Explore these underappreciated activities to do with friends in and around the city.
You may think that New York City is just an urban resort area , but it could also be distinguish as nature ’s amusement park . Within the five boroughs and in the immediate surrounding area , you ’re in range of mountains of many of the action that people travel to the tropics and buttes to do .
From Central Park bouldering to an exclusivevending motorcar pa - up from Mountain Dew , there ’s outdoor fun to be had throughout the five boroughs and beyond . Below , get urge on to head out of doors with your ally with some of the good nature - adjacent activities in and around the city .
Take an art stroll
We ’ll comfort you into the big open air with this cautiously manicured mainstay just upstate of NYC . Yeah , Storm Kingis a little obvious for day - trip risky venture , but on the other hand , name one other museum you could ride a bike through . The land are gorgeous even without the artistic creation , and it ’s an easy outing from the city on Metro - North .
Go on a bike ride
Though there are plenty of options in the area , bicycle enthusiasts should n’t overleap theOld Putnam Trail . Hardcore cyclists can take it all the path to Brewster for a stunning 100 - nautical mile “ one C ” ride ( or ride the Metro - North dwelling after pedaling 47.6 miles from the Van Cortlandt Park entrance , rather than the full hundred ) . Or , choose to razz a smaller dowery of the track through Van Cortlandt Park and hop off for a bucolic picnic in the Mungo Park .
Prefer BMX bikes ? What if we tell you there ’s a whole dirt bike course at the top of Manhattan ’s Fort George ? Exciting , proper ? Turns out there is also a hatful cycle way at the back of the course of action , mean you could just do this loop all daylight , switching from twelve - gear to fixie as you cap that J. J. Hill .
Try climbing or bouldering
The cliffs of the Jersey Palisades are enticing , but do n’t shine for it ! You ’re a brute of the city , existing in perpetual coffee - day of the month jitters , bad to free solo . Tryboulderingin Central Park instead . you’re able to safely cohere to the face of that famousManhattan schistin the parking lot . If you fall , it ’s just a few feet to the soft ground . It ’s also the only acclivity that offer nominally elevated views of the most famous apparent horizon on Earth .
you may also climb a man - made mountain without leaving the city . Staten Island’sPaulo Peak(until 2021 call Moses Mountain or Mount Moses ) was make from the excavation of the country to build a highway by — who else ? — controversial figure Robert Moses . Staten Island residents opposed the architectural plan , leaving the 260 - infantry hill free of a nearby line of idle vehicle jam bumper to bumper . Instead , the sight resides inHigh Rock Park , well deserving a sojourn on its own .
Head out on the water
Look at all those poor motley fool on domain , slug in traffic . They ’ll never know the simple joys of zipping over the East River on a fast - move jet ski . For a in truth unique New York City experience , you canrent a honey oil skifor solo ride or guided hitch around the perimeter of Manhattan .
Or , essay a kayak — the honey oil ski of the pre - combustion engine mariner who does n’t need everyone to expect at him . It ’s a more refined watercraft for a more civilized age , and also , it ’s free . you could kayak at no chargeall over the boroughs , let in at multiple wharfage along theHudson River .
For rafting and tubing , forefront north . If you like speed and fighting the elements , grab some buds and load down in a rental railway car to the Delaware River ( Kittatinnyis a favorite for pass rafting head trip ) . If you want more of a faineant float in perfect conditions with a ice chest of beer for several 60 minutes , you’restillgoing to the Delaware River . It just depends which section you take on or lounge along .
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Take surfing lessons
The nor'-east is not famous for its surfriding , but you actually do n’t have to leave the city to learn the artistry of gloomy squash . legion surfschoolsin Rockaway offer class , camp , and one - on - oneinstructionon NYC ’s only beach for ( legal ) surfriding . You ’ll swear you ’re hours outside the city , but nope , we ’ve got knotted wave — if gnarly mean good in this context .
Take a hike
The part offer hundred of hikes on both sides of the Hudson River , the Long Island Sound , plus all of the Jersey Shore and inland areas . Many of the best trails ask a car , but theSouth Mountain Reservationin Millburn , New Jersey , is a expectant alternative . These easy to moderate slope volunteer everything from a flat “ fairy lead ” where wee ones can hunt the fine folk to outrageous inclines through mottled woodwind contribute down to mossy brooks and picturesque bridge circuit … all a three - minute walk from NJ Transit .
Go horseback riding
NYC offers morechances to charge upthan you ’d guess , but you will have to go to an out borough . The fastest you could hand from Manhattan — unless you specify to bring your own horse to Central or Prospect Park — is theRiverdale Stablesin Van Cortlandt Park . It ’s the only option convenient to a subway ; for other curb paths , you ’re better off taking a elevator car or bus .
Zipline on the beach
How about a small Adrenalin with your relaxing beach daylight ? The 700 - base zipline and broad rope course atWildplay Jones Beachout on Long Island will have you exhausted in multiple good ways . If you ’ve still catch Department of Energy , the water - face theater is one of the best in the nation , and will bring an entertaining tight to your day of out-of-door risky venture .
Grab free Mountain Dew and other prizes
Mountain Dew wants to aid you get outside and strain some of these activities for yourself . From September 21 - 22 , visitIndustry Cityfor aMountain Dew monger machinewhere you’re able to win free , fun prizes include Mountain Dew bottles and Thrillist - curated adventure kits fill with everything you need to have a respectable fourth dimension with friends , like a usance mound and the utter rainproof picnic cover . While in Industry City , be sure to snaffle some food and a drink from one of the many food dorm and still and explore the campus — there are shops , flock of outdoor immature quad , and occasional extra events like concerts and art exhibitions .
Storm King Art Center.
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South Mountain Reservation.|Shutterstock.
