The massive West side park's recreational facilities are closed, but you can still bike, walk and run here if you do it safely. This 893-foot boardwalk in Hudson River Park is a secluded path that runs from Watts to Laight Street. This special section of the Greenway features a planked wooden floor as well as breathtaking gardens, trees and natural grasses. There is also an unobstructed view of One World Trade Center. Enter park by crossing West Street at Watts or Laight Streets.

Before you recoil in horror at the idea of taking a stroll in a cemetery, know that this 478-acre, National Historic Landmark founded in 1838 is a place of beauty, history, art and tranquility. The historic Revolutionary War battle The Battle of Brooklyn happened here, it's the final resting place of many luminaries including Louis Comfort Tiffany, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Leonard Bernstein and even the guy who invented to hot dog. The cemetery is also home to a wide array of birdlife.

Want to let your little Tarzan loose in the wilderness? Take a trip to the Bronx. The Kazimiroff Nature Trail in Pelham Bay Park is a beautiful sanctuary for nature lovers big and small. You can either take the full two-mile hike through 189-acre Hunter Island, or opt for the shorter 30-minute loop. Either way, the path winds through shrubland, rocky shores and wetlands, offering fantastic views of Long Island Sound.

There’s something about old arches, romantic bridges and steep waterfalls that sparks the imagination. Venture into the center of Brooklyn's Prospect Park to the Ravine for some fun exploring. Along the way, you’ll want to see the Nethermead Arch and the Rock Arch Bridge and travel through Brooklyn’s only forest. The highlight of the trek is Ambergill Falls — yes, a waterfall— a sight you’d never believe you could find in NYC.

Nestled in Little Neck Bay in Queens, this expansive park offers a variety of trails for young hikers that include forests, swamps, tidal flats and expansive meadows. We recommend taking a trip to the north end of the park, where you'll find spectacular marsh views.

The one-mile Nature Center Trail at the Greenbelt Conservancy in Staten Island is so picturesque, you’d think it came right out of a fairy tale. Your little bookworms will have a blast pretending they're on a quest or trying to dig up hidden treasure. The site includes footbridges, tulips in spring, wildlife and tall birch trees and the trail is designed for novice hikers, so you shouldn’t need to offer piggyback rides or strap on an Ergo.