Sarah Knapp

Looking for a cheap day trip that includes both history and the outdoors? Fort Tilden in Queens is an abandoned military site that’s easy to get to, free to access, and surrounded by places to walk, bike and swim. While many are usually surprised to hear there is federally protected land tucked within the density of New York City, Fort Tilden (and the other forts of New York City) is part of a legacy of military land that’s been decommissioned and turned into public parks.

For an active day trip that’s easy to reach from New York City, head to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in the gorgeous Hudson Valley. Stretching from Gardiner to Kingston New York, the rail trail offers 22 miles of mostly flat path passing winding rivers, expansive apple orchards, farms, historic buildings and even old mines. Grab a bike (or a comfortable pair of walking shoes) and head to this verdant gem, just two hours from NYC.

New York has had a long love affair with bicycles and subsequently bike lanes, starting in the 19th century with the city’s first bike lane (Ocean Parkway, 1894) and early bike map by the New York Times. Traveling through New York City by bike has continued to play a key role in the makeup of our city. Thanks to the work of local advocacy groups like Transportation Alternatives, options for pedal-friendly transit continue to expand into the 21st century.