Get Outside in New York City
April 4, 2019
All parents struggle to get out of the house, but going on active adventures together can be a healthy and fun way to spend a day in the city!
Visit a park
NYC is full of amazing places to visit. Try taking the train or bus to a new park – like Prospect Park (Brooklyn), Brooklyn Bridge Park (Brooklyn), Pelham Bay Park (Bronx), Flushing Meadows/Corona Park (Queens) or the High Line Park (Manhattan).
Tour a museum or zoo
Try out one of NYC’s pay-what-you want museums, like the Brooklyn Children’s Museum or a totally free museum like the Bronx Museum of the Arts. The Bronx Zoo offers free admission on Wednesdays and is easily reached with public transport! Check out this website to find more free museum days and plan a trip.
Travel by boat
Haven’t been to Staten Island lately? Take the FREE ferry boat for a great view of the Statue of Liberty and an exciting water adventure. For $4-6 dollars you can also ride the East River Ferry to and from Brooklyn and up and down Manhattan’s East Side.
Take advantage of outdoor events and sports
The NYC Parks and Recreation website is constantly posting new lists of local and free concerts, sports and kids activities all year long.
Go for a family walk
Walk, jog or bike along the Hudson River Park from Battery Park City as far uptown as you can go! Or do a loop around the Central Park reservoir, or go to the Brooklyn Bridge Park on a sunny day. Even running errands can be an active family outing. Try adding a scavenger hunt to the day by having your kids follow clues to figure out where to go. Ask them to find a way to walk or jog everywhere on the list and avoid taking cars, buses or subways!
Check out Governors Island
With a free or $2 ferry ride, one of the best outdoor play structures in the city and plenty of music, art and special events to choose from, a trip to Governors Island is well worth the effort. Take a picnic (or visit a food truck) and make it an outing to remember. Plus, check out the on island bike rentals (or bring your own) to get your body moving as a family.
To learn more about the benefits of getting outside, click here.
