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  • Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, USA

    Nature & Outdoors

    New York, New York

Provided by: Colton Duke/Unsplash

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North America United States New York, New York Nature & Outdoors
Nature & Outdoors The guide was updated:
New York City is known as a bustling, diverse metropolis, but it’s also a great city for enjoying nature. Spend a day on the water, have a picnic under the trees, and marvel at the seasonal blooming flowers – with a New York twist, of course – or indulge in one of the many other outdoor activities the city has to offer.
Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens

New York City has a few botanical gardens that are worth a visit when you need a break from the city. In Queens, the Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing offers themed areas like the Bee Garden and Fragrance Walk across 39 acres of green space. On Staten Island, the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden inside Snug Harbor has koi ponds, curved bridges, and quiet corners inspired by traditional Chinese design. In the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden is the biggest of them all, with more than 250 acres, a tram tour, and seasonal exhibits. In Brooklyn, the Botanic Garden is best in spring, when the cherry blossoms reach full bloom during Sakura Matsuri.
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City Parks

City Parks

A picnic in one of New York City’s parks is practically a rite of passage for all New Yorkers. When the weather is nice, head to the Great Lawn in Central Park. Dotted with sunbathers, picnickers, and families, this iconic green space is Manhattan’s own version of the great outdoors, complete with a backdrop of gleaming skyscrapers. Farther downtown on a scenic stretch of elevated railway, the High Line in Manhattan is a popular pedestrian park with casual cafés and fantastic views of the city. Over in Brooklyn, plan for an afternoon barbecue at Prospect Park, visiting the zoo and the Audubon Center while you’re there.
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Bridge Crossing

Bridge Crossing

Walking New York’s bridges offers a different view of the city. The Brooklyn Bridge is the classic choice: cars and trucks buzz below while you take in skyline views and the East River. Crossing from Manhattan into Brooklyn, you can spend a few hours wandering around Brooklyn Bridge Park, with its playgrounds, bike paths, and even a small beach. For something quieter, head to Central Park and stroll across Gapstow or Bow Bridge for some of the park’s best views and photo spots.
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Boating

Boating

New York is surrounded by water, so there are plenty of ways to get out on it. In Central Park, rent a rowboat at the Loeb Boathouse between April and October and paddle across the lake for a quiet break from the city noise. Over in Queens, Flushing Meadows Corona Park offers paddleboats and open water views, along with plenty of space to relax after exploring the park’s World’s Fair landmarks. If you’d rather be by the ocean, head to Midland or South Beach on Staten Island for canoeing, kayaking, or just a swim and some sun.
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Biking

Biking

New York is more bike-friendly than you might think, with options for short rides or full-day explorations. The Citi Bike program makes it easy to hop on and off around the city, whether you’re cruising Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Prospect Park, or the Hudson River Greenway. For a change of pace, Governors Island is car-free and perfect for a relaxed ride. Over on Staten Island, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk gives views of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, while the Bronx River Path offers a quiet paved trail. In Queens, a ride to the Rockaways lets you enjoy the beach and city skyline along the water.
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Running

Running

New York has plenty of options for runners of all levels. Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx has wooded trails and a track that are especially scenic in the fall when the leaves change. Central Park’s Reservoir Loop offers 2.5 kilometers of soft-surface running with skyline views and is popular with local joggers. For something a bit off the beaten path, Roosevelt Island sits between Manhattan and Queens. You can reach it via the aerial tram over the East River, then follow paved trails past landmarks like the Gothic-revival North Point Lighthouse at the northern tip.
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Ice Skating

Ice Skating

When winter hits, ice skating is one of the best ways to enjoy New York outdoors. The rink at Rockefeller Center is the classic spot, open from October to April and always busy with visitors taking a spin under the city lights. In Central Park, Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink both offer rentals and lessons through the colder months. Over in Brooklyn, the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park has two rinks for skating, hockey, and broomball, plus a café nearby to warm up afterward.
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Kayaking

Kayaking

Water’s never far in New York, and kayaking is one of the best ways to see the city from a different angle. On Staten Island, Kayak Staten Island at South Beach offers free public sessions on select summer weekends, perfect for beginners. In Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse runs a free kayaking program from June through August, with sessions on weekends and weekday evenings. Over in Queens, the Long Island City Community Boathouse hosts walk-up kayaking on select weekend afternoons at Hallett's Cove. Most sessions last about 20 minutes, and all gear is provided.
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