Kayak Staten Island

Spread across 2,800 acres in the middle of Staten Island, this sprawling conservation area brings together forests, wetlands, and grasslands into one immersive landscape. Winter visits reveal a quieter, more contemplative side of the terrain—fewer crowds mean you can really sink into the stillness of the bare trees and frost-touched trails. The connected parks like LaTourette, Willowbrook, and High Rock each carve out their own character, where you might find yourself golfing, practicing archery, catching a baseball game, or tracking birds through the W. Davis Wildlife Refuge depending on the season. There's also a beloved carousel spinning year-round that draws families in for simple, timeless fun. Beyond the recreational side, the Conservancy runs environmental education programs, seasonal camps, and special events including concerts that shift with the calendar. Guided tours let you dig deeper into what makes each habitat tick and meet the creatures that call it home. Whether you're a local seeking refuge from the city's pace or traveling through, this green space delivers both adventure and peaceful escape.

Located on Staten Island 's North Shore Empire Zone. Built almost 75 Years ago, this theatre once housed 3,000 people and was a showcase for celebrities of that time and later, as a motion picture venue. It enjoyed a successful economic life from 1929 until the 1970’s. At that time, vaudeville was entertainment of a bygone era and multi-screen, small capacity motion picture theatres were cropping up throughout the island. Attempts were made to re-vitalize the theatre by using it as a flea market, an antique showroom, a night club, and skating rink. None of these lasted very long and many who remembered or heard fond stories of its past grandeur, wondered what would become of the beautiful St. George Theatre . Hope was raised in January 2001 when, in his State of the City address, then Mayor Rudolph Giuliani promised resources for the renovation of the St.George Theatre into a Performing Arts Center which would ensure revitalization into the entire neighborhood. Unfortunately, the tragic events of 9/11/01 understandably put a halt to these resources.

The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is a double-decked suspension bridge that connects the New York City boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn. It spans the Narrows, a body of water that separates the two boroughs, and is named after the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who was the first European to enter New York Harbor in 1524. The bridge was designed by Othmar Ammann, who was also the chief engineer of the George Washington Bridge, and was completed in 1964. At the time of its completion, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world with a main span of 4,260 feet. The bridge has six lanes of traffic on the upper level and three on the lower level, and is a major transportation link for commuters and commercial vehicles. The bridge also offers a spectacular view of the New York City skyline and the harbor. The bridge's opening ceremony was attended by various dignitaries including Robert Moses, the powerful NYC Parks commissioner and urban planner who had pushed for the construction of the bridge. The bridge is considered as an engineering marvel and a significant transportation link in the New York City.

Family Fun and Open Skate Hours

The Staten Island Zoo, also known as the Staten Island Children's Museum, is a zoo located in Staten Island, New York. The zoo was founded in 1936 and is home to over 1,200 animals from around the world. The zoo's mission is to educate visitors about the importance of preserving wildlife and the natural world.<br/> The zoo features a wide variety of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Some of the most popular exhibits include the African Savanna, which features zebras, giraffes, and ostriches, and the Rainforest, which is home to monkeys, parrots, and tropical fish. The zoo also has several aquariums, including one that features sea turtles and another that is home to a variety of sharks.<br/> The zoo also has an extensive education program, offering classes and programs for visitors of all ages, as well as a summer camp. These programs aim to educate visitors about the importance of preserving wildlife and the natural world.<br/> The Staten Island Zoo is a great destination for families and animal lovers. Its location in Staten Island provides a great opportunity for visitors to explore the area and to take in the beauty of New York City from a different perspective. The zoo also has a playground and a carousel which makes it a great place to spend the day with kids.<br> The zoo is open year-round and there is an admission fee to enter the zoo. However, the zoo offers free admission on Wednesdays during the winter months. The zoo is easily accessible by public transportation, and there is also a large parking lot on site.

Visit Astoria Park this Spring YYYY ##000630 ##000000 Astoria Park has more than only aquatic delights, despite being well-known for its exquisite pool—which is the oldest and biggest in the city. Attractions such as baseball diamonds, basketball courts, playgrounds, a track, a bandstand, and several pathways draw people from the five boroughs and beyond. And the vistas! The park, which is situated between the Triborough Bridge and the Hell Gate Bridge and borders the East River, provides year-round views and sounds of the waterfront, making the benches around the park a popular gathering place.

Socrates Sculpture Park was an abandoned riverside landfill and illegal dumpsite until 1986 when a coalition of artists and community members, under the leadership of artist Mark di Suvero, transformed it into an open studio and exhibition space for artists and a neighborhood park for local residents. Today it is an internationally renowned outdoor museum and artist residency program that also serves as a vital New York City park offering a wide variety of public services.

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is located in Flushing, in the New York City borough of Queens and has been the home of the US Open Grand Slam tennis tournament played every year in August and September. According to the United States Tennis Association, the center is the largest public tennis facility in the world with 22 courts inside the facility and 11 more in the adjoining park. All 33 courts have used the DecoTurf cushioned acrylic surface since the facility was built in 1978. Source: en.wikipedia.org

This non-profit center encourages environmental and educational awareness. A Long Island oasis, it advocates sustainable environmental policies and practices. Entrance and parking are free! The nature trails have many environments to be explored. Some of these include ponds and salt marshes where one can see shore birds and many small animals. Alley Pond Park, in which this New York attraction is located, also features a children’s adventure course; New York City's largest ropes course, a zip-line, a rock-climbing wall, and balance platforms in a beautiful woodland setting. There are many places to BBQ, run, bike and watch birds. The park itself sits on a beautiful 657 acres. Easily accessible from virtually any neighborhood in the city by car, bicycle or public transportation, there is every reason to come and spend a day relaxing, learning and exploring in this sublimely serene setting. A slice of paradise right here in Queens, it is home to the tallest tree in New York City, known as the “Queens Giant”, a tulip poplar approximately 350-450 years old and a stunning 133 feet tall. You can also dip your toes in Oakland Lake, 15,000 year old glacial pond fed by underground springs. It’s easy to lose the cares of the day in the beauty of this vast, colorful and unique Queens natural attraction.

Escape into 39 acres of blooming gardens where roses, herbs, and seasonal flowers create a peaceful retreat from the city's pace. This verdant sanctuary celebrates the diverse cultures of Queens while offering the perfect summer backdrop for a leisurely stroll, picnic, or quiet moment surrounded by nature.

Chat with Mario - live at Nintendo World! Take a break from your holiday shopping to stop by and chat with Mario until January 6th. Ask Mario what his life is like in the Mushroom Kingdom. Check the calendar for dates and times of Mario's appearance in the store.<br/> In the heart of Manhattan, right in Rockefeller Plaza, people flock from all over the globe to visit, play, and shop at this one of a kind Nintendo World Store, a 10,000 square foot gaming paradise. Guests have a compelling in-store experience when they take a tour conducted by one of their Ambassadors, who are very enthusiastic Nintendo fans, always happy to share their knowledge with the visitors. The store staff can guide you through each of the interactive gaming areas, provide hands-on gaming demonstrations, show you their selection of Pokémon merchandise, help you find the right sized Nintendo-themed t-shirts and provide a bit of history by explaining the items in the store, absolutely free of charge. Come talk to Mario about Life in the Mushroom Kingdom; ask an Ambassador to demonstrate how AR Cards work; meet Sean, the resident Pokémon Trainer; bring your Nintendo 3DS and join up to six players in local or online multi-player battles when you participate in the Kid Icarus Tournament; take a picture with a life-sized Mario; take a look at the store selection of exclusive youth, ladies and men’s apparel, featuring your favorite Nintendo characters. Check out their schedule in advance to participate in the activities listed above to experience endless entertainment. By Ruth Cohen.

Start YYYY in style with hot new end-of-year releases at the NBA Store. <br/> ##000221 ##000000 GET IN THE GAME!!! The NBA Store in Manhattan is your one stop shop for everything related to the NBA and provides fans with one of the most fulfilling shopping and entertainment experiences available in New York City. Whether you are a Knick fan, a Laker fan or any fan, the NBA store has your team’s gear at great prices. The sprawling 35,000 square foot store doesn’t just do team licensed gear but also has all of the basketball shoes you need to lace up and head to the court. Of course, if you are in the Manhattan store you don’t have to go far as part of the experience involves trying out your gear on the indoor half-court officially endorsed by the NBA. The fun doesn’t stop there - the store also has a consistent array of multimedia presentations that take you away from a basic shopping experience and instead puts you in front of 50,000 screaming fans on the court of your dreams. For a shopping experience like no other and a chance to look exactly like your favorite basketball heroes, look no further than the NBA Store in Manhattan!

Walking through Lower Manhattan's quietest corners, you'll find two sprawling reflecting pools set into the exact ground where the Twin Towers rose. Nearly an acre each, these basins hold the continent's most impressive manmade waterfalls, their cascading waters creating a meditative soundscape even on winter's coldest days. The chill air and bare trees somehow intensify the gravity of what you're standing within. Every single name—nearly 3,000 lives lost during the 2001 attacks, plus the six who died in the 1993 bombing—has been etched into bronze edging the pools. Running your fingers along these inscriptions in the winter frost connects you directly to the scale of loss that unfolded here and at the Pentagon, as well as in Shanksville. Michael Arad and Peter Walker's design emerged from over 5,200 submissions worldwide to create something that honors both the civilians and rescue workers whose courage defined that day.

Walk through the halls of this contemplative space nestled at the World Trade Center site, where the September 11th Families' Association has created a meaningful hub for anyone touched by the events of that day. The center draws together families, survivors, neighbors, rescue workers, and volunteers in quiet remembrance and shared experience. Inside, you'll encounter personal stories of the 2,973 lives lost, alongside accounts of the extraordinary rescue and recovery efforts that followed. Exhibits and artifacts chronicle both the tragedy and the wave of compassion that emerged from it. Winter visits bring a particular stillness to the space—fewer crowds, softer light filtering through—that invites deeper reflection and connection with the historical record. The mission here centers on gathering together information, testimony, and objects that illuminate what happened, who was affected, and how a city rebuilt itself through collective resolve. Whether you're retracing family history, educating yourself about this pivotal moment, or simply honoring the courage of first responders, this resource offers a dignified setting for those conversations. The center preserves not just tragedy, but the enduring strength that emerged in its wake.

Picture yourself standing 70 stories above Manhattan's bustling streets, where the winter air carries the scent of roasting chestnuts from the plaza below. This sprawling 22-acre complex rises from Midtown with 19 interconnected buildings that emerged during the economic uncertainty of the early 1930s, financed entirely by John D. Rockefeller in what became the era's most ambitious private construction undertaking. Art Deco elegance flows through every corner—sculptural details, intricate tilework, and hand-painted murals adorn facades that tell the story of Depression-era optimism. The 70-story centerpiece commanded the title of world's tallest structure when it opened in 1933, and it remains the visual anchor of the entire composition. Walk through today and you'll find yourself moving between high-end boutiques, diverse dining spots, and live entertainment venues. The iconic ice rink transforms the plaza into a winter wonderland each season, surrounded by the towering evergreen that's become synonymous with the holidays. Broadcasting studios operate continuously within the complex—this is where countless television productions come to life. Head up to the Top of the Rock and windows on all sides reveal sweeping views across all five boroughs. What started as a bold financial gamble has woven itself into New York's cultural identity. The center pulses with commercial activity while standing as a testament to the city's ability to dream big and rebuild stronger, generation after generation.

Wander through habitats housing creatures you'd never encounter otherwise and let curiosity guide your steps through this sprawling Brooklyn animal sanctuary. The pathways wind close enough to observe behaviors you'd miss from a distance, whether watching a lion's commanding presence or a smaller creature's surprising quirks. Families find themselves naturally drawn into the rhythm of the day here, surrounded by the raw energy of the animal kingdom. Kids gravitate toward the discovery center to practice hands-on animal care under supervision, applying real techniques on live residents. The young naturalist area invites visitors to role-play a camping experience—complete with mock campfire cooking and wildlife identification using field guides. Come spring and summer when the sea lions are particularly receptive, feeding time becomes an interactive highlight that animals and visitors alike seem to anticipate. Weekend visits unlock conversations with zookeepers who share insider stories about animal personalities and daily routines. Winter visits carry their own quiet appeal, with crisp air and fewer crowds creating an intimate atmosphere for observation. There's genuine variety woven throughout—different experiences at every turn, different lessons waiting around each corner, different reasons to return.

The purpose of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse, a 501c3 non-profit, is to promote human-powered boating and safe public access to the Brooklyn waterfront, to provide opportunities for people to learn about and participate in human-powered boating, and to promote environmentally sound policies that provide for and sustain human-powered boating in New York harbor.

Just a short ferry ride from Red Hook, this 172-acre island transforms into a vibrant summer destination with rolling hills offering stunning harbor views, historic military landmarks like Castle Williams and Fort Jay, and creative outdoor art installations. Hammock Grove invites you to kick back in one of 50+ suspended hangouts, while playgrounds, sports courts, and lush green spaces provide endless ways to spend the day. The island hosts year-round events including concerts, festivals, and outdoor movie nights, all accessible via free ferry service from Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Prospect Park is a public park located in Brooklyn, New York. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park in Manhattan. Prospect Park covers 526 acres and offers a wide range of recreational opportunities for visitors. The park features several notable attractions, including the Long Meadow, a 90-acre meadow that is popular for picnics and sunbathing; the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a 52-acre garden that features a variety of plants, flowers, and trees; and the Prospect Park Zoo, which is home to over 300 species of animals. The park also has several lakes and ponds, including the Lullwater, which is popular for boating and fishing. Prospect Park also offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors, including bike and boat rentals, horse-drawn carriage rides, and ice skating in the winter. The park is also home to several playgrounds, sports fields, and courts for basketball, soccer, and handball. The park is also home to several cultural institutions such as the Lefferts Historic House, the Prospect Park Carousel and the Brooklyn Museum, which is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country. The park also hosts various events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and outdoor movie screenings.<br/> Prospect Park is easily accessible by public transportation, with several subway and bus lines stopping at the Prospect Park station, which is located at the park's main entrance. The park also has several parking lots for those who choose to drive.<br/> Prospect Park is a great place to spend a day with family and friends, with something for everyone to enjoy, and is considered as one of Brooklyn's most popular and important public spaces.

Red Hook Boaters is a community of boating enthusiasts located in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The organization provides affordable access to the waterfront for local residents and visitors, offering a variety of boating programs, classes, and events. Members have access to the organization's fleet of sailboats, kayaks, and rowboats, as well as the use of the boathouse facilities, which include a classroom and meeting space. The organization's mission is to promote boating as a means of connecting with the waterfront and fostering a sense of community among its members. They also focus on educating and training members on safety and boating skills, as well as promoting environmental stewardship on the water.<br/> Red Hook Boaters offers a variety of programs including youth sailing, adult sailing classes, and community sailing events. They also participate in local regattas and races, and host events such as on-water BBQs and full-moon paddles.<br/> In addition to boating activities, Red Hook Boaters also advocates for public access to the waterfront and works with local organizations and government agencies to improve boating infrastructure and facilities in the area. Overall, it is a great place for boating enthusiasts to come together and enjoy their passion for boating in the heart of Brooklyn.

Lace up and glide across fresh ice right here in the Bronx—this recently opened rink welcomes skaters every single day of the week, from wobbly first-timers to seasoned blades. Whether you're looking to join group lessons tailored to your skill or just want to cruise around on your own, there's something for everyone from kids through adults. Winter's the perfect time to experience that crisp rink atmosphere, and you can catch open skating sessions throughout the colder months whenever the mood strikes.

Home to the New York Yankees since 2009, this state-of-the-art ballpark in the Bronx delivers an unforgettable game day experience with world-class amenities and stunning views. Catch a summer game in one of baseball's most iconic venues, or dive deeper with the Yankee Inside Experience, which includes a meet-and-greet with a current player, guided stadium tour, and buffet lunch. Built across from the original stadium at a cost of $1.5 billion, it stands as one of the most impressive sports facilities ever constructed.

The best way to connect to nature in New York City is by visiting the Bronx Zoo, the world’s largest urban zoo. With world-class exhibits such as the Wild Asian Monorail, the Tiger Mountain, the Congo Gorilla Forest and the newest exhibit, Madagascar, the Bronx Zoo features more than 600 different species, including mammals, birds, reptiles & amphibians and insects. Check the daily schedule of feedings and enrichment demonstrations and then customize your trip with their interactive trip planner. Find your inner animal on the Animal Activity Trail; watch amazing aerial tricks at the World of Birds; experience a very unique form of New York City transit when you ride a camel around Wild Asia Plaza; feed and watch Magellanic penguins come out of their dens and bob for fish; watch one of the most popular attractions, the Sea Lion feeding and training demonstration; visit the Butterfly Garden, a wild meadow and spacious greenhouse where you can identify different butterflies, smell the flowers and learn how to plant a nectar-rich garden. No matter how you plan your trip to the Bronx Zoo.

The New York Botanical Gardens is a premier educational institution. Located just a brisk 25 minute bicycle ride from Sound View Park via Dr. Theodore Kazimiroff Blvd, this NYC attraction is surprisingly bicycle accessible and encourages travel as such. The Gardens offers many educational programs including the opportunity to graduate with certificates in botany, floral design and horticulture, just to name a few. Ongoing hands-on gardening activities for the whole family are also available, so check their schedule online, or just give them a call. The Everett Children’s Adventure Garden is a year-round world of its own, boasting mazes, larger than life flowers, and many real time activities for your curious explorer. A prize bloom in the collection of Bronx attractions, it also actively participates in community outreach programs that expand nutritional education. Make sure you check out the Green Market, which carries a variety of produce available for purchase. Health-related screenings offered the 2nd Wednesday of every month by staff from both Montefiore Medical Center and St. Barnabas Hospital are another of the services that demonstrates their involvement in the surrounding communities. Their dedication to the conservation of the plants and fungi of the world through various scientific research associations places them on the world map.

In 1960, the Perkins-Freeman family deeded Wave Hill to the City of New York; Wave Hill, Inc., was formed in 1965 as a non-profit corporation. Today, as one of 33 City-owned cultural institutions, Wave Hill provides an oasis of serenity and offers programs in Horticulture, Environmental Education, Woodland Management and the Visual and Performing Arts. Through the arts and sciences, Wave Hill seeks to foster connections between people and nature.