Nature's course

Kensington Stables

Fri
With summer comes the inevitable urge to flee our asphalt rut, but consider the city’s myriad options for experiencing the great outdoors without going to the country. Take horseback riding in Brooklyn, for example. In the afternoon, point yourself toward Prospect Park’s 3.5-mile bridle path for an equestrian adventure. Kensington Stables (51 Caton Pl at 8th St; 718-972-4588, prospectpark.org) rents out steeds at an hourly rate of $25, and offers lessons to novice riders. Once you’ve made yourself hungry, grab some panini or salads at 40 Love Café (50 Parkside Ave between Coney Island Ave and Ocean Pkwy,718-287-8450), a recently opened eatery in Prospect Park’s tennis center.

Sat
In the morning, take a hike in Van Cortlandt Park (718-430-1890, nycgovparks.org), a 1,146-acre oasis in the northwest Bronx that’s home to inspiring trails, rare wildlife and the largest freshwater lake in the borough. When you’re done exploring, hop aboard a New York Water Taxi (212-742-1969, nywatertaxi.com) and embark on an NYC Audubon Sunset Eco Cruise (South Street Seaport, Pier 17, Fulton St at Water St; 212-691-7483, nycaudubon.org), during which you might catch a glimpse of egrets, falcons and some of the 3,000 herons nesting on neighboring islands.

Sun
Kick off the day at Hudson River Park, where you can try to engage some of the 200-plus species of fish that inhabit the waters off -Manhattan’s west side. The HRP Trust’s Big City Fishing program (212-627-2020, hudsonriverpark.org/facilities/bigcityfishing.htm) at Piers 46 and 95 provides anglers with free rods, reels, bait and instruction on Saturdays and Sundays during the warmer months. Afterward, take a trip to -Riverside Park South (enter at 72nd St) for a free kayak ride on the Hudson. The Downtown Boathouse(-646-613-0740, downtownboathouse.org) lends free gear for 20--minute paddles during summer weekends—all you need is a bathing suit and the ability to swim.

At dinnertime, walk along the water to The West 79th Street Boat Basin Café (Hudson River at 79th St; 212-496-5542, boatbasincafe.com) for shrimp, burgers and other pub grub. A glass—or pitcher—of fruit margaritas should soothe your aching muscles as you watch the sun set over the river.—Erin Clements