it’s a plausible explanation!
4. The High Line
Maybe the only way to elevate your mood is to do it on an elevated walkway? And soon, you’ll be able to take those tears all the way from Penn Station to the Meatpacking District with the upcoming Moynihan Connector.
5. Chelsea Pier
Take after the river and let the water flow down your cheeks at Chelsea Pier. Stay long enough and you might even catch a sunset that’s beautiful enough to dry up those tear ducts!
6. Any park
From Central Park to Gramercy (though, if you’ve got a key to that we’re not sure how sad you could really be—kidddding, we’re only teasing), there’s no bad park to choose! Water whatever little grass we have in this concrete jungle and feel free to sit on a nearby bench so long as you need.
7. Staten Island Ferry
Is this where Pete Davidson lets out his emotions? Even if not, we’re down to try it! Ride the ferry back and forth (approximately 25 minutes) for a solid block of time to let out your woes.
8. The Brooklyn Bridge
People are too busy yelling at you to get out of the bike lane to see any tears falling from your face. Not only that, but crying on the Brooklyn Bridge adds some sort of romantic movie feel to the sob session, like you’re starring in an NYC-based film just trying to figure yourself out. You didn’t go to that fancy liberal arts school for nothing—tap into your inner actor/actress! Maybe it’ll make the cry more relieving.
9. Back of a taxi cab
Your taxi driver has surely seen many a tears fall in the back of their seat. You think the plastic partitions are for safety? Think again! It’s actually to allow you to have your dramatic cry as you look out the window as the city passes you by with a false sense of privacy…duh.
10. Pier 17
Similar to being on the Brooklyn Bridge and crying, Pier 17 allows you to take in the magnificent sight of the bridge from afar while you let your tears fall into the East River.
11. Stoops
You can be just like Carrie Bradshaw crying on the steps of her apartment, although if the stoops not yours, beware some angry New Yorker might come down and make those tears worse.
12. The Gantry Plaza on LIC
Good views aren’t only to be paired with a drink or fancy meal! Go to the Gantry Plaza on Long Island City if you’re looking for a sight to see in-between those teardrops.
13. Your shower
A classic. How can you deny the shower of rain threatening to come from your eyes when you’re already beneath one? Let that poor city water pressure wash away your worries and don’t be afraid to let it all out.
14. At work
As the person who suggested this location said it best: “Save those tears until you punch in. Cry on the clock. Get paid while sad.”
15. Grand Central Station
With all of the traffic going in and out of the terminal, Grand Central Station is a no brainer. Plus, people could mistake you for just having said a sad goodbye to a loved one who just boarded a train.