Outdoors With John: Long Island & New York Adventures
Hiking · Walking · Running · Parks · Beaches · Nature
There are a lot of ways to experience Long Island and New York beyond the roads we drive every day. Sometimes it is a quiet walk beside the water. Other times it is a steep mountain hike, a long trail run or a beach visit when the summer crowds are gone.
I'm John Cordeira, Broker/Owner of Cordeira Homes. I've spent more than 20 years helping people buy and sell homes on Long Island, but this guide is about another side of my life: getting outside, staying active, exploring new places and noticing what makes each one different.
Outdoors With John is a growing collection of places I've visited, with my own photographs, observations and links to more detailed local guides. I'll continue adding walking routes, hikes, videos and practical notes as I explore. That's the spirit behind my #RippedRealtor brand: fitness, curiosity and making time to experience the places around us.
Explore Long Island Adventures
Jump to: My Long Island Visits | Beyond Long Island | Town & Park Guides | FAQs
Long Island: Places I've Been Exploring
From a turtle encounter during a run in Massapequa Preserve to sunset walks at Burns Park and natural dunes at Jones Beach, these are real moments from places I have explored. I'll keep adding photos, stories and useful local details as I go.
Massapequa Preserve: A Run, a Turtle & an Unexpected Moment
Massapequa, Nassau County · Nature preserve · Running, walking & wildlife
I spend plenty of time in the Massapequa Preserve running and enjoying its wooded paths, but one of my favorite memories from there wasn't about distance or pace. I was out for a run when I came across a family who was fascinated by a turtle they had spotted near the path. They wanted to get closer but were nervous about touching it.
I stopped and told them I could tell it wasn't a snapping turtle. I picked it up briefly so they could get a closer look and take a picture, and the excitement on their son's face made the stop worthwhile. Then I continued with my run.
That's one of the things I love about getting outdoors: you set off to move your body and clear your head, and sometimes you end up with an unexpected connection with people or nature. For me, the #RippedRealtor lifestyle isn't just about training. It's also about being present enough to notice moments like that.
The Preserve is part of a larger network of wooded trails and waterways, including connections to the Bethpage Bikeway. To plan a visit, see my Massapequa Parks & Outdoor Recreation guide. As a general rule, give wildlife space and observe turtles without handling them unless they need help out of immediate danger.
Explore the local real estate: Interested in living near nature and walking trails like these? Browse Massapequa Homes for Sale »
John J. Burns Park: Baseball, Canal Views & Sunset in Massapequa
Massapequa, Nassau County · Waterfront park · Walking & youth sports
I'm at John J. Burns Park pretty often because my son plays baseball here twice a week. While the kids warm up, or when a game slows down, I'll go for a walk. There's a paved loop around the park, and a couple of laps adds up to roughly a mile or a little more. It's nothing complicated. Sometimes I just want to walk and enjoy being outside.
Fitness is a big part of my life and part of the reason I call myself #RippedRealtor, but I don't need every walk to be a serious workout. I'm there to watch my son play, and in between, I get to move, clear my head and take in the surroundings. You've got baseball fields on one side and the canal, boats and waterfront benches on the other.
One thing I really appreciate about going there in October is the timing. My son's games seem to line up with sunset, and the light over the water can be beautiful. I've always been drawn to both sunrises and sunsets. There's something reassuring about the rhythm of it: the sun comes up, the sun goes down, and life keeps moving. Being able to notice those moments, right here on Long Island, means a lot to me.
The Town of Oyster Bay park includes sports fields, playgrounds, courts, a loop path and access to boating and kayak launches. For location details, facilities and links to official resources, visit my Massapequa Parks & Outdoor Recreation guide.
Explore the local real estate: Interested in living in the community where I enjoy this park? Browse Massapequa Homes for Sale »
Jones Beach West End 2: Dunes, Coastal Paths & the Ocean-Bay Connection
Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh · Coastal nature · Walking & photography
There is much more to Jones Beach than the main swimming beaches and boardwalk. At West End 2, I photographed open dunes, native coastal vegetation, a walking path and the Atlantic horizon. The landscape feels much more natural and less built-up than the center of the park.
This western part of the barrier island is especially interesting because the Atlantic Ocean lies to the south, while sheltered bay and channel waters lie to the north. Nearby, Jones Inlet connects the Atlantic with Hempstead Bay. The Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center, also at West End 2, offers another way to learn about the coast, dunes and wildlife. West End 2 is a different location from the main oceanfront Parking Field 2.
Coastal plants and some bird nesting areas are protected; follow marked pathways and posted restrictions. My Jones Beach & Wantagh guide has more detail on West End 2, the nature center and beach access.
Explore the nearby community: Mainland Wantagh is a gateway to Jones Beach via the Wantagh State Parkway. Browse Wantagh Homes for Sale »
Beyond Long Island: New York Hiking Adventures
Long Island has its own beautiful trails and shorelines, but sometimes I want the challenge of rocky terrain and real elevation. Hiking in the Hudson Valley gives me a completely different outdoor experience from walking the flat trails and beaches closer to home.
Bear Mountain Loop via Twin Forts & the Appalachian Trail
Bear Mountain, New York · Hudson Valley hiking · Appalachian Trail
My Recorded Bear Mountain Hike
Route: Bear Mountain Loop via Twin Forts
Distance: 7.1 miles
Time: 3 hours, 5 minutes
Total ascent: 1,572 feet
Total descent: 1,601 feet
Statistics from my recorded hike. Your mileage, pace and elevation may vary depending on the route and conditions.
On this hike near Bear Mountain, I followed an easier trail uphill that included built stone steps. It was a more manageable climb than I had expected, with a steady uphill workout and some great scenery along the way.
Going down was a different story. I took a more rugged trail with jagged, uneven rocks. That descent made me pay closer attention to where I placed my feet and reminded me that the way down can be more demanding than the way up, even when you've already reached the overlook.
The reward was the view: rocky ground underfoot, wooded mountains in the distance and the Hudson River stretching between the hills. That's what I love about getting out of Long Island for a mountain hike. There's some physical work involved, but you get moments like this along the way.
My takeaway: The recorded hike covered 7.1 miles in 3 hours and 5 minutes, with over 1,500 feet of climbing. The route I walked up on built stone steps felt easier than the rugged, rocky trail I chose for the descent. That contrast is a big part of what I remember about the day.
The tracker identifies the overall route as Bear Mountain Loop via Twin Forts. My photos and notes also document my Appalachian Trail experience near Bear Mountain, but the screenshot does not identify every trail segment of the loop. I won't guess at those connections.
As I visit other hiking spots across New York, I'll keep adding my own photos, experiences and useful notes here. That's the idea behind Outdoors With John: an ongoing adventure journal, not a one-time list.
Explore More Parks, Trails & Towns Across Long Island
Some locations deserve their own detailed guides, especially when you're trying to compare parks near the communities where you live or may want to move. These established Cordeira Homes resources cover local parks, recreation and nearby real estate. They're useful starting points even for places I haven't yet documented with personal photos.
- Massapequa Parks, Trails & Outdoor Recreation — Burns Park, Massapequa Preserve, the Bethpage Bikeway, TOBAY Beach and boating. Massapequa town guide.
- Wantagh Parks & Outdoor Recreation — Waterfront recreation, preserves and beach access. Wantagh town guide.
- Seaford Parks & Outdoor Recreation — Cedar Creek Park, Tackapausha Preserve and the route toward Jones Beach. Seaford town guide.
- East Meadow Parks & Outdoor Recreation — Eisenhower Park and local outdoor opportunities. East Meadow town guide.
- Garden City Parks & Outdoor Recreation — Local parks and outdoor recreation. Garden City town guide.
- Uniondale Parks & Outdoor Recreation — Community recreation and nearby places to get outside. Uniondale town guide.
A Growing Outdoor Journal, Not a Finished List
Every new outing gives me something else to share. As I walk, hike, run and explore, I'll add original photographs, videos when available, trail conditions, access details and the little things you might not find in a generic directory.
Have a trail, hidden gem or outdoor destination you think I should explore? I'd love to hear about it.
From Outdoor Lifestyle to Long Island Living
I work in real estate, but I don't think you can fully understand a community by looking only at houses. The ability to take a walk after work, reach a park with your kids, bike a trail or spend an hour along the water shapes how people actually live.
That's why this outdoor journal links to my existing town guides instead of turning every hike into a sales pitch. If one of these places inspires you to explore a surrounding community, start with the local guide for Massapequa, Wantagh or Seaford. You can learn about the neighborhoods, transportation, housing and other local resources from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Outdoors With John?
Outdoors With John is John Cordeira's growing collection of outdoor experiences in Long Island and New York, featuring original photos, hiking and walking observations, local recreation resources and links to nearby community guides.
Does this guide include places beyond Long Island?
Yes. It begins with Long Island parks and beaches and will also include New York hiking destinations, including Hudson Valley trips, as more personal photos and trail notes are added.
Are these personal visits or general park listings?
The featured adventure entries identify places I've explored and photographed myself. The separate town and parks links lead to broader local resources and are not claims that I've personally photographed every location listed.
Where can I find hiking and biking trails near Massapequa?
Massapequa Preserve, the Bethpage Bikeway and the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail are covered in my Massapequa outdoor recreation guide. The paved bikeway and the hiking trail are different routes.
Where can I find a nature-focused experience at Jones Beach?
Explore the West End 2 area and the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center. West End 2 features coastal dunes and nature-oriented experiences, and it should not be confused with regular Parking Field 2. Check current park access and seasonal restrictions before visiting.
John Cordeira
Broker/Owner, Cordeira Homes
Long Island, New York
#RippedRealtor