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Apparently, you can find New York's cleanest public restroom here

Apparently, you can find New York's cleanest public restroom here

Time Out13-05-2025

If you think all New York public bathrooms are gross, grimy or guarded behind a $5 latte, think again. A new national report just revealed the best public restroom in the Empire State—and it's got more Hamptons energy than highway grit.
According to a 2025 survey from American River Wellness, which polled more than 3,000 long-haul drivers and road trippers, the Long Island Welcome Center on NY-25 is the cleanest, chicest bathroom stop in New York, ultimately ranking 11th nationwide. Designed like a stylish café with sparkling restrooms, Long Island-themed decor, local tourism displays and vending machines stocked with local specialty items, this rest stop redefines what it means to answer nature's call in style.
'It's the chef's kiss of rest areas,' wrote Long Island Business. And truly, would you expect anything less just outside the Hamptons?
Of course, NYC bathroom expert Theodora Siegel, known for her TikTok account Got2GoNYC, might argue that some of Manhattan's upscale department stores and parks give even Long Island a run for its money. Siegel's reviews helped push for better bathroom access citywide, and she's quick to name Bryant Park and the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue among the cleanest in the five boroughs. But as far as rest stops go, the Long Island Welcome Center reigns supreme.
Not far behind in the rankings is the Mohawk Valley Welcome Center in Canajoharie, beloved for its scenic river views, spotless facilities and even a dog park. Rounding out the state's top three is the Plattekill Service Area on I-87, a favorite for Hudson Valley road warriors seeking quick bites and clean stalls.
What do they all have in common? Cleanliness, local character and a layout that makes you want to stop.
So next time you hit the road, skip the dice roll at the gas station and aim for one of New York's top-tier toilet stops. Because as any seasoned traveler—or Siegel follower—knows, a good bathroom can save your whole day.

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UK village with just 150 residents is a hidden gem with its own waterfall
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  • Daily Mirror

UK village with just 150 residents is a hidden gem with its own waterfall

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  • Daily Mirror

Woman who travelled to 7 countries last year follows key rules to avoid sickness

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On holiday in Albania, I discovered the price of paradise
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Metro

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  • Metro

On holiday in Albania, I discovered the price of paradise

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'On one hand, it's bringing much-needed opportunities to local communities,' the founder of Globe Gazers says. 'But we can't turn a blind eye to the challenges that come with this rapid growth.' Albania welcomed 7.5 million international arrivals in 2022, and 10.1 million in 2023, according to UN Tourism data. And that trend is only on the up. Last July, local news website Kosova Press ran a story with the headline 'Albania is invaded by foreign tourists'. It reported that Prime Minister Edi Rama had announced 4.5 million foreign visitors had visited the country in the first six months of 2024 – a 34% increase on the same period last year. There's even a Reddit thread devoted to the issue, ominously titled 'The consequences of mass tourism in Albania'. @thetravelmum When people see pictures of this place they instantly think of the Maldives! But lucky for us, it's a lot closer to home (if you live in Europe that is 😅) Ksamil is a small village on the Albanian Riviera. It has been growing in popularity over the last few years and for very good reason. The beaches are absolutely amazing, the food is delicious and you can travel here on a really tight budget. We were drinking pints of beer for £1.50 🍻 Eating delicious seafood for less than £10 🦐 and our two bedroom apartment with sea view was less than £35 per night! I'll be posting more about our trip in the coming days. #ksamilalbania #ksamil #albania #bestbeaches #cheaptravel #budgettravel #maldives #thetravelmum ♬ original sound – The Travel Mum | Cheap Travel It is an extraordinary turnaround for what was once one of Europe's most isolated nations; a country that only opened its doors to foreign visitors when Communism fell after four decades of dictatorship in 1991. But overcrowding, overbuilding and the damage wrought as a result were plain to see when I visited Albania in June with my two oldest friends. 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It felt claustrophobic to lay your towel literally an inch from a stranger's, in the shadow of breeze block apartments packed so tightly, each looked to be growing out of its neighbour. Poda Beach in Ksamil, the setting of dozens of viral TikTok clips that proclaim it 'paradise', was so crowded with people and chairs, we left after less than five minutes. 'They really should have filmed the 360 view,' one of my friends remarked. And I couldn't help but think about this for the duration of our trip. Everywhere we went – idyllic beachfronts, hilltop wine bars, restaurants that served up world-class seafood – I was consumed by the thought of sitting down with Albania's tourism minister and begging her to stem the tide of rapid commercialisation. It's something she says she's aware of. In an interview with The Independent last year, Mirela Kumbaro declared: 'You will not have mass-market holidays on the beach at Albanian resorts.' She continued: 'We think that we are complementary in this map of tourism between Croatia, Italy and Greece. So we are not going to see lots of hotels being built.' But that's exactly what I saw. And it threatens to ruin the natural attractions that make Albania special. The fallout from years of over-tourism rocked Europe this summer, as anti-tourist protests filled the streets of major Spanish cities, and demonstrations forced cruise ships to change course. In Barcelona, locals took to squirting tourists with water pistols. In 2024, demonstrators in the Canary Islands even staged a hunger strike in protest of a surge in holidaymakers. Cities including Vienna, Berlin and Barcelona have placed restrictions on rentals, meaning landlords can only rent to tourists for a limited period each year. But while many destinations are pulling back from tourism, Albania is ploughing towards it, full throttle. Visitors like me could be forgiven for seeing the country as one massive construction site, grey foundations casting shadows across the landscape from the mountainous north to the beach resorts of the south. More Trending It's clear that its recent tourism boom has left Albania with both tremendous opportunities and troubling challenges. But how officials navigate the trend from here on out will have profound implications for the future of what was once Europe's poorest and most isolated country. I know that Albania offers something truly unique. It would be a great shame to spoil it for the sake of catering to a tourist trade that could take its custom elsewhere as quickly as it arrived. The Albanian Ministry for Tourism and Environment has been contacted for comment. Like most southern European destinations, travel experts say the best time to visit Albania is in shoulder season: late spring (April and May) and early autumn (September and October). The weather is warm and pleasant, but without the crowds that descend in peak season. And while you're there, it's worth a trip to these lesser-known sights I wish I had visited: Cape of Rodon: a rocky peninsula just over an hour's drive from Tirana, where you can gaze out to sea and take in Albania's unspoiled nature. Lin: said to be Europe's oldest inhabited village. You'll find this historic settlement on the Albanian side of Lake Ohrid, which stretches into North Macedonia (another wildly underrated destination). Rana e Hedhun beach: a stunning stretch of sand in the north of Albania that I only discovered after I returned. Travellers who made it to this quiet beach say it has immaculate virgin sand and spectacular dunes. Gjirokastër: an old stone town from the Ottoman Empire that's now been designated a UNESCO world heritage site. Think steep, winding alleyways and a fairytale castle. Lake Bovilla: this hidden gem supplies most of Tirana's drinking water, as well as spectacular views of turquoise blue. This article was originally published on August 8, 2024. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Britain's best island has been crowned and it's 'the most underrated place in the world' MORE: This little-known luggage rule could land you £126 fine on Europe's busiest tube network MORE: 'Enchanting' European city is a hidden gem with £1 pints and new £18 Wizz Air flights

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