Living in New York, especially in Manhattan, it’s very easy to get trapped indoors. After all, it’s hard to call it “going outside” when you can walk a half mile and not see any grass. What I’ve found personally is that I have to decide to go outside, and although it may seem like there aren’t many ways to really accomplish that, I promise you that you can find greenery in the cracks of this concrete jungle. Additionally, most outdoor activities in the city are cheap, if not free, which is a real plus for a college student in addition to the mental health benefits. Outdoor activities span natural and unnatural, and I’m going to give a couple of examples everywhere on the spectrum.
One of the most “natural” choices and one of the most common outdoor options in the city is parks. Of New York City parks, Central Park is the most popular and the most iconic. Central Park is perfectly manicured, and you can walk for hours and still find new things. It’s an excellent option if you’re in Manhattan and need to see some green.
Photo from Central Park Conservatory
If you want something even more natural than that, then my personal favorite is Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Prospect Park hosts the bulk of Brooklyn’s indigenous forests and sits directly across from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. While you still have skyscrapers around you in Central Park, you can hide from the city in Prospect Park. If you stand in the center of the park, you can do a 360-degree turn and NOT see a building! Additionally, Prospect Park hosts “Dog Beach,” where dog owners can bring their dogs to take a swim in one of Prospect Park’s many ponds. It may just be the happiest place on Earth.
Photo from Brooklyn Paper
The final park that I recommend is The High Line. The High Line is on the West side of Manhattan and is a converted elevated railroad. It spans a mile-and-a-half and, on top of being a gorgeous walk where you get to admire both architecture and trees, it’s a very efficient way to travel up the West side of the city. It’s also well-paved and handicap accessible, which is a real plus!
Photo from The High Line
Next, moving away from parks and natural beauty, I recommend farmers’ markets. This option is pricier than a simple park, but can be a lot of fun. There are farmers’ markets all throughout the city, but my personal favorites are in Union Square and Chelsea. If you want some fresh produce or some funky jewelry, then you’re in the right place, and even if you’re just looking, it’s definitely fun.
Finally, the least natural option on the list is The Brooklyn Bridge. For most Pace students, this is a given, but walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a fun, easy way to get some sun. Being 6,000 feet long, it’s pretty decent exercise, and along the way, you get some excellent views and the chance to see some cool art. It’s a win-win! It’s easy not to get enough sunlight and vitamin D, but a stroll across the Bridge is excellent for a simple recharge. Additionally, if you cross to the Brooklyn side, there is a cute little pizza joint called Juliana’s just waiting there for you, and in my opinion, they have some of the best pizza in the city.
No matter how you spin it, we could all probably get outside more, and now that it’s warming up, we have no excuse to do so. Whether you’re a nature buff trying to stay alive in the city or you are a hermit trying to stay inside, there are options for everyone. You just have to do some searching to find the right one for you!
Feature image via Wikipedia and Creative Commons