New York is very much a walking city and ripe for urban hiking, but if you want to surround yourself with nature then head to Central Park for some solitude. Appropriately named, The Ramble makes for a good hike and birdwatching, whilst the waters edge at Harlem Meer offers tranquillity.
Things to do in New York City
Lose the crowds and hike Central Park
Navigate the city's seas from a sailboat
Local sailing schools offer the chance to admire New York from the water. Manhattan Sailing School (tel: +1 212 786 0400; www.sailmanhattan.com) charters boats in the city or you can enjoy a range of classes, including a weekend-long, learn-to-sail course. Out on Long Island, the New York Sailing School (tel: +1 914 235 6052; www.nyss.com) has a good selection of programmes and vessels.
Cut loose and climb New York
For avid climbers, New York has great indoor walls to grapple with. In Manhattan, the best place to climb is at the Sports Center Climbing Wall (tel: +1 212 336 6000; www.chelseapiers.com). Brooklyn has a wider range of options: Brooklyn Boulders (tel: 347 834 9066; www.brooklynboulders.com) boasts 2,044sq m (22,000sq ft) of climbing surfaces and beginner classes.
Paddle to the Statue of Liberty
New York is surrounded by water, so for an adventurous alternative to harbour tours, try kayaking. The Manhattan Kayak Company (tel: +1 212 924 1788; www.manhattankayak.com) runs group tours, including easy paddles across the Hudson River, intermediate trips out to the Statue of Liberty and advanced 80 km (50 miles) courses that circumnavigate the island of Manhattan.
Race round the rink at the Rockefeller Center
In the winter months, New Yorkers love getting their ice skates on. Join them at the Rockefeller Center’s ice rink (tel: +1 212 332 6868; www.rockefellercenter.com) or the much-visited rinks at Central Park (www.centralparknyc.org) and Bryant Park. If the weather is less than ideal, Riverbank Park on the Hudson River has a covered rink too.
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