7 Outdoor Things to Do in NYC – Tips From a Local

Winter is almost upon us and we’re in the middle of a pandemic. That might make you think that you’re going to be stuck at home for the next few months. But even if the weather is turning colder, it doesn’t mean you have to stop exploring.

There are plenty of fun, outdoor things to do in NYC to satisfy your wanderlust. Even better? All of these activities are safe things to do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

So layer up, put on a warm winter hat, pack those hand warmers, and get ready to check out all of my recommendations of great outdoor things to do in NYC.

Walk the High Line in Chelsea

Did you know that the High Line is one of the top 10 tourist destinations in NYC? Not that I’m surprised! Walking the High Line is one of those things that both tourists and locals love to do in NYC.

For those of you who don’t know, the High Line is a 14.5 mile long elevated park that was created from a dilapidated, elevated railway track. The track extends downtown from 34^th Street to Gansevoort Street. From 1934 – 1980, the track was used by freight trains delivering meat and produce to factories and warehouses on the far west side of Manhattan. Today, it’s a place where nature, art, and design intersect.

Due to the pandemic, visiting hours and regulations for the High Line have changed, so make sure you check the website for accurate and up to date information. Admission is free, but you either need to make a reservation online or try to get one of the limited number of day-of passes at the entrance. You are required to wear a face-covering while in the park and socially distance yourself from others.

Visit the Vessel at Hudson Yards

If you’re looking for outdoor things to do in NYC, the Vessel at Hudson Yards is a must! This centerpiece of Hudson Yards is one of the coolest new structures in the city. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studio, the structure is made up of 154 interconnecting staircases, with almost 2500 individual steps and 80 platforms.

My friend and I went on a brisk and sunny Saturday and we had no trouble getting tickets. We also appreciated how easy it was to distance ourselves from others because they limit the number of people who can enter the structure at a given time.

For same-day, timed-entry free tickets, you can get them from one of the many onsite kiosks starting at 9:30 am. For future dates, tickets are available online which can be booked up to 14 days in advance. A limited number of flex pass tickets are also available at $10 per person. With these tickets, a visitor can book a ticket up to 6 months in advance and arrive anytime on the day of their ticket to access the Vessel.

Related: 5 Great Fall Day Trips from NYC

Stroll the Charming Streets of the West Village

 Ok, I’m probably biased about this activity because I called the West Village home for 10 years. However, strolling the streets of the West Village is on this list because it is one of the quintessential neighborhoods of NYC. How could you not fall in love with its cobblestoned streets and historic charm?

You can easily while away an afternoon in this quaint neighborhood, checking out the Federal-style townhouses, designer boutiques, and trendy restaurants. And don’t forget about iconic landmarks like the Village Vanguard jazz club and the Stonewall Inn bar, where the 1969 riots sparked the gay rights movement. This historic neighborhood is a must-see for anyone visiting NYC!

My favorite haunts in the West Village include Jack’s Coffee (on the border of Greenwich Village and the West Village), Joseph Leonard on Waverly Place for brunch and dinner, L’Artusi for elevated Italian food, Cafe Cluny for a cozy and casual neighborhood vibe, and the White Horse Tavern for beer and pub food. Some popular newcomers which plan to have heated outdoor seating throughout the winter months are American Bar, Dante, and Don Angie. 

Shop the Union Square Farmer’s Market

Of all the markets I’ve been to all over the world, the Union Square Farmer’s Market is still my favorite. Maybe it’s because shopping there was a weekly ritual for me when I first moved to NYC. Or maybe it’s the incredible bounty of produce, meats, cheese, bread, plants, flowers, and wine that are available every week. Or perhaps it’s the fact that you can easily rub shoulders with the many famous NYC chefs who also shop there. Actually, it’s all of the above!

Even if you aren’t in the market for fresh produce, it’s still a great outdoor thing to do in NYC. The market is open year-round on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. It’s located on the north and west sides of Union Square, located between 17^th and 14^th streets in downtown Manhattan. It is free to enter. Masks are required and booths are more separated now to help maintain social distancing.

Related: NYC, What’s Next for the City I Love?

Ice Skate in Bryant Park

Yes, there’s The Rink at Rockefeller Center and the Wollman Rink in Central Park. But when I go ice skating, I always go to The Rink at Winter Village in Bryant Park because it feels the most festive. Ringed by skyscrapers in the heart of midtown, the rink’s setting is quintessential NYC. Plus, The Rink at Winter Village is the only free admission skating rink in NYC. (You do have to pay for skate rentals).

Skating is open daily through the season (Oct 31^st – March 7^th), including holidays. This year, they’ve made changes to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online booking is now required for all skating reservations. The skate time you book will be a timed session to reduce crowds on The Rink.

If you don’t skate, there’s also the surrounding Winter Village. It has shopping kiosks set up to mimic the famous Christmas markets in Europe. And make sure you check out the Lodge Deck. It’s a seasonal restaurant with a great view of The Rink. They have plenty of festive cocktails and hot toddies on the menu, along with some nibbles.

Explore Strivers’ Row in Harlem

Another great outdoor activity to do in NYC is a stroll through Strivers’ Row, which is part of Harlem’s historic district. Located at West 138^th and West 139^th streets between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, this famous neighborhood got its name from the well-to-do and prominent Harlemites who called these stately townhouses home.

Construction of the row houses began in the 1890s, but it wasn’t until the 1920s that African-Americans could live there. The red brick buildings on the south side of West 138^th Street are designed in the Georgian Revival style. The yellow brick and limestone terracotta homes on the north side of West 138^th and the south side of West 139^th are built in the Colonial Revival style. And finally, the homes on the north side of West 139^th are designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival style. It’s worth visiting this district to see one of the architectural gems of New York City. 

People Watch in Washington Square Park

Finally, one of my all-time favorite outdoor things to do in NYC is to sit on a bench in Washington Square Park and people watch. Why? Because this park, in the heart of Greenwich Village, has no shortage of interesting people from all walks of life.

Seriously. I’ve seen couples doing the tango, musicians giving solo performances, friends dipping their feet in the main fountain, little kids chasing pigeons, and the regulars playing chess. It’s almost as if you’ve walked on the set of a Hollywood movie about NYC, except it’s real!

So grab a cup of coffee at one of the many nearby coffee shops. Find a seat in the park, and settle in to observe a real slice of NYC life.

Things To Do in NYC – What’s On Your List?

Are you ready to add some of these iconic locations to your list of things to do in NYC? I hope so!

Not only are these destinations great places to explore, but they also provide a safe way for you and your family to have fun. All of these activities are outside and you can keep your masks on, which means a much lower risk of exposing yourself to the virus.

So, don’t fret that winter is upon us. Just bundle up (layers + layers!), put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes, and get out of the house. NYC is waiting for you!

And if you’re looking to get out of the city, check out these posts:

Weekend Getaway: Safe Places to Stay in the Catskills During COVID-19

Visiting the North Fork Vineyards During COVID-19

Our Weekend Itinerary for Livingston Manor, in the Catskills