These destinations are simply quieter on the overall scale. There are perks to finding these spots some days, and for some, they’re a necessary component, period.
- Do you have access to boats of any kind? Being out on the water for those who can accomplish this, whether via a rental or a friend’s boat, is a distinctly peaceful and quiet place to spend time. There are often locals who will take you out if you reach out to them and share your need/situation. There are plenty of folks who are open to doing acts of kindness for others. Even if you can only find a dock/pier to sit on, it’s worth it.
- Chapels, such as at hospitals or hidden remote ones outside of the city or suburbs, are often peaceful secret gems.
- Gardens, whether public or private. (Want access to setting up a blanket in someone’s garden for a break? Offer to weed… Plus, weeding can be quite relaxing, we’re told…) Why not build your own garden, or co-garden with someone in exchange for??? Use a plastic tote, or a kid’s small swimming pool. Do mini pots on your window sill if space is an issue. Force some bulbs; there are "How-Tos" all over the internet and in books. Yep, be a farmer or self-taught botanist.
- Art galleries, museums, aquariums, teeny tiny mom-n-pop coffee shops, cafes, or book stores, BUT MOSTLY (only) during nonpeak times. Or locate the murals in your city, which can be remarkably cool.
- Cemeteries. Yes, you read that right. Rich in history if you want to wander and look at headstones. Peaceful and quiet for those who aren’t struggling with end-of-life concerns or who get creeped out by them. Great place to park or go sit.
- Make a fort, or pick up/borrow a small tent. Make it your own secret getaway for an hour or two. Set it up in a park, backyard, or even in a room of your house. Then turn off the electronics, or bring in the laptop and use it as a movie theater. (Note: If your special someone has had to spend any time homeless, this may not be a good option, so bear that history in mind.)
- Along the same lines as above, there’s a place in most homes that often gets overlooked for a quiet spot. The bathroom with a bathtub… You can draw a bath and sit next to one another, with one getting the pleasure of the bath, or share one if you both fit. OR, line it with plush blankets and pillows and make it cozy. Bring a candle or two for atmosphere, have on a sound machine or use your cell phone and download a free app to shut out any noises you don’t want to focus on, when necessary. Or play music, if that’s your choice. But they’re a handy place sometimes (unless you have a lot of traffic vying for the spot…or kids…)
- Have a car? Then you have a potentially quiet venue 24/7. Bring out the pillows and blankets, and then even more pillows. Make it cozy. Who says you need to leave wherever you park it normally? Finding someplace away from being watched is golden, but sometimes being steps away from your own front door or kids or aging parents is gold too. Or….. Scout out a business, mega church, school, shopping mall, etc., that has a huge parking lot where during nonpeak hours, it typically doesn’t boast of other parkers… then go park there and just be with one another. Try figuring out the best places in your area to sit and watch the sunset or rise. (This does not imply any of these are places to get undressed and intimate… public indecency fines can be a real mood-killer…)
- Pickup truck owners with a clean flatbed—sweep that sucker out, use a tarp if that’s wisdom, then line it with blankets and pillows and drive yourself somewhere to park where you feel gets you away from it all.
- Remember the Pet Rock phase? (If that’s before your time, Google it.) We’d like to suggest you pick up some headphones or earplugs, and consider them your own personal version of the Pet Rock. Take your Pet Earplugs out for walks or bike rides as often as possible. Since you won’t be having to hold an actual leash, you can feel free to hold hands instead. The exercise is healthy, as well as the freedom to be in one another’s company without having to talk. Just make sure you’re offering communication times outside of taking your Pet Earplugs for their walks…
- Libraries may sound obvious or cliché, but with head-phone stations for computer labs, sometimes that’s exactly why they’re a smart go-to.
- Purposefully search out the little hole-in-the-wall cafes or food joints. See which ones have the worst reviews and head on over (unless the reviews are centered around cleanliness…). You won’t be there for the food, service, or atmosphere, but for the greater possibility that it will be empty.
- Join clubs or pick up a hobby where silence is a part of what makes that club tick: ~ Chess clubs ~ Bird-watching ~ Yoga~ Become Uber Drivers who only deliver food (Hey, it gives you a focus where you’ll be in the same place at the same time, plus, you can pull in some extra income here and there. The hours are always up to you, as is how much talking does or doesn’t have to be involved.). ~ Puzzle clubs ~ Antiquing for specific items that interest you (doesn’t imply you ever buy something, just enjoy the hunt.) ~ Historical fact-finding library jaunts where you each collect some interesting facts about an agreed upon subject matter. ~ Along those same lines, consider Genealogy ~ Amateur astronomy and, in turn, star gazing ~ Model building ~ Create a YouTube channel. You can share tutorials, DIYs for others in your shoes, music, or just your thoughts on any given subject. Like writing or blogging, running a YouTube channel is perfect for those who like quiet, because it allows them the platform and means to produce something creative, while being able to take their time to get it just right. ~ Amateur photography ~ Hiking or mountaineering ~ Kite making/flying ~ Blogging ~ Knitting and crocheting hats for the homeless, Foster kiddos, seniors, cancer patients, or sweaters for dogs in Rescues who are recovering ~ Painting or drawing ~ The art of mime ~ Build an aquarium or a terrarium ~ Coloring books for adults
- Not everyone can accomplish this, we GET that, but for those who can, tree-climbing can be extremely satisfying, as well as quiet. And along those same lines, rock wall climbing gyms are often less chaotic and loud, as people are concentrating.
- Locate a public or private pool that holds lap swims where it’s strictly adults. You don’t have to be a swimmer. Water walk those laps. The atmosphere is great. There are gyms where you can join for as little as $20 monthly dues. That may be stretching for some budgets, or may not seem like a priority, but think about it as in combination with date night/days. Even if you only make it a couple times a month, that’s $10 a date… Can’t beat that… And it’s something you can do with your partner that comes with extra benefits.