100% safe, 100% fun activity ideas:

The incredible weather this week made COVID-friendly outdoor activities and dining very appealing. As mentioned in previous blogs, I really need to keep busy (and have seasonal affective disorder). I took full advantage of the mild temperatures and fed my mental, visual and emotional soul out and about in the sun. Below, see some tri-state area based activities that you might want to plan for this late fall and winter. If you live on the West Coast or anywhere between, look for similar activities in your area! (For Florida, LA and other warm coastal cities…. you can walk on the beach and eat outdoors year round— so that is amazing!). I will say after all the exploring (and research) I did this week… New York area restaurants are building warm, solid and extended patios to continue outdoor dining to accommodate more people for longer than usual.

Here’s some google search suggestions that helped me find the research I found:

“Outdoor sculpture parks near me”

“Vineyards with wine tasting near me”
“Breweries with outdoor seating near me”
“Outdoor ice skating rinks near me”
“Best heated patios for outdoor dining near me”

If you live in the North East here are some great activities I highly recommend:

Storm King (outdoor sculpture park in Windsor, NY)
(See pictures of my incredible day below.)

Some important to do and not to do notes on this adventure:

1) Wear comfortable sneakers: A must. Just whatever you do… DO NOT break out your cute new hiking boot/sneakers for this activity. (Who on earth would do that? Not me :)).

2) Don’t wear tight Japanese denim no-stretch jeans: (A long drive and then up and down hill bicycle ride is really better experienced in “jeggings.”)

3) Rent a bike at Storm King: (and I think you can reserve for a half-day in advance)

4) Bring SNACKS and WATER: Put together a great picnic set-up! But, before downing the water, use the Porta-Potty upon your arrival!

5) Use the wifi for a full sculpture tour and amplify your experience: Verizon signal is spotty, but AT&T did work. You can get audio tour on your phone at certain sculptures!

Regardless, if you have walked The Highline in NYC before, I say go back and do it again! No cars, crazy views, great public art installations, greenery and plants everywhere…. a delightful stroll or place to relax.
Pictures below and helpful hints:

1) The Highline only flows in one direction, so you begin adjacent to The Whitney Museum and walk north to Hudson Yards (and the Vessel). You need a mask, have to have a ticket (which you can purchase on your phone by the entry) and then will need to walk on the street back.

2) The Vessel and Hudson Yards is where The Highline ends – and depending on the time of day there may be food carts, outdoor entertainment and pop up trucks etc there when you exit.

3) The Standard Grill is a good place to get lunch, drinks and/or snacks before you begin your walk (located one block from the Whitney Museum and entrance to the Highline). They have MEGA heaters and you will be able to eat outside there for quite some time.

4) At Citizens of Soho, a downtown NYC restaurant in the heart of Soho, they offer dinner, cocktails, and a movie all al fresco. When I went, they were playing Friends… but hurry it’s for limited time only!

The Standard: Great outdoor setup and even better cocktails!

Citizens of Soho outdoor dining with a movie

Other suggestions in NYC would be Bryant Park for winter village ice skating. Note they will have Frost Fest (igloos) and Bumper Cars on Ice in late January to February (I strongly suggest checking the calendar and ordering tickets if they have especially as COVID rules/limitations may apply).

On Randall’s Island in New York is LuminoCity Festival – a holiday light festival open 4-11pm (double check schedule etc due to COVID).

I always look for rooftop restaurants as an activity and if there are good heaters this could be an amazing addition to a day in the city. (A great resource is New York Bucket List) Outside of the city, I suggest looking into vineyards that have wine tastings with tours outside and/or breweries with socially-distanced COVID-safe beer gardens.

I have a great deal of COVID-safe activities in LA if you refer to my past city guide. We need to stay safe, but we also need to stay sane. I hope these ideas and inspirational images will help you find interesting ways to stimulate your mind and fulfill all your needs for activities and adventures.

I am ALWAYS looking for more ideas, so PLEASE email me with your suggestions.