Where Do You Like to Hang Out?

It's been years since I played World of Warcraft, but if there's one thing I miss, it's that there were a number of places in the game world where I was content to just sit in game and soak in the environment and atmosphere. I have yet to find anything like that in FFXIV, and I was wondering if anyone else had found any such spots.

Despite the tense questlines, two of my favorite places to go were Grizzly Hills (which has one of the most peaceful atmospheres of any game environment I've experienced), and then a particular mountaintop in Storm Peaks that overlooked a Proto-drake nest, which had baby proto-drakes running around (and, imo, they were adorable).

I haven't found any such locales on Hydaelyn or the First, and part of me wonders if it's just because I haven't been looking in the right places.

Does FFXIV have anything like this that you've been able to find? What are some places you like to go and just soak in the environment and the game world? Is there anywhere you go to be alone and just enjoy being in-game, doing nothing else?

Currently I enjoy the atmosphere that the Firmament provides and the view of the mountains that it gives. Sea of Clouds and The Churning Mists are pretty serene places to sit and take in as well.

But everyone's tastes are different.

Perkins. It's open 24 hours.

WoW is ugly, Linda Lominsa is where it’s at.

I often like to fish for treasure maps, so I'm often near the water, and any mariner will tell you to always look to the stars.
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca88...-ky1TdQtprAfAo

I really don’t stay put. What I like to do is fly around and look at the landscape and try to find something I never noticed before. Especially now that we can fly in ARR lands. We spot cool things in the distance sometimes like the Gold Saucer in Southern Thanalan.

https://i.imgur.com/p8tuWDY.jpg

azim steppeeeeee

Lakeland at night, looking out towards the water. The Greatwood, particularly around Fanow.

Also several dungeons or raids where I will just Return (coming back to the beginning) when done and chill somewhere to take screenshots or relax; the Qitana Ravel, for instance, just to hang out at the top of the waterfall. The Ivalice raids are all lovely, too; the bridge leading into Orbonne is one of my favorite spots.

Though right now my new favorite spot is Terncliff; I love that they will let us go back in when the instance is done; chilling near the fountain in the main square is just such a good place to chill.

On top of my neighbour's house.

My FC house is the one in the background here.

https://i.imgur.com/3G602UW.png

At the pier in the Mist. I turn music off and environment sounds up and just relax. Even better when it rains/night/fog and ships passing by

Personally, I've always liked the stand alone plateau to the east of Idyllshire which gives you a great view of the cenotaph and the practically floating island that it's on. Day or night the music there is serene. Other than that, night time in The Lochs is pretty great on the southern tower looking out over the endless clouds and canyons.

I also rather enjoy Churning Mists for its music, and its look during the thunder weather.

Can't go wrong with Ruby Sea either. It has several places that I love to chill. First and foremost the Reisen Shrine with the Auspices. Then Tamamizu with the Kojin. Other than that, I like to sit underwater near the Easter Island head over near the ravine the that leads down to Shisui of the Violet Tides.

In ARR areas I have a great love of the western half of Upper La Noscea for its music, but also for the view from the highest point atop the menhirs or whatever they are that stick up out of the hill that leads to Outer La Noscea.

As for Shadowbringers areas... Kholusia during the day for its music, makes me feel like I'm sitting outside in the countryside near where I've lived for most of my life, only the smells of cow pastures are absent, so it's a bit better haha. Other than that, the portions of The Tempest where you can look out over faux Amaurot are kinda nice, as is the dark blue atmosphere of the entire zone.

As for dungeon areas where you can go yourself unsync or you can stay behind after a dungeon run... I love Holminster Switch's first 1/3rd it reminds me of the woods behind my house. I like being underground, so all of Malikah's Well is a real good time for me, and I like the area and music too, feels very serene to me.

The Burn takes the cake for atmosphere to me. Love the bagpipes song remix of Praetorium that goes on there, and I love the giant dead sandworm spot the most. You can solo it with relative ease on any tank too.

Sohr Khai has a lovely atmosphere at the very end after you fight with Hraesvelgr.

Keeper of the Lake has a nice view from the lead up to Midgardsormr's arena.

Depends on mood. By my lonesome?

Ishgard Sea of Clouds is nice, lots of clouds and islands.
There's a nice view at the Fringes if you go at the right timing and the right place.
If you want to look at the sunset in the harbor or by the hill, Moraby Docks is actually a really nice place for that.

Azim Steppes is quite nice with its nomadic environment. If you want some plains that's the place.

Lakeland has a really pretty environment depending on the time of day. You can technically say all of Norvrandt that is suffused in light has an ideal lighting.
The Tempest is a really amazing place to be in at the first time you get there. The environment looks nice enough to spend your final days there.

Khlousia post ShB has a nice farmland countryside feel. I vibe there a ton actually.

Then there's some LA HEE at rak tika when you want to explore a jungle/forest environment.


With friends, there's a particular place in The Churning Mists that is nice for talking to to friends. It's near the Zenith and a MSQ location.

I live in housing wards both on my mains server Siren and on offservers like Mung, Gilga, Spriggan and Chocobo.

I like hanging out in Ul'dah, Gold Saucer, my FC's ward in The Goblet or my own in Lavender Bed. If i'm in the housing wards I'm in the water just floating on my back.

Moghome
Azim Steppe
Foundation
Rak'tika Greatwood
Camp Bluefrog

I like the music.

The Hermit's Hovel in Outer La Noseca.

A nice, secluded retreat with a hot spring and nearby waterfall. Very tranquil.

Something I find very enjoyable is turning off the music entirely and pumping up the ambient sounds. Places like the Mist/Limsa with gulls crying, or the crickets in Gridania are fantastic.

There are a ton of areas where you can take in the sights. I don't really hang out at any particular area, and if scenery grabs me, I usually take a moment or two to absorb it and possibly nab a screen shot before promptly taking off.

When it comes to actually hanging out at in an area for extended periods of time, that would be the Gold Saucer.

Ishgard foundation for me. I like cold places recently.

I get the OP’s preference for WoW zones though. It has its charms. Like Howling Fjord. Really nice place and music too.

I'm usually at my FC house in Shirogane. It's high up and you can see the roofs and the ocean.

Other than that, I really like the Byakko arena and the Seiryu arena, they're so pretty! Lakeland as well.