At first, New York City might not appear to be a mecca for outdoor adventure, but city dwellers may be surprised to find just how many activities are just a quick subway ride away. In the midst of our urban jungle, waves, rides, and trails abound. Seeking the best local intel on where to pedal, paddle, surf and reconnect with nature this summer, we caught up with OutdoorFest’s Sarah Knapp for her five favorite tips in NYC and just beyond.
Escape by Bike to the Old Putnam Trail
While traffic lights and potholes can plague NYC cyclists, the “Old Put,” a path next to an old rail line, offers smooth riding and gorgeous views. Starting in Van Cortlandt Park, the flat trail meanders north through Westchester up to the Captain Lawrence Brewery. Relax with a beer before catching Metro-North home.
Hikers and Trail Runners Hit the Jackpot at the Staten Island Greenbelt
With over 35 miles of tree-lined trails and zero noise pollution, the Staten Island Greenbelt offers 3,000 acres of forested land to explore. Accessible from the Staten Island Ferry, then the S61 bus or bike, the Greenbelt is one of the city’s best places to spend a peaceful afternoon.
Aquatic Bliss on the Hudson River
Living on an island means you’re surrounded by plenty of aquatic adventures. Whether by kayak, sailboat, canoe or stand up paddleboard, you can easily explore NYC from a completely different perspective. Try the Manhattan Community Boathouse for a free paddle.
NYC’s Beach Town, Rockaway Beach
Queens has its very own bustling beach town complete with surf shops, taco stands, sunbathers and the Riis Beach Bazaar. Rockaway Park offers surf camps and lessons for every level.
Car-Free Fun on Governors Island
Though it’s definitely not wilderness, Governors Island’s car-free roads and parks provide an easy escape that doesn’t include horns or sirens, just yoga, jazz festivals, frisbees, fantastic food and now Citi Biking. The Trust for Governors Island works with local organizations to provide summer programming that is mostly free.
Photo credits: Dan Nguyen, Gotham Bicycle Tours, Dorothy Reilly, Allison Berman
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram