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!
(718) 220-5100
2300 Southern BlvdBronx, 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.
(718) 623-7200
1000 Washington AveBrooklyn, 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.
(212) 768-4242
1065 Ave of the AmericasManhattan, 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.
(212) 310-6600
14 E 60th StNew 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.
(212) 439-6500
64th St & 5th AveNew 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.
(212) 924-1788
555 12th Ave at W 44th StNew 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.
(718) 265-3474
602 Surf AveBrooklyn, 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.
(718) 817-8700
2900 Southern BlvdBronx, 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.
(718) 965-8951
95 Prospect Park WBrooklyn, 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.
(718) 886-3800
43-50 Main StFlushing, 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.
(718) 271-1500
53-51 111th Street FlushingFlushing, 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.
(718) 425-3504
1000 Richmond TerraceStaten 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.
(718) 442-3100
614 BroadwayStaten 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.
(718) 817-8779
2900 Southern BlvdBronx, 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.
(718) 430-1890
1 Bronx River PkwyBronx, 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.
(718) 549-3200
675 W 252nd StBronx, 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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