Outdoor Activities - Things to do Out of Doors in New York City

These are some of the best parks in New York City. New York City's many great parks offer a welcome respite from the concrete jungle of New York City, with activities from concerts and tours to open spaces for picnicking and relaxing.

Looking for a family-oriented activity to enjoy the out of doors in New York City? Some of New York City's parks and zoos have wonderful carousels to enjoy, each with it's own interesting history and flavor.

A walk you won't soon forget awaits you as you cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot. Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began in 1870 and it took over 13 years to build what was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time.

From Bryant Park and Lincoln Center to Prospect and Central Parks, there are musical performances (many outdoors and many free) throughout the summer. Find a listing of many ongoing performances here.

Want to visit Bryant Park? Check out our visitors guide to Bryant Park, with Bryant Park maps, Bryant Park directions, things to do in Bryant Park and more.

With over 800 acres of space, Central Park is an oasis of greenery on the island of Manhattan. Visitors who visit Central Park will find this guide helpful with information about restaurants, sights, directions and more for Central Park.

See the city from the water on the Circle Line's series of cruises. From The Beast Speed Boat to sightseeing and music cruises, Circle Line offers a wide variety of itineraries.

No visit to New York is complete without a Nathan's hotdog and a roller coaster ride on Coney Island. Also check out the Mermaid Parade for some summer thrills.

Spanning 52 acres in the heart of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is home to 12,000 types of plants. We've gathered info on tickets, events, directions and more for planning your visit.

The New York Botanical Gardenconsists of 50 gardens on 250 acres in the Bronx. Our Visitors Guide to the New York Botanical Garden has information on tickets, events, directions and everything you need to plan your visit to the New York Botanical Garden.

Thoughout New York City, farm fresh produce, flowers, meats and more are available for sale at Greenmarkets. Find a greenmarket near you and see pictures of the Union Square market here.

Brooklyn's answer to Central Park, Prospect Park offers ice skating in the winter, concerts and fireworks in the summer, and a taste of nature to visitors year round.

With over 843 acres of land, Central Park offers a tremendous variety of things to do for visitors to New York City. From Central Park concerts and Shakespeare in the Park to carousel rides and birdwatching, check out our list of great things to do in Central Park.

Every Monday night during the summer, you can see great films for free in Bryant Park. Check out the schedule here!

High speed boat ride around New York Harbor. Boat rides run from May through October.

This site is dedicated to climbing and bouldering in New York City. Includes calendars of upcoming events, as well as maps to help you find places to climb in New York City.

Located on the north end of the Island of Manhattan, read about the features of this park on this helpful site. Includes directions to get there and locations of various features, including playgrounds and tennis courts.

Tours for all skill levels, as well as kayaking instruction are offered by the Manhattan Kayak Company. See Manhattan from the water with this top notch kayak company.

Information on trails and hiking in the New York and New Jersey areas. Maps, advocacy efforts and events are all available on the site.

Annual 26.2 mile run through the five boroughs of New York City held in early November. Find out about registering, volunteering and more on their website.

Club that focuses on running and walking -- offers road races, fun runs, classes, clinics and more. Best known for its involvement in the New York City Marathon and New Year's Eve run.

Flowering gardens and the first Chinese Scholar's Garden in the United States can be found in this borough's botanical garden. Find out about visits and see schedules of events on this site.

Open year round, this public garden overlooks the Hudson River and the Palisades. They offer free family programming and workshops with admission to the gardens. Check the website for schedules and hours.

Romantic dinner cruises, special events and private parties are all available on these elegant ships.