fitness-insider
Stay active outdoors with these winter activity ideas!
There’s a Scandinavian concept called friluftsliv (pronounced free-loots-live) which describes a passion for nature and literally translates as "open-air living". The concept is also linked closely to allmansrätten, the right to roam. And while we can't set up camp in NYC as you can in Scandinavian countries, we can roam, run, bike, ski, skate, ride and skip through its 1,700 or so parks; our favorite being Central Park.
The easiest way to breathe fresh air is just to head out to the park and start walking. You can also rent bikes or bring your own. A guided bike tour will help you easily navigate through numerous landmarks and attractions. And if you don't want to actually do the pedaling, try an e-scooter rental, an e-bike rental, or a pedicab ride!
If you're already familiar with Central Park, try scouting around for a pickup game of numerous sports. Alternatively, you can check Meetup to find game, adventure and fitness groups, and even meditation groups.
One of the most popular winter activities to stay active with in Central Park is ice skating. And when the weather permits, sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing can be nice additions or alternatives to biking and running.
When you're in the mood for solitude, there's plenty of space and winding paths to roam. The North Woods offers 40 acres of woodland serenity with streams and mini waterfalls. Bank Rock Bay, just west of the Ramble between 77th & 78th is a northern inlet of the Central Park Lake and is considered a good spot for bird watching. In places like these, it's easy to forget you are in NYC.