The Bay Run is the Inner West's favourite loop, seven kilometres of flat path around Iron Cove, which is good for scooters and bikes. Callan Park is just off it, with quiet paths and big lawns. In Balmain, Dawn Fraser Baths is an old harbour pool with a little beach at low tide and hot chips at the kiosk. It is open in the warmer months.

On hot days, Steel Park in Marrickville has free fountains and jets laid out like a river, with a playground beside them. The indoor toddler pool at Leichhardt Park is open all year.

On the first and third Sunday of the month, catch a vintage bus from Town Hall to the Sydney Bus Museum in the old Leichhardt tram shed; the rides are part of the ticket. At Birchgrove, Ballast Point Park looks straight at the Harbour Bridge. Out at Rhodes, the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway is a short rainforest walk with a kiosk halfway.