Are you tired of moving from one bar to the next? It’s time you actually get out there and enjoy the New York City weather. Moreover, the city has a huge number of outdoor adventure options for visitors and locals.
While most guides will point you outside the city for the best hikes, ropes courses, and biking trails, NYC actually has enough space to experience amazing outdoor adventures. Here is a list of some of the extreme outdoor experiences within the five boroughs.
Beach Horseback Riding
If you’ve never been to Jamaica Bay, you have probably seen it; it’s the swamp-like water body you fly over as you arrived or departed from JFK.
The bay is located in the only National Park in the United States you can get to by subway. Get to the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy and enjoy horseback riding in the Crooklyn wilderness.
Staten Island’s Annual High Rock Challenge
During Staten Island’s annual High Rock Challenge, teams of twos run through the Greenbelt Trail System, taking part in mystery events spread out across the roughly 10K course.
Over the years, competitors have had to take part in a kayak challenge in Lake Orbach, carry 50lb sandbags uphill and even climb over 8-foot walls.
Another interesting challenge is the built-in follow the course markers elected by Greenbelt.
If this is too much activity, you can always choose to hike up Moses’ Mountain, the 200-foot mound of rock created during the construction of the Robert Moses Staten Island Expressway project.
Kayak Polo
Kayak Polo is basketball, in kayaks! What makes it fun and different is that you use your boat to shield the ball. In addition to regular membership, New York Kayak Polo players at Pier 66 in Hudson River Park can also receive two free training sessions.
Camp in an Abandoned Airport
If you are looking for the all-in-one experience – kayaking, biking fishing, camping, hiking, and historic tours – plan for a weekend at the Floyd Bennett Field. This is a decommissioned airport located at the edge of Jamaica Bay and run by the National Park Service. The airport was run as a civilian airport from 1931 to 1941.
Later, the airport became a Naval Air Station that remained active until the end of the Vietnam War, when the National Parks Service took over from the U.S. Navy. Today, it is the only year-round campground running within all five boroughs of New York.
Rangers help you set up your tent once you check in and you can go fishing, take a walk over the Marine Bridge, bike or hike the paths, kayak, or practice your archery skills at the range.
The Alley Pond Park Adventure Course
Located in Queens, the Alley Pond Park Adventure Course will see you scale boulders and walls, balance on a sky-high platform, zip-line through the air, walk a high wire and jump off telephone poles!
The ropes course is only open from May through November; unfortunately, it is open to the public on Sundays from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.
If you are in a large group, you can rent it on another day; however, be warned it’s one of the largest challenge courses in the metropolitan region!
As you can see, New York City is much more than just about staying indoors and exploring the crowded streets. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors right in the five boroughs – all you need is a sense of adventure and a service like the TopView’s hop on/hop off bus service.