Outdoors
in New York City, NY

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There’s nothing better than breathing fresh air and getting in touch with nature. State parks, botanical gardens, trails, lakes, and farms are exactly the place to do it – and this area is full of them.

Take a look at all the options within driving distance – you’ll be surprised at how close your next adventure is. We provide the driving directions, but the sunscreen’s on you!
Bronx Zoo
Bronx Zoo

(718) 220-5100

2300 Southern Blvd
Bronx, NY 10460   Directions Website

Take a walk on the wild side as a family at the Bronx Zoo. Around 4,000 animals live here in what is considered to be the nation's largest metropolitan zoo. The 265-acre park is home to a variety of exhibits and attractions that house animals like lions, zebras, tigers, elephants, giraffes and many others.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden

(718) 623-7200

1000 Washington Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11225   Directions Website

Stroll through the gardens of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to see over 10,000 species of plant life thriving in the city. The BBG sprawls over 52 acres near the Prospect Heights, Crown Heights and Park Slope neighborhoods. The garden is occupied by the Steinhardt Conservatory where the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum is located. The conservatory features three climate-themed plant pavilions, a white cast-iron and glass aquatic plant house and an art gallery. Fans of flora and fauna will appreciate the attractions in bloom here.

Bryant Park
Bryant Park

(212) 768-4242

1065 Ave of the Americas
Manhattan, NY 10018   Directions Website

Spend some time as a family, hanging out in Manhattan's Bryant Park. There's lots to do here, like strolling through the various gardens, observing the number of sculptures located in the park, letting the kids take a ride on Le Carrousel, ice skating on Citi Pond during the winter, playing chess, checkers and backgammon near the Fountain Terrace, or dining at one of the many on-site eateries. A day of family fun at Bryant Park is one of the best ways to unwind together in NYC.

Central Park Conservancy
Central Park Conservancy

(212) 310-6600

14 E 60th St
New York, NY 10022   Directions Website

Central Park is one of New York City's best known landmarks, so visiting here with your family should be a shoe-in on your list of attractions to see. The park is home to several man-made lakes and ponds, walking and recreation trails, two ice-skating rinks, a wildlife sanctuary and many other natural amenities. Other must-see sights you can experience as a family include The Belvedere Castle, the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, and the Central Park Zoo.

Central Park Zoo
Central Park Zoo

(212) 439-6500

64th St & 5th Ave
New York, NY 10065   Directions Website

Get a look at some of nature's most wild creatures in the middle of the Concrete Jungle and explore the attractions at the Central Park Zoo. The zoo provides habitats for animals like lemurs, snow leopards, peacocks, and polar bears. While visiting with the kids, be sure to explore the special area of the zoo made just for them, the Tisch Children's Zoo.

Manhattan Kayak Company
Manhattan Kayak Company

(212) 924-1788

555 12th Ave at W 44th St
New York, NY 10036   Directions Website

Head to the Manhattan Kayak Company and set out on a water sports adventure on the Hudson River. Don't know how to kayak? No problem! The pros here have got you covered, and are ready to teach you everything you need to know about the sport. Seize the opportunity to experience the city in a whole new way.

New York Aquarium
New York Aquarium

(718) 265-3474

602 Surf Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11224   Directions Website

Take an underwater adventure as a family as you explore the attractions at the New York Aquarium. The seaside aquarium is the oldest in the nation and is home to over 350 species, including animals like sharks, sea otters, penguins, sea turtles, sea lions, and octopuses. Some of the exhibitions you'll see are Explore the Shore, Sea Cliffs, Conservation Hall, and Alien Stingers.

New York Botanical Garden
New York Botanical Garden

(718) 817-8700

2900 Southern Blvd
Bronx, NY 10458   Directions Website

The New York Botanical Garden is one of the nation's premier botanical gardens, and a must-see destination for nature lovers in NYC. This outdoor paradise is located in the Bronx Park and showcases over 50 gardens and plant collections, along with some of the world's leading plant laboratories.

Prospect Park
Prospect Park

(718) 965-8951

95 Prospect Park W
Brooklyn, NY 11215   Directions Website

When you're checking out the sights of Brooklyn, be sure to spend some time at Prospect Park. The beautiful park occupies 585 acres and boasts a sprawling 90-acre meadow, aptly named Long Meadow, man-made waterways and lakes, the Prospect Park Zoo, a boathouse for Brooklyn's only lake, facilities for a variety of sports and the Prospect Park Bandshell concert venue. Musicians like Modest Mouse, Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan have played at the venue, so keep an eye on the park's calendar because you never know when your favorite singer may take the stage.

Queens Botanical Garden
Queens Botanical Garden

(718) 886-3800

43-50 Main St
Flushing, NY 11355   Directions Website

The Queens Botanical Garden refers to itself as "a living museum, a collection of gardens for the study, culture, exhibition, and display of plants." Explore this 39-acre botanical oasis of rose, bee, herb and perennial gardens. Among the floral attractions, you'll also see the Visitor & Administration Center, New York City's greenest building.

Queens Zoo
Queens Zoo

(718) 271-1500

53-51 111th Street Flushing
Flushing, NY 11368   Directions Website

Wildlife makes its home at the Queens Zoo, and these exhibits are waiting to be explored by you and your family! See wild animals like alligators, bald eagles, cougars, lynx, spectacled bears, and California sea lions – all native to the Americas.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden

(718) 425-3504

1000 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, NY 10310   Directions Website

Feast your eyes on a little piece of history at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. This attraction is a collection of architecturally significant buildings from the 19th century and was once a home for sailors. The 83-acre Snug Harbor is comprised of 26 buildings, built in the styles of Greek Revival, Beaux Arts, Italianate and Victorian. This National Historic Landmark District is considered to be the "crown jewel" of Staten Island.

Staten Island Zoo
Staten Island Zoo

(718) 442-3100

614 Broadway
Staten Island, NY 10310   Directions Website

Hang out at the Staten Island Zoo to see cool animal attractions like the Serpentarium, an exhibit that houses one of the nation's largest rattlesnake collections. There are around 858 animals that live at the zoo, including its most famous resident, Staten Island Chuck, the city's official Groundhog Day forecaster.

The New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden

(718) 817-8779

2900 Southern Blvd
Bronx, NY 10458   Directions Website

Take a stroll through one of the premier botanical gardens in the nation at The New York Botanical Garden. This gorgeous floral attraction occupies approximately 250 acres of Bronx Park and is home to 50 different gardens and plant collections, and some of the world's leading plant laboratories. Tour the NYBG and see why over 800,000 visitors come to the garden annually.

Van Cortlandt Park
Van Cortlandt Park

(718) 430-1890

1 Bronx River Pkwy
Bronx, NY 10462   Directions Website

Spend a day exploring the recreation trails at Van Cortlandt Park. The park is home to five trails that stretch out over a mile, meaning you have plenty to explore on an excursion here. There are also other amenities at the park, including tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, running tracks, barbecue areas and lots more.

Wave Hill
Wave Hill

(718) 549-3200

675 W 252nd St
Bronx, NY 10471   Directions Website

Another of New York City's floral oases, Wave Hill is a 28-acre estate in the Bronx committed to celebrating the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscapes and exploring human connection to the natural world. The estate includes a public garden, greenhouse and cultural center. As you explore the attractions throughout area, you'll see a perennial flower garden, the Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory, pergola and vistas of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades, a wild garden, an aquatic and monocot garden, 10 acres of woodland, and more. The Wave Hill house has been rented by the likes of Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain.

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