< Introducing New York City

Sporting Events and Activities

Family Guide
An aerial view of Yankee Stadium during a game
Many New Yorkers are big sports fans and enthusiastic supporters of the city’s two baseball teams. Watching a home game in warmer weather – or a hockey or basketball match-up in the winter – is thrilling. The city offers plenty of outdoor activities, from kayaking on the Hudson River to ice-skating in Bryant Park or cycling one of the city’s new bike paths. Joining in is not only easy and relatively inexpensive, but also a great way to get off the beaten path.

Spectator sports

Baseball

New York is home to two Major League Baseball teams – the New York Yankees and the New York Mets. Tickets are easy to buy on the official MLB website, or in person on game day, and the two stadiums – Yankee Stadium in the South Bronx and Citi Field in Flushing, Queens – are easily reached by subway. Plan to arrive early to beat the last-minute dash.

Tennis

The US Open tennis tournament takes place in Flushing, Queens, in the last week of August and the first week of September. It is best to buy a grounds pass on one of the tournament’s first five days. This affords free access to all field courts, plus the Louis Armstrong Stadium and the Grandstand (but not the huge Arthur Ashe Stadium). Seating is first-come, first-served at these venues so there is no need to buy a ticket in advance, but it is wise to show up early. Use the west entrance; it is farther from the subway station and therefore less crowded.

Soccer

The popularity of Major League Soccer has grown throughout the US. Fans can take in a game at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, home to the New York Red Bulls, formerly known as the Metro-Stars. You can buy tickets in family four-packs and the stadium is easily accessible from Manhattan via the PATH train or by bus from the Port Authority in Midtown.

Basketball & hockey

Madison Square Garden is home to the New York Knicks basketball team and the ice-hockey team, the New York Rangers. If you want good seats, it is wise to book them in advance online. Wear warm clothing for Rangers games.
Family Guide
A basketball game at Madison Square Garden
New York Knicks www.nba.com/knicks
New York Rangers rangers.nhl.com
New York Red Bulls www.newyorkredbulls.com
New York Yankees newyork.yankees.mlb.com

Family sports & activities

Cycling

The city’s Hudson River Valley Greenway, on the west side of Manhattan, is its most extensive bike path and also its busiest. The section along Battery Park is one of the loveliest, with lawns, playgrounds, and outdoor eateries. Unless you are seasoned urban cyclists, do not venture onto city streets, as drivers can be aggressive. Two bike rental shops right along the Greenway – New York’s Waterfront Bicycle Shop and Bike and Roll – make taking a spin there easy. When renting your two-wheeler, remember that it is mandatory for children aged 12 and under to wear helmets.
Family Guide
Tandem cycling on a bike path through Central Park

Kayaking

Kayaking is an immensely popular pastime in the city during summer. The Downtown Boathouse is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization that offers free kayaking to the public at three Hudson River locations. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult in a two-person kayak. Check the website for detailed information regarding rules and regulations.

Hiking

Some of New York’s most tranquil spots are its forests. The most accessible is Central Park’s The Ramble, a mini-wilderness in the middle of the city. Join a tour or explore independently (daytime only). Forest Park in Queens and Van Cortlandt Park, at the northern tip of The Bronx, have extensive trails, gorgeous canopies, and plenty of harmless wildlife.

Ice-skating

There are four outdoor rinks and one indoor rink in the city. The most iconic is the Rockefeller Center Ice-Skating Rink, but it is also the priciest. Trump Rink, at the southern end of the Central Park, is a picture-perfect mix of city and country. Each winter, Citi Pond at Bryant Park, a free skating rink, is created in Bryant Park; early mornings are its least busy time. The Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers is a year-round indoor option.
Bike and Roll www.bikeandroll.com
Downtown Boathouse www.downtownboathouse.org
New York’s Waterfront Bicycle Shop 391 West St; 2124142453; www.bikeshopny.com
The Pond at Bryant Park West 40th St, between Fifth Ave & Sixth Ave; www.citipondatbryantpark.com
Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink 601 Fifth Ave; 2123327654; www.therinkatrockcenter.com
Sky Rink Pier 61, 23rd St & the Hudson River Park; 2123366100; www.chelseapiers.com