Unique Family Destinations in New York and Philadelphiaby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 14 Aug 2009 10:29 AM Ben Franklin, the Liberty Bell, the Statute of Liberty, Times Square and the Empire State Building are popular must-see sights in the Big Apple and the "City of Brotherly Love." However, families spending the summer in New York and Philadelphia shouldn't limit their sightseeing to the aforementioned crowded landmarks. Instead, consider these unique outdoor adventures: NEW YORK CITY BEACHES Believe it or not New York City is being touted as the newest U.S. beach spot. No kidding. Recently, hundreds of tons of sand were shoveled into three areas: South Street Seaport, Governors Island and Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City in Queens (which boasts a view of the Manhattan skyline). Okay, technically they're not beach beaches--you can't swim, but there's beach volleyball, beach eats and DJs on weekend nights. In addition, South Street Seaport has a miniature golf course and offers spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge. According to city officials, while the outer boroughs have about 14 miles of real beaches, the new quasi ones are "closer for a lot of visitors who spend their time in Manhattan." PHILADELPHIA UNPLUGGED If you are looking for outdoor adventures that are void of cellphones, TVs, computers and the omnipresent CrackBerry, then head to Philly for a day of kayaking, biking or zip lining. Urban kayaking tours depart from the Schuylkill Banks at Walnut Street, either north to the Philadelphia Museum of Art or south to Bartram's Garden. Also within city limits, you'll find Livezey Rock, 35 feet high and 60 feet long, and ideal for avid climbers. Are you a pro on two wheels? Then head out on a moderately challenging 28-mile biking trail, which runs from the Philadelphia Museum of Art along the Schuylkill River to Valley Forge. If mountain biking is your thing, then visit the Wissahickon Valley Park portion of Fairmount Park, where the trails around Forbidden Drive are considered suitable for first-time mountain bikers. Finally, in nearby Montgomery County, Spring Mountain Adventures offers a series of zipline and rope challenges that take you through treetops and over scenic terrain. Related Articles: Planning a trip to New York? Check out these other Big Apple-related articles: New York's Must-See Attractions---The Statue of Liberty How To Eliminate Waiting in Long Lines For Lady Liberty Summer Travel: Tourism Heats Up in New York One More Reason to Visit New York City Traveling to New York? Think Broadway New York's Must-See Attractions---The Empire State Building Little People in the Big Apple: Central Park Zoo and FAO Schwartz Little People in the Big Apple: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Patriotic Travel Destinations-Taking A Cruise of New York Where To Get Your Chocolate Fix In New York Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Discuss this article
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