23 Outdoor Activities in NEW YORK (Fun, Open & Exciting)
Taking a break, relaxing, getting some fresh air, and indulging in fun activities are sometimes necessary, especially in a city like New York.
Outdoor activities are perfect for a nice time outside of your home.
There are many spots, from parks to nearby hikes, attraction sites, rooftop bars, and more!
These activities are also perfect if you prefer outdoor activities or enjoy being outside.
If the weather gets to be just fantastic during your adventure, you can spend as much time as you want.
Below is a list of great outdoor activities in New York and where to find them.
They span all cities, and there will surely be something for you below, regardless of your type of fun.
So, if you are craving some time away from home, check out the list below.
And by the way, you may also want to check out the best Indoor Activities in New York.
Outdoor Activities in Manhattan, New York.
1. Explore Central Park
Make the most out of your adventure when you visit Central Park.
You will find lots of activities and tours to do and enjoy no matter your interest or what time of the year you visit.
There is no setting more perfect for a picnic in the city than Central Park.
All you have to do is find a spot at the shade’s hillsides or lakeside, spread out a blanket, place your treat-filled basket beside you and relax and get some fresh air.
If you want a more fun experience, visit the park during summer and enjoy the free evening movie screenings under the stars.
Between fall and winter, you can go sledding and ice skating, which doubles as a romantic date for couples and fun activity for families.
Another fun way to explore the park is to ride a Horse Drawn Carriage and take in beautiful sights like the zoo, carousel, meadow, strawberry fields, etc.
It’s impossible to list all the amazing activities the park offers, so it’s best you go and find out for yourself.
Address: 59th to 110th Street and Central Park West to 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York, US.
2. Have a fun day at Governor’s Island
With over 120 acres of outdoor space, Governor’s Island has many exciting activities.
There is no shortage of fun at this historic site whether you visit in summer, fall, or winter.
Peek into the past by visiting some sites on the Island, like Castle Williams, the military forts, Fort Jay, and the many abandoned buildings.
However, if you want a detailed history of the Island, take a guided tour
Bring your bike or rent one and hike to the top of the hills for the best views of lower Manhattan.
You can bring food, camp at the picnic tables, and relax with family and friends.
Free kayaking is available at Pier 101 and 102 at the Island’s Kayak Dock.
Make Governor’s Island your top spot if you want to host a large family gathering or celebration.
Reserve a picnic table and grill and have fun with the group.
What’s stopping you from having a fun day on this Island?
Address: 10 South Street, New York, NY 10004, United States
3. Visit the Central Park Zoo
With about 130 animals of different species, you are about to have a swell time at this zoo in Downtown Manhattan.
A family day with the kids at Central Park Zoo is always a big hit.
Find your inner child at the zoo and say hello to varieties of animals, from reptiles to mammals, amphibians, birds, etc.
You can spot the snow leopard, sea lion, or grizzly bear at the animal exhibits.
Make sure to take part in feeding the penguins, chinstraps, and gentoos when they come out of their dens for food.
You can reserve the 200’ long tent during the day to relax and unwind.
The staffs and volunteers at the zoo are very friendly and ready to answer any of your questions.
After all that exploration, you can get some snacks to fill your tummy, sit down, and enjoy the amazing views of New York.
Sounds exciting right?
Visit the zoo and experience it too.
Address: East 64th St, New York, NY 10021, United States
4. Go Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
Every moment at Rockefeller Center would have you coming back for more.
The rink is an iconic spot for everyone in Manhattan, New York.
You can experience New York in another dimension.
It only gets better, from its gorgeous architecture to arts, observation decks, and gardens.
However, if you want the ultimate experience, the ice skating rink is a perfect spot.
Yes, the rink opens seasonally, but the experience is worth it, and it is one of the best things you can do between fall and winter.
You can either rent a skate or come along with yours.
To avoid waiting in line, reserve your ticket online so that nothing stops your fun.
When you are tired, hang up your skate, grab a delicious bite from Le Rock or Ace’s Pizza, and step it down with a chilled drink from Cafe Grumpy.
Stop by the rink and get the true meaning of fun!
Address: 600 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020, United States
5. Explore Times Square.
When you hear Times Square, many things come to mind, like the blinding lights, giant billboards, and bustle and bustle.
While that is true, that’s not all!
In addition to being a commercial spot, it is also a tourist attraction, fun, and entertainment spot for those who love to stay outdoors.
Times Square is in Midtown Manhattan and the center of the Theatre District.
It is considered the heart of New York and the busiest area in the city.
So, you will find whatever it is you are looking for here.
The spot has offices, shops, cafes, accommodations, theaters, and more!
A perfect way to enjoy an outdoor activity in Times Square is to take a stroll and enjoy some fresh air or participate in festivals.
You will also find pedestrian spots with tables and chairs where you can sit, relax and enjoy the views of Manhattan, New York.
A visit to Times Square is a must for any New Yorker or tourist.
Address: Manhattan, NY 10036, United States
Also see our article on Family Activities in New York.
Outdoor Activities in Brooklyn, New York.
1. Catch a ride at Jane’s Carousel
Go for a solo ride, take the kids with you, and have a lovely family time at this century-old carousel.
This beautiful amusement park on Dock Street has three-row machines with 48 carved horses and two chariots.
It has been thrilling its guests with a fun ride and experience since 1922.
You will find the carousel in the Empire Fulton Ferry section in the Brooklyn Bridge Park area.
Besides the ride, the carousel is surrounded by many playgrounds, ice cream shops, pizza spots, and more.
You get a perfect view of the famous Brooklyn Bridge, the skyline, and the beach.
The fee is just a couple of dollars for the fun you will get.
Ready to be a kid again?
Catch a ride at Jane’s Carousel!
Address: 1 Old Dock St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States
2. Stroll around Brooklyn Bridge Park
This massive waterfront green space offers fun outdoor activities and spectacular city views.
The park has six piers, each of them offering something unique.
Pier 2 has a handball and basketball court, skating rink, fitness center, playground, and kayaking.
At Pier 3, there is a wide area of beautiful green space to relax or picnic with friends and family.
If you want to stop by Pier 4, use sunscreen and get yourself a tan by the sand beach.
At Pier 5, you can play sports on the field, fish at the river, have a barbecue feast with family, ride a bike along the paths, or be a child again on the playground.
Pier 6 is perfect for the kids, with many playground areas like climbing nets, volleyball courts, swings, and water.
You can also take a ferry to Governor’s Island at this pier.
Take a stroll and enjoy the stunning skylights and city views.
There are also spots where you can grab a bite, a cold drink, or yummy ice cream.
These are just the highlights of what the park offers.
Stop by and find out the rest.
Address: Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States
3. Visit Brooklyn Botanical Garden
This garden is open yearly with over 18,000 kinds of plants for every season.
You can explore many gardens, like Cherry Esplanade, Discovery, Fragrance, Herb, Osborne, Rose Gardens, and more!
Cherry Esplanade is one of the visitor’s favorites, with a green field and rows of vibrant cherry and oak trees.
It is a perfect spot to click one or two photos, especially when the blossoms come to life.
The Japanese Hill and Pond Garden is a must-visit!
It has artificial hills around a pond, an island, a waterfall, rocks, a wooden bridge, a Shinto shrine, stone lanterns, etc., all in beautiful scenery.
You can also take any classes to learn how to plant a roof garden, paint in watercolor, arrange flowers, and many more.
It is impossible to list everything you can enjoy in this amazing garden, so you must visit and explore it all yourself!
Address: 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225, United States
4. Stop by Prospect Park
If you have been looking for a spot with all the fun outdoor activities in Brooklyn, your search is over.
Prospect Park takes you to a world of natural beauty, historic buildings, and spectacular views.
You will find the park in the neighborhood of Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Brooklyn Museum, Flatbush, and Marine Park.
The 526 acres park has a zoo, an ice rink, a carousel, hiking trails, an aquarium, horseback riding trails, a boathouse, and many other recreational facilities.
There is also a lake with abundant flora and fauna.
If you love sports, you can explore the many sports facilities in the park, such as a basketball court, tennis center, baseball, and soccer fields.
You can find a perfect spot in the green space and picnic with friends and family.
Stop by Prospect Park and find a thousand and one ways to have fun outdoors.
Address: Prospect Park West, Flatbush, Parkside, Brooklyn, NY, United States
5. Cruise around Lunar Park on Coney Island
Get ready for a mind-blowing experience here!
Thrilling rides, heart-pumping rollercoasters, games, shops, and dining.
This amusement park on surf avenue spares nothing to give you a fun day.
Whatever your preference or style of ride is, high, moderate, or mild, Lunar Park has it all.
The historic Coney Island Cyclone should be on the park’s top of your must-do list.
It takes you on an exhilarating ride through drops and curves that has your adrenaline on a 100!
The park offers many game activities for your date, friends, or family.
Some include water racer, arcade, ring toss, and tube dash splash.
After a long day of fun, get yummy meals, snacks, and beverages from shops around the park.
Swing, fly high, and enjoy the magical experience at Lunar Park.
Address: 1000 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, United States
6. Check out the city views at Domino Park
There is no better place to enjoy and appreciate the spectacular views of New York than Domino Park.
It is built on the former Domino sugar refinery and pays tribute to the former Domino workers and their families.
You will find the park along the east river in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.
The park has an elevated walkway that runs from Gantry Cranes to Tacocina.
Visitors can enjoy the spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, river, and park.
There are wooden lounges where you can sit and watch boats on the river, locals and tourists walking.
That’s not all!
The park has over 30 large artifacts, components of the sugar refinery, an industry prevalent on the Brooklyn waterfront decades ago.
So, if you want a quieter and calm outdoor spot, Domino should be your go-to.
Address: 15 River St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States
Also see our article on Dog Friendly Activities in New York.
Outdoor Activities in Bronx, New York.
1. Explore New York Botanical Garden
There is a lot to see and explore in this garden.
The 250-acre site has a living museum, a plant research and conservation organization, and an educational institution.
Everything here is a show of nature and its beauty, and you can experience it any season of the year.
You will find many beautiful lush gardens, green hills, waterfalls, and rivers.
The garden also organizes frequent events to showcase and complement its natural beauty, such as the Orchid Show and the Holiday Train Show.
It also offers classes specifically for children, such as hands-on gardening activities like harvesting crops, planting, and weeding.
If you are a New Yorker or tourist looking to explore the natural side of New York away from the blinding lights and craziness, this is for you.
Address: 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458, United States
2. Say hello to the animals at Bronx Zoo.
Within the zoo’s 265 acres, you will find over 6,000 animals of different species, parks, streams, and natural atmosphere.
Visit some of your favorite animals and find new ones along the way.
You will find small and big cats, wild dogs, reptiles of all kinds, Asian elephants, pandas, different species of birds, etc.
Watch these animals and be enchanted by nature!
You can also hear from an expert at the zoo about any animal that catches your attention.
Stop by any outdoor exhibits and explore whichever you want, or participate in the must-see exhibits tour.
Be a daredevil and get close and personal with animals like cheetahs, penguins, sloths, and porcupines.
Whether you are looking for outdoor fun, adventure, or a place to get some hours away from the craziness of New York, Bronx Zoo is a good spot.
Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460, United States
3. Visit Pelham Bay Park
Can you believe this park is three times the size of Central Park in Manhattan?
It is the largest public park in New York City, with all attractions to give you a fun time.
You have found the perfect spot if you love sports.
The park has many sports facilities, including two golf courses, handball, basketball, tennis, pickleball courts, roller hockey, football, and baseball fields.
If you visit with kids, there is a playground where they can have fun and play around.
Walk a mile or two on the hiking trails and walk paths while overlooking the stunning views.
The park is also home to different plants and animals, which makes the park a sign to behold.
Pelham Bay Park offers a lot to see and do, and you can only experience them when you visit the park.
Address: Middletown Road & Stadium Avenue, NY 10465, United States
4. Tour Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center
If you think you have seen all of New York’s beauty, then you have not been to this garden, and it’s a must-visit.
The beautiful public park sits on a 28-acre overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades.
Take a tour of the neatly cultivated garden with an extensive collection of plants.
There is a display of a wide array of shrubs, trees, and flowers that changes with every season and time.
Explore the dynamic exhibitions uniquely blending art and nature at the Glyndor Gallery and Sunroom Project Space.
Round off your experience with a delicious meal at the Kate French Terrace.
You can also reserve a picnic spot with umbrella tables.
A tour of this garden promises to be worth every single penny.
What are you waiting for?
Address: 4900 Independence Ave, Bronx, NY 10471, United States
5. Explore Van Cortlandt Park
This historic park has a rich culture, history, and natural beauty.
It is the third largest public park in New York and is home to the first golf course and the oldest house in the city.
The park boasts everything in nature, from the largest freshwater lake in the Borough to oak forests, trees, and green shades.
Many fun facilities are scattered all over the park.
Some include playgrounds, hiking trails, football, and soccer fields, basketball and handball courts, bike paths, etc.
You will find nearly every specie of bird at this park.
The park also has an Olympic outdoor pool to unwind and test all your swimming tricks.
Van Cortlandt Park offers fresh and yummy meals, beverages, and snacks.
Visit this park once, and you will certainly come back for more.
Address: Broadway and Van Cortlandt Park S, Bronx, NY 10471, United States
Also see our article on Zoos in New York.
Outdoor Activities in Buffalo, New York.
1. Spend a day at Buffalo Zoo
The zoo provides its visitors with educational, cultural, and recreational resources.
Animals are there for your amusement and entertainment.
Still, they are also there for you to learn about the animal kingdom and the human race.
The 23.5-acre zoo is widely known as the third oldest in the United States.
It has some of the most exotic endangered and local animals.
Animals move freely in enclosures with nature surrounding them, like trees, ponds, streams, etc.
You will find birds of all kinds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, and fishes.
After 2 or 3 hours of touring the zoo, you can get small bites and drinks at any shop.
If you want to catch your breath, sit on one of the benches around the zoo and enjoy the natural views.
Over 400,000 people visit the zoo yearly, and you should be one of them!
Address: 300 Parkside, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States
2. Explore Canalside
This spot is where you can get all the outdoor fun and entertainment in Buffalo, New York!
Festivities, games, parties, fitness classes, and more are held here all year round.
Many concerts are held here yearly where you can dance, sing, and enjoy a wonderful time outside your home.
You can rent a water bike, an ice bike, or a kayak and race with your friends and colleagues.
Kids are not left out of the exciting fun too!
There is a play area and sand pit where they can play amongst themselves.
That’s not all.
If it intrigues you, tour the many boats and ships on the Canalside.
When you are tired, grab a snack and chilled beer, sit on any of the chairs around, and appreciate the amazing views of the waterfront.
The lovely atmosphere and many fun activities make Canalside a must-visit!
You shouldn’t miss out on the fun.
Address: 44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202, United States
Also see our article on Kayaking in New York.
Outdoor Activities in Rochester, New York
1. Visit Seneca Park Zoo
The zoo provides a safe space where the community can connect with and care for different species of animals.
It is a 20-acre site open all year for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities while discovering over 90 kinds of animals.
There is enough to keep you busy in 2 to 3 hours, from mammals to reptiles, amphibians, birds, invertebrates, fishes, and more!
You will find the only White Rhino and African Elephants at this zoo in New York.
The zoo prioritizes the conservation of wildlife animals, especially those threatened by extinction.
Catch a break, stop by any food shops, and get something to fill your growling belly.
Just as the zoo is perfect for kids to have fun and learn, adults can also find new favorite animals and marvel at their dynamic behaviors.
Plan that visit now!
Address: 2222 St Paul St, Rochester, NY 14621, United States
2. Take in the views at Ontario Beach Park
Whether you are looking for a place to take a romantic stroll or enjoy a nice time outside with your family, this beach park on the shores of Lake Ontario should be your go-to.
The 39-acre park has a natural sand beach that offers everything you need for a summer or winter day at the park.
There are many different water activities you can indulge yourself in here.
You can also swim, boat, or fish at the beach.
The park holds free concerts by the beach every Wednesday evening during summer.
If sport is your thing, show off your skills at any of the facilities at the park, like the basketball and beach volleyball court and softball field.
Get on the antique carousel and hitch a ride from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
Spend a few hours at the beach park, and you will love it!
Address: 50 Beach Ave, Rochester, NY 14612, United States
3. Soak up the fun at Highland Park
Everything here is colorful, lush, and natural!
The 150-acre park has many fun activities, attractions, and events in store for its visitors.
It is set on a beautiful landscape of hills and valleys in Rochester, New York.
For instance, the Lilac Festival is the largest in North America, featuring over 1,800 bushes, games, crafts, and food.
The Lamberton Conservatory has a wide collection of plants from different places.
Bring your skates and cruise around the ice skating rink at Lily Pond.
The Lilac Arches has beautiful architecture surrounding brick patio benches and green scenery.
It is a perfect spot to rent for weddings and small receptions.
Grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy an outdoor movie screening in fine weather.
Remember to check out the sunken garden at Warner Castle.
Visit this park and check out the display of some of the most beautiful flowers and plants.
Address: 180 Reservoir Ave, Rochester, NY 14620, United States
Also see our article on Ziplining in New York.
Outdoor Activities in Albany, New York
1. Drop by Washington Park
Looking for a place to enjoy outdoor gatherings and festivals?
Washington Park is here for you!
The city’s premier park is a top spot for fun outdoor entertainment, events, and more.
This park is unique because it has over 100 species of trees, from large oaks to bonsais.
It also has a 5.2-acre lake where you can sit, listen to the chirping birds, and let the lake calm your spirits.
Regardless of what you are looking for, whether it is an afternoon stroll, a bike ride, or just a fun outdoor activity, this park has got you.
You can choose to go for a walk on the pathway or ride your bike.
If you want an exhilarating experience, check out the playground, skateboard area, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts.
Good vibes, thrilling attractions, and a beautiful atmosphere!
What else do you need?
Address: 35 Willett Street, Albany, NY 12210, United States
2. Explore Huck Finn’s Playland
This amusement park is perfect for a fun day outside with family and friends.
It has served generations of kids and families since 1951.
The park also offers pizza, cheeseburgers, fries, pretzels, mozzarella sticks, nachos, ice cream, and beverages.
Although most classic rides are perfect for kids, adults are not left.
With just a walking distance from Druthers Brewing and many restaurants, you can walk into any of them and get something to eat and drink to fill your tummy after hours of roller coaster rides.
Playland is also a perfect spot to host a memorable birthday party for your kids.
You not only enjoy a fantastic experience, but you also get excellent service.
Playland is a good place to relax, laugh, and have fun, so stop by one of these days.
Address: 25 Erie Blvd, Albany, NY 12204, United States
If you liked this article, you may also like to read about the best Bowling Alleys, Horseback Riding, and Ice Skating in New York.
Looking beyond New York? Check out our article on the best Outdoor Activities in Illinois and California.