Kayaking on the Hudson

At 72nd on the Hudson, of Riverside Park, the Downtown Boathouse offers FREE kayaking on Saturdays and Sundays, May 6- Oct 11, 10-5PM. They provide the kayak, paddle, life jackets (thank god) and brief instruction. My boyfriend and I did this once and it was a blast; lots of laughs and just nerve-wracking enough to provide a frisson of excitement. It's not as easy as it looks. Which makes it a bit more fun. There can be a wait but it is worth it to say you kayaked on the Hudson...and in the 400th anniversary year of Henry Hudson's voyage up the Hudson!

Pier I - On the (Upper West Side) Waterfront

A part of the river-walk along the Hudson, Pier I is one of the best-kept-secrets of the upper west side (though it may seem busy, many NY friends I have know nothing about it). A beautifully renovated, expansive pier, with an extensive outdoor cafe (tables and chairs are for both customers and non-customers), this is a great place to hang out. The pier itself has a gorgeous, uncluttered view of the Hudson. A wonderful place to relax on a Friday night--or any night--though the live music events, movies, etc. can really interfere with your solitude, so it is hit and miss in the summer if loud music bothers you (you can guess how I feel about it). You can check for upcoming events online. This is also a GREAT place to sit as long as you want in the morning with a coffee and croissant (bring your own, or they have coffee and pastries there). It's much quieter on weekday mornings than weekends, of course. The Pier I Cafe can get crowded but it's a far better choice than the way-overrated 79th Street Boat Basin cafe (which is getting noisy and dirty and beer-y). You can reach the pier by walking down along the river-walk, which you can enter from various exits in Riverside Park...or take the path from 72nd and Riverside, walking west, past the Eleanor Roosevelt Statue and dogrun. This takes you down some (steep) steps; or, there is an entrance at 68th and Riverside that takes you under the West Side Highway (I have yet to find this--but I have been told it is there!).
There is also a lovely boardwalk continuing down (south) from the cafe, with sweeping prairie grasses, and space for kids to run and play.
Oh--don't miss the FREE kayaking there as well! It's loads of fun and just scary enough to be exhilarating...and you can say you kayaked on the Hudson. One more cool thing about NYC!
Cafe Hours (May 1-mid, Oct-weather permitting)
Pier I Cafe is at W. 70th St. and Hudson River. RESTAURANT Hours: Monday-Thurs @ 12PM-11PM Friday 12PM-12:30AM Sat 11AM-12:30AMSunday @ 11AM -11PM. CAFE hours (coffee and pastry): M-F 7AM-1PM Sat and Sun. 7AM-4PM
Nearby Subway Stops: 1, 2, 3 at 72nd St.