Hire an Outdoor Guide:
It is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but if you’re journeying into New York State’s wilderness or unfamiliar waters for the first time, your first step should be hiring a licensed outdoor guide. Since 1891, the
New York State Outdoor Guide Association has been leading visitors on backpacking, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting and photography expeditions. They know just what you’re looking for (and most importantly—how to get there). (866) 469-7642
Hudson Valley Bike & Skate Sundays:
Entering its 35th year and back again by popular demand,
Bike & Skate Sundays turns the Bronx River Parkway in White Plains into a 14-mile mecca for cyclists and in-line skaters this spring and summer. Matching spandex outfits are not required (although you certainly won’t be the only one). There are multiple entrances and exits along the way, meaning riders and skaters can customize the length and difficulty of their route. It is a great way for a family to spend time together, enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise. (914) 864-PARK (7275)
The Boilermaker:
If you know a fitness junkie with something to prove, the
Boilermaker is a can’t-miss event unique to New York. The largest 15K road race in the nation, and consistently ranked as the most challenging, the Boilermaker has been hosting top runners from around the world for over 30 years. Fortunately for the rest of us, the finish line is in front of the century-old family-owned
Saranac Brewery, which still produces delicious Saranac beer—just the thing to pass whatever time it takes to run a 15K. Boilermaker: (315) 797-5838; Saranac Brewery: (800) 765-6288
Head Towards the Light:
The famous
Fire Island Lighthouse separates windswept beachfront summer retreats to the east from the protected dunes to the west on a narrow barrier of land between Long Island’s Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Spend the morning with a Park Ranger touring the working lighthouse, go for a guided hike into Long Island’s wilderness or just hit the beach and get lost in the warmth of the sun. (631) 661-4876
For Your Amusement—Sylvan Beach:
A trip to the lake is a journey back in time when you visit
Sylvan Beach on Oneida Lake. The amusement park has an original Galaxi roller coaster and many beautifully restored and maintained vintage thrill rides from the 1950s. The nostalgic appreciate Classic Car Cruise nights on Saturdays and Bikes at the Beach on Tuesdays throughout the spring and summer, while romantics find their heart’s desire walking on the sandy beach and watching the sun set over the lake. (315) 762-5212