The best waterfront activities in New York everyone can enjoy

Enjoying the water could be as easy as a walk in the park—a waterfront park, that is. New York is home to a bunch of beautiful waterfront parks, and there’s lots to do in them. Try everything from kite-flying, stargazing, birding, and more in the city’s free Summer on the Hudson series at Riverside Park South and West Harlem Piers.

If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, take a stroll through historic Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City. The 12-acre riverside park includes stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, where you can spot the Empire State Building and the United Nations. The park has Wi-Fi, too, making it the perfect location for remote work. 

Another wonderful waterfront park: The Hills at Governors Island. Rising up to 70 feet above sea level, the Hills offers beautiful views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. Bonus: it’s also home to NYC’s longest slide, clocking in at 57 feet!

My cardio-loving people out there, I see you. There are a bunch of free waterfront workouts out there to get your blood pumping. Break a sweat with HIIT The Deck, a free weekly class series by Seaport Fit, which takes place at Seaport Square on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30pm in August. Reservations encouraged. 

Or, take your workout to Brooklyn Bridge Park for the popular (and free) Waterfront Workouts summer series. Classes take place at 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and at 10am on Sundays. 

Feeling meditative? Unwind with yoga and a brew at Mindful Pints, an all-level beach yoga class taught by one of the brewery’s bartenders and yogis on Wednesdays. The $20 ticket price includes a pint or drink of your choice at the Coney Island Brewery taproom. 

If you really want to get up close and personal with water without shelling out an exorbitant amount for a boat tour, consider riding your local ferry. The NYC Ferry’s six routes cover 60 nautical miles, and an adult ticket is just $4 one way. The ride runs anywhere from 35 minutes to an hour, depending on the route you take. Bonus: there’s a snack bar on the boat, and the ferry accommodates bikes (up to a limit).

Want to venture outside of New York waters? The NY Waterway ferry offers routes that connect New Jersey to New York. Get your furniture shopping out of the way with one of their most popular routes, the IKEA ferry, a free service that connects midtown and downtown Manhattan to the Red Hook IKEA.

Don’t forget: The Staten Island Ferry also provides beautiful views for free!

Few things feel as luxurious as dining by the water. And luckily, there are plenty of spots where to enjoy delicious food with a beautiful view.

Anable Basin Sailing Bar & Grill in Long Island City is a popular, no-frills restaurant situated right on the East River, with beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline, making it perfect for a sunset meal (heads up, it’s cash only).

If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, try X20 Xaviers on the Hudson in Yonkers, which offers views of sunsets over the Palisades. And if you don’t know what you’re in the mood for, head on over to Time Out Market food hall in Brooklyn, where you can let your nose decide between 24 delicious cuisines.

When the dog days of summer creep up, consider escaping the city to one of Long Island’s breezy waterfront villages.

Some great day-trip destinations include Greenport, where you can learn all about the history of Long Island oysters (more on that and all things Greenport here.) There’s also Huntington, home of Walt Whitman, and just over an hour away from the city by LIRR. Port Jefferson Village is a very walkable waterfront village, with connections to Connecticut via ferry. A day trip to Montauk is about a three-hour drive, but worth it to explore Shadmoor State Park and lots more.