Jordi Lippe-McGraw

NYC may be a big bustling city, but not far beyond these skyscrapers you can find plenty of options for getting some fresh air and getting back to nature. While NYC parks are some of the best in the country, there are times when you need more picturesque views, varying terrain and a change of scenery. These options for hiking near NYC offer all that and more. You’ll find hikes that range from easy to challenging, wind through forests and valleys and, most importantly, allow full-on communing with nature. These NYC-area hikes are accessible by public transportation, so all you need to do is grab your boots, backpack and hiking essentials and you’ll be ready to hit the trail. From mountains to lakes, serene paths to rocky cliffs, fabulous outdoor adventures await. You could partake in the many things to do outside in NYC or head out for a day trip or weekend getaway, but when you’re itching to get back to nature, these destinations for hiking near NYC will do the trick. RECOMMENDED: The best beach house Airbnbs near NYC

There’s no shortage of fitness classes in the city, but why not try belly dancing classes? If you’ve never been to dance classes before, they’re where you can sculpt some abs while learning traditional dance moves (or completely new mashup moves). And with belly dancing at the top dance studios in New York, you can learn the sultry steps that came long before the stuff of music videos. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to classes in NYC

Looking for some classic summer fun? Roller coasters and thrill rides are not just for kids, and there are a slew of amusement parks near NYC where you can chase those heart-palpitating plunges and scream-inducing twists that take you back to your carefree days. Hitting up an amusement park can be as easy as taking the subway to Coney Island, but go a little further—say, New Jersey or Pennsylvania—and you’re in for even more thrills. You might encounter hordes of teens or families during peak times, but that’s all part of the fun. If you’re not into the jaw-dropping speeds and dizzying heights of an amusement park, there are plenty of thrilling day trips from NYC that don’t involve near-death feelings. If you need a little down time after getting jazzed up with all that amusement park stimulation, check out one of NYC’s hotel pools open to the public.

Whether you refer to it as “out east” or “The Island,” there’s no shortage of things to do on Long Island, New York. Yes, you have your ritzy beaches and shops in the Hamptons and wild parties on Fire Island. But the 118-mile-long island is also home to top-notch wineries, fascinating museums, stellar dining and some of the best beaches near NYC. Better yet, it’s almost all accessible via public transportation on the LIE or LIRR. RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in the HamptonsRECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Montauk

Next time you want to get away with your boo, these romantic getaways in NY state will certainly come in handy, from idyllic upstate locales to romantic hotels with some of the best spas that challenge the best spas in NYC. And if you’re looking to include the Big Apple in your itinerary too, check out the city’s most romantic things to do. RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in the CatskillsRECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in Hudson Valley

At these spinning classes, NYC’s best cycling studios offer a variety of workouts with your favorite music, hybrid fitness trends and more. If you’re too intimidated to bike New York’s actual city streets, these fitness classes will whip you into shape in no time. They’re so much more exciting than plodding on the treadmill at gyms and health clubs, and whether you want to sweat to a soundtrack of Broadway tunes or try swimming and spinning at the same time, there's a cycling studio perfect for you. RECOMMENDED: Find more great fitness classes in NYC

Since we live in the concrete jungle, it can be hard to find fresh blooms anywhere other than the best parks in NYC. But one thing there isn’t a shortage of in Gotham? Flower shops! NYC is flooded with bodegas and markets that sell lovely bouquets outside on the sidewalk, but if you’re celebrating a special occasion such as a wedding anniversary, Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, you’ll need to visit the pros to tackle those floral jobs. The next time you need to impress your boo or make someone smile, use this list to find the best flower shops in NYC for arrangements, corsages, gifts and more. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best shops in NYC

Want to show the man in your life how much you care? We scoured NYC's best shops and websites to find the perfect Valentine's Day gifts for him. And don't worry, none of these presents are over-the-top lovey-dovey. (Okay, maybe a few of them are, but in the best way.) Whether you’re going all out with a lavish gift or want something low-key but cute, this list includes Valentine’s Day ideas for him at every price point. We also suggest planning a cozy date at one of the city’s most romantic restaurants, but if you’re on the hunt for something less traditional, we’ve come up with a list of excellent and quirky Valentine’s Day date ideas. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Valentine’s Day in NYC

Struggling for Valentine’s Day ideas for him? We’ve got you covered. From a personal kit to make great craft beer to quirky letter openers (in a Game of Thrones theme!), we are here to ensure your night ends with love hearts coming out of his eyes and love songs coming out of his speakers. RECOMMENDED: See more Valentine’s Day ideas // var vglnk = { key: 'b1dd7a2b35c8ab61d18b653f5d33bbe2' };    (function(d, t) {     var s = d.createElement(t); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true;     s.src = '//cdn.viglink.com/api/vglnk.js';     var r = d.getElementsByTagName(t)[0]; r.parentNode.insertBefore(s, r);    }(document, 'script')); //

When you think of the best places for date ideas, New Jersey doesn’t typically come to mind. And spending a whole weekend there? Fugheddaboudit. Well, we hate to burst your bubble, but the Garden State is actually home to some of the most beautiful, historic, relaxing and unique escapes. Sure, there are plenty of fun activities and awesome things to in NJ, but did you know that the state is also a great place to, er, set the mood? From the best beaches to wine tastings and restaurants in New Jersey, here are the ten best romantic getaways in NJ. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in New Jersey

So you’re going to a Broadway show, and you want to do better than the TGI Fridays across the street. And you can! At these spots on Restaurant Row, NYC offers up some of its best grub, from Italian to sushi to brasserie fare. After you sit through one of the best Broadway shows, choose from this list of eateries on 46th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues in the theater district. RECOMMENDED: Find more of the best restaurants in NYC

Whenever anyone starts planning bachelorette party ideas, the activities tend to follow a particular formula of limos, visits to late night bars and lots of libations. Strip clubs? Been there. Male-anatomy-shaped paraphernalia? Done that. And while we're not against those things, New York provides the opportunity to kick things up a notch and create a unique weekend you'll never forget—or maybe you will. Here's your step-by-step guide to planning the perfect bash with these excellent ideas ranging from classy afternoon tea to a bumpin’ karaoke joint.

If you’re somewhere between a novice and a belly dancing vet, this class is perfect. You will learn combinations and drills that will teach you to be light on the feet and heavy on the hips, and the combos will link together classic belly dance moves to eventually create a full routine over time in the same class every week. The repetition keeps you improving, while the new moves mean no class will ever be boring.

If you’re the type of person who typically commands the dance floor, be it swing dancing or pole dancing, then you’ll want to check out this class. Instructor Salit, who has been performing for many years, will teach you Egyptian-style belly dance moves and tantalizing combinations. You will also work on flexibility, toning, core strength, posture, flow and confidence. Then, at the end of class, all the moves are put together and you’re given a chance to perform the newly learned routine.

Here you’ll find many collections, making deciding what to purchase for an occasion easy. Choose between the holiday collection, rose collection or floral collection. Also, take a look at the butterscotch blossoms, which are $150, or if you want something eclectic, the rainbow love bouquet is $125 and will make any room pop. Or if you just need some greenery, it has lots of house plants, orchids and succulents.

It’s all about luxury at this family-owned flower shop. The lavish collection has flowers for every occasion starting at just $80, and the winter bouquets are perfect for the season and will brighten up any home during a snowstorm

Need a florist for your wedding or a top-notch bouquet for the house? You’ve come to the right place. The florist here specializes in wedding designs but has you covered when it comes to everything from winter flowers to funeral flowers to romantic gifts. The sweetly scented bouquets of flowers (featuring lilies and white freesia) are just $115 to $130.

If you need something in a New York minute, call these guys. It has a great delivery service and a variety of options to choose from just in case you forgot to get that someone special something special. There are roses, orchids, plants, a winter collection and more. The peach rose garden starts at $115 and is a beautiful addition to anyone’s home or special event, while the double orchid plant starts at $225. You can even order a gift basket so you’re 100 percent covered

This flower shop in the heart of the Flower District has many blooms to choose from at affordable prices. Some of the best sellers start at just $50, while some of the more expensive bouquets are still on the cheaper side at $70. This shop has different kinds of flowers for all different types of occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers and dates in NYC.

This shop makes beautiful gourmet baskets as well as custom sympathy designs. Some of the most popular flowers include the imperial purple orchid plant ($75) and the tall arrangement with bright flowers ($75). If you’re an orchid aficionado, there’s a bunch of options at that price, too.

This cute shop has fresh flowers that you can give to friends and family—or to yourself. There’s a variety of plants, cacti and succulents to choose from if you’d rather go for garden store goods, and the owner is friendly and will answer any questions that you have.

This family-owned flower shop is located in Midtown and is known for its long-lasting relationships with customers. It imports flowers from Holland, Italy, New Zealand and South America and has multiple orchid sizes ranging from $95 to $275. The signature collection has a lot of different colors and flowers to choose from, as well.

New skyscrapers, restaurants and coffee shops pop up around the city pretty much every day. New harbors, not so much. Few people realize that NYC has 520 miles of coastline, which is longer than the coastlines of Miami, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco combined. But, with limited waterfront property that's virtually been snatched up since the 18th century, it's nearly impossible that we could be welcoming a new marina to our already condensed waterways. Well, say hello to ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina, soon to be located in the heart of Brooklyn Bridge Park between Piers 4 and 5. "What we are seeing in New York is the city's memory of our waterfront being reawakened," Marina General Manager, Tim O’Brien, tells Time Out New York. "Many new properties are being built on the waterfront in Brooklyn as well as other parts of the city, and waterfront parks are seeing popularity far beyond what planners anticipated. But that being said, there really are no new places constructed in the last generation where people can come down to the water, get on the boat and go on an excursion in New York Harbor." Set to open in spring 2016, the new state-of-the-art marina will be home to facilities for docking boats, a Sail Club & School and a members-only Harbor Club. The creators are also gearing up to welcome the global boating community. "We are hosting a race called the TRANSAT this coming spring which is one of the longest running transatlantic sailing races and has incredible boats," adds O