If there’s one thing we know about
kids, is that they love adventures, especially in the summertime! With that in
mind, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite nearby destinations for physical
activity in the great outdoors, from hikes to kayaking to oyster shucking. So
slap on some sunscreen and bug spray and pack some healthful snacks; it’s
adventure time!
-The Delaware Water Gap:
Right on the
border of
and even rafting. The Middle Delaware is one of the cleanest rivers around, so
it’s perfect for rafting, canoeing, swimming, tubing, fishing and more. Kids will also love watching the massive
watershed at work. Once you get there, check out Adventure Sports, (a staple of the area since 1969, has kayak and boat rentals and organized trips down the river) or Pack Shack
(another long established company, Pack Shack is just minutes from the
Appalachian Trail, this adventure company and store offers canoeing,
rafting, kayaking, and tubing on the river, as well as backpacking,
rock climbing and trail treks on land) to get you started.
playing field, a pond, a swimming pool, a zoo and tons of hiking and biking
trails. The
at the top of
breathtaking views of the incredible natural surroundings, and kids will love
the Merry-Go-Round at the park, which features 42-hand-crafted nature-dwelling
creatures, like a black bear, a swan, a fox and even a skunk! The park also
boasts playgrounds, gift shops, boat rentals and a museum and visitor’s center.
–
Six Flags Great Adventure: Only an hour outside the city and boasting more
action-packed rides and attractions than you could fit in several days, this
amusement park is an active oasis for families. If you feel like getting wet,
the park has over a dozen family water rides including a lazy river. It even
has multiple “thrill” rides for the older kids and adventure seekers of the
family. Tickets start at $35 but you can take your munchkins under two for
free.
setting, plentiful water sports and exciting nightlife make it a popular
destination for young adults, but it’s also a great place for families who want
to immerse themselves in the great outdoors. Families can partake in hiking,
biking, beach volleyball, and tennis, and that’s just on land! Hop into the
water for surfing, swimming, kayaking, boating, sailing and even clamming! After
all that action, end your family’s day on the famous boardwalk at sunset and
take in the scenic view. fireisland.com
wildlife conservatories, and yes, oysters! In fact, 90 percent of the country’s
oyster harvest is produced here. So if you decide to
take the trip, don’t leave until your kids have tried them! (The annual Oyster Festival is held here each
year in October, a great event for fish-loving families.) Other highlights of
the town include the
playgrounds and more) and several beaches, complete with boardwalks and seaside
playgrounds. oysterbaytown.com
-The Catskill Mountains:
The Catskills offer magnificent views of the landscape,
America
they’ll never want to leave.
-Mo
significance; its lighthouse was authorized by the second congress under
President Washington and a radar was built at the sight during the Cold War. If
you have any little history buffs, this is the perfect place for them.
-White Post Farms: White Post Farms, a
generations, has tons of fun for animal lovers, as it has an indoor and outdoor
animal farm, a pony ride and a petting zoo. Your kids will be able to spot an
American Buffalo, a Tibetan Yak, a Grevy Zebra and an Oryx Antelope, among many
other new and exciting animals. Kids will love the water bouncer and dry
bouncer—the water bouncer has wet and wild slides, and the dry bouncer has
games, castles and more for exploring—the Animal Band Jamboree show (which
happens every 15 minutes), a mud-free playground, a huge beachy sandbox and a
Mining Village with hands-on activities. Plus, parents will appreciate White
Post’s gourmet flower and farm market and the scenic Pond View Café.
Country Rd
–Matt Thaler
Take A Hike:
Hiking
Jamaica
Bay Wildlife Refuge: The wide, level 1.8-mile loop around scenic West Pond
in the rustic
introduction to hiking. For more info, 718-318-4340.
Native Forest, New York Botanical Garden:
Fifty acres of Yosemite-size timber, the largest tract of virgin forest left in
York City
roses. Easy trails meander amid centuries-old trees beside the restored
Old Croton Aqueduct Trail:
A wide, easy path traces the linear route of
interesting 5.5 miles run from
visitor center) north to
Croton Reservoir). For more info, 914-693-5259.
Shore Trail, Palisades
Interstate Park: This waterfront path on the
Englewood Picnic Area and walk north, following the white trail blazes. For
more info, 201-768-1360.
David Weld Sanctuary: Easy trails through The Nature
Conservancy’s compact 125-acre preserve near Nissequogue, Long Island (north of
Smithtown), run past swamps, fields, shoreline bluffs and examples of the
region’s glacier-scarred geologic past. For more info, 631-367-3225.
Staten Island Greenbelt
Trails: The
all-urban parks. Take a walk on one of its 6 trails ranging from 1 to 12.3
miles long. Open daily, dawn to dusk,
John Kieran Trail: Created in 1987 in honor of the famed
naturalist and newspaperman, this 1.25 mile trail journey’s through Van
Cortlandt Park’s lake area and freshwater wetlands. Van Cortlandt Park,
Broadway and
South
Preserve Trail: A 3 mile trail among numerous others winding through the
native hardwood forest in
— Skip Card and Brittany McNamara
