I Want To Ride My Bicycle

For family-friendly rides around the city, visit the website of Bike New York, a local organization for city bikers which has guides to biking trails and routes (212-870-2080, bikenewyork.org). No worries if you don’t own a bike; these companies offer bike rentals near kid-friendly riding areas: Bike and Roll rents bikes in Battery Park, South Street Seaport, Pier 84 in Hudson River Park, and Governors Island (212-260-0400, bikeandroll.com); and Central Park Bike Tours is located on the northwest corner of 58th Street and Seventh Avenue (212-541-8759, centralparkbiketours.com).

Beach Bum

Jacob Riis Park, Queens This park offers a mile-long stretch of surf kids can swim in, plus ball courts, miniature golf, a boardwalk, playground and more. 718-318-4300, nyharborparks.org.

Midland Beach, Staten Island This beach is great for swimming and boasts concession stands, a playground, and the Sea Turtle Fountain (complete with sprinklers). It’s also close to South Beach, which is popular for its boardwalk and fishing pier. 718-987-0709, statenislandusa.com.

Sandy Hook, NJ It’s technically outside the city on the tip of the Jersey Shore, but it’s only a 40-minute ferry ride from Wall Street. The beautiful, well-kept park includes seven miles of ocean beaches, salt marshes and hiking trails. Check out Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the United States, and be sure to bring your Schwinns. Bikers of all ages will love Sandy Hook's trails, kept pristine by the non-profit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. 732-872-5970, sandy-hook.com. For ferry info: seastreak.com.

—Kristin Bankston

Mama Nature

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Encompassing 9,155 acres, the refuge comprises diverse habitats, including salt marsh, fields and woods, water ponds, and an open expanse of bay and islands. Over 325 species have been recorded here during the last 25 years! Jamaica Bay, Queens, 718-318-4340, nyharborparks.org.

Wave Hill A 28-acre public garden filled with strolling lawns shaded by trees, quiet woodland trails, lotus ponds, flower and herb gardens and a dramatic view of the Hudson River. West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx, 718- 549-3200, wavehill.org.

Alley Pond Environmental Center Rugged forested acreage filled with streams, marshes, and diverse wildlife. Take a casual stroll on the trails or enroll in one of the many family education programs. On June 7, brush up on the basics of bee keeping (now legal in New York City) with a presentation by experienced bee man, Ross Ber. 228-06 Northern Boulevard, Douglaston, Queens, 718-229-4000, alleypond.com.

Happy Campers

Whether it’s your final destination or a fun-filled stop on the way to your vacation venue, camping is a great way to spend uninterrupted time with the family and explore the great outdoors. Here are a few of our favorite campgrounds, all just a few hours from New York City.

The Delaware Water Gap

The Delaware Water Gap, located just an hour and a half from the city, offers campers spectacular views of the Appalachian Mountains, as well as a wide variety of family-friendly activities like boating, fishing and hiking.

Editor’s Pick: The Dingmans Campground, located in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania, offers 133 sites in a variety of settings and with amenities like clean water and electricity. The site has plenty of family packages, and hosts fairs and festivals throughout the summer. (dingmanscampground.com)

Bear Mountain State Park

Located near the Hudson River on the Appalachian Trail, this park features large fields, picnic areas, biking trails and swimming pools.

Editor’s Pick: Black Bear Campground in Orange County, New York, is a pet-friendly family oasis, complete with basketball courts, hayrides and much more. (blackbearcampground.com)

The Catskills

The Catskill Mountains offer a diverse range of adventures like hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing and more. For families that crave even more excitement, some areas even include safaris, water parks and scenic train rides!

Editor’s Pick: Mongaup Pond, located in Livingston Manor, New York, is a serene campground situated on a 120-acre lake. The remote location, dense forest and lake (perfect for swimming and boating!) are only a few of the area’s attractions. (dec.ny.gov)

KOA

Kampgrounds of America (KOA) operates campgrounds all over the country (there are 15 sites in New York alone!), and also offers campers a wide variety of housing options, including tent and RV sites, cabins, lodges and luxury condominiums. The site to visit first? Koa.com, which can not only help you pick a destination for your family, but also provides cookout recipes, craft projects, games for the road, safety suggestions and much more.

—Noelia De La Cruz

P.S.: Want to stay inside the city limits? The Urban Park Rangers host Family Camping nights throughout the summer months at parks in all five boroughs (including Central Park!). It’s a one-night campout (either Friday or Saturday), and they provide you with the tent, the cookout food, and the activities (such as hikes and stargazing)—all for free. BYO sleeping bag! If interested, you must enter an online lottery the Monday before—the pool closes within 24 hours. Visit nycgovparks.org.

Water Logged

FISHING

Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn A great destination for off-shore fishing, Sheepshead Bay has a fleet of around 50 boats for rent; prices range from $25-50.

Steeplechase Pier, Coney Island If you’d like to keep your feet on land, head to Coney Island, home to a diverse array of fish all year round. If the fish aren’t biting, Nathan’s hot dogs make for a tasty Plan B.

PSSSSST! If you and your family are first-time fishers, study up on New York fishing regulations before you hit the shores at dec.ny.gov.

KAYAKING

The Downtown Boathouse Begin your free kayaking adventure (vests and sunscreen included) from one of the Downtown Boathouse’s three locations (Pier 40, Pier 96 and 72nd Street.) Free lessons are provided on Wednesday nights for first-timers. (downtownboathouse.org)

Manhattan Kayak Company Located on Pier 66, this school offers safe kayak instruction, a wide variety of tours and even off-season storage. Tours vary in level of difficulty and range; prices range from $35-$225. (manhattankayak.com)

The New York Kayak Company Another great option for kayak beginners, The New York Kayak Company sells apparel and gear (as well as lessons and tours) at its Pier 40 location. Looking for a challenge? Try a stand-up paddle board class. (nykayak.com)

BOATING

Circle Line Sightseeing Hop on The Beast Speedboat Ride for an exciting 30-minute trip through the New York Harbor. You’ll fly by skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty at a whopping 45 miles per hour! (circleline42.com)

New York Water Taxi For something a bit more relaxing, New York Water Taxi offers a variety of sightseeing cruises, including the Audubon eco-cruise (a 90-minute flirtation with some of the city’s aviary dwellers) and the hop-on/hop-off boat. (nywatertaxi.com)

Staten Island Ferry The ferry’s breezy, 25-minute trip across the harbor will get you great photos of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Lower Manhattan, and it won’t cost you a penny! (siferry.com)

SAILING

Offshore Sailing School Offshore Sailing offers lessons (a two-hour excursion on the water) and courses (a 3-5 day course to get your sailing certification) from Chelsea Piers. (offshoresailing.com)

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Learn about the Hudson River’s eco-system, enjoy the water, and listen to music on a three-hour public sail. (clearwater.org)

—Brittany McNamara