New York cycling
The best way to avoid New York City traffic while covering ground might just be by bike. In Manhattan, Central Park offers a 6.1 miles circular trail and shorter trails of 5.2 miles and 1.7 miles, with hilly and flat terrain. The East River bikeway runs along East River Park from the Financial District to Wall Street. The bike path of Shore Parkway is a favorite of scenery lovers, offering million dollar bridge and skyline views. The NY Cycle Club offers many rides that are open to the public, including a 30 mile "Urban Adventure Ride" that starts at Tavern on the Green. Riverside Park in Uptown also offers biking with a view. Highbridge Park in Manhattan and Cunningham Park in Queens both offer mountain biking trails.
Horseback Riding
Pelham Bit Stables, located in Bronx's Pelham Bay Park, has horses available for rent. The horse trails in the park meander through both marshlands and wooded areas. In Queens, Forest Park's recently renovated horse trail traverses 165 forest acres. Riverdale Equestrian Centre is located in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, and has direct access to the park's 1007 acres. Riverdale also offers guided trail rides in Central Park.
New York Golf
Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx is home to the country's oldest public golf course, which was opened in 1895 and is situated on a scenic lake. Dyker Beach Golf Course in Brooklyn is a scenic 18-hole championship course with views of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. On the south shore of Staten Island lies the 18 hole South Shore Golf Course. In 2004 this course had a makeover with reconstructed tees and turf improvements, making it a favorite of the locals.
New York Walking/Running
As the site of the New York Marathon's final 3.2 miles, Central Park is a runner's and walker's dream. Both can travel the park's 6 mile perimeter or as much of the park's 58 miles of pedestrian paths as they can handle. Central Park offers guided or self-guided walking tours. The scenic Reservoir track is 1.58 miles around and offers the iconic skyline views that make the Big Apple famous. In the Bronx, Van Cortlandt Park offers several scenic places to walk or run including the 1.5 mile John Muir Trail, the Cass Gallagher Nature Trail, and the Putnam Trail, which was once New York's first rail link to Boston via a connection in Brewster, New York.
Kayaking and Canoeing
New York City is home to approximately 19 kayak and canoe launch spots. Central Park's Loeb Boathouse has rowboats and kayaks for rent to enjoy the famous 18 acre lake in Central Park. Other city parks that offer boat rentals are Prospect Park, Clove Lakes Park, and Flushing Meadows Park. New York Kayak Company, located on Pier 40, offers guided tours on the Hudson River that includes a look at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Downtown Boathouse at Pier 96 at Hudson River Park offers free tours and lessons, but events fill up quickly.
