In the city that never sleeps, weekend mornings are no exception. Residents and locals alike appreciate a leisurely brunch followed by a stroll through a local street fair. Early risers looking for something to do have plenty of activities to choose from, including bird-watching, walking clubs or practicing their golf game.
From late summer through late fall, visitors are welcome to join the New York City Audubon for its ongoing bird-watching walks in Central Park and Jamaica Bay. No reservations are necessary, and tours depart from 103rd Street and Central Park West at 7:30 a.m. sharp on Saturdays.
If you want to work on your golf game but have to stay in the city, go to the West Side driving range, which opens at 6:30 a.m. every day, including weekends. The facility also features a Golf Academy with a high-tech, 2,000-square-foot indoor training center as well as hitting stalls, a practice sand bunker, an indoor putting green, digital swing analysis computers and full swing simulators. Private or semiprivate instruction is available for novice or experienced golfers beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Every weekend, families, adults and children are invited to participate in free Explorer Programs in all five boroughs These include birding, hiking, mountain biking and walking tours. Explore NYC's numerous parks during the hour-and-a-half programs developed in conjunction with the National Geographic Society.
Times and themes vary. Check the schedule on the website, or for more information about the programs, call 311 from a New York City telephone and ask for Urban Park Rangers.
Early risers can enjoy the Central Park scenery while getting in shape with the walkers club.
Moderate and fast walks take place over mostly flat surfaces. Classes feature time to warm up, cool down and stretch.
Adults at least 18 of all fitness levels are welcome at the Saturday morning walks. Meet at the 90th Street and Fifth Avenue entrance to Central Park at 8:30 a.m. No advance registration is necessary.
