The shortest day of the year arrives Dec. 21, which means winter is about to take hold.
Sure, the sun basically disappears for months, and in most parts of the country, it’s cold and dreary, but not everything is grim. Winter’s a time to appreciate family and friends and the cozy side of life. We’re here to help.
Hoodline put together a list of winter solstice-related activities in New York City, from board games and entertainment to tanning, using Yelp data and our own methodology. Here’s to enjoying the indoors — or at least forgetting about the season for a while.
Let's face it, the sun is in hiding and your skin craves Vitamin D. A visit to a local tanning salon can give your body the fix it needs. Here's a list of the best tanning salons in New York City.
1. Future Tan's Tanning Spa
Topping the list is Future Tan's Tanning Spa. Located at 53 Greenwich Ave. (between Charles and Perry streets) in the West Village, Future Tan's Tanning Spa is the highest-rated tanning spot in New York City, boasting 4.5 stars out of 140 reviews on Yelp.
2. NY Sun Club Tanning & Airbrush
Next up is the Upper East Side location of NY Sun Club Tanning & Airbrush, situated at 1459 Third Ave., Floor 3 (between 82nd and 83rd streets). With 4.5 stars out of 91 reviews on Yelp, it has proven to be a local favorite.
3. Park Slope Tanning
And Brooklyn's Park Slope Tanning, located at 303 Seventh Ave. (between Seventh and Eighth streets), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the tanning spot four stars out of 78 reviews.
There's something about playing records in the winter, when the analog pops mix with crackles from the fireplace, that just equals cozy. Pay a visit to one of New York City's most popular record shops to stock up on vinyl, both old and new.
1. Human Head Records
Topping the list is Human Head Records. Located at 168 Johnson Ave. in Williamsburg, Human Head Records is the highest-rated vinyl record spot in New York City, boasting five stars out of 70 reviews on Yelp.
2. Rough Trade
Next is Rough Trade, also in Williamsburg, at 64 N. Ninth St. With four stars out of 136 reviews on Yelp, this outpost of the legendary London-based record store has proven to be a local favorite.
3. Turntable Lab
Finally, the East Village's Turntable Lab, located at 84 E. 10th St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the vinyl and audio equipment shop four stars out of 69 reviews.
Board games let you immerse in fantasy — no matter how frightful the weather outside. Here are some popular tabletop game spots in New York City worth checking out.
1. OMEscape
Topping the list is OMEscape. Located at 325 W. 38th St., Store 2 (between Eighth and Ninth avenues) in Hell's Kitchen, the escape room and board game venue is the highest-rated tabletop game spot in New York City, boasting 4.5 stars out of 258 reviews on Yelp.
2. The Uncommons
Next up is Greenwich Village's The Uncommons, situated at 230 Thompson St. (between Bleecker and Third streets). With four stars out of 366 reviews on Yelp, this board game cafe has proven to be a local favorite.
3. The Compleat Strategist
And finally, Midtown's The Compleat Strategist, located at 11 E. 33rd St. (between Fifth and Madison avenues), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the game shop 4.5 stars out of 121 reviews.
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
