Upper West Side Lakes

Lakes Close to Upper West Side

Sometimes you just need to pack up and find a spot by the water. A lake vacation is wonderful for people that enjoy the outdoors too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.

There are countless brilliant motivations to visit a lake in Upper West Side during the warmer months – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer activities such as wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Scan the table directly beneath this paragraph and see your options including swimming lakes to larger lakes for you to enjoy.

Lakes Near Upper West Side

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A quick excursion to a lake, or a longer trip offers an almost endless list of things to do for couples or families.

A day, weekend, or a week at the lake gives you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.

Partake in some delicious delights outside. The lakes near Upper West Side gives you the chance to visit a wealth of great picnic areas where you can enjoy tasty treats, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage while enjoying the scenery. Should you be with someone you want to impress, good food and a view is hard to beat.

Get in the water. The swimming lakes near Upper West Side provide all kinds of fun and excitement for the kids, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active in between working on their tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on before you make the trip! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a magnificent public beach on a lake near Upper West Side!

Water sports. If you’re able to get access to a speed boat, why not spend the day kicking up a wake showing off your water sports talents? Hit the water and go wakeboarding or knee boarding as the local lakes offer you all kinds of choices.

Lake Checklist

Your plan for a lake getaway can honestly be all over the map depending on which lake you choose, the time of year, the weather, and your plan of attack. To make things easier we’ve put together a list of our favorite lake necessities for you to use as a checklist for your getaway.

Common lake items

For a day spent on the water it makes a lot of sense to take some of the things in our list below to make sure you’re feeling good, healthy, and enjoying your time.

  • A cooler and drinks
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Travel dinnerware and cups
  • Insect repellant
  • Dry shirt
  • A blanket or sheet
  • Tennis shoes
  • Food
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Portable phone charger

Specialty lake items

Take into consideration what you’ll be doing for the day and who will be in your entourage, the list of gear might also prove useful and adding to your checklist prior to leaving.

  • Life jackets
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Bait
  • Corkscrew
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Toys for the beach
  • Your tackle box
  • Goggles or masks
  • Kindle

Staying Safe on a Lake

While the water can provide fun during a day on the lake, safety should be top of mind. These safety tips will make sure that your whole group remains safe at your favorite Upper West Side lake.

  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Upper West Side

Some people may not get a chance to visit the lakes near Upper West Side and likely have a lot of questions on ways to maximize their fun. Clearly, no matter where you go each lake will possess their own character and surroundings, but it’s worth noting a couple key points to look into when assembling your itinerary which could help start your trip on the right foot.

  1. Find a marina. If you’re near the water you’ll often find nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or a day of watersports. Asking a local can usually allow you to find options for renting the perfect boat.
  2. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes the beaches near Upper West Side could be really busy. If you want a little more privacy, do some digging on a variety of nearby beaches and lakes to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, then look for the busiest, most happening beach!
  3. Maximize the best local resources. If there’s time for a longer stay, look for local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds which give you the option to camp near or even on the water for a reasonable price.