No one moves to New York City to take advantage of the incredible opportunities for wilderness adventure. But there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors -- even on a recessionary budget -- that will banish mid-winter blahs.
Go Skate: The boroughs boast several outdoor ice skating rinks, each with advantages and drawbacks. At the northern end of Central Park, Lasker Rink is a bargain, while at the southeastern end, Wollman Rink offers great views: the stately buildings of Central Park South and 5th Ave. rise over the treetops. At 26,000 square feet, Prospect Park Wollman Rink offers ample room to skate and is least likely to be besieged by tourists. (All these rinks sometimes see a mid-afternoon influx of schoolkids.) The Rink at Rockefeller Center is relatively small, and a tourist magnet. But with a wide selection of post-rink snacks and sit-down meals in easy reach both around and underneath Rockefeller Center, it's got the other rinks beat on eats. And on weekdays from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, excluding holidays, you can glide around this world-famous landmark for a mere $5.00 admission.
Walk This Way:Shorewalkers offers guided walks through the parks and along the waterfronts of New York City and the surrounding area, on both weekdays and weekends throughout the winter. There's a distance and difficultly level for every physique: While the "Mt. Ivy to Haverstraw" walk on Thurs., Feb. 5 is described as "about 8 hilly miles at a moderate pace," the walk in Croton Point Park on Sun., Feb. 8 will be "3 to 4 miles, easy pace."
I Want To Ride My Bicycle: Winter wheelsport is not an oxymoron. Time's Up!, the bicycle activist group, is organizing the "Love Your Lane Ride" for Feb. 14 -- riders will meet at 7:00 pm at Astor Place, and then cruise Manhattan's bicycle lanes, ending "at a great after-party with lots of dancing, chocolate kisses, "love your lane" patches and good lovin'." There will also be evening "moonlight rides" for cyclists and skilled skaters through car-free Central and Prospect parks in February and March.
They Call Me Mr. (or Ms.) Natural: If your idea of a nice day involves less exertion and more observation, then check out what's going on at Gateway National Recreation Area, which is comprised of three separate natural areas within the city limits. On Sun. Feb. 8, for example, learn how to pick out early signs of spring from the winter landscape at the free "Winter Greens: Plants and Signs of Spring" program at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Winter programs at Gateway's Staten Island Unit and Sandy Hook, New Jersey Unit include family-friendly walks to spy out winter waterfowl.
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No one moves to New York City to take advantage of the incredible opportunities for wilderness adventure. But there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors -- even on a recessionary budget -- that will banish mid-winter blahs.
