New York City Outdoor Activities
New York City Outdoor Activity Guide
From the East River to the Hudson, from the Statue of Liberty to the Bronx Zoo, New York City offers endless outdoor activities. With a wide array of world-class concerts and culture, NYC secures its place in the pantheon of great cities. The cozy size of most apartments encourages city-dwellers and tourists alike to get outside and take advantage of all this vibrant city has to offer.
During the summer months, the melodies from New York City concerts fill the night air and draw huge crowds to the various parks around the city. Looking for a chance to enjoy some alternative rock with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop? Head to the Williamsburg Waterfront in East River Park for some of New York City’s best concerts. Get there early to claim some green space, which is always at a premium.
To get a little closer to some of this spectacular city’s iconic sites, take one of the city’s fascinating tours. Wander over to the Manhattan Kayak Company at the Pier 66 boathouse, right near Chelsea Piers, and take a sunset kayak tour of New York City, or give the increasingly popular stand-up paddle-boarding a try. The trained instructors at Manhattan Kayak Company will give you enough instruction to make sure you look like a pro and stay safe while you paddle along the Hudson.
If longing for a more traditional and laid-back outdoor activity, take some time to visit one of the many New York City parks, such as The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan. Within this park, find a museum devoted to medieval European art and architecture, as well as serene gardens where pne can debrief their museum visit amidst the sweet smell of roses in bloom.
No matter the mood, New York City’s vast expanse of outdoor activities will get you moving and will remind you why this city is so spectacular.
Outdoor Activity Deals
Great New York Tours
- Greenwich Village
Two-hour walking tours start at Washington Square Park and include nine of New York’s most bone-chilling destinations
Brooklyn Boulders
- Boerum Hill
Visitors scramble on 22,000 square feet of bouldering and top-rope or lead-climbing walls
Seacoast Sailing
- The Waterfront
Sailing trips take passengers along the New York Harbor and river at noon, sunset, or nighttime for skyline views; snacks & drinks included
Manhattan Kayak Company
Kayakers and standup paddleboarders tour the Hudson River and visit the Statue of Liberty on guided tours
Entertainment Cruises (Spirit of)
- Chelsea
Aboard cruise ship, guests enjoy scenic views of New York's historic skyline and a gourmet buffet
Recommended Outdoor Activities by Groupon Customers
At Strikeforce Sports' 16,000-square-foot indoor arena, players test their stealth during close-quarters battle. But the competition doesn't end there. The facility also contains an outdoor field as well as a training facility with a classroom, where players hone their airsoft skills by writing out strategic plans in perfect iambic pentameter. The complex also features a shop fully stocked with everything from airsoft guns to lasers to tactical gear. Kids can also get in on the fun with Nerf parties that include a dedicated staffer.
Green Flag Driving Experience deals in adrenaline. At its racetrack, novice drivers and advanced rubber burners alike get to feel the heady rush of epinephrine as they reach speeds in excess of 90 mph while manning the cockpit of a racecar. Drivers choose their rides from a fleet of Winged TQ Midgets or a selection of Legends cars, 5/8-scale replicas of autos from the Golden Age of American engineering when men were men and cars were powered by miniature locomotives. Before sliding behind their chosen wheel, each driver goes through an introduction and orientation that cover safety skills and handling basics. Then the Green Flag Driving Experience instructors keep watch as their pupils don provided helmets and suits, buckle up, and hit the pavement. Afterward, the instructors provide a thorough critique that helps the budding Andrettis maneuver with even more finesse on their next time around the track.
