The Sustainable Traveler’s Guide to The Big Apple

More concrete jungle than natural oasis, New York isn’t necessarily the first city that comes to mind when thinking about sustainable travel destinations. Look again and you’ll find a plethora of eco-minded places to stay, shop, and eat popping up around town. Not to mention, the public transportation will take you anywhere and Citi Bike stations are located all around the city, making it easy to take a spin around your favorite neighborhood. Didn’t think a locally-sourced meal was possible in a city so urban? We beg to differ. Whether you’re looking for a cozy place to stay or a zero waste meal, we’ve rounded up ten of our favorite spots across the five boroughs.

Where to Stay

One Brooklyn Bridge

Why We Love It | Located conveniently near the Brooklyn Bridge Park, this hotel boasts stunning views of the East River and Lower Manhattan. With a serious commitment to sustainability, environmental impact is considered in every detail of this hotel, from the reclaimed wood floors in the lobby to the hemp mattresses in the bedrooms. This hotel is run entirely on wind power and was built in compliance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The location couldn’t be better, with plenty of stores and restaurants within walking and biking distance. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Manhattan, check out their midtown location conveniently situated a block from Central Park.

Where To Find It | Brooklyn Heights

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The Williamsburg Hotel

Why We Love It | Nestled in the heart of Williamsburg, a stay at this newly-opened hotel will have you dreaming about extending your trip just a few days longer. Floor-to-ceiling windows brighten up every room, reducing the need to turn on that bedside lamp. Explore the city by bike using free bikes that are available for guests to use during the day, the ultimate method of sustainable transportation. Tucked on the bathroom shelves you’ll find locally-made bath products by Apotheke that are so lovely you’ll be sneaking bottles into your suitcase come check out.

Where To Find It | Williamsburg, Brooklyn

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Where to Shop

Brooklyn Flea

Why We Love It | A not-so-secret jewel of Brooklyn, New Yorkers from all boroughs head to the Brooklyn Flea on the weekend. Support local designers and craftsmen, or browse the vintage stalls for furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles and antiques, as well as a tightly curated selection of jewelry, art, and crafts by local artisans and designers. The Flea also operates Smorgasburg, a giant all-food market that showcases the best of Brooklyn’s artisanal food scene, with 100 local and regional vendors in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Where To Find It | Fort Greene, Brooklyn

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Bellocq Tea Atelier

Why We Love It | Walk through the unassuming doors to this tea shop and enter a world of divine sights and aromas. Golden tea canisters line the walls, holding fine teas from around the world, most of which are organic. Take a seat on their tufted dusty rose couches, sample a tea or two, and relax in this urban oasis.

Where To Find It | Greenpoint, Brooklyn

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Spoonbill and Sugartown Booksellers

Why We Love It | If you’re looking to stumble upon a great read, or what these booksellers prefer to call “bookshop serendipity,” head on over to this Williamsburg bookstore. Focused on Design, Philosophy, Literature, and Contemporary Art, the shelves of stocked full of unique used and rare books.

Where To Find It | Williamsburg, Brooklyn

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Canvas Home

Why We Love It | Operating under the motto, “simple, sustainable, style,” this homewares store specializes in fair-trade and eco-friendly home goods. 10% of their profits go towards artisan groups and organization, supporting craftspeople in developing countries around the world.

Where To Find It | Soho

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Where to Eat

Butcher Paper Dinners at the Brooklyn Grange

Why We Love It | You’ll have to plan ahead to snatch a seat at the much anticipated dinners at the Brooklyn Grange. Feast on delicious seasonal produce that is artfully prepared by New York’s most innovative chefs. Connect with friends and food around a reclaimed oak communal table on this rooftop farm for a night you won’t forget. The food is served directly onto butcher paper that covers the table, so at the end of the night everything is rolled up and composted for the ultimate waste-free dining experience.

Where To Find It | Long Island City

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Sunday in Brooklyn

Why We Love It | The chefs at Sunday in Brooklyn are committed to sustainable cooking using local ingredients and producing minimal waste. Pickling vegetable scraps is only one of the creative ways the team at this Williamsburg restaurant is repurposing food scraps, and they also take to heart the head-to-tail approach with their meat dishes. Their menu features what’s in season at local farms, and rumor has it that there’s even a secret vegan menu if you ask…

Where To Find It | Williamsburg, Brooklyn

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Nourish Kitchen + Table

Why We Love It | This locally-sourced, seasonally-inspired restaurant serves up an assortment of meals that both taste delicious and are good for you. Grab a rose chai latte (or whatever is in season this month) and take a seat outside for some great people watching.

Where To Find It | West Village

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Cafe Clover

Why We Love It | One look at the menu at Cafe Clover will leave you debating which delectable dish to choose from. Focused on local and organic produce and meats, this restaurant serves up delicious meals for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Stop by for lunch on a warm day and sit on their patio to enjoy the sunshine and the tree-lined West Village streets.

Where To Find It | West Village

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