BWW Reviews: Spa Options and City Attractions for Busy NYC Travelers

Let's say you've just arrived in New York City, eager to see the sights and merge into the hustle and bustle of the nation's busiest metropolis. You've arrived by plane (or train) but you're still achy from the journey. What to do first? The Statue of Liberty? (Lots of stairs.) The Empire State Building? (Even more stairs.) Or maybe take one of those ubiquitous double-decker tour buses en route to Greenwich Village or the Upper West Side? (Lots of jostling.)

All of those destinations are just fine, eventually, but not if you're fighting travelers' kinks in your back and neck or your eyes are heavy-lidded from jet lag. What's a good way to defrag your tension and undo the knots you've accumulated from hours of sitting or rushing around to make a flight?

How about a massage, facial or body treatment to de-stress those muscles? Then you'll be relaxed and ready to join the throngs eager to check out Central Park, Ellis Island and Broadway.

Here are several spas that will help you transition from the walking wounded to the newly restored:

Oasis Day Spa offers a Muscle Meltdown Massage, which combines heat, Biofreeze and cool marble stones, sure to help de-stress you from your trek. Other signature treatments and facials that target sore muscles and stiff necks are also available. Oasis has several locations so call the main 1 Park Ave. location to choose the one closest to you: (212) 254-7722.

The tony Peninsula Spa has a popular Tension Relief Massage, ideal for the jet-lagged traveler as it focuses on the feet, legs and shoulders-key areas of tension.

This treatment includes an aromatherapy massage and essential oils to alleviate tenderness in the neck, shoulders and back. Relaxation and balance are further enhanced with an energy-releasing foot massage, using deep pressure-point techniques that help ground the mind and spirit.

The Peninsula is at 700 Fifth Ave. at 55th St. For more information call (212) 956-2888.

Elizabeth Arden's Red Door Spa also has multiple locations, and plenty of stress-relieving treatments. Its Stress Melter Ritual treatment includes an olive oil softening scrub, aroma-therapeutic body wrap and massage. Geared to melt stress, the treatment is one of Red Door's most popular.

If you're looking for a soothing, restorative facial, head to the Chatwal where skincare and spa icon Cornelia Zicu offers a two-hour facial renewal treatment.

Each facial is customized for individual therapy. Goals are to boost collagen and circulation to slow down the aging process.

The Chatwal Red Door Spa is at 130 West 44th St. For more information call (212) 764-5900.

Dorit Baxter's intimate spa, at 47 W. 57th St. (3rd floor) has been in business for 33 years and has numerous regulars who travel frequently. She offers a Jet Lag Recovery treatment that promises to work sore muscles and restore energy, she said recently. Call (212) 371-4542 for more information.

Bliss Spa, which also has several locations, offers numerous quickie treatments for travelers. From fast facials to double-time de-fuzzing, Bliss promises to "have you looking and feeling spa-tacular" in a New York minute (30 minutes or less). A favorite among travelers is the Red-Eye Recovery facial, a post-travel pick-me-up that will have you back in tourist mode within an hour.

Says Bliss president Mike Indursky: "When you're busy jet-setting and short on time but still need real results, there aren't many options. That's why we designed QuickBliss - the best in spa in 30 minutes or less. Walk-ins are welcome to experience the red-eye recovery facial, fast and fabulous facial or fabulous fingertips. QuickBliss is truly the ultimate destination for those who need some spa time while on-the-go!"

For more information call (877) 862-5477.

Another relaxing, laid-back spa is Ohm Spa. Travelers who seek treatments that target skin dehydration and/or breakouts from environmental changes, will find them here.

Those struggling with soreness due to long flights, travel activity or dragging luggage will find relief at Ohm. Therapists will educate clients on individual issues and try to achieve the clients' goals which are discussed at the beginning of each treatment.

Ohm Spa is at 260 5th Ave., 7th Floor. For more information call (212) 845-9812.

After you've been restored and rested, stop by the city's official NYC Information Center at 810 Seventh Ave, between 52nd and 53rd Streets, Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and holidays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Or call (212) 484-1222.

There's a plethora of tourist information there, and you can pick up brochures for popular attractions as well as the CityPASS which offers reduced or free admission to some of New York's most famous attractions, including:

American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St. Open daily 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas), (212) 769-5100.

Empire State Building Observatory, 350 Fifth Ave. at 34th Street. Open daily 8 a.m.-2 a.m., (877) NYC-VIEW.

Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave. at 89th St. Open Sun.-Wed. and Friday 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Closed Thursdays and Christmas Day. (212) 423-3500.

Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd St. between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Open 7 days a week from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. (212) 708-9400.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Ferries to both attractions leave from Battery Park (southernmost tip of Lower Manhattan). The first boat departs at 8:30 a.m. from Memorial Day through Columbus Day and from 9:30 a.m. the rest of the year. (201) 604-2800.

Another wonderful attraction for history buffs is on the Upper West Side at The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West at 77th St. Currently on exhibit is a major celebration of the centennial of the legendary 1913 Armory Show, offering a rare opportunity to experience the reunion of more than 100 masterpieces from the iconic event. On view through February 23, 2014, The Armory Show at 100: Modern Art and Revolution features works by European modernists, including Marcel Duchamp, Henri Matisse, Francis Picabia, Constantin Brancusi, and Pablo Picasso; influential precursors to modernism, such as Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, and Vincent van Gogh; and leading American artists Childe Hassam, Robert Henri, John Marin, Albert Pinkham Ryder, John Sloan, and others who are often overlooked in accounts of the event, despite the fact that half the works featured in the exhibition were by American artists. Officially known as the 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art, the Armory Show is one of the most important exhibitions ever held in the United States and is remembered as a turning point in American art history, introducing the European avant-garde to America. Check the website for hours and admission information. Art lovers will also appreciate the bounty of the permanent collections as well.

Photo Credits: The Museum of Modern Art, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi. Entrance at 53rd Street. © 2007 Timothy Hursley