13 Big-City Outdoorsy Adventures You Need To Take Now

Summer may be on its way out, but that doesn't mean you have to head indoors for good. In fact, fall is the perfect time to find new landscapes to explore. Even if you're heading to a city this fall, there is outdoor fun to be had. Life is an adventure! Go find it!

Bike Glacial Drumlin State Trail - Madison, WI

dnr.wi.gov / Via glacialdrumlin.com

You might want to bike this 52-mile long trail in stages (or not. Depends on how much time you have). Either way, beauty is guaranteed.

Hike Ice Lake - Portland, OR

loomisadventures.com / Via portlandhikersfieldguide.org

You can do this hike in a day or spread it out over a weekend. Regardless, there will be meadows and waterfalls involved, and when you reach Ice Lake itself - a crystal clear oasis below the Wallowas Moutains' highest ridge - you'll definitely understand the hype.

Kayak the Chicago River - Chicago, IL

wateriders.com / Via chicagoriver.org

You don't have to go to Venice to get that in-the-water-but-also-in-the-city feel; Chicago'll do just fine. Admire the city from the comfort of your kayak for that true man meets nature experience.

Play in Tulsa River Parks - Tulsa, OK

incog.org / Via riverparks.org

Where the Arkansas river meets Tulsa, find the Tulsa River Parks. There's a lot you can do in this area - fishing, biking, kayaking, hiking, and hanging all come to mind.

Explore George's Island - Boston, MA

johnlaplantephotography.com / Via bostonharborislands.org

If you've got an afternoon off, hop on the George's Island Ferry and spend it picnicking and playing on this beautiful island. Bonus if you launch a game of hide-and-seek in the depths of Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort that calls the island home.

Sea Kayak in the San Juan Islands - Seattle, WA

shawnobrien19.wordpress.com / Via visitsanjuans.com

You can get to the San Juan Islands from Seattle by ferry, plane, or clipper, and once you're there it's time to get in the water. You might see an orca whale! (Disclaimer: orca whales are most often spotted from May to September, so get busy.)

Hike Alum Creek State Park - Columbus, OH

ohiotraveler.com / Via parks.ohiodnr.gov

This gem of a park has great hiking trails, as well as a gorgeous reservoir to admire once you're all hiked out.

Camp at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Gainesville, FL

rd.com / Via floridastateparks.org

You can bring a tent, an RV, or a trailer to this campsite near Lake Wauburg. If you're there on a Saturday night from November to February, enjoy a complimentary ranger-led campfire program and learn about the history and the wildlife of Paynes Prairie. BYO marshmallows.

Zipline at the Alley Pond Park Adventure Course - Queens, NY

redtri.com / Via nycgovparks.org

Spending the fall in NYC? That doesn't mean you're confined to traditional city activities. If you have a metro card, you can make it to this Queens location for a full day of adventure. Through November, get there on Saturdays at 10 AM to sign up for free programs.

Cliff Jump at Red Rocks Park - Burlington, VT

Flickr: 38449604@N03 / Via tripbucket.com

It's a 76-foot jump from the cliffs of Red Rocks into Lake Champlain, so proceed with caution.

Snorkel at La Jolla Cave - La Jolla, CA

101thingstodosw.com / Via hikebikekayak.com

Hop in the car in San Diego and you'll be in La Jolla in 20 minutes. Snorkeling tours continue through the early fall, so get out there and see some fish.

Walk the Atlanta Beltline - Atlanta, GA

vahi.org / Via beltline.org

This former railway corridor is now a beautiful series of trails around the heart of Atlanta. Take a walking tour of the Beltline Arboretum, or just head out on your own - there's plenty to see.

Swim in Barton Springs - Austin, TX

photohome.com / Via austintexas.gov

This 3-acre pool fed from underground springs averages 68-70 degrees year-round. In other words, you can and should be there all the time.

See what an adventure life can be!