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Bronx Launches 45-Foot Zip Line Over River, Expands Park Adventures

From the largest park in NYC to a 45-foot zip line over the Bronx River, the borough offers fresh-air escapes for every kind of adventurer.

By The Bronx Things-to-do Desk · Published July 18, 2026

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This article was written by AI from the linked sources and was not reviewed by a journalist before publishing. New York Weather News is part of The Daily Network and follows our reasonable editorial care.

Bronx Launches 45-Foot Zip Line Over River, Expands Park Adventures — AI illustration

Summer in The Bronx means trading the concrete for green-and plenty of it. With more than 2,700 acres to explore at Pelham Bay Park, the borough holds New York City's largest public park, complete with hiking trails, bridle paths, and a shoreline on Long Island Sound. For anyone looking to get out of the house without leaving the city, the options range from quiet forest walks to the thrill of a brand-new zip line opening this summer.

Big Parks, Big Adventures

Pelham Bay Park isn't just big-it's a landscape of its own. Spread across over 2,700 acres, the park offers hiking trails that wind through woodlands and salt marshes, along with bridle paths for horseback riders and stretches of shoreline where you can watch the tide roll in over Long Island Sound. It's the kind of place where you can spend a full day without covering the same ground twice.

Up in the northern Bronx, Van Cortlandt Park covers 1,150 acres and packs in a surprising variety of outdoor activities. Shaded hiking trails crisscross the park, and horseback riding is available for those who want to explore on four legs instead of two. When the heat hits, the outdoor pool provides a cool-off spot. Golfers can play a round at what's billed as the oldest public golf course in the United States-a slice of history that's still in play.

On the Water: Kayaking and the Bronx River Greenway

The Bronx River has come a long way from its polluted past. Once considered one of the worst waterways in the city, the river has undergone a massive transformation into a clean, natural habitat. Kayaking on the Bronx River is now a popular outdoor adventure, giving paddlers a chance to see the borough from a completely different angle-gliding past restored shorelines and spotting wildlife that has returned to the water.

The Bronx River Greenway, an ongoing project, promises 23 miles of trails along the only freshwater river in New York City. Whether you're walking, running, or cycling, the scenic pathways offer continuous views of the river and the greenery that lines its banks. It's a work in progress, but sections are already open and worth exploring for anyone who wants to follow the water through the borough.

New for Summer 2026: A Zip Line Over the Bronx River

This summer brings a new kind of thrill to The Bronx. A 45-foot zip line will debut across the Bronx River at the Bronx Zoo, sending riders 45 feet above the water. It's a short ride but a big adrenaline rush-and a chance to see the river and the zoo's landscape from the air. The zip line is set to open during summer 2026, adding a fresh option for families and adventure seekers alike.