If you live in New York, you already know there’s something special about starting fresh here. And lately, more people are choosing to kick off the new year not on the couch, but outside, breathing in cold air and letting the quiet do its thing. A new national roundup just confirmed what many of us already feel: New York has some seriously good spots to ease into January with a walk that actually feels meaningful
Below are three places in our state that stood out as favorite New Year’s Day walks, and each one makes sense for a different kind of New Yorker.
Why New Year’s Day Walks Are Having a Moment
There’s an idea that how you spend January 1 sets the tone for the year ahead. Instead of chaos or hangovers, people are choosing calm, movement, and fresh air. Even a simple walk gets your body moving, clears your head, and gives you space to think about what you want the year to look like. No pressure. No resolutions. Just putting one foot in front of the other.
And yes, it helps that walking is one of the easiest ways to do something good for yourself without needing special gear or a gym membership.
A Forest Feel Right Inside Manhattan
If you’re in New York City, Inwood Hill Park might surprise you. Tucked way up at the northern end of Manhattan, it feels nothing like the rest of the city. You’re suddenly surrounded by trees, dirt paths, and views of the river that make you forget how many millions of people live nearby…