If you live in New Haven, you don't have to worry much about finding places to exercise. At first, I thought it was just a small college town with Yale University, but when you look closer, there are plenty of parks, trails, and even beaches. For those who enjoy walking, running, or biking, it's a surprisingly good city.

The first place I recommend is East Rock Park. It's a popular spot for New Haven residents to exercise. The main loop around the park is about 3.9 miles, or 6.3 km. It's a bit long for a casual stroll but just right for a proper workout.

The fun of East Rock is that it's not just a flat park. As the name suggests, there is a rocky ridge, and the uphill sections can be quite challenging. As you climb toward the summit, you get a great view of downtown New Haven and Long Island Sound. It's perfect for light jogging on flat areas and increasing intensity on the hills. On weekends, many families come here to hike.

If you enjoy biking or long-distance running, the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail is even more exciting. This trail stretches north from New Haven and covers dozens of miles. It was built using old canal and railroad paths, so much of it is flat and paved.

One of the advantages of this trail is that you can go as far as you want and then turn back. If you want to run just 3 miles today, you can do that, and if you want to train for over 10 miles on the weekend, you can keep heading north. It's a good option for those who find biking on regular roads stressful.

If you just want to take a light walk, Edgewood Park is also a great option. It has rivers and ponds, and the walking paths are popular with local residents for jogging or strolling. It's not a place where you need to gear up in hiking clothes; it's more like a neighborhood park where you can put on your sneakers and walk for about an hour in the morning.

Yale University's campus is also a wonderful walking route. Instead of feeling like you're going out to exercise, you'll find yourself walking among the Gothic-style buildings. If you take a longer route, you can easily walk about 3 to 4 miles. If family or friends visit from Korea, walking around the campus while getting some exercise is a nice option.

In the summer, I would suggest heading to Long Wharf. Long Wharf Park offers a waterfront view where you can walk or run while enjoying the sea. Expanding your range to East Shore Park and Lighthouse Point Park makes it clear that New Haven is not just a college town but a city by the sea. There's something special about walking in the sea breeze on summer evenings.

If you want to do some serious hiking, West Rock Ridge State Park is a great choice. It feels more like enjoying forest and ridge trails compared to East Rock. With both uphill and downhill sections, you'll definitely get more exercise than on flat runs.

However, there's one thing to keep in mind when exercising outdoors in New Haven. Connecticut is an area with a lot of ticks. Especially from spring to fall, if you've walked through wooded paths or tall grass, it's a good habit to check your body and clothes when you get home.

Ultimately, New Haven is a city where you don't have to be confined to a gym for exercise. On weekdays, you can walk on the Yale campus or in local parks, run at East Rock or Farmington Canal, and hike at West Rock on weekends. With coastal routes available, it's a neighborhood where fitness enthusiasts will find plenty to keep them engaged.