Summer Solstice: 5 Activities to Enjoy Nature on Longer Days
By Natural Areas Conservancy on June 20, 2025
Happy summer solstice! Now that our days are longer in New York City, there’s much more time to enjoy nature and get outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a lowkey hang in the park or something more adventurous, there’s something for everyone! Read on below for five recommendations on how you can make the most of NYC summer.
1. Hiking NYC’s over 250 miles of trails
New York City’s vast trail network awaits! From short strolls to longer challenging hikes—and everything in between—you’re guaranteed to find a favorite trail. View our top 25 recommendations and borough specific trail suggestions.
2. Birding
Earlier mornings and later evenings means more time to bird! Birds like the Barn Swallow and Cedar Waxwing stick around over the summer, and there’s plenty of delightful surprise sightings to stumble upon in the summer months. View our top 5 natural areas for birdwatching.
3. Kayaking and canoeing
There are various waterways across the five boroughs that welcome New Yorkers to set sail! Marine Park offers kayaking on the Gerritson Inlet; you can paddle the Bronx river via Starlight Park; launch a kayak in Staten Island from Conference House Park; and even experience the Hudson River from several launching sites on the west side of Manhattan via Hudson River Park.
4. Cycling
New York City is a cyclist’s dream! Enjoy long bike rides that take you through the city’s urban natural areas. Some popular bike trails include the Bronx Greenway, Jamaica Bay Greenway, Eastern Queens Greenway, Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, and Latourette Park trails in Staten Island.
5. Volunteering to plant trees or maintain trails
What better way to show your appreciation for the outdoors than by participating in some outdoor volunteer work! Join us as a Pathkeeper, and learn how to maintain your local trail; or get your hands dirty at a tree planting event near you!
We hope to see you out in our beautiful natural areas this summer! Keep an eye out on our events page for activities throughout the summer.
