Nature Seeker
For the ones who feel most alive outside—near the water, beneath an open sky, or somewhere surrounded by green.
Explore ways to reconnect with nature and make more
room for the outdoors in your everyday life.
A reason to step outside
Go on a Sunset Walk
There's something about the last light of day that makes even a familiar place feel different. Whether it's a beach, a scenic trail, or your own neighborhood, a sunset walk is a simple way to turn an ordinary evening into something worth looking forward to.
It's also a chance to get moving, explore a different view, and leave the busyness of the day behind as you ease into the evening.
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Time: 30–60 minutes, or longer if you feel like lingering
Cost: Free! Unless your chosen location has parking or entrance fees
Best for: Solo time, a casual date, catching up with a friend, family time, or an evening walk with your dog
Best time: Arrive at least 15 minutes before sunset
Bring: Comfortable shoes, water, phone or camera, headphones for a favorite playlist or podcast, a warm drink, a light jacket, a yoga mat or blanket if you'd like to sit, a flashlight for the walk back, binoculars if you enjoy spotting wildlife
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Choose a beach, waterfront, hilltop, scenic trail, or park with a clear view of the western sky. Check the local sunset time and map out your route before heading out.
Take the scenic route, walk at your own pace, and find a spot that catches your eye. You might even discover a new favorite place along the way.
Check park closing times and make sure you have a safe, well-lit route back.
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Turn your walk into a sunset picnic with a blanket, favorite snacks, and something to sip. Invite a friend, bring your dog, or make it a casual date.
Stay a little longer after the sun dips below the horizon. Sometimes the best part happens after sunset!
Listen to your favorite playlist, stop for coffee or ice cream along the way, or find a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy the view. You could even make it a weekly tradition, exploring a different sunset spot each time.
A Little Nudge: As you walk, take photos a few minutes apart, starting before sunset and ending after the sun disappears. Notice how the sun’s position and the colors of the sky change along the way.
Rent Something That Gets You on the Water
Trade the shoreline for a different view. Rent a kayak, paddleboard, canoe, or rowboat and spend a little time exploring from the water.
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Time: 1–3 hours
Cost: $— $$ varies by rental and location
Best for: Going alone, with a friend, or as a family outing
Best time: Calm mornings, golden hour, or warm-weather afternoons
Bring: Water, sunscreen, sunglasses, secure shoes, and a waterproof pouch or dry bag
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Look for rentals at a local beach, lake, marina, park, or nature center. Go for an hour or make an afternoon of it. Bring water, sunscreen, a waterproof phone pouch, and a friend—or enjoy the quiet on your own.
Before heading out be sure to check the weather, rental requirements, and whether reservations are needed. Always use the provided life jacket.
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Go early while the water is quiet, plan a sunset paddle, or pack something to eat for afterward. You don’t have to go far or be especially good at it—the point is to experience a familiar place from a completely different view.
A Little Nudge: Look for something along the shoreline you'd never notice from land. Sometimes a change in perspective makes a familiar place feel completely new.
Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden
Manorville, NY
Visit a Flower Farm
in Bloom
Walk through rows of seasonal flowers, take in all the color, and bring home a few stems if the farm allows you to pick your own.
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Time: 1–3 hours
Cost: $–$$
Who's Coming: Solo, partner, friends, or family
Mood: Outdoorsy, Creative, Relaxed
Energy Level: Low
Best Time: Peak bloom, weekday mornings, or golden hour
Bring: Comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen, and garden shears if permitted
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Search for tulip fields, sunflower farms, lavender farms, wildflower gardens, or pick-your-own flower farms near you. Check bloom updates, admission fees, reservation requirements, picking rules, and weather policies before visiting.
Flower seasons can be beautiful but brief, so plan around what's currently in bloom.
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Choose your favorite stems and create an arrangement when you get home.
Bring someone you love, take photographs, pack a picnic, or return during another season to discover what's blooming next.
A Little Nudge: Find a flower you've never noticed before and learn its name. Then look into growing it at home — you might discover a new favorite for your own garden.
Guided by Foraging with Friends
Sunken Meadow State Park, NY
Take a Guided Foraging Walk
Discover what’s growing all around you with someone who can teach you what to notice, identify, and appreciate along the way.
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Time: 1–3 hours
Cost: $–$$ — varies by guide and location
Best for: Going alone, with a friend, or joining a small group
Best time: Spring through fall, depending on what grows locally
Bring: Comfortable shoes, water, bug spray, and a notebook or camera
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Look for guided foraging walks through local nature centers, farms, botanical gardens, parks, or experienced instructors. Check the terrain and weather beforehand, and never taste or collect anything unless your guide confirms that it is safe and permitted.
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Photograph what you discover, keep a small nature notebook, or plan something to eat nearby afterward. Return during another season and notice how completely the landscape—and what grows there—has changed.
A Little Nudge: Ask your guide to point out one plant people commonly overlook. See if you start noticing it on your everyday walks.
Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve
Commack, NY
Visit a Local Farm
or Petting Zoo
Spend an afternoon meeting the animals, wandering the grounds, and enjoying a closer look at life on the farm.
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Time: 1–3 hours
Cost: $–$$ — admission, animal feed, or special experiences may cost extra
Best for: Going with family, friends, or on your own
Best time: Weekday mornings or late afternoons, when crowds may be lighter
Bring: Comfortable closed-toe shoes, water, hand sanitizer, and clothes you don’t mind getting a little dusty.
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Look for local farms, petting zoos, animal sanctuaries, or nature centers that welcome visitors. Check their hours, seasonal schedule, reservation requirements, and whether they offer feeding or hands-on experiences.
Choose a reputable place that treats its animals well, follow staff instructions, and wash your hands after interacting with them.
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Pair your visit with a farm stand, seasonal event, picnic, or lunch nearby. Take photographs and choose to learn one interesting fact about an animal to bring home with you.
A Little Nudge: Learn the name of one animal before you leave. Somehow, the experience becomes a little more personal when you know who you're saying goodbye to — or who you'll come back to visit.
Plan an Outing Around
the Sky
Check what’s happening above you this month—a full moon, moonrise, meteor shower, eclipse, or another celestial event—and make a plan to experience it.
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Time: 30 minutes–3 hours
Cost: Free–$ — depending on where you go and what you bring
Best for: Going alone, bringing someone along, or making it a family outing
Best time: Depends on the event—check the date and viewing time in advance
Bring: A blanket or chairs, warm layers, your favorite drink, snacks, binoculars if you have them, and a flashlight
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At the beginning of each month, check a lunar or astronomy calendar for upcoming moonrises, meteor showers, eclipses, and other visible events. Then choose a place with an open view of the sky—stay later at the beach, visit a park, or set up somewhere in your own backyard.
Check the weather, cloud cover, park hours, and viewing direction before you leave. For a solar eclipse, always use certified eclipse-viewing glasses.
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Pack a nighttime picnic, bring hot chocolate or wine, create a playlist, or invite someone who would appreciate it with you. Arrive a little early to get settled and make sure you don't miss anything.
A Little Nudge: Arrive a little earlier than you planned and watch how the sky changes. Sometimes the moments leading up to a sunrise, sunset, or night of stargazing are just as beautiful.
Kings Park Bluff
Kings Park, NY (Town of Smithtown)
Take Your Mat
Outside
Find a little spot in nature, unroll your mat, and give yourself time to settle in. Move, stretch, or simply sit and enjoy what’s around you.
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Time: 15 minutes to an hour
Cost: Free-unless parking or entry fees apply
Best for: Solo stretching, quiet time, or relaxing with a friend
Best time: A quiet morning or late afternoon, sunset
Bring: A mat, water, snacks, and a light layer -
Look for a park, waterfront, or quiet green space with a good spot to spread out your mat. Check the weather, opening hours, and parking passes needed before you go. Leave a little extra time for a walk—or one more chapter of your book.
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Follow a familiar yoga flow, enjoy a few gentle stretches, or simply sit. Listen to the leaves rustling or the water nearby. Bring a journal, invite a friend, or stay a little longer with your book. There’s no routine you have to finish.
A Little Nudge: Before you leave your mat, try a simple breathing exercise. Inhale for four counts, then slowly exhale for six. Repeat five times and notice how you feel.
Harbes Orchard
Riverhead, NY
Pick Something in Season
Make the most of the season and what’s fresh—pick berries in summer, apples in fall, or a pumpkin that catches your eye. Enjoy a little time outside and bring home something to bake, share, or make your own.
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Time: 1–2 hours
Cost: $–$$ admission and what you pick may be priced separately
Best for: A solo wander or an outing with friends or family
Best time: During picking season; weekday mornings are often quieter
Bring: Comfortable shoes, water, sun protection, and a bag if permitted -
Find a local farm or orchard and check what’s ready to pick, opening hours, and reservation requirements. Look into admission, picking prices, and whether containers are provided. Leave a little time for the farm stand or a seasonal treat afterward.
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Wander a little slower and notice the colors, textures, and sounds around you. Choose a recipe before you go—or let what you bring home inspire you. Bake an apple crisp, make your own apple butter, share a bowl of berries, or give your pumpkin a personality. Invite someone over to enjoy what you picked.
A Little Nudge: Pick a little extra for someone who couldn't come along. A bag of freshly picked apples or berries makes a lovely unexpected surprise.
A change of scenery, fresh air, and a trail to follow. Hiking is a wonderful way to explore somewhere new, move your body, and spend a little time outdoors. Whether it's a wooded trail, a coastal path, or a climb with a beautiful view at the top, there's something rewarding about discovering a place one step at a time.
Go on a Hike
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Time: 1–4 hours depending on the trail
Cost: Free–$ some parks charge entrance or parking fees
Best for: Solo time, catching up with a friend, getting outdoors, or exploring somewhere new
Best time: Mornings for cooler temperatures and quieter trails, or afternoons with plenty of daylight
Bring: Comfortable hiking shoes, plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, a small first-aid kit, a portable phone charger, and a downloaded trail map or hiking app like AllTrails.
For longer or unfamiliar trails, bring a paper map and compass as backup, and consider trekking poles for steep or challenging terrain.
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Look for local parks, nature preserves, or hiking trails you haven't explored. Apps like AllTrails can help you discover routes nearby, with reviews, photos, distances, and difficulty levels. Choose a trail that matches your comfort level and the amount of time you have.
Check the weather, trail conditions, and parking information before heading out, and allow enough daylight to finish comfortably.
Download your trail map before leaving, since cell service can be unreliable in more remote areas.
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Bring a friend and turn it into a chance to catch up, or head out solo for a little time to yourself. If you're new to hiking or want to meet people, look for an organized group hike or a guided experience with someone who knows the trails.
Pack a favorite snack to enjoy at a scenic overlook, bring your camera to capture something beautiful, or find a cozy café nearby for a treat afterward.
Bring your dog along for the adventure! Just check that the trail is pet-friendly and review leash requirements before you go.
You don't have to tackle the longest or most challenging trail to make it worthwhile. Sometimes a short hike somewhere beautiful is exactly what you need.
A Little Nudge: Find out a little about the history of the land you're hiking through. You might discover an old railway, a former estate, or a story you never knew existed.
Visit a National Park
Explore breathtaking landscapes, winding trails, quiet forests, and beautiful coastlines. Whether it's a quick day trip or a weekend adventure, national parks offer endless opportunities to discover new places, experience nature, and explore somewhere extraordinary.
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Time: A few hours, a full day, or a weekend
Cost: Varies by park; some are free
Best for: Go solo, with friends, family, or your dog where permitted
Best time: Early mornings, weekdays, or during seasonal changes
Bring: Comfortable shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen, weather-appropriate layers, sunscreen, a camera, and an offline map
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Choose a national park you've always wanted to visit or explore one closer to home. Check the park's website for entrance fees, timed-entry reservations, seasonal closures, and parking information.
Research trails and attractions ahead of time, paying attention to difficulty levels, distances, elevation changes, and accessibility. Not every park experience requires a challenging hike!
Popular parks can get crowded, especially during weekends and peak seasons. Consider arriving early or visiting on a weekday for a more relaxed experience.
Check the weather, download offline maps, and plan your route. Cell service can be limited, and some parks are much larger than you might expect.
Leave room for a scenic overlook, a visitor center stop, or an unexpected discovery along the way.
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Pack a picnic to enjoy at a scenic spot.
Take plenty of photos to capture the incredible landscapes and little details along the way. If you can make it a weekend getaway and explore the surrounding area.
Don’t forget to pick up a national park patch at the visitor center or gift shop and collect one from every park you visit.
Need inspiration?
Here are a few of the most iconic:Acadia, Maine: Rocky coastlines, ocean views, and scenic drives.
Yellowstone, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho: Geysers, hot springs, and incredible wildlife.
Yosemite, California: Waterfalls, granite cliffs, and giant sequoias.
Zion, Utah: Dramatic red cliffs and breathtaking hiking trails.
Grand Canyon, Arizona: Spectacular canyon views and unforgettable sunsets.
A Little Nudge: Stop by the visitor center and ask a park ranger: What's something most visitors overlook?