"While Punxsutawney Phil is the traditional way to predict whether warm weather is around the corner, since moving to New York City, my local ice cream truck has become my marker for the start of spring. Now, as the sound of The Entertainer grows louder as I make my way from the subway to my apartment, I know it’s about time to swap out my winter coats for colorful spring jackets (and maybe treat myself to a sprinkle-covered ice cream bar). Although most mornings still hold a chill in the air, warmer days are coming. By mid-afternoon, when I can feel the sun’s warmth on my face, I feel inspired to do more with my evenings than hide under my blankets doom-scrolling and catching up on White Lotus episodes. If that sounds similar to your after-work ritual, it’s time to add some new outdoor hobbies to your routine.
this is your sign to stock up
Now that the weather is warmer and the sun stays up past 4 p.m., being outside suddenly sounds like the best way to spend my time this spring. Whether you’re ready to enter your granola girl era, get your body moving, or just up your vitamin D intake, here are 16 outdoor hobbies to pick up now that it’s nice out again.
1. Hiking
If you want to take your hot girl walks up a notch, trade in your sneakers for some hiking boots. Not only is hiking a full-body workout that can improve endurance and help you gain muscle, but it’s also a great way to get outside in nature and unwind from the stress of everyday life. So put on a matching set, fill up a water bottle, and challenge yourself with a new trail.
2. Gardening
Growing up, my mum always filled our backyard with flowers and homegrown veggies, but apparently, her green thumb isn’t genetic. While I don’t have a backyard yet, I figured it’s about time I learned how to care for a garden. Turns out, you can do a lot with just a few pots on a windowsill or balcony. Many cities also have community gardens where you can rent a plot for a small fee. And if you do have a yard, the sky’s the limit with what you can grow! Wherever you start yours, gardening is the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful weather, unwind, and get your hands dirty.
3. Outdoor Painting
Arts and crafts make cozy indoor activities you can do throughout the winter, but taking this hobby outside is an excellent way to romanticize the warm weather. If you’re feeling really creative, bring your art supplies to a nearby park and challenge yourself to paint what you see, or keep it simple and pack your paint-by-number kit. Either way, painting outside will help you tap into your creativity, relax your mind, and create something beautiful.
4. Racket sports
If you’re looking for outdoor hobbies you can do with friends or a partner, racket sports like tennis, badminton, and pickleball can be so fun to pick up. There is something truly satisfying about the “swish” sound your racquet makes when you make the perfect hit. You can find affordable equipment on Amazon or at your local sporting goods store, and the games can be as casual or competitive as you want. Whether you’re looking for a way to work up an appetite for Sunday brunch, get moving after a stagnant winter (this is me), or channel your inner Serena Williams, grab a partner and your racket and hit the courts.
5. Stargazing
Stargazing is more than a dream date night activity—with a little practice, you can turn it into a whole hobby. Even if you don’t happen to have a telescope lying around, you can see a lot with the naked eye on a clear night. If you need help identifying what you’re looking at, download a stargazing app that can lay out all the different constellations in view when you point your device at the sky. This outdoor hobby is low-stress, easy to start, and great for showing off your smarts on your next date night.
6. Running
If you haven’t run a mile since high school gym class, running can seem pretty intimidating, especially when it feels like everyone is training for a marathon these days. However, there are no requirements to start, and you can set goals that are totally personal to you and your lifestyle. Running can be a fantastic solo activity to clear your head, or you can make it a social event by joining a run club in your area. So treat yourself to a new pair of sneakers, link your smart watch to Strava, and get out there (even if it’s just around the block to start).
7. Kayaking
Being near water can have some serious mental health benefits, making water sports like kayaking excellent outdoor hobbies to try for a mood boost. Plus, your upper body will get a killer workout. If you’re not ready to invest in your own kayak (who has that kind of storage space?), you can often rent kayaks, paddles, and life jackets at your local lake or reservoir for an affordable price. Kayaking is even more fun with friends, so bring a buddy or two along for the adventure (and for someone you can splash)!
8. Geocaching
If you were into scavenger hunts as a kid, this one’s for you. Geocaching involves using GPS to locate hidden containers at specific coordinates. When you find one, you can sign your name in the logbook and sometimes find knickknacks inside for trading. While this is a niche hobby, there are millions of geocaches worldwide, so it’s worth downloading the Geocaching app to see what you can find in your area. And if you’re directionally challenged like me, this seems like a prime opportunity to strengthen your navigational skills (or lack thereof).
9. Bird Watching
I know bird-watching may sound like an activity for retirees, but there is something so satisfying about finally spotting the bird you’ve been watching out for. Not only do you get a sense of accomplishment—and perhaps notice a type of bird you never knew existed—you also get to connect with nature and quiet your brain. It’s the perfect solo activity to try on a slow weekend. To get started, you’ll need a pair of good walking shoes, some binoculars, and a bird-watching app or a book of birds in your area.
10. Outdoor Yoga
Practicing outdoor yoga is the perfect way to decompress after work or re-center yourself on the weekends. Whether it’s on a rooftop, at a park, or in your backyard, there is something about being barefoot in grass and connecting with the earth that always helps me release both physical and mental tension. All you need is a yoga mat and some comfy clothes. If you’re not a yoga guru, you could look into outdoor classes near you or simply follow along with a video (YouTube is a gold mine of free online classes).
11. Photography
Learning how to take better photos is a skill I could definitely use, and it can also be a fun hobby that helps you decompress, refocus, and see things from a new perspective. If you don’t have a spiffy digital camera, don’t worry—your smartphone camera is better than you think and likely has a lot of features you haven’t explored yet. Play around with the settings and then head outside to snap some practice photos. Whether you’re trying to capture a beautiful sunset, a close-up of a pretty flower, or a candid moment with friends, there is no such thing as too much practice when it comes to photography.
12. Sand Volleyball
Nothing says summer like sand volleyball! Whether you played in high school or haven’t bumped a ball in your life, volleyball is a fun sport to pick up and play with friends. Find an open sand volleyball court at a park near you, or get competitive with it and join an adult league. Whether you’re playing for bragging rights or just for fun, prepare to get sandy and make a whole bunch of new friends!
13. Flower Arranging
Being a florist sounds like a dream job, and though I’m not planning on making a career pivot anytime soon, I can always hone my flower-arranging skills in the meantime. Before you plunk your flowers in a vase, brush up on some tricks to properly prep them and extend their vase life. Then get creative with different varieties, color schemes, and vessels for your arrangements. Make this hobby affordable with inexpensive bouquets from Trader Joe’s or your local grocery store, or try growing your own blooms. Flower arranging is the perfect activity to do outside (less mess to clean up!), and you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful results for days on end.
14. Fishing
If you’re looking for something low-effort and high-reward, fishing might be the perfect outdoor hobby to try this season. Whether you’re planning on catching something fresh for dinner or catching and releasing like me, all you need is a rod, some line and hooks, ample bait, and lots of patience. Remember to check if you need a license to fish in your area before you head out!
15. Cycling
Indoor spin classes have been keeping me going all winter long, but now that the weather is finally nice enough, I’m ready to take those skills outside. Whether you want to go for a leisurely ride on a scenic route, bike your way to work, or join an actual cycling club, this can be a great addition to your routine if you want something a little more exciting than a walk. If you don’t own a bike, lots of city centers have bikes you can rent for the afternoon at reasonable prices. Just remember to wear your helmet!
16. Golf
Golf is a great low-stress sport that lets you connect with others while still doing something active and outside. Even if you don’t own your own clubs, most golf courses offer rentals—though if you plan on making this a habit, buying your own set could be worth the investment. While golf is a fairly expensive hobby, it’s something you can do for life. But if you’re looking for something more low-key, mini golf counts, too.
Bryanna Cuthill, Contributing Writer
Bryanna Cuthill is an NYC-based writer with a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from Baldwin Wallace University. Being a textbook hopeless romantic, and writing professional pretender on her taxes, Bryanna is no stranger to being delulu and achieving a teaspoon of success for every cup of rejection. She truly believes the pen is mightier than the sword and hopes to be the internet big sister she never had and encourages everyone to be a girl boss while also taking the time to romanticize their own life.