New York State History

No one has to worry about getting out of shape while staying in New York City. New York offers many opportunities for exercise. The Chelsea Piers Complex, at the western end of 23rd Street on the Hudson River, is so large it incorporates a four-level driving range overlooking the river and an indoor ice-skating rink. A huge sports and fitness center contains a running track, a workout center, a rock-climbing wall, sand for volleyball playing, and a swimming pool. There are other gyms located throughout the city, and all first-class hotels have at least a small fitness room.

New York City is a great place for runners. The 6-mile loop road around Central Park is closed to cars from 10 am to 3 pm and 7 to 10 pm on the weekdays, and all days on the weekends. The soft 1.6 mile path around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is closed to rollerbladers and bikers, making it especially appealing to runners. The joggers pathway which beings along West Street and runs beside the Hudson River from 23rd Street down to Battery Park City passes by a public park and offers beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty and the New Jersey shoreline. There is also a path along the FDR Drive and the East River, from 63rd Street to about 115th Street. The New York Road Runner’s Club organizes weekend runs all over the city, and is famous for organizing the annual New York Marathon.

Cyclists are encouraged to use trail bikes with wide wheels, for safety on streets that are not always smooth. They should always wear helmets and watch out for taxi passengers opening doors in the middle of the street. If you haven’t brought your own bicycle, many bike shops will rent bikes for the day. The Five Borough Bicycle Club sponsors free or low-cost weekend trips to the city’s outskirts. The New York Cycle Club sponsors day rips and longer rides.

Rollerblading is very popular in New York City. In warm weather, you will see skaters darting in and out of Manhattan traffic. In Central Park, you can skate in the mall that runs east of Sheep Meadow, or on Central Park drive, which is off limits to cars on weekdays from 10 am to 3pm and 7 to 10 pm on weekdays, and all weekend long.

If you are interested in boating, you can take free kayaking lessons at the Downtown Boathouse, just above Battery Park City. The New York Sailing School in City Island in the Bronx runs sailing courses, rents boats during he summer, and offers several boats for charter. You can also fish at City Island. However, Sheepshead Bay, at the southern end of Brooklyn, is the center of recreational fishing in New York City. Boats are moored at ten piers, ready to sail into deep waters for half and whole day excursions; no reservations are necessary. You can also cast a line over the edge of the bridge that takes pedestrians from Sheepshead Bay to Manhattan Beach, on the other side of the water.