Old growth forest, with tall trees and enough space between trees to walk or sit, and the occasional clearing.
College campuses. They almost always make me think that’s what utopia would be like.
Usually campuses are the only places rationally designed to be highly accessible to people. So they can be walked. You can go from place A to place B on foot, usually under shade, either from a canopy, tree sided paths, or human scale adequately proportioned buildings. They also tend to consider and include amenities like parks, snack and drink stands, on the way. And also several cool third places like libraries, auditoriums, study halls, athleticism stadiums and cafeterias. Places where you can exist and occupy without having to consume. Finally, they usually confine cars to parking lots and prohibit their traffic inside the campus, making it a quieter and clean air space.
My point is, college campuses are sometimes literally how humans are the happiest to live.
Add: also consider how sometimes luxury resorts resemble the layouts and characteristics of college campuses. Self contained spaces where you can go everywhere and engage in all activities without having to sit on a car.
That’s quite the surprise, as I’ve had exactly the opposite response.
yeah that’s really true
I really like airports. I’m not entirely sure why, but I think it probably has to do with the complex design and (hopefully) focus on a good traveler experience. Good airports have to have an easy-to-follow layout, but the amount of things to be discovered in an airport is also oftenvast and plentiful. I also just really love the architecture and interior design of my local airport.
I love the beach, probably because I grew up here. It’s the division between land and water. In the daytime it’s relaxing and hot. Everyone is nearly naked no matter their shape. Once when I was a teenager we went at night when the phosphorescent algae were in the water and it was so magical, you could wave your hand through the water and a trail of light would follow it.
Love sleeping above a dance club, too, or when a neighbor is having a party. The thumpy muted music coming from below in particular I just find so relaxing and sort of trippy, I love the sleep I get in those conditions.
Coffee shops and pubs when they are cozy and have that atmosphere of life.
This is a weird one, but grocery stores for cultures other than my own.
For one, there’s SO MUCH cool shit and delicious foods I never even knew existed. I think the biggest factor though is it’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to actually traveling. Can’t afford the real thing.
While I also love their restaurants and cultural events, there’s something about being served or attempting to showcase major cultural highlights in some event that kills the authenticity of the experience.
In their grocery stores, I’m surrounded by that same culture, but none of it’s about me: the other shoppers don’t give a fuck about me, the staff only interact at the checkout… and other than that it’s just me and a can of… some kind of sauce? I can’t read it… but some elderly Asian woman just grabbed two of them and the rest of her cart is filled with what will undeniably become an amazing meal… fuck it, I’ll give it shot!
The drinks and junk food too are also usually a safe option to find something both very different from what I’m used to and very tasty.
Definitely spent more than a few bucks on things that weren’t… eh… compatible with my palette, but finding out is part of the experience.
Idk. Weird thing to get excited about, but it’s a good time.
There’s an Asian Market near me (literally called that) and it’s always fun to explore and see what new thing we can find to try! Lots of snacks, lots of ramen, lots of spices!
Salt marshes - they were everywhere where I grew up and they’re absolutely lovely to explore (as long as you use proper precautions).
I like beaches. Especially in the graveyard hours at night where there are few people there and I can feel the nice ocean breeze
I love libraries. I used to spend a lot of time in them when I was a kid. I still have my 16 digit library card number from when I was a kid memorized.
A nice old style pub, preferably with a horseshoe shaped bar. Just something peaceful for me about a nice old style pub.
Mountains where I can see clouds rolling gently over peaks and trees. No matter how often I see it I’m always filled with an overwhelming sense of peace and awe
Abandoned buildings, especially when overgrown with trees and plants. Just goes to show that while we are ridiculously destructive, nature is patient.
I’m drawn to places that feel forgotten, where time seems to stand still. The emptiness and absence of people create a rare solitude, and these spaces feel like snapshots of a different era. I love seeing nature gradually reclaim what was once built by humans. It’s a reminder of nature’s persistence, quietly reclaiming what we left behind.
Above all, I enjoy the disconnection. These places exist outside the rush of modern life, free from obligations and deadlines. Stepping into them feels like entering a different reality, one that’s both familiar and alien at the same time
This sounds cliche but parks/public playgrounds are lovely. I live near one and spend much of my downtime drawing, writing, or doomscrolling at it. They often aren’t too loud if you don’t live in a big city, and I love hearing kids play in the distance behind me. Occasionally, you might even have a nice conversation with a stranger.
Maybe bizarre. My happy place is a new brewery taproom.
Visiting some different places. Experiencing what other beer fanatics have set up as their special place. Tasting what they’ve been able to put together. Looking for that “diamond in the rough”. Tasting a beer from a small spot that’s great or even better than some of the best.
I’ve been to several hundred around the U.S. and 7 countries. It’s a fun and tasty hobby.
I second that. I travel a lot for work, sometimes a bit obscure places (as in not touristic destinations), and I always try to find the odd tap room or micro brewery. It’s often hit or miss, but stumbling upon the rare gem every once in a while always feels really good. Bonus points if the head brewer is there and it’s a slow day so they have time to chat beer and brewing. And even in the well known areas, it’s fun to sift through the touristy hipster “more-show-than-anything” places to finally arrive at one which has said vibe. Had a week in Portland, OR, and visited about a dozen or so places, and from the over marketed polished hip joint with mediocre beer to the “here’s a bar and some stools thrown into the brewery hall” with absolutely stunning brews it had everything.
Nice
