The Cure for Cabin Fever - Take a Walk!

Have you been feeling cooped up? Experiencing a bit of cabin fever? Well we have the solution - just get outside and take a walk! Here are a few suggestions on where to go to experience nature in your own neighborhood.

Everyone knows that Central Park is an excellent place for an afternoon stroll. But our great city offers many options and some hidden gems where you can enjoy nature, a game of tennis, swinging at the playground, or just contemplate the view as you take a leisurly stroll. Here are just a few ideas to consider.

If you are in Queens, stop by Astoria Park. This park offers outdoor tennis courts, a track, a bandstand, basketball courts, and playgrounds. But for your walking pleasure, multiple trails offer incredible views. From a perch beneath the Hell Gate Bridge, you’ll see Randall’s Island, the Manhattan skyline, and more. Best of all, this park is usually less crowded than some of its more well-known counterparts.

Staten Island’s tourism board says it has more than 12,000 acres of open green space. One of the jewels of Staten Island is Wolfe’s Pond Park, located on the island’s eastern edge. This park has the usual amenities like barbeque and picnic areas, tennis courts, and playgrounds. And when the weather is right, there is a beach that is sure to be less crowded than Coney Island. But if you are looking for nature, it also serves as a wildlife and plant preserve. In addition, there are several trails and secluded areas to get away from it all.

Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention our friends at Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA). Right in our backyard, the NCA has been reclaiming Newtown Creek from its industrial past. And the best place to witness this rebirth is the Newtown Creek Nature Walk. Designed to evoke the rich, continually evolving environmental, industrial and cultural histories of this fascinating area, the Newtown Creek Nature Walk is a site-specific environmental artwork by George Trakas. Commissioned by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Trakas has infused the creekfront with his rich vision of history and unique sense of place. So, if you are in Greenpoint, head over to the Newtown Creek Nature Walk and enjoy the view.

This is just a small sampling of scenic walks available in New York City. We encourage you to get outside, enjoy nature and explore the riches available in our city.  For more information on hiking trails, we suggest you visit the NYC Parks department’s list here.