In the Museum of Naturay History in New York City, theres a room devoted to Pacific Northwest Indian artifacts - totem poles, carved boats, etc. For some reason, no one ever goes there. It feels like it's the quietest place on earth. When I lived in Brooklyn, I would go there whenever I needed to get out of the city but didn't have time to travel. It's almost a religious experience.

Without traveling too far from my home in New Jersey I can recommend anywhere along the Delaware River, north of Washington Crossing, especially on a Summer evening. The Delaware Water Gap, especially on the New Jersey side of the river, and then more of the Delaware in New York, north of Port Jervis.

In the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey, there are lots of peaceful out of the way places, my favorite being the monument to Emilio Caranza, a Mexican aviator who crashed back in the 20's on flight from NYC to Mexico City. The monument is back in the woods on a road that no one ever travels and few people know about it. Another extremely quiet and peaceful place.

The Catskill and Adirondack Mountains in NY, Letchworth State Park in western NY, the Hudson River north of New York City.