A Local’s Guide to Rock Climbing in and Around New York City
VITAL Williamsburg | Brooklyn
VITAL Brooklyn is what many would consider the nicest gym in the city. The brand-new, boulder-only gym has amenities galore, a bustling Youth Team, new holds, standard training boards, and an active dating scene. It’s also the most expensive gym in NYC. Though the monthly membership does come with 24 hour access to all three VITAL climbing gyms (VITAL acquired the following two locations from Steep Rock Bouldering (SRB) in a 2021 merger).
Monthly Membership: $145
Day Pass Price: $35
Space: 45,000 Square Feet
Amenities: Open air rooftop bouldering wall with top-out, fully adjustable 12×12 foot kilter board, tension board, weight and fitness area, silks, cycling classes, yoga, sauna, access to other VITAL locations
Address: 221 N 14th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
VITAL Upper East Side | Manhattan
This former Steep Rock gym may be small and well aged, but the beautiful walls and excellent routesetting make it a must-try for the Manhattan local. While a majority of the problems at this boulder-only gym are either low-angle or slab, it has a steep section in the back.
Monthly Membership: $115
Day Pass Price: $25
Amenities: Bouldering, fitness area, 24-hour access
Address: 1506 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029
VITAL West Harlem | Manhattan
Also blessed with some of the best setting in the city, the 126th Street gym features a bigger and better training area than its UES counterpart. It also has massive glass windows, a steep arch, and a second floor filled with even more bouldering.
Monthly Membership: $115
Day Pass Price: $25
Amenities: Bouldering, fitness area
Address: 3225 Broadway, New York, NY 10027
The Cliffs Gowanus | Brooklyn
The Cliffs is another chain of gyms born out of a small gym just outside Westchester. Now, it is the biggest fish in the city. The Cliffs has facilities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and in Long Island City, Queens—though the famed Brooklyn Bridge Park location is now closed. If you want to rope climb or board climb, you will almost certainly climb here.
The LIC and Gowanus locations each have extensive rope climbing available, while the Harlem location is bouldering exclusive. The Cliffs offers the most old-school bouldering gym vibe in the city, after GP81.
Monthly Membership: $135
Day Pass Price: $34
Space: 60,000 square feet
Amenities: Bouldering, rope climbing, weight and fitness area, 2019 MoonBoard, 12×12 fully adjustable Kilter Board, 8×12 fully adjustable Tension Board, and access to other Cliffs locations
Address: 242 Butler St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Source: https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/new-york-city-rock-climbing-guide
