New York Adventure Club

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1985147228800

London is a city where royal tradition, historic architecture, and vibrant neighborhoods come together to create one of the world’s most fascinating cultural capitals. But what stories lie behind the palaces, streets, and markets that have shaped this global metropolis for centuries? Get ready to journey through London’s iconic sights, rich history, and colorful boroughs in a series that brings its character and charm vividly to life.

Join New York Adventure Club for a four-part series exploring the historic locales, traditions, and landmarks that define London. In Part Two: The Royal Quarter, we’ll step into the ceremonial heart of the capital to explore the places where royal pageantry, political power, and enduring traditions continue to shape British life.

Led by tour guide Kelsey Betzelberger, this experience — featuring plenty of firsthand photo and video walkthroughs, intriguing anecdotes, and expert insights — will include:

• Buckingham Palace — the official London residence of the British monarch, whose grand façade and sweeping forecourt have served as the stage for royal ceremonies, historic celebrations, and iconic balcony appearances
• The Royal Mews — one of the world’s finest working stables, home to the beautifully maintained royal carriages and the Windsor Grey horses that pull them during state occasions and coronations
• The King’s Gallery — rotating exhibitions from the Royal Collection showcasing remarkable paintings, decorative arts, and treasures gathered by monarchs across centuries
• Afternoon tea traditions — the story behind one of Britain’s most beloved rituals, complete with delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and beautifully crafted pastries served alongside fragrant teas
• Westminster Abbey & Big Ben — the historic heart of British ceremonial life, where coronations, royal weddings, and state occasions unfold beside one of the world’s most recognizable clock towers

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Kelsey — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay through one week after the entire series concludes.
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

A Walk Through London Series
Part 1: South Bank & Kensington (Thursday, April 9 @ 1:00pm ET)
Part 2: The Royal Quarter (Thursday, April 16 @ 1:00pm ET)
Part 3: The Old City & Tower Bridge (Thursday, April 23 @ 1:00pm ET)
Part 4: The Creative Districts (Thursday, April 30 @ 1:00pm ET)

About Kelsey
I'm Kelsey, from Explore with Kelsey, a passionate tour guide and expatriate opera singer originally from Chicago. With Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Northwestern University, I've traveled to 50 countries, and lived in Austria, Germany, Italy, Croatia, France, England, The Netherlands, and now Valencia, Spain, where I'm happily settled with my husband and our two cats. My mission is to share my love for exploration and cultural discovery with my fellow travelers, igniting curiosity and fostering a deeper appreciation for the world's wonders.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Neighborhoods

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1984983218240

What do Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, and Crazy Rich Asians all have in common? Tucked away on the 7th floor of a building in the heart of the New York City Garment Center is a century-old business that has created fabric flowers for everyone including A-list celebrities and film & television productions. Now's your chance to visit the historic facility where they're all made, one individual flower at a time.

Join New York Adventure Club for a private exploration of M&S Schmalberg, a fourth-generation family-owned business in Manhattan's Garment District that has been hand-making custom fabric flowers for over 100 years.

Led by one of the company owners, our unique experience with the last custom flower maker in New York City will include:

• An overview of the artificial flora industry, and how fast fashion and offshoring have affected the niche fashion craft
• The history of M&S Schmalberg, from brothers Morris and Sam Schmalberg starting the business in 1916, to becoming the premier fabric flower makers for top fashion designers including Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, and Marc Jacobs
• A private tour of the historic factory to see the fabric flower process from beginning to end — from cutting out the fabrics in a myriad of different designs, to hand assembling petals into tulips, carnations, or other varieties
• A live demonstration by the company's veteran artisans of the century-old cutting machines and custom-made hydraulic presses still in operation

Afterward, you'll have the opportunity to shop for your own custom-made M&S Schmalberg fabric flowers (at a steep discount), and even go home with a stylish piece of history!

Click here to read a featured article of M&S Schmalberg in The New York Times!

See you there!

*This experience is only conducted on weekdays when the factory is in operation

**Guests are encouraged to bring photos of clothes or dresses they want to pair with a fabric flower so the M&S Schmalberg staff can assist with finding the perfect match after the tour concludes

Testimonials
"The event was so much more that I expected! Not only did we get to see the actual steps (and equipment) to make BEAUTUFUL silk flowers, but we got to hear about a family’s history and how the business came to be. I learned so much. Walking home last night, I passed a store on the UES than had some silk (or otherwise) flowers strewn in its window. Thanks to the instruction from Adam Brand, I was easily able to identify them as NOT M&S Schmalberg’s flowers. I didn’t realize how many of their lovely flowers I’ve already seen on favorite TV shows and runways and galas. Thank you!" -Linda

"The owner giving the tour, the family story, and seeing the workroom. Super interesting." -Kala

"Adam is so passionate about the business, the heritage and present and future. He was fantastic." -Dena

"This was so special! It's rare to see inside a family owned factory like this, especially in NYC." -Justin

"Loved that they took the time to let us into their private workspace. Interesting and beautiful creations!" -Margaret

"Resonate tour and history of a vintage business still operating." -Gabriella

"A rare look inside a historic NYC industry." -Jerry
"The opportunity to see a working factory. Guide had lots of stories about his family and the business and was willing to allow photos." -Meryl

"One of the very best trips I’ve ever taken with you. The machines they’ve used for a hundred years still in use today was fascinating. Completely authentic — workers making flowers as we walked through. A trip that truly surpassed expectations. Nice shopping opportunity at the end too!" -Deb

Disclaimer
Event takes place rain or shine.

By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1985449445739

Did you know that one of the world’s most prestigious truffle companies has a flagship presence right here in New York City? For more than 170 years, the Urbani family has set the global standard for sourcing and sharing Italy’s most coveted culinary treasure. Now, for the first time, they’re opening their doors for an immersive, one-of-a-kind experience where you’ll get up close and personal with truffles — from classroom insight to hands-on discovery and, of course, tasting.

Join New York Adventure Club for an exclusive evening inside The Urbani Truffle Lab NYC, where expert storytelling, interactive exploration, and curated tastings reveal the extraordinary world of truffles.

Led by the expert team at Urbani Truffles — stewards of a seven-generation Italian truffle legacy and leaders in the global truffle industry — our intimate after-hours experience will include:

• An expert-led deep dive into truffles — what they are, how they’re foraged, and why specific regions of Italy produce distinct varieties
• The fascinating history and global rise of truffles — from ancient Mediterranean lore and truffle hunters to modern cultivation efforts and today’s international market
• A guided tasting of truffle-infused bites and chocolates, exploring aroma, flavor intensity, and the craftsmanship behind preserving this delicate ingredient
• A hands-on examination of fresh truffles covering import and storage logistics, grading and sizing standards, quality testing through aroma and firmness, cleaning techniques, and proper shaving methods
• A live truffle shaving demonstration highlighting how to properly slice and serve fresh truffles over crostini (which you’ll enjoy moments later)
• The opportunity to browse the Urbani Truffles store with a special discount, featuring a curated selection of truffle products including oils, snacks, and specialty items

Whether you’re newly truffle-curious or well on your way to connoisseur status, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for one of the culinary world’s most celebrated ingredients.
See you there!

*Guests with nut allergies should take precaution as several of the snacks served during the evening are nut-based

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Ticket price is for an educational lecture with complimentary food and beverages.
Categories: In-Person, Food & Drink

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1985067472246

Throughout the mid and late 19 century, New York City's current-day neighborhoods of the East Village — and parts of the Lower East Side — were home to a large German immigrant population aptly named Kleindeutschland, or "Little Germany." From biergardens and gymnastics to sophisticated crafts, this community — and other smaller ones around the city — were largely responsible for introducing German customs and traditions to New York, many of which are still around today. Though why did a single and somber disaster in the city's history lead the once thriving community to abandon the neighborhood entirely shortly thereafter? And what effect did World War I have on the larger New York German population? It's time to uncover the legacy of the early German population and main community of Little Germany, and what traces of it can be found there today.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the history, stories, and remnants of New York City's early German communities, with a focus on its largest one in the former neighborhood of Kleindeutschland — once home to a huge German immigrant population in the mid-to-late 1800s, this area spanning from the East Village to parts of the Lower East Side helped introduced New Yorkers, and the country, to German culture for the first time.

Led by museum educator and art historian Sylvia Laudien-Meo, who's also of German heritage, our virtual experience surrounding Kleindeutschland and the broader German-American experience will include:

• The reasons behind mass immigration from German territories during the mid 19th century and what neighborhoods in New York City they ended up in
• A closer look at the signs and stories of special German trades like cigar and furniture making, brewing, as well as the community's involvement in cultural, social, and political movements
• A virtual stroll from Astor Place to Tompkins Square Park to see buildings still holding their German names, and others that were part of the German experience
• The sad end of the neighborhood with the General Slocum disaster with a discussion surrounding its easy-to-miss memorial in Tompkins Square Park
• The drastic change in German-American life with the outbreak of WWI

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Sylvia — any and all questions about Little Germany and the early New York German community are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Sylvia
Sylvia Laudien-Meo is a freelance Art Historian who works in and around the city in various capacities, specializing on Modern and Contemporary art, with a strong focus on Public Art. She teaches art history at Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been working as a museum educator at MoMA, the Guggenheim and the Jewish Museum for over many years, engaging visitors in conversation based, interactive art experiences of permanent collections and changing exhibitions.
For the Municipal Art Society, UFT, Brandeis Univ., and private clients, she has been touring the city for over 20 years, exploring art and architecture, parks, neighborhoods and history. Working in various different capacities gives her a unique opportunity to make intriguing connections and weave together the complex perspectives that make out the tapestry of our fascinating city.
SLM holds a Masters Degree in Art History (with minors in History and American Studies) from the Joh. Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, as well as a Tourism degree from the EST in Paris France.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Photo Credit: Main and Top Right - Ephemeral New York
Categories: Virtual, Neighborhoods