Fall Kayaking: Brooklyn Pier 2

The boathouse launches kayaks straight off the Pier 2 floating dock, into a sheltered stretch of the East River that stays calm while ferries churn past further out. Here you can get on the water at no cost, paddling within sight of the Brooklyn Bridge, the granite promenade, and the Lower Manhattan towers. Sessions run through the warm months in short shifts, and a weekday visit usually means a quicker turn on the water. Afterward, the lawns and shaded benches along the pier make an easy place to sit and watch the current move under the bridge.