It can feel overwhelming to visit an urban area as established and vast as New York City, especially if you consider yourself to be an outdoorsy person. Losing oneself in the pace and concrete of central Manhattan is, for many, part of the charm but it can soon leave others longing for fresh air, serenity, and green landscapes.
The city, however, does offer a number of ways to embrace nature and, for those who are willing to venture into lesser explored areas, there are a number of ways to reconnect with verdant landscapes even when visiting New York City.
Foraging Tour
New York City has a number of green landscapes, as well as access to coastal shores. These areas are very exciting for foragers, which is why celebrated figures, such as “Wildman” Steve Brill, lead a number of regular and exciting forays around the city.
Walks are primarily for the purpose of identification and can help attendees to learn more about the medicinal and edible plants around the city. In addition to learning about how to identify plants, there is also an inevitable focus on the importance of ecology and biodiversity, which makes them a perfect adventure for the sustainably minded!
Yoga In Central Park
The size of Central Park should not be underestimated. The city central location is over 800 acres in size and welcomes millions of visitors each year. What is even more astounding is that this green area is only the city’s fifth largest park.
Those who visit Central Park will quickly realize how vast it is and what a respite it offers from the city. This environment and distance are perfect for yoga practitioners, with many groups finding quiet spots in the greenery to restore their wellbeing.
Stroll The High Line
Elevated above the city’s streets is an elevated green walkway covering 1.45 miles. This park is abundant with greenery and is built onto an old railway, now offering pedestrians a way to see and walk the city alongside greenery instead of vehicles.
Paddleboarding
Being so close to the water, Manhattan and New York City as a whole is perfect for those wanting to get out onto the water. In addition to the city’s shores, there’s also the Hudson River, which gives paddleboarders immediate access to the waterways, enabling them to travel out to the sea or cruise through the boats and onto greener areas for exploration, such as Croton Park.
The city is also fortunate enough to have a number of SUP clubs and equipment hires too, meaning that even those who are just getting started on their paddleboarding adventure can make a trip to New York City work.
Visit The Zoo
Did you know that the Bronx is home to one of the most famous zoos in the world? The Bronx Zoo prides itself on animal and wildlife conservation, having done so since its opening in 1899. Containing over 700 species and over 10,000 animals, it is not only one of the city’s most impressive experiences but it is a fantastic way to get in touch with nature and learn more about the natural world.