Christina Seid, scoopologist and co-owner of Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, raves about Foot Heaven (16 Pell St between Bowery and Mott St, 212-962-6588). “I work hard at CICF, and a 15-minute $15 back rub is unbeatable.” She also suggests a scoop of ice cream to freeze out the stress.

Ashley Matthews, a manager at Brooklyn Industries, gets on the Staten Island Ferry (Whitehall Ferry Terminal, 4 South St at Whitehall St; 718-876-8441, siferry.com), buys a three-buck beer onboard, and enjoys a free boat ride to Staten Island and back.

"The New York Earth Room (141 Wooster St between W Houston and Prince Sts; 212-473-8072) is basically a really expensive space filled with dirt, which is kind of amusing," says lab technician Sandra Kellar. "Plus, it's usually quiet in there--and free!"

Kelly Kingman suggests Egg Custard King Café (76 Mott St between Bayard and Canal Sts, 212-226-8208). "It's below street level, so it gives the feeling that you're ducking into a cave lined with pastel-colored egg-custard tarts and escaping the otherwise chaotic streets of Chinatown."

"Grab a sandwich at Bazzini (339 Greenwich St between Harrison and Jay Sts, 212-334-1280) and bring it to Duane Park (Duane St at Hudson St, duanepark.org), the second-oldest park in the city. It's a great place to watch the world go byto watch the world go by--and look at all the beautiful people," says attorney Christine Kearney.

Amanda Binioris, a bike mechanic, likes visiting Pier 40 on the Hudson River (W Houston St at the waterfront, 212-757-0981). "You can walk out onto it, and no one can see you when you're out there."

Janna Olson, a sustainability consultant, heads to Red Flower (13 Prince St at Elizabeth St, 212-966-5301). "It's my recharging spot. They usually offer me a hot cup of rose-flower tea, and I pick up some natural products that nourish my skin. I know I'm being good to myself and the planet, so it lifts the burden on my soul."

Juan-Carlos Castro, an art director, explains, "I know it's January, but in the publishing world we're working on spring issues, and it's go, go, go. I head to the Interdependence Project at the Lila Wellness Center (302 Bowery at Houston St, second floor; 212-254-2130) to participate in Buddhist-inspired meditation gatherings. It's a quiet, accepting space to get grounded in the present moment."

Kimberly Matulova, a fashion model, says, "The Russian and Turkish Baths (268 E 10th St between First Ave and Ave A, 212-473-8806) are really rejuvenating, and make a chill place to relax and counteract the negative effects of stress. Then I go across the street to Quintessence (263 E 10th St; 646- 654-1823, raw-q.com), a small raw-food restaurant."

Felicia DeRowe, a retail employee, prefers to either "buy a big two-gallon jug of wine at the Spring Street Wine Shop (187 Spring St, between Sullivan and Thompson Sts 212-219-0521) and go home to relax, or head to Obivia (201 Lafayette St at Kenmare St; 212-226-4904, obivia.com)" where, she says, "they have a great happy hour, and show big-bush, '70s-style porn."

Tove Utberg, a writer for a Swedish magazine, suggests Esperanto Cafe (114 MacDougal St between Bleecker and W 3rd Sts, 212-475-5400). "It's open 24 hours, so I can go whenever and sit on one of the cozy sofas."

Jenna Baker, a VP in commodities, says, "I go to that spa Just Calm Down (32 W 22nd St between Broadway and Sixth Ave; 212-337-0032, justcalmdownspa.com). Isn't that a great name? It sounds like an order. I feel like I'm giving up control, which can be a wonderful thing to do now and then."

Bryan DeLange, an accountant, says, "Maybe it's not ‘Zen' or whatever, but, when I need to get away, I treat myself to a stiff martini and a quality steak at Wolfgang's Steakhouse (4 Park Ave at 33rd St, 212-889-3369)."

"My favorite spot to relax is anywhere I can get a mani-pedi. It's cheap and cheerful!" declares Harriet Hunter, who works in the art business. Try Mani Nails, Inc. (63 W 37th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, 212-730-1216) for an eight-dollar manicure.

"You can never escape the insanity of Time Square, but with the help of the grandiose staircase outside the New Victory Theater (209 W 42nd St between Eighth and Ninth Aves, 646-223-3020), I'm able to take a seat and rise above it all for a few moments," explains Kevin Rice, a screenwriter. "This might sound odd, but the only place I can find peace in Times Square is in a hotel lobby. There are almost always comfortable couches and clean restrooms, and you probably won't bump into someone you know. If anyone asks, just say you're meeting someone," adds Michael Stein, a computer programmer. Try the historic Algonquin Hotel (59 W 44th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, 212-840-6800).

Susan Deer, a marketing assistant, suggests Yelo (315 W 57th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves, 212-245-8235). "You can go in and take a 20-minute nap in an antigravity chair. At first it seems kind of weird, but it actually works."

"There's a great spot, I think it's part of the Sutton Place Synagogue (225 E 51st St between Second and Third Aves, 212-593-3300)--it has a huge rock waterfall, a stream and lots of trees. It's in a pretty random area, and I think you could walk by without really seeing it, which makes it kind of unique," says Doug Richter, risk-management consultant. Hedge-fund marketer Christine Didora explains, "There is a beautiful park in Tudor City (First Avenue from 41st to 43rd Sts). It's has benches and lots of trees, and since there is no through-traffic, it feels very much away from it all."

Jessica Roth, a lawyer, says, "I love to get away to M. Rohr's House of Fine Teas (310 E 86th St at Second Ave, 212-396-4456), a small, quaint coffee-and-tea shop."

For authentic Mexican food, "El Paso Taqueria (237 E 116th St between Second and Third Aves, 212-860-4875) is the best! I go there whenever I feel homesick," adds Marion-Anna Rodriguez, a nurse.

"I go to the Central Park Zoo, (Fifth Ave at 64th St, 212-439-6500). In the late morning, I'll get a cup of coffee, watch the polar bears and macaques, zone out and forget about everything. I could be on another planet," explains writer and mother Jane Warshaw.

"If you're the kind of person who is moved by incredible architectural beauty, the vastness of the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Ave at 112th St, 212-316-7540) is amazing," says Katharine Lowery, a theatrical electrician. Nick Fedorek, a student and visitor's center employee, suggests "ducking into one of the smaller, less trafficked chapels in the back, like the St. Boniface Chapel. And don't come around 4pm; it's usually busy at that time," he explains. Fedorek suggests the "soothing organ music at the Choral Evensong on Sundays at 6pm." Leave through one of the side entrances, and you might get a glimpse of one of the three peacocks that live in the adjoining courtyards. Then head across the street to the Hungarian Pastry Shop (1030 Amsterdam Ave between 110th and 111th Sts, 212-866-4230), where, according to Columbia architecture student Eli Lichter-Marck, "you can sit for hours without anyone bothering you."