"Oh, what fun it is to ride in one horse open sleigh! Hey!"
Very few people in New York City own one horse open sleighs. Or even one horse, for that matter. And if they do own a horse, it's doubtful they take the animal out on snow days. PETA would complain.
However, when it does snow, there is nothing more fun than grabbing your sled and heading for the nearest hill to plunge down, headfirst, into soft, white fluff.
Not only is it invigorating, it's also free, which the NY Frugal Family Examiner supports wholeheartedly.
You don't even need a fancy or expensive sled. Improvise. Try a garbage can lid, or a Fresh Direct box, or a plastic, baby's bathtub. As long as it can hold your weight, you're good to go.
New Yorkers are particularly lucky in that they have several, optimal sledding spots to choose from, all mostly within walking distances, especially on the Upper East and West Sides.
Central Park is full of hidden gems. Just watch out for the benches as you near the end of your run.
Carl Schurz Park on 84th and East End is always a big hit, as is Riverside Drive.
Of course, the main mob scene is at Pilgrim Hill at 72nd Street on the East Side, but it's also a perfect incline that levels out at the bottom. So go if you must, but prepare to wait your turn.
Remember to dress warmly. Mittens are a necessity. And, according to city law, sledding is illegal in NYC unless there are at least four inches of snow on the ground. (Is there a department that actually measures these things?)
For details on the best sledding hills in all five boroughs, visit: http://www.redtri.com/new-york-kids/where-to-go-sledding
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