New York during winter, while a being a frosty affair, is undeniably beautiful. From November onwards, the crowds lessen, the festive decorations appear plus the added bonus of magical snowfall turns the city into a winter wonderland.
While the winter temperatures in New York turn the city into a giant ice-cube, there is no reason why you can’t throw on your best pair of running shoes and hit the pavement. Doubling as an inexpensive way to explore the city and break a sweat, you can combine sightseeing and exercise together.
Whether you’re a local or just visiting, start off your day by clocking up some miles without wasting any time. Follow these paths to see the city’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, iconic buildings and take a look at where the locals hang out.
Central Park outer loop
If you happen to be in New York from November through winter, everywhere you go, you’ll be greeted with elegant festive decorations topped with a dusting of snow. So, first on the list: Central Park. This huge, famous rectangle of greenery can be found smack bang in the middle of Manhattan. Arguably one of the best places to run in Manhattan, during the winter you can run past the two ice major rinks; Wollman Rink located in the southeast part of the park, and Lasker Rink in the north.
The Central Park outer loop covers 6-miles in distance and attracts runners of all skill levels, and the terrain varies from flat paths to a steeper incline to keep you on your toes. Plus, there’s always the convenience of the public bathrooms and water fountains along this route. When you’re done breaking a sweat, grab a hotdog from one of the million stands along the way.
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Central Park is a magical place, filled with history and a surprise around every corner. You never know what you will find or who. From the Zoo, the pond, tunnels, the milk and cookies house, etc. It also holds the finish line for the NY Marathon. Remembering images of that will inspire anyone.
Dress appropriately. Good gloves and something on your head, covering your ears, will help keep in warmth. While running, you generate a lot of heat. If you dress in layers, you will stay warm. Some need more layers. There is nothing better than a run outside, to break out of the winter doldrums. Add a few snowflakes falling, a great song, and it could make your day awesome. – Julie, Marathon Goddess
I love the challenge of the hills when running in Central Park. The park is full of rolling hills, so it definitely isn’t one of the easier routes in NYC. They hurt when you are running, but in the end they push you and make you a better runner. Plus, the park a great place to train for the NYC marathon since the race ends there.
The hardest part of running in the winter is getting yourself out the door and into the cold air. So give yourself an easy goal, like running for just 5 or 10 minutes. You will find that once you are out the door, it becomes much easier to keep running past your initial goal. Central Park will also be full of runners who are just as cold as you, which will give you even more motivation to keep running once you are out there. – Anna, Anna Wildman
Central Park Reservoir
If you’re still working your way up to the full Central Park loop, check out the less daunting option. The Central Park Reservoir covers a distance of just 1.5-miles meaning you can jog along this flat, soft surface and still have the energy to keep exploring later in the day.
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Whether it’s a tourist who is walking and sight-seeing, a New Yorker riding a Citi bike, or a fellow runner training for the New York City Marathon, I love seeing so many people out and active. It inspires me to push through the burn during a run or really power up a hill. I use the energy around me to fuel me. I also love the Jackie Onassis Reservoir. There’s something about running by the water that is so refreshing and therapeutic.Invest in good gear! The winter temps aren’t so bad if you wear gear that helps you wick sweat and insulate heat. I love the Sweaty Betty Bass Layers or the Adidas Techfit Climawarm turtlenecks. Also, wear a hat! Most heat escapes from your head. Once you get out there, you’ll warm up quickly and won’t notice the cold if you’re wearing the right gear. – Grace, Lean Girls Club
The Highline
Such a clever bunch, those New Yorkers are! Making the most of the of the vacant space along the former New York Central Railroad saw the birth of The High Line. Stretching from the Meatpacking District and beyond, you’ll find unparalleled views of the city at it’s wintery best. If you’re searching for Christmas gifts, stop past the Chelsea Market to pick up a few treats for your loved ones.
Top tip: To avoid the inevitable crowds that are drawn to this urban space, throw on your running shoes in the morning for an uninterrupted run.
Along Crosby Street and surrounding SoHo
A hub for shopping, eating and exploring, to run along Crosby Street is just the start of your SoHo adventure. While Crosby Street itself is not overly long, this can be used as your starting point to get lost in the city by running along neighbouring streets. Home to independent boutiques, cafes and local businesses will help to give you a more authentic taste of New York.
Lower Manhattan Loop
Circling its way across the bottom of Manhattan, this route is jam-packed with all the icons. You know, the ones that you’ve seen in all the movies; the ones you’ve read about, but nothing compares to actually seeing them in real life.
As you make your way along the 9.9-mile loop, treat your eyes to vistas of Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty. You’ll be so distracted by the major landmarks that you won’t even realize you’re exercising.
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Whatever your miles and the location where you run, try find a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in the movement. On each run, think of your body as a new friend you just met. Approach it with with curiosity, compassion and respect. Most importantly, hold yourself from running too fast too soon. To do this, I’d advice to check out Dr. Phil Maffetone’s stellar work -it helped me train for my 2400 km run across New Zealand. – Emilia, Emilia Lahti
East River Bridges
If you consider yourself to be a running pro, we’d highly recommend tackling the East River Bridges path. This route crosses from Manhattan over the Williamsburg Bridge while looping back for 12.2 miles. If you’re training for the New York Marathon, this is the perfect opportunity to get those miles under your belt.
Find this exact route on Strava.
Are you ready to take on the streets of New York City? Share your best places to run in the comments below.
