A vacation to the Big Apple is full of big city lights, sights and sounds that can be exhilarating and very exciting, but it can also be very exhausting. The biggest word of advice is to remember to pack comfortable walking shoes because no matter how you look at it, you will be doing a lot of crossing busy streets and running around. The many active pursuits include walking in Central Park, traversing the streets to shop at famous department stores like Macy’s and Sak’s Fifth Avenue, or even ice-skating in Rockefeller Center or Wollman Rink. Of course you can simply take a cab or the subway, but why not enjoy the hustle and bustle like a true New Yorker and take the trip on your feet? Here are examples of the many active “locations” New York has to offer:

Central Park:

Walk, run, bike or skate your way through central park! The six-mile road circling the park, called Central Park Drive, has separate lanes set aside for bikers, joggers, and in-line skaters. The best time to use it is when the park is closed for traffic: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. It’s also closed 7 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday. Be aware, when it is nice out, crowds can be horrible.

• Biking. Rent bikes at the following locations: Loeb Boathouse, (212) 517-2233); Metro Bicycles, (212) 427-4450); or Toga Bike Shop, (212) 799-9625).
• In-line Skating. West Drive at 67th Street, behind Tavern on the Green is where you want to start off and you’ll find crafty skaters weaving their way through slalom courses at full speed or to the Mall in front of the band shell above Bethesda Fountain. Wollman Rink in the summer is a popular roller rink, with half-pipes and lessons available.
• Swimming. Lasker Pool (on the east side at around 106th St., (212) 534-7639), is open July 1 through Labor Day weekend. The cost is $4 for adults, $2 for kids under 12. Bring a towel.
• Ice Skating.  In the winter, Central Park's Wollman Rink, on the east side of the park between 62nd and 63rd streets (212) 439-6900) is the best outdoor spot and more spacious than the tiny rink at Rockefeller Center. It's open mid-October to mid-April, depending on the weather. Rates are $8.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and kids under 12, and skate rental is $4.75. Lasker Rink (212) 534-7639), on the east side around 106th Street, is a less expensive alternative and is open November through March. Rates are $4.50 for adults, $2.25 for kids under 12, and skate rental is $4.75.

• Running. Run along the 6-mile Central Park Drive and run against traffic to avoid being bombarded with cyclists and in-line skaters. Contact the New York Road Runners (212) 860-4455) organize the New York City Marathon. You can run with them 7 days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., leaving the entrance to the Park at 90th Street and Fifth Avenue. The New York Road Runners most famous routes include: the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the 6-mile Central Park Loop, the East River (6-mile jog from 63rd Street and York Avenue up to 125th Street and back), the Hudson River South (5-mile jog from Chelsea Piers at West 23rd Street to Battery Park City) and the Hudson River North (6-mile jog from Riverbank State Park at 145th Street on the Hudson River through Riverside Park and passing 79th Street and ending at Intrepid Air and Space Museum.

Chelsea Piers and Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex (212) 336-6666). This is a huge, multi-functional recreational facility that juts out on four huge piers into the Hudson River:

• Sports Center (212) 336-6000. More thanthree football field long, this facility offers more than most gyms or health clubs combined. It offers cardiovascular training, weights, and aerobics. Also, it has an indoor running track, a boxing ring, basketball courts, volleyball court, swimming pool, and a challenging rock-climbing wall. Day passes to the sports center are $50 for nonmembers.
• The Golf Club (212) 336-6400. This facility has 5 all weather hitting stalls on all four levels and a 200-yard fairway jutting over the water, making it the best location to hit a few balls in the city. Prices start at $20 for 80 balls.
• The Sky Rink (212) 336-6100. There are two around-the-clock indoor rinks used for skating or hockey with excellent views of the Hudson River. General skating is $16 for adults, and $14 for seniors and those under 12. General skating times are limited so call ahead for times and availability.
• The Field House (212) 336-6500. This includes the 30-foot indoor climbing wall for grown-ups and children. Open climbs are $15 with childrens’ lessons available.
• Roller Rinks. There are two outdoor rinks for seasonal in-line skating and roller hockey games. Expect to pay about $8 for adults and $7 for kids and rentals are available. Call ahead for the schedule and lessons are available.

Source: Travel MSN.