The great outdoors, for many people, means camping, hiking, climbing mountains, fishing, and other outdoor leisure activities that are not necessarily leisurely. Still, we yearn for the relief, the health benefits, and the joy of being outside. With 80% of Americans living in urban areas - in most cases far away from lakes, mountains, forests, and campgrounds - regular outdoor leisure activity seems only a remote possibility. But it doesn’t have to be that way, especially if you’re in New York City.

Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors

According to studies, spending time outdoors reduces the risk of a number of serious conditions and diseases. High blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stress were all found to be reduced in study participants who spent significant amounts of time outdoors. These participants also reported greater overall health. In addition, spending time outdoors has social and intellectual benefits, and can save money otherwise spent on diversions that occur indoors.

Spending Time Outside in New York City

Getting some air every day is not a problem for New Yorkers: few populations commute by foot as regularly as New Yorkers do. But what about deliberate leisure time outdoors? New York’s arts, dining, and entertainment industries compete hard for the locals and visitors who pass through the five boroughs daily. It’s nearly impossible not to be seduced by the city’s theatres, galleries, museums, restaurants, and other attractions. But there are ways to get the very best of New York while getting as much of the outdoors as you need. Read on for some outdoor activities that are as good in New York as they are anywhere in the U.S.

Eating and Dining

If you’re pining for wine and fine dining, New York is the place for you. But that doesn’t have to mean a couple of hours inside Gramercy or Le Bernardin. Locals love lounging and dining high over the city in the evening spring air at one of the city’s many rooftop bars. Unbeatable views of the city and acclaimed chefs are regular features of these unique New York eateries. And, of course, many of New York’s most renowned restaurants offer alfresco dining on their sidewalk or courtyard patios: great for being outside, great for dining, and great for people-watching. More budget-friendly but equally as delightful are the many opportunities to have splendid spring picnics in New York City’s parks. From Central Park to Washington Square, dynamic and storied city parks abound in the Big Apple. Grassy, popular, and never out of style, New York’s parks offer necessary daylight and a little dose of dirt, which is good for you! Soil as in found in parks contains about 0.01% of the Earth’s supply of water. And each park is surrounded by some of the best street food, sandwich shops, delis, and pizzerias in the world. Take something to go, or fix your own favorites at home and pack them up for the park and a nifty New York picnic. Another popular way to get the best of fresh food and fresh air is to visit one of the many recurring street fairs which feature a treasure trove of food trucks, street vendors, and carts offering international foods of all kinds. Eat on the go, take your treasure to another outdoor destination, or linger trying everything available while shopping among the many varied vendors.

Shopping

Street fairs and flea markets offer far more than fine food, of course. From flowers and incense to jewelry and art, New York’s outdoor markets, bazaars, fairs, and flea markets have a little bit of everything and something for everyone. New York is one of the most diverse and international cities in the world, and it’s in the street markets that that is most evident. Handmade goods, imported goods, organic produce, and crafts beyond compare are all artfully displayed, reasonably priced, and fun just to wander by and gawk at. If you’re into antiques, these markets represent the best bargains. Outdoor flea markets and bazaars are legion: most New York City neighborhoods have one or more, sometimes seasonally. Spring is a great time for shopping outdoors in New York.

Bicycling

New Yorkers love bicycles. Many use them as a vital part of their transit or commute. Just 10 minutes of activity like cycling each day improves muscle distribution, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. Bicycling provides fresh air, sunlight, and a more intimate way to roam New York than other means of wheeled transportation. Bicycle tours are available to those wishing to learn more about the city while getting some great exercise and sun, whether you’re local or a visitor. There are vistas for the visual and new avenues for the adventurous, and even opportunities to cycle to work or other engagements. As any New York insider may tell you, the greatest advantage of using a bicycle for commuting around the city is that you don’t have to deal with parking. Cyclists also face less stressful traffic and spend a great deal less on fuel, car services, taxis, rideshare services, buses, and the subway. Why wouldn’t you cycle around New York City?

Outside of the City

New York City has one dynamic advantage that very few seem to appreciate: New York State! It really is the best of both worlds: within minutes of the city are delightful destinations for all of those things that city dwellers often consider remote: camping, hiking, climbing mountains, boating, swimming, boating, and fishing, among many others. Excellent choices exist for kids who grow weary of the limits of the city over breaks and vacations: recent surveys revealed that almost 12 million American kids counted fishing among their leisure activities. The state is rich with rivers and boasts a surprising number of lakes as well, and they’re great for a number of different kinds of fishing.

From the Country to the City

If you’re reading this in preparation for spring in New York as a local, a nearby visitor, a remote visitor, or a metro-dwelling frequent visitor, you may already be aware that New York is not just tall buildings, fantastic food, and marvelous museums. If you’re considering moving to New York and making sure you won’t be stuck inside all year round, you’re not alone. American homeowners move a lot: every six years or so, on average. And many of them move to New York. Still others own property in New York to occupy during the winter months, or they rent seasonally. Nearly two-thirds of New Yorkers rent, with the average rent being around $3,000 per month. Well worth it for the glories of the greatest city in the world - indoors and outdoors.