The Best Cycle Routes In New York City

Sure, traffic here can be intimidating, but New York City is surprisingly primed for cyclists, too. Designated bike lanes and leafy routes easily take you past some of the best culture and entertainment spots in the city. Plus, Citi Bike stations are now ubiquitous in downtown Manhattan and major Brooklyn neighborhoods, making cycling a convenient and affordable way to zip from A to B.

Central Park Loop

The 6.1mi (9.8km) Central Park Loop wriggles around the edge of the park, taking in well-known sights along the way, including the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the boat lake, Belvedere Castle, and the always-atmospheric Strawberry Fields. It also happens to pass several world-class museums, all of which are worth braking for.

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Probably the longest and most scenic cycle route in New York City, the 31mi (50km) Waterfront Greenway goes down the east side of Manhattan, hooks around the bottom of the island, then heads back up the western edge. Start all the way north at Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters Museum, then pass over George Washington Bridge and the Little Red Lighthouse. Cruise down the East River Greenway past Battery Park and the gleaming Freedom Tower. If you still have energy, carry on under Brooklyn bridge and all the way up the quieter west side.

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Prospect Park Loop

The best-known park in Brooklyn provides a pleasant 3.3mi-long (5.3km) loop for a sunny day, encompassing the lake and wooded areas with trees that stream pink cherry blossom in the spring. Plus, you’re only a stones throw from the sweet neighborhood bars and cafes in Fort Green and Park Slope, which are perfect for refueling.

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The Villages

An idle pedal through the gritty yet youthful East Village and the cobbled streets of the West Village is the perfect way to experience the diverse auras New York provides. Pass tattoo studios and designer boutiques, dive bars and quaint Italian restaurants on your way to the Hudson River waterfront – a great place to stop and people-watch.

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Brooklyn Greenway

Start your journey in the newly-landscaped gardens of Brooklyn Bridge Park, where locals gather to play sports and utilize the community BBQ grills. From there, cycle the western fringe of Brooklyn all the way to Red Hook, which — thanks to a lack of subway stops — has the feel of a sleepy fishing village. Stop at Brooklyn Crab for a buttery lobster roll and enjoy great views of the Statue of Liberty.

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If you’re planning a trip to NYC but would like to explore beyond the urban center, our wellness-themed tour of the city includes a bike ride up to Nyack in upstate New York.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.