Iconic for its towering skyscrapers, busy sidewalks, and packed subway cars, New York City’s booming metropolis offers a little something for everyone. Pizza is no brainer, and sightseeing is as good as it gets with attractions like the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building.

Did you know that New York City has a thriving archery culture? Archery isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when talking about the Big Apple, but these ranges are a good starting point of where to practice archery in NYC.

New York City’s parks are well known for hosting a variety of inexpensive, even free, outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a safe, affordable, socially distanced activity, archery in NYC may be the perfect solution and a way to pick up a new hobby.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned archery vet, let’s take a look at some of NYC’s most popular archery centers, and park ranges, and reserve a spot to test your skills.

Gotham Archery

Popular magazines such as Vogue, Huffington Post, and Maxim featured Gotham Archery for its innovative take on recreational entertainment. Indoor facilities in Manhattan and Brooklyn provide convenient travel options for visitors. The third location, Gotham Woods, is an outdoor range available for small parties, located outside of NYC in Holmes, New York.

Gotham Archery offers classes for all ages, a pro-shop, private event rentals, and day camps. Axe and knife throwing classes are available as well. Equipment is provided, and beginners are outfitted with all they need to put their skills to the test.

Experienced archers can bring their equipment and rent a lane for $16 an hour. Gotham also hosts tournaments and an archery league for the dedicated bowman and bowwoman. A series of 3D-Hunts highlights the range’s offerings. Dinosaurs and giant fish are a couple of examples of targets in the 3D field.

So lace up your boots, strap on your bow and quiver, and try your hand at taking down a Velociraptor at Gotham Archery.

Pro-Line Archery Lanes

Pro Line is a place for the pros. What started as an archery club in Queens in the 1970s, Pro-Line has grown into one of New York City’s premier public ranges. Pro Line’s staff is composed of US National Team members and acclaimed local bowhunters.

The facility is home to a modernized 30 position, 20-yard indoor range. Customers with their gear can rent a lane for two hours at the cost of $13, which is an absolute bargain. For advanced archers, special shooting packages are available, offering more savings.

Seasonal target and hunting leagues provide the competitive atmosphere Pro-Line is well known for. The range also hosts a Junior Olympic Archery Development program designed for teaching youth participants advanced skills.

Beginners are more than welcome here as well. Adults new to the sport can rent a lane and equipment for just $20, and children can do the same for $15 an hour.

Queens Archery

You’ll find Queens Archery in the Flushing neighborhood of New York City. Queens Archery is a hidden gem, and those not looking for it would probably miss it. The range has been in business for almost thirty years and focuses on introducing the sport to new archers.

Queens Archery is an excellent place for beginners and those looking to have some fun trying a new skill. Aficionados will feel at home here, too, though. Weekly tournaments with cash prizes are held Tuesdays and Sundays.

Archers under the age of eighteen can participate in the Junior Olympic Archery Development Program. Queens Archery also operates a USA Archery Adult Achievement Program, where participants receive pins and certificates for various achievements.

Customers also benefit from the range’s top-notch pro shop. Any bow purchased at Queens Archery comes with free maintenance, part installation, cable installation, tuning, and instruction.

Floyd Bennett Field Archery Range

Floyd Bennett Field is located in Gateway National Park. Park visitors come to camp, hike, fish, and you guessed it, shoot arrows. A camping reservation gives you access to Floyd Bennett Field’s traditional outdoor range. It features up to ten targets that archers can fire at from a covered pavilion.

Anyone looking for a vintage archery experience will find it here. However, there are no equipment rental options available, so those interested will need to bring their bow and arrows.

Willowbrook Park Archery Range

Willowbrook Park is located on Staten Island. It provides the Staten Island community with a variety of recreational activities. Patrons visit the park to enjoy its peaceful expanses, hike its wooded trails and compete on its tennis courts, ballfields, and archery range.

Free lessons are offered periodically at the Willowbrook archery range for ages nine through sixteen. However, the range is open primarily during park hours for visitors to utilize at their leisure. Equipment rental is not offered here unless there is a scheduled event.

For all the aspiring Robin Hoods in New York City, fear not, there is a plethora of ranges ready and waiting. Bring a date, plan a family outing, or schedule your next corporate party at one of the locations discussed above.

Have you ever visited any of the sites mentioned before? Would you ever give it try? Do you have any other unusual suggestions on how to remain socially distant and spend an active day out? Let me know in the comments below.

Until our next rendezvous …

XOXO

Trudy