Unique Outdoor Adventures in New York City You Need to Try At Least Once

Yes – New York City is known as the concrete jungle. But, it can be oh-so-much more if you know where to look. So many people don’t realize there are many diverse opportunities for nature and outdoor adventures in New York, hiding in and around the city. 

New York outdoor adventures are right around the corner! And we’re here to point you in the right direction. From rugged adventures to glamping opportunities, here are all our favorite outdoor adventures New York offers! 

New York Adventures That Should Be On Your Bucket List

Shred powder outside of the city

Snowboarding or Skiing Near NYC

When you think of NYC outdoor adventures, you probably think of the ones available in the summer. But you can find fun outdoor activities near NYC year-round! One of our favorites is a day of skiing or snowboarding on NYC’s best (and closest) ski hill, Mountain Creek. You can enjoy an entire day of powder and fun with several runs, parks, and trails to explore. 

Especially for New Yorkers that don’t have a car, a ski day can seem out of reach. But with our NYC Ski Trip to Mountain Creek or NYC Ski Bus to the Catskills, you can easily get to and from the ski hill. So whether you need a ride to the mountain or want a lift ticket and equipment rentals, one of our packages will suit you.

Take an NYC Hike

You only need to drive a couple of hours to replace city streets with scenic trails. These are some of our favorite hikes a short drive from NYC.

Storm King Mountain – About 2.4 miles long, this hike is under two hours from the city and offers expansive lake views.

Sugarloaf Mountain – Just under 7 miles long, this hike is about 3 hours from the city and offers mountain range views and a chance to spy on some wildlife.

Anthony’s Nose – Just under 2 miles long, this hike is about an hour and a half from the city and offers one of the nicest overlooks in the Hudson Valley.

Apple Picking

The perfect fall afternoon, our Apple Picking Day Trip from NYC to the Hudson Valley is full of crisp, juicy apples and farm fun. Strolling through a gorgeous orchard only 1.5 hours out of the city, each guest can bring home 10lbs of apples after walking through the orchard and visiting the local farmers market. Perfect for fall baking recipes!

Relax at some Natural Water

During the warmer months, a water day will always hit the spot! Here are some of our favorite sites in and around the city. 

Peekamoose Blue Hole – This gorgeous swimming hole in the Catskill Forest Preserve is about three hours from the city.

Lake Canopus – Perfect for swimming, fishing and lounging by the water, this is one of the best lakes to visit in the Hudson Valley. 

Croton Point Park – Situated on the east shore of the Hudson River, this park is ideal for camping, hiking and swimming.

Whitewater Rafting Near NYC

Looking for a thrill? Find one with an NYC whitewater rafting trip to the Lehigh River. Along with transportation to and from the city, this excursion includes cruising down 9 miles of exciting rapids, all with gorgeous river scenery in tow. Perfect for a fun summer outdoor adventure, everyone will enjoy experiencing the thrill of the river!

Go glamping or camping

If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure with a bit of pizzazz, try a glamping trip! Fort Tilden and Governors Island offer the ultimate glamping experience, including bonfires, furnished yurts, yard games and anything you need to have a day outside with zero sacrifices for comfort. 

If you want to keep things more rustic, Cheesequake State Park, Beaver Pond Campground and Wildwood State Park all have simple tent camping under two hours from the city. 

Taste Bottles on an NYC Wine Tour

Long Island has a glowing reputation for quality wine that rivals other big-ticket wine regions worldwide. The Long Island wine region is full of local wineries with incredible taste, both in wine and ambiance.

On our Long Island Wine Tour From NYC, you can visit three top-rated vineyards, learn about the region’s history,  wander the grounds and taste some fantastic wines. These tours come with round-trip transportation, so nominating a designated driver is unnecessary!

With all of the unique outdoor adventures New York has to offer, you are sure to find some exciting memories in nature around the Big City. If you need help with recommendations, trip plans or escaping the city, reach out to our team! We’ll save you a seat on one of our many New York day trips.