Spring Break is fast approaching; I know it's hard to tell through the cloud of midterms, but a much needed break is on its way! If you don't know what you are doing yet, don't fret, I can help. With New York City being almost entirely devoid of outdoor activities, the relocated outdoorsmen/women can start to get the concrete blues (especially in the winter). So drag your black-wearing, brunch-hoping, clothing-shopping city friends out to these close by nature havens for some much needed connection to the greenery missing from NYC.
Where: Secret (ish) Parks Around New York
Price: $2.75 by Metro
There are plenty of small, little known parks around New York City that can be relaxing and fun to explore if you don't have time to venture very far from the east village. Curbed New York has a great guide to secret gardens and parks around NYC that will give you something a little less familiar than central park or good old WSP. Venture to the Atrium at the Ford Foundation or Alice's Garden. They are all located in the five boroughs and can be accessed by public transportation (yay cheap!). This isn't exactly nature per say, but it can be fun and cool to check out if you are stuck in the city because of a busy job/internship over the break.
Where: Ward Pound Ridge
Price: $109 ($84/day)
Ward Pound Ridgeis an amazing park located in Westchester county. From the city, the best way to get there would be to drive and rent a ZipCar that is $84 a day, plus a $25 dollar first time application fee if you haven't used the service before. ZipCars are fun and reliable and you can rent the car for up to seven days, so if you want to camp at the site and explore more places around Westchester thats an option as well. You can longboard downhill on empty country roads, hike the many trails, camp, or even set up a barbecue.
Where: Bear Mountain State Park
Price: $48.50
Bear Mountain State Park is only 45 minutes away from the city but you will feel like you are in a whole other world. Take the Hudson line to Peekskill station (45 mins, round-trip $21.50–$28.50) and then a 15-minute cab ride to Bear Mountain (around $20). The trails vary a lot in difficulty; the most challenging being the Appalachian trail. The views are beautiful and there are spots to set up a picnic if you want to spend the full day in the park.
Where: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Price: $2.75 (each way)
A birdwatcher's paradise perfect for any fan of the outdoors lies right in Queens, just take the A train to Broad Channel (about 55 minutes) and then either walk the 25 minutes to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge or take the A to Rockaway Blvd and hop on the Q53 bus for 3 stops (here is a link to clearer directions). The Refuge is a sanctuary for native species and would be not only beautiful to look at, but educational as well. There are a bunch of events in March to jumpstart spring which you can take a look at here.
Where: Jersey Highlands
Price: $13.75 dollars each way for an NJ transit ticket from port authority
Dare to be exotic? Venture out of state to New Jersey and hike the Surprise Lake Loop in the Jersey Highlands! This hike is around 6 miles and moderately challenging. Scenic views and, you guessed it, a surprise lake are in the cards on this lovely hike through New York's neighboring state. To get to this spot take New Jersey Transit Bus 197 from Port Authority to the Greenwood Lake Park and ride near the trailhead. The whole trip will take you about two hours, but it is well worth it!
