Kayaks are a great way to explore lakes, rivers and other waterways. If you want to get out on the water but don’t have your own boat or aren’t quite ready to lug around a kayak, you can rent one for your trip. Many places offer kayaks and paddleboards for hire, and others offer guided eco-tours and everything else you need to hit the water.

Brooklyn Bridge Park offers free kayaking sessions from June to August, where you can join the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse for a relaxing day of paddling. You can also take a guided tour on the Hudson River, which is a bit more challenging but offers breathtaking views of Manhattan’s skyline. Lake Placid is another fun option, where you can find islands and coves on Mirror Lake, or enjoy a view of lakefront homes and Whiteface Mountain from Paradox Bay. The Ausable River runs through the Adirondack Park and can be a good choice for wildlife viewing and natural scenery.

If you are looking for a different kind of kayak experience, try stand up paddleboarding. It’s a little more difficult than kayaking, but it’s a great way to get some exercise and see the water in a new way. You can rent paddleboards and other watercraft at several locations, including a self-serve station at Riverside Landing Park in St. Charles County, which is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2-6 p.m., daily. kayak rental near me