Fun Vacation Ideas

At any time of the year New York City is full of excitement, adventure, and fun things to do. With a plethora of activities to keep you going all day and all night long, it is a wonder how anyone gets bored in this city. If you are going to New York City for a vacation, besides the typical stores, parks, libraries and other various historical sites, you should try many of the outdoor activities. Usually open year round, there are tons of fun things to keep you out and about in the fresh air.

There are plenty of free tours that will have you walking the city streets in order to see the city as it should be seen. You can tour Central Park, Times Square, and Trinity Churchyard. You can take the Lower East Side Talking Street Tour or even the Bob Dylan Tour in Greenwich Village. Take the time to stop at the different buildings and explore, but also take a look around at the locals, the hustle and bustle, and everything that is going on around you.

One of the best outdoor activities in New York City is a trip to the Bronx Zoo. The Bronx Zoo Wildlife Conservation Park is one of the best in the country. Located only a short distance from Manhattan, this zoo is a sight to behold. Opening at 10am daily, it is the largest metropolitan animal park in the US with literally thousands of animals to learn about and discover. The tickets cost a moderate $14 per adult and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. For an extra $3 you can take an above ground tour of the zoo to see the animals from up high, or you could take a ground shuttle around the zoo. Parking is available at a $10 rate for a full day.

There are plenty of biking trails along the city for those of you who want to incorporate a little exercise into your vacation. Central Park is the natural spot to choose because of the extensive trails and the beautiful scenery. They even rent bicycles for those who didn’t bring their own. For the price of $20 for 2 hours or $40 for an all day rental, you get the bike, helmet, map, locks, and even a poncho in case of rain. Brooklyn Greenway is another beautiful area, which is a little less crowded, and it offers 40 miles of biking trails. To see the city’s seaport, head to the beaches where there are plenty of trails up and down the beaches.

If you are lucky enough to visit New York in the summertime, you can enjoy some of the summer concerts which are free for the most part. There are also an endless amount of summer music festivals that let you listen to Jazz, Gospel, R & B, oldies, and orchestra music. Check your local paper or the Internet for exact times and dates.

Finally, if you get a chance, you should partake in some of the beautiful botanical gardens of the city. One in particular is a must see. The Old Westbury Gardens has a mansion include 50 years of fine arts, formal gardens; tree lined walking trails, ponds, and statuary. You can make it a day trip by bringing your lunch and having a picnic there as well. The tickets are $10 per adult, $5 for children 6 through 12, and for children under 6 years old it is free.

With so much to do in the city, it is often nice just to revel in the sights and the sounds of the outdoors as well.

Outdoor Fun in New York City

New York City is one of the best places to visit almost any time of the year. With the vast array of stores, libraries, parks, historical statues, tours, theaters, and bars, anyone of any age can find something appealing.

Build some family memories with free tours. Big Apple Greeters offers tours, as does the Federal Reserve Bank, Central Park, Grand Central Station, Municipal Arts Society, Grand Central Partnership, Times Square, Lower East Side Talking Street Tours, Brooklyn Brewery, and Trinity Churchyard. There’s also the Bob Dylan Tour in Greenwich Village.

If you want to visit the cream of the crop, the Bronx Zoo Wildlife Conservation Park is top-rated. Located at Fordham Road and Bronx River Parkway, the closing hours vary with the seasons. It opens daily at 10 am. This park is the largest metropolitan animal park in the United States of America! (The animals are more active earlier in the day.)

The Bronx Zoo park charges no admission on Wednesdays; otherwise, tickets cost $14 per adult and $10 for kids ages 3 to 12. There’s a scenic ride above the zoo that you can purchase for $3. A ground shuttle costs the same price. Car parking is $10.

Have you considered biking? You may want to exercise with scenic outdoor touring, getting up close and personal with New York City in its natural environment. The Brooklyn Greenway offers 40 miles of biking trails. If you want to see the city’s seaport, you could tour Manhattan and Brooklyn. The Queens Greenway links 13 city parks.

Make sure that if you do choose biking, you remember that you are there to enjoy your stay. Wear your protective gear, carry a water bottle, and don’t bite off more than you can chew!

You can rent a bike at places like the famous Central Park. A helmat and map, locks and ponchos are included with bike rental fees of $20 per 2 hours or $40 for all day rentals.

New York has other outdoor fun such as the summer concerts, which are free in parks around the city. There’s an almost endless list of summer music festivals for your vacation enjoyment. Jazz, soul, gospel, orchestras, R & B, and even the live guests of Good Morning America are there to entertain the public.

If you prefer a tamer sort of outdoor fun, try the beautiful botanical gardens of the city. The Old Westbury Gardens has the Charles II style mansion with 18th century furnishing and 50 years worth of fine arts to see. There are formal gardens, tree-lined walks, ponds, and statuary. Family activities and events are scheduled with your admission of $10 per adult, $5 per child ages 6 to 12, and free for those under 6 years. There’s a picnic area, café, and handicap accessible provisions.

Maybe you can’t resist and want to hop on a trolley while you’re on vacation! Tour packages start at $20 and can go up according to how fancy you want your tour. Make sure you check the length of your tour ahead of time to avoid schedule conflicts.

If all else fails to entice you, just sitting on a city bench to watch the foot traffic can be entertaining in itself. All this costs is the price of a drink to keep you hydrated and your time. Even so, you’re sure to still find enjoyment.

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