Happier Places

On The Post-Industrial Waterfront: Brooklyn Bridge Park (Brooklyn, NY)

View of the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 - Happier Place

Big, refreshing and super fun Brooklyn Bridge Park stretches along the East River and features must-see NYC vistas, a fresh breeze from the open water, beautiful gardens and lots of opportunities to play and relax among diverse nature.

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Park Above The Rest: The High Line (New York City)

The High Line NYC - Elevated, linear park above Manhattan - and a few of the Hudson Yard buildings.

The High Line is an extraordinary, linear New York City park elevated 30 feet above the streets of Manhattan! It’s the must-see NYC attraction that offers a unique nature getaway.

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If the Gods Had Built a Beer Garden: Garden of the Gods (Colorado)

Garden of the Gods must be the most naturally fantastical city park in America. Walking among the humongous, uniquely-shaped red rock formations is a rather otherworldly experience.

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Green Oasis in the City Center: Tiergarten Park in Berlin (Germany)

Stand By Me lyrics carved into a tree in the Berlin park Tiergarten

Berlin’s Tiergarten is a park so vast and lush that it’s easy to forget that you’re right in the center of a metropolis. The beer garden, rental boats and countless statues are reminders you’re not lost in the woods.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (Mexico) + VIDEO

Sun-bleached tree in the clear water at the beach in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, Tulum, Mexico, Happier Place

The incredible Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is what tropical dreams are made of. You’ll find white beaches, turquoise water, palm trees, birds, fish, iguanas, Maya ruins and you can float down a Maya trade canal!

Much More Than Just a National Park: Mesa Verde (Colorado)

Mesa Verde National Park - Cliff Palace - Cliff Dwelling - Happier Place

The Mesa Verde National Park in South-Western Colorado is not only a stunning nature park, but also the largest archeological preserve in the USA and a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Paradise Prison Island: Ilha Grande (Costa Verde, Brazil)

Fishing boats off Paradise island Ilha Grande in Brazil - Happier Place

The Brazilian island Ilha Grande is a tropical paradise with magnificent beaches, hiking trails criss-crossing through rainforest and no cars! Maybe its dark history had kept development at bay until fairly recently…

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Four Parks In One: Canyonlands National Park (Utah)

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, view of La Sal Mountains, Utah, Happier Place

Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah, features an incredible desert landscape of canyons, mesas, buttes, and rivers. It’s a must-see for explorers, photographers, hikers, cyclists, four-wheelers and even river folk.

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park (Colorado) + VIDEO

Royal Gorge Bridge spans the Royal Gorge in Colorado high above the Arkansas River

The Royal Gorge Bridge is a must-see Colorado attraction. Until 2001, it was the highest bridge in the world! But personally, we think it’s worth a visit because of the stunning nature views all around.

Staten Island Ferry Ride Views, NYC (New York) + VIDEO

Staten Island Ferry cruising by the Financial District in Manhattan as seen from Governors Island.

New York City provides countless opportunities for quick escapes into nature. One of our favorites: the Staten Island Ferry ride between Manhattan and Staten Island.

Nature Takes Back: Südgelände Nature Park (Berlin, Germany) + VIDEO

Natur-Park Südgelände in Berlin - Happier Place

Out of all the beautiful, cool and popular Berlin parks, Natur-Park Südgelände is the most unusual and fascinating. Get away from the crowds and be awed…

The Original Happier Place: Horsetooth Reservoir, Ft. Collins (Colorado) + VIDEO

Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins, Colorado - Happier Place

The beautiful Horsetooth Reservoir, just west of Fort Collins, is the perfect Colorado getaway: swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, wildflowers, wildlife, stunning sunsets and lots of places for secluded picnics…

Anastasia State Park on Anastasia Island (Florida) + VIDEO

Royal Terns flying over Atlantic Ocean waves in Anastasia State Park outside St. Augustine, Florida. HappierPlace

Anastasia State Park offers a lovely quick nature getaway from the popular tourist destination St. Augustine. With a vast beach, intriguing wetlands, abundant wildlife and plants, it’s an ideal Happy Place… just waiting for you.