By Hannah Bailey
If you’re looking for things to do outside during COVID, Brooklyn and all of New York City is full of activities to keep you entertained in the cooler months.
Of course, NYC is big and complicated. That’s why Brooklyn Chatter put together a list of some of the most overlooked outdoor activities you can do in the summer months.
Bike the Brooklyn Bridge
For an unbeatable view of the city bike across the Brooklyn Bridge. You will be able to see breathtaking views of Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines and the Statue of Liberty as you pedal across the bridge. If you don’t have a bike, bikes for rent are readily available.
Citi Bike allows riders to rent bikes for just $3.50 for a 30 minute ride or $15 for a full day pass. With multiple locations near the Brooklyn Bridge you will have no trouble finding an open bike!
Picnic in Prospect Park
Prospect Park is an iconic Brooklyn destination year round, but the fall foliage makes the fall an especially beautiful season to admire Prospect Lake and the changing leaves. Pick up lunch or dinner from your favorite restaurant or pack a homemade picnic and grab a blanket to set up an effortless picnic in Prospect Park.
Watch a movie at the Skyline Drive in Movie Theater
Going to the Skyline Drive-In Movie Theater is the perfect cozy activity on a chilly, fall night. As the name suggests, Skyline Drive-In Theater boasts skyline views of Manhattan and the East River to admire as you wait for the movie to begin. You can purchase tickets online and then you park your car and tune into the movie sound directly from your own car’s stereo for a contactless transaction. There is also an outdoor seating section for viewers without cars to sit and enjoy a movie. Skyline Drive-In Theater has a full concession stand with classic movie snacks – popcorn, candy, soda.
Visit the Farmers Market
What’s fall without cider and doughnuts? Instead of spending hours traveling outside of the city to visit an apple orchard you can stay in Brooklyn and visit one of Brooklyn’s farmers markets. With over 20 different farmers market locations in Brooklyn you are certain to find a convenient location for you. Fresh produce, like apples, squashes and pumpkins, as well as prepared fall treats, including apple cider, doughnuts, pumpkin pie and kettle corn are available at many farmers markets.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
For an escape from the crowded, busy New York streets explore The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Gardens offer a variety of activities in the fall, including the famous Lightscape, an illuminated trail filled with unique light designs that begins in November. Walking the Botanical Gardens alone is enough to keep you busy for a day, touring the gardens and taking in the fall foliage.
Attend an Event at Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm
The Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm offers events on everything from Beekeeping to Gardening, as well as yoga and other fitness classes on their rooftop farm. In addition to their large variety of outdoor classes they serve “Brooklyn Farm Dinners” without different themes, including “Veggiepalooza, a vegetarian multi-course feast, Tomato Dinner, in partnership with Joseph Leonard, and the Compost Dinner, a dinner that reconsiders food waste and transforms it into a thought-provoking experience”. Grange Rooftop Farms has activities for all ages and is not only entertaining, but also educational.
