Free 5Ks in three boroughs
NYRR Open Run hosts free, weekly 5K community runs in parks across the city. On Sunday, August 30, 2026, you can join one in Cunningham Park in Queens, Marine Park in Brooklyn, or the new runner clinic at Conference House Park in Staten Island. The clinics are coached by NYRR coaches and open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, according to NYC Parks. No need to be fast. Show up, walk the course, and you still get the experience. NYC Parks lists the Cunningham Park run, the Marine Park clinic and the Conference House Park clinic with more details. The event itself is free, so your only likely expense is getting there. Do not expect tourist crowds. These are neighborhood events, which makes them a good way to see parts of the city beyond Manhattan.
Kayak before the season ends
The Inwood Canoe Club holds a free Sunday open house at its site in Manhattan just north of the George Washington Bridge. You get a guided 20-minute kayak trip on the Hudson, and the program is free. Signup starts in person at 9 a.m. for three waves, first come first served, and the season ends September 6. Complete the 2026 waiver before you paddle, says the NYC Parks event page. If you want a seat, arrive before 9 a.m. and be ready to wait. The kayaks go out in waves, not all at once.
Basketball clinic
For younger travelers or anyone wanting a structured workout, the Summer Sports Experience basketball clinic offers age-appropriate instruction, drills and live game play, according to NYC Parks. It is more of a local youth program than a tourist activity, but older kids and teens might enjoy it. Check the Summer Sports Experience page for exact times and location. The bigger draw for visitors is likely the free runs and the kayak trip, since both take you into real neighborhood life after the museum crowds.
Best tours and tickets in New York
Curated from Viator. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
All-Access 9/11: Ground Zero Tour, Memorial and Museum, One World Observatory
Frequently asked questions
Are the NYRR Open Run events suitable for walkers?
What should I do before the Inwood kayak trip?
Related guides
Mexican Independence Day Parade 2026 Closes 11 Blocks of Madison Avenue
A Mexican Independence Day parade shuts 11 blocks of Madison Avenue this weekend, plus Hispanic Heritage Month dates and a Central Park Halloween change.
Read more →NYC Trick-or-Streets 2026: 160 Car-Free Halloween Streets and Plazas
NYC's Trick-or-Streets returns in late October 2026 with a record 160 car-free streets and plazas for Halloween. Here's what travelers should plan around.
Read more →Rain on NYC's Long Weekend: When It Clears and What to Do Instead
Rain is forecast for New York's long weekend. Here is when it should clear, plus indoor plans: North African food and old New York ghost stories.
Read more →Climate Week NYC 2026: Free Flood-Prep Comedy in Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island
Free 'Please Don't Flush!' shows run Sept. 19-27, 2026 in Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island during Climate Week NYC. Here's what travelers should know.
Read more →Last-Minute US Open Tickets in NYC: Still Possible Before the Finals
Last-minute US Open tickets in New York are still possible before the finals, plus a one-night 1976 Transit Museum disco party and a Jellycat refresh.
Read more →New York Halloween 2026: Rockefeller Art, Sleepy Hollow Witches, and a JFK-Area 5K
Halloween 2026 in New York: Kenny Scharf at Rockefeller Center, Sleepy Hollow's witch paddle festival on Oct. 10, and a free JFK-area 5K.
Read more →Editorial summary produced with AI support and reviewed. Facts are as reported by the sources linked in the text. Verify anything important before you act on it. Spotted an error? Use the contact form and we will correct it.
All prices and times on this page are ESTIMATES and change often. They are a starting point from an independent editor, never official or guaranteed figures. Always check the final price and the opening hours with the official venue or operator before you book or travel.
