27 Apr

Outdoor Activities Across NYC

When you think of New York City, do you think of the great outdoors? Or do you think of tall buildings and concrete? While most think of the latter, you can enjoy a surprising amount of fun and outdoor activities across NYC during Spring and Summer 2022. Starting in May, many outdoor attractions will start to open up for your enjoyment. With average NYC May temperatures between 67°F-75°F, it’s the perfect time to soak up the sun without dabbing sweat off your brow. Let’s go!

Outdoor Activities Across NYC for Spring and Summer 2022

Visit Little Island

Little Island is a new public park emerging from the Hudson River on Pier 55 at West 13th Street, near Chelsea and the West Village. Featuring mushroom-like support platforms, this new park called “Little Island” features gardens, overlooks, a 700-seat amphitheater and great places to relax with friends in nature. Every Wednesday at 6pm, Little Island will host “Sunset Sounds” concerts. Entering the park requires a free ticket reserved in advance. No reservation is required through May 12th. From May 12th through September 19th, you must book a free timed-entry reservation by clicking here. If you have a ticket to see a performance at Little Island, that ticket will also grant you entry to the park for that day – there is no need to reserve a Timed Entry ticket on top of your performance ticket. Visit https://littleisland.org/ for more information.

Reserve your own Mini Backyard on Pier 17

Starting May 1, you can order cocktails and tiny bites to eat while you soak up the sun with a beautiful view of the water right in New York City. At The Greens by the Seaport, you can sit up to 8 people in your own reserved 10×10 patch of “backyard.” Each of the thirty-two available mini backyard plots include a loveseat, lounge chairs, table and a large sun umbrella. For those of you looking for a more hearty meal, The Restaurant at the same location will provide a larger menu. Visit The Greens website and click “Secure your Spot” to reserve your yard now. Check their website for the most recent operating hours.

Walk down NYC’s Oldest Street

Stone Street Historical District is located in downtown NYC in the Financial District. Stone Street is the first road to be paved in New Amsterdam, which later became New York. It is a New York City treasure that is often overlooked. It is also a great area where you could spend an entire day seeing the World Trade Center, Wall Street, and the New York Stock Exchange.

There are many reasons to visit Stone Street including the area is pedestrian-only, it feels like walking through history and different from the rest of the city and there are delicious options for food and beverages. You’ll want to visit the area from Coenties Alley to Hanover Square, between S. William and Pearl streets. By subway, the closest stops are Wall Street station on the 2 or 3, South Ferry Station on the 1, Bowling Green Station on the 4 or 5, or Broad Street Station on the J or Z. For more information, click here to visit this lower manhattan tour guide’s informative website at thewallstreetexperience.com.

Open Boulevards / Open Streets

Open Streets / Open Boulevards in NYC is a program that started in 2020 and gained so much popularity that it is back again for 2022. During certain times during the day and night, streets are closed to traffic to enable people to enjoy fun outdoor activities. In 2022, the program expands to 164 streets across the five boroughs of NYC to provide you with the opportunity to enjoy farmers markets, restaurants, live music, kids sports classes, rolling book fairs and other programs throughout New York City. With locations through the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island, you’re bound to find a location that is convenient for your travel plans. For locations and hours, visit the NYC Department of Transportation website by clicking here. You can also learn more on the TimeOut New York website by clicking here.

See an Outdoor Movie

Starting May 1, you can begin viewing outdoor movies for free across NYC. Including some recent big name hits like Belfast, Encanto, and Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, you’re bound to find something you or your whole family will enjoy. Click here to see the movie schedule on the NYC parks website and learn more.

Visit NYC’s only Rooftop Vineyard

Rooftop Reds is an urban rooftop vineyard located in the heart of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Enjoy a variety of delicious wines, as well as other beverage options, pizza and light bites to eat. You must be 21 years old to enter and book a reservation for a specific time slot. Visit the Rooftop Reds website by clicking here to plan your trip and learn more.

Visit the High Line

The High Line is a public park built upon an old freight line. Stretching from Gansevoort to West 34th Street, you can enjoy gardens, art and food vendors, and some performances. It is located a short walk from The Leo House. It is open from 7am to 10pm. Visit their website at thehighline.org to learn more and plan your visit.

Visit South Street Seaport

Refreshed and renovated, the Seaport features an abundance of outdoorsy things to do right at the bottom tip of NYC. Visit the South Street Seaport Museum, listen to live music, visit NYC’s largest outdoor bar, go shopping, eat great food etc. Old cobblestone streets meet upscale and interesting new attractions by the water in the Seaport. Visit the Seaport website by clicking here.

Check Out Coney Island

If the beach, boardwalk and amusement park rides are more your speed, then you can spend the day at Coney Island in Brooklyn. Coney Island sets the scene for many movies, including Woody Allen’s Wonder Wheel starring Justin Timberlake and Kate Winslet (which was also partially filmed at The Leo House we might add). Coney Island offers the classic boardwalk-by-the-city appeal if you want to step away from the glamour of New York City to dig your toes into the sand. Click to visit nycgo.com to plan a day at Coney Island.

Go to the NYC USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

You can visit this aircraft carrier-turned museum on Pier 86 along the Hudson River to learn all about military and maritime history. Step foot on an actual aircraft carrier, submarine, military planes and the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Click here for more information and learn where to get tickets to visit the Intrepid Museum.

Learning about all the fun things to do in New York City puts us in the mood to travel. Where will you travel this year? Alway know you are welcome at The Leo House. Also, a referral from you is our highest form of recommendation. Please tell your friends about The Leo House so we can welcome them too.

Do you know of other outdoor activities across NYC? Want to share a link to your favorite travel blogger’s site? Please visit our Facebook page and post the link with a description in the comments.