No matter how savvy you are, there will always be something to do in New York that you don't know about. That is the fun of the city. It is a moving target and you must keep alert and ready to enjoy all it has to offer. The good thing is when you find new things, you are ahead of the curve and can show your friends something new and cool or old but off the beaten path.
Trails
Governor's Island is both old and new. Used by the U.S. Army, Navy and Coast Guard for a variety of military purposes, and by the British before them, the Island today is opening up to day-trippers who want to bike or walk its 5 miles of trails. The views of the city are wonderful and you get to ride a water taxi across the harbor to get there. Old and slightly ghost town-like settlements stand in a terrain reclaimed by nature. This is a great place for birding, bikers and walkers.
Water Trail Kayaking
Set on one of the best deep-water harbors in the world, a web of waterways surrounds New York City. Your kayak can slip into the Hudson River at Pier 66 in the Chelsea neighborhood. From there you will find the network of waterways that covers 160-square miles. You can explore wetlands with tidal marshlands and bird sanctuaries or move into the open channels of the Hudson and East Rivers.
Springtime Biathalon
Every March the New York Triathalon sponsors a 2-mile run and a 12-mile bicycling course right in the city for a biathalon. The course runs through the Upper East Side and into Central Park. The cycling portion is entirely within the Park, covering two loops of the 6-mile Park Drive. Whether you are a street biker or mountain biker, there is a race division for you. If you are thinking of working up to a triathalon, this event might be a good opener.
Russian & Turkish Baths
Some people visit the East Village many times without knowing of the historic and very active Russian and Turkish Baths on 10th Street. Here since 1892 New Yorkers have enjoyed the Russian steam room. Its oven is full of 20,000 lbs. of rock. These are heated all night and when water is poured on the oven out rolls the steam. After a few minutes in there, plunge into the tiled ice pool or the aromatherapy room. Pamper yourself in the cafe with Russian treats such as Baltic herring, or a cherry blini.
Surf Rockaway Beaches
Take your surfboard to the beaches of the Rockaway Penninsula right in New York City. This barrier beach holds surprisingly good surfing not long ago known only to die-hard surfers. They couldn't legally surf there, because it was against the law. These days it is legal and the surf break is good. You can ride the waves year-round from dawn to dusk here on two surf beaches.
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