It's summer in NYC -- ditch your gym membership, save your money, and get in your workout outdoors with our guide to the top 10 spots for exercise in the city!
1. Central Park
The most obvious pick for getting in an outdoor workout, Central Park never fails to satisfy the need for a dose of fresh air in our hectic city. Runners and walkers can do the 6.2-mile Park Drive lap, 1.5 miles around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, or 1.6 miles on the bridle path loop. The options for running routes are limitless in the park. Cyclists can enjoy the park car-free on weekends and before 7 AM or after 7 PM on weekdays. If you're more of a water fan, check out the canoe rentals near 72nd Street.
2. Riverside Park
Riverside Park is one of my favorite places in the city - it's more spacious and less crowded than central park, but still offers an amazing slice of NYC scenery along the Hudson River. Biking, cycling, and rollerblading are all easy to partake in from about 72nd up to 125th Streets. There's plenty of grass for just hanging out and playgrounds for the kids, in addition to clay tennis courts near 100th St.
3. Brighton Beach / Coney Island
If water is more your speed, head out to Brooklyn on the D/F/N/Q train to Brighton Beach / Coney Island. Brighton Beach is an enclave of Russian culture and history. Spend the day swimming, running, or just relaxing at the beach, then treat yourself to a Russian meal or some tasty boardwalk treats.
4. Hudson River Park
On the southwest side of Manhattan, Hudson River Park is a another pleasant destination for running, biking, and rollerblading. There are city tennis courts located in the park, and plenty of space for sunbathing after you've worked up a sweat. In addition, you can launch a kayak or canoe at several of the piers in this area.
5. Van Cortlandt Park
This park occupies over a thousand acres in the northwest Bronx and yet is only New York City's fourth largest park. Given its sheer size, it's a great spot for many types of outdoor activities. Van Cortlandt Park has a well-known cross-country running trail in addition to an abundance of playing fields, playgrounds, and walking / hiking trails. There's a freshwater lake and the country's first public golf course, in addition to a public pool.
6. Prospect Park
Designed by the same masterminds behind Central Park, Brooklyn's Prospect Park comprises 585 acres and includes meadows, a lake, a zoo, a waterfall, and a plethora of athletic facilities. The 3.35-mile Park Drive provides a safe route for cyclists, runners, walkers, and rollerbladers. Other facilities include space for baseball, basketball, tennis, horseback riding, and much more.
7. Battery Park
Few locations in NYC can compete with the view from Battery Park, where you can overlook New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty as you work up a sweat. At the tip of Manhattan, Battery Park is comprised of 25 acres and is the largest public space downtown. It's not very large, but it's relatively peaceful and well-designed. A great spot for outdoor yoga or tai chi.
8. Flushing Meadows Corona Park
If you find yourself in Queens, check out Flushing Meadows - it's the largest park and features a ton of facilities for getting in some exercise. There are spaces for baseball, tennis, cycling, running and even cricket. After your workout, check out the park's zoo, art museum, botanical garden, or science museum.
9. Randall's Island
One of those forgotten NYC destinations, Randall's Island is a fantastic place for getting in some exercise outdoors. Situated in the East River between Manhattan and Queens, Randall's Island has been a hub for recreation since the 1930s. In addition to Icahn Stadium, which features a 400-meter running track, there have recently been waterfront pathways added around the Island, featuring bicycle and pedestrian trails along the Park’s western shoreline. Randall's Island also has a number of tennis, golf, soccer, and baseball leagues, programs, and fields, sponsored by the Randall's Island Sports Foundation (RISF).
10. Fort Washington Park
Northwest Manhattan is home to Fort Washington Park, a 160-acre area along the Hudson that is named for a Revolutionary War structure built for the rebels and seized by the British. It's also the site of Manhattan's only lighthouse, the Little Red Lighthouse, the protagonist in a popular children's book. Fort Washington Park in Washington Heights offers a stunning vista of the Hudson and Palisades from 155th-179th Streets.It also offers a range of athletic facilities including baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a playground. There's ample space for setting up a blanket and having a picnic or barbeque after you get in your exercise.
