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Best Day Time Leisure Activities in New York City - Lower Manhattan

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Sports Center at Chelsea Piers
23rd Street and 11th avenue New York, NY 10011
212-336-6666
This place is humongous and has everything you could dream of and probably a few that you couldn’t. They do sports training for basketball, soccer, ice hockey, football, lacrosse, volleyball and track. They have a huge state of the art work out facility. They have Pilates. They have personal trainers. You can get trained in gymnastics and rock climbing. They have a twenty-three ft high rock wall. You can learn golf with virtual golf technology, full swing simulators, a golf league and a golf school. There is the Sky Rink where you can ice skate. You can also learn to ice skate, figure skate or play ice hockey. They have all kinds of dance classes. You can learn to sail or swim. You can rent bikes and ride up the West Side Highway. It’s NYC’s largest health club. They have a twenty-five yard pool. They have a sand volleyball pit and sun decks. They have a boxing ring and indoor track. This place is sick! Everything you can imagine. There is a spa with treatment rooms, a lounge and manicure and pedicure rooms with a river view. There is also a sushi bar and gourmet café with free wi-fi if you get hungry after your workout.
New York Kayak Company
Pier 40South Side, W. Houston & West St New York, NY 10014
212-924-1327
My boyfriend had the big idea of going kayaking…in New York City. I thought he had lost his mind. But no, you actually can go kayaking in New York City. Well, on the river. We joined a beginner class, but they spoke of advanced classes, too. We took a small class, just learned enough so we could take a tour. You might be able to take a tour without taking a class, I don’t know. I’m just a big chicken. It was a great way to spend a day I have to say. As long as the weather is good. We learned to maneuver the kayak. We learned how to recover from a capsize. I told my boyfriend that under no certain circumstances should we EVER capsize! He seemed to have gotten the point, so I let go of his neck. We also learned how to help someone else who has capsized in the water next to you. It was a little scary with the boats, but not at all dangerous. I feel like a real outdoorsy person now.
Trapeze School NY
40 River Rd New York, NY 10044
212-242-8769
Come fly through the air with the greatest of ease. Ok, we all saw this place on Sex in the City. So for my girlfriend’s birthday we decided to take on the challenge. It’s right off the West Side Highway in the Chelsea Piers area. When you get strapped in and are way up high, the view is awesome. We had a really cool instructor and we all did great. We learned the basics and all plan on going back to learn to flip and stuff. It’s so much fun. A great way to spend an afternoon. Everyone had a blast and one of my friends actually conquered her fear of heights doing this. Well, for now. I still don’t think she would be up for bungee jumping, but who knows.
Public Events at Washington Square Park
5th Ave at Waverly Pl New York, NY 10003
Washington Square Park is a famous park found in the NYU area. It’s always crowded and is a great place to people watch or just blow off an afternoon. You will see every type of person known to man. There is the dog runs. That is a lot of fun, just to sit and watch the dogs. There is the chess area for all the enthusiasts. There are concerts and art fairs. In the warmer months, it’s hard to find a weekend day where something isn’t going on. But there are always some of the best street performers. There is the only Vegan pushcart in the entire city. You can see some original and interested outdoor theater there. I understand the Halloween parade here is great. There is almost always a movie being filmed here. It’s constantly going all day.
Public Events at Tompkins Square Park
7th St. at Ave. A New York, NY 10009
212-408-0100
This park is located in the East Village. One of the only parks in the area. When the sun comes out, out comes the people. Most of the grass is covered by bodies soaking up the sun and enjoying the open airness of it all. There are two dog runs. One dog run is for little dogs and one is for large dogs. There are great outdoor concerts held here. Wigstock is crazy and fun and is held here. It’s a huge drag festival with, you guessed it, fabulous wigs everywhere. There is the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival that showcases great jazz. They have a Halloween parade for dogs and it is adorable. There are playgrounds for kids. It’s just a great way to spend some outdoor time in the East Village.
Union Square Farmers Market
Union Square West and North New York, NY 10001
212-788-7476
This goes on almost every weekend and sometimes during the week. You can find tons of produce and it’s all organic. You can get all kinds of fruit and veggies grown by small business farmers. You can get meat that is organic and the animals are free-range. I got the most delicious honey there. There were all different flavors. I also purchased some grass that you keep inside for your cat to eat on. You can buy art, clothing, jewelry, hats and tons of fun stuff. And all of it is made by local artists. So it feels good to purchase things and not be giving money to the Man. We like to just get an apple cider, hot in the winter and cold in the summer, and just walk around. It’s right beside Union Square Park, so you can take a seat and relax.
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