Have you ever wanted to go camping right in your own backyard? Here is an upscale take on that fantasy brought to you by Collective Retreats.

All you need to do is take the ferry over to Governor’s Island a place where no cars or other motorized vehicles are permitted, and pick one of two levels of posh glamping tents- a third, more luxurious “Outlook Shelter” repurposed shipping container with a 180-degree glass encased bedroom is coming soon- which include 1,000-1,500 thread-count linen, electricity and plenty of sockets, a designer curated blanket, plush Turkish towels, and of course a chandelier above your bed.

The campsite boasts amazing views of lower Manhattan surrounded by lush green space, an inspiring view of Lady Liberty, bike tours, sightseeing, and lovely parks nearby. A gourmet Continental Breakfast is served in the morning, so no need to fuss with the Coleman stove or cleaning the trout from the lake/river. Lunch and dinner are also available, from BBQ-in-a-box, to Ferry to Flame- a chef-prepared multi-course dinner extravaganza served either “in-tent” or at an outdoor table overlooking the mesmerizing New York Harbor. There are also traditional restaurant meals available at the Three Peaks lodge. And of course, there’s a full-service bar at Three Peaks.

When you are not eating, drinking, sleeping or bike riding, guests can enjoy the rich calendar of art and cultural events, including performances, educational exhibits, tours of National Monuments and more.
Glamorous camping arrived in New York last spring, and this year it is bound to out do itself. Check it out here: Collective Retreats.

Tomorrow lovers of the outdoors can enjoy New York’s wonderful parks for free.  Thanks to National Public Lands Day on September 22, all parks are open to the public to come and enjoy and appreciate the country’s wonderful land and outdoors life.  The Day was established to “celebrate the connection between people and green space in their community, inspire environmental stewardship and encourage use of open space for education, recreation and general health.”

In addition, check out the varied volunteer opportunities  that are available in and around New York City as well as other areas.

For example, tomorrow, a mere 8 minute ferry ride from lower Manhattan, volunteers at Governors Island will get their hands dirty and feel the love of the land as they cut through overgrowth, mulch trees and clear pathways for everyone to enjoy.  The National Environmental Educational Foundation (NEEF) organizes lots of events just like this for the special day so check out their website for more ideas on how to be a productive, constructive part of maintaining and improve the public lands in your neighborhood.

“Labyrinth of Failure” by Kim Navarre from Brooklyn, NY – Labyrinth of Failure by Chris Hackett and Eleanor LovinskyUploaded by McGeddon. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons

Seeing art outdoors is a wonderful experience. When the installation becomes a part of the environment, something is added which is impossible to replicate within the four walls of a building, no matter how innovative that building might be.

Check out some, or all, of these delightful, creative, even wondrous works of art, proudly exhibited in the great outdoors of New York City.

•    Here’s a great excuse to go visit Governor’s Island– The Interactive Sculpture Garden at the parade grounds.  This delightful playland contains a real, working tree house, lots of shade, and even an artistic mini-golf course. And you get a trip on the ferry, too.
•    On the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art visitors will encounter a huge fish tank containing an eye-popping lava rock which beckons to the various lampreys and tadpole shrimp swimming inside. There is also a rather large boulder of the thing that made Manhattan great; Manhattan schist- the material New York’s skyscrapers, which can be seen in the distance, are made.
•    At Brooklyn Bridge Park, until April 17, 2016, three installations incorporate the view of Manhattan’s skyline into the works. One is a group of mirrors, which literally “mirrors” the skyline seen in the distance; Bright red benches twist and turn in unlikely shapes, encouraging children to join in the fun; and a water sculpture brings welcome relief from the humid heat of a typical New York summer. Stroll through the fountain and notice that wherever you walk within, that is where the water stops gushing.