About us
Escape the Ordinary, Be Extraordinary and Do G.R.E.A.T
We are a social group for those year-round intrepid active, energetic weekend warriors, adrenaline junkies, social butterflies and fun seekers extraordinaire in the New York City area who are looking to escape from the vicissitudes of daily life and seeking to connect, socialize and participate in a variety of new and unique activities with like-minded new friends and to live a glow up life with sass, spice and flare through connection, joy, and movement through Group Recreation, Exploration, Adventures and Travel (G.R.E.A.T)!
Our events: In this group, we aim to accomplish GREAT things! Climb that mountain! Book that ticket! Blaze that hiking trail. Take that weekend journey to explore a town you’ve never been to before. Try that new cuisine! Learn a new skill! Volunteer for a worthy cause! Hiking, walks in park, dining out, Broadway shows, museums, happy hours, movie nights, wine tasting, brewery tours, day trips, weekend getaway ... and for the adrenaline junkies, tell your fear to hold your beer because you’re about to jump off that perfectly good airplane … fly baby fly! We will do it all!
Our philosophy is simple … BE POSITIVE, HAVE FUN and ENJOY THE MOMENTS and memories we will be building together. You only have one life to live, so make the best of it!
Our events will be all over the map: throughout the five boroughs of New York City and beyond... north to Hudson Valley and Connecticut ... over the river to New Jersey ... east to Long Island ... south to Philadelphia ... all reachable by public transportation! In due course we will even head overseas for international trips!
All are welcome regardless of age, race or creed. As long as you are open to adventures, possess a “wanna do” spirit, maintain a positive attitude and a willingness to try new things ... we want to meet you ... Together ... we'll explore the world ... cross off items on your bucket list ... make 2026 the best year of our lives ... one Meetup at a time!
Let's DO this!
Group founded: July 28, 2026
Featured event
Keep Calm and Kayak on Oyster Bay Harbor
This is a kayaking event led by the North Shore Land Alliance. You must pre-register at their site. Kayak rental is $50 per adult.
About the event: https://northshorelandalliance.org/?event=paddle-oyster-bay&event_date=2026-09-13
Paddle Oyster Bay Harbor Sunday, September 13, 2026, 2 PM Oyster Bay Cove Beach
Paddle around beautiful Oyster Bay Harbor and discover the abundant wildlife that inhabits our bay!
Advance registration required!
Bring your own kayak/accessories or rent: $50 (single) or $75 (double)
After you have registered, but before the event, we will email you to confirm your attendance and provide more detailed information. If you are unable to attend, please contact us, as this will help us register those on the waiting list.
Event Changes and Cancellations
Events are subject to change so please check our website for updates. Registrants will be notified via email if an event is cancelled or rescheduled. If you have questions about this event, kindly email jjackson@northshorelandalliance.org.
Getting there: LIRR to Oyster Bay then uber over. Let me know if you want to get there together.
Upcoming events
5
Keep Calm and Take a Hike on the Haverstraw River Trail
Ossining Metro North Station, 1 Main St, Ossining, NY, USWelcome to our very first Meetup. Let's get outside and go take a hike on the Haverstraw River Trail with optional extension up to HOOK MOUNTAIN and then continue on to Nyack with a return walk over the Tappan Zee Bridge into Tarrytown followed by eats and booze in Tarrytown before heading home.
The Haverstraw River Trail Loop begins at the parking lot off Landing Road and leads to Hook Mountain State Park. The trail winds through the forest and along the Hudson River, offering nice water views. The trail is well-maintained and well-marked, but be prepared for steep sections with switchbacks and rocky terrain—sturdy footwear is recommended.
Trail map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/haverstraw-river-trail-loop
GETTING THERE: Metro-North from Grand Central to OSSINING, followed by a ferry ride over to Haverstraw. Buy one-way off-peak train ticket as we're not coming back to the same station at the end of the day. the Ferry ride is at 11:55am.
AGENDA: Once we arrive in HAVERSTRAW we'll proceed over city streets to make our way to the trailhead. We'll do a loop hike with optional extension up to Hook Mountain and then Nyack Beach. We'll make our way to Nyack, then pick up the pedestrian walkway of the Tappan Zee bridge that will take us to TARRYTOWN. Those who don’t want to walk across the bridge you can pick up a local bus in Nyack that will take you to TARRYTOWN station.
POST-HIKE, for those interested, we'll have eats and drinks in TARRYTOWN before heading home.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, for return trip, we'll leave from TARRYTOWN station where there are at least 2 trains (local and express) leaving for NYC every hour.
HIKE INTENSITY: MODERATE INTENSITY. You don't have to be an athlete but you must be able to complete the hike without any issue.
TOTAL MILEAGE: About 9-10 MILES
DURATION: This is an all-day event.
PACE: We go at LEISURELY PACE AND NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND. We will have stops for water breaks, lunch break, take time to hug some trees along the way, taking time to smell and savor the sight and sounds of nature. NO FAST HIKERS!
THE IMPORTANT STUFF:
- Dress in non-cotton layers.
- Wear appropriate shoes suitable for hiking -
- Bring at least 3 liters of liquid to stay hydrated.
- Bring lunch and snacks for yourself.
- Bring sunscreen, bug spray, head cover
- Bring a sense of adventure and a positive attitude. A smile also goes a long way. Please leave the drama and crankiness at home.
WEATHER: Rain or extreme heat and humidity cancels!
LIABILITY WAIVER: come prepared. Participate at your own risks. Hold no one liable, etc. etc.
1 attendeeKeep Calm and Take a Hike at Mohonk Preserve
Location not specified yetAs the summer of '26 roll along, let's get outdoors and take a hike at Mohonk Preserve reachable on Trailways bus out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal going to New Paltz.
AGENDA: We'll hike the Testamonial Gateway Trail, connecting to Duck Pond trail, then River-to-Ridge trail that will take us back to New Paltz.
GETTING THERE: We're taking the Trailway bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal. The 7AM bus arrives in New Paltz by 8:35AM. One-way ticket is $25.00 (depends on how early you buy the ticket). Ticket can be purchased in advance at this link: https://trailways.com/
From the Trailways bus station in New Paltz, we'll then pick up the FREE Ulster County Nature Bus at 8:45am that will drop us off at the Mohonk Testimonial Gateway at 8:55am.
Drivers: you can meet us at the Testimonial Gateway parking lot at 9am. Do your own research on directions and parking situation.
PACE: Hiking pace will be LEISURELY AND NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND. During hike we'll have lunch, water and snack breaks as needed; as well as taking time to savor the sights and sounds of nature, take photos, hug some trees, and most importantly, socialize with your fellow hikers. NO FAST HIKERS!
TOTAL MILEAGE: up to about 7 to 8 MILES
DURATION: We will be out for the entire day. But you can leave on your own at any time. We won't judge. Much.
THE IMPORTANT STUFF:
- Dress in non-cotton layers.
- Wear appropriate shoes suitable for hiking
- Bring sunscreen, bug spray, head cover, whatever else you need
- Bring at least 3 liters of liquid to stay hydrated.
- Bring lunch and snacks for yourself.
- hiking poles if you need them
- Carry your stuff in a backpack.
- Sense of adventure and a positive attitude are a must. A smile also goes a long way. Please leave the drama and crankiness at home.
AFTER HIKE, we'll allot some time to explore New Paltz and grab some local bites and drinks before heading home.
RETURN BUS: There is a 6PM bus as well as 8PM bus back to NYC. It's SUMMER with longer daylight hours. So stick around a bit after hike to explore New Paltz on foot.
WEATHER: Rain, extreme heat and humidity cancels!
LIABILITY WAIVER: come prepared. Participate at your own risks.
Hold no one liable etc etc.1 attendeeKeep Calm and Do Sunday Funday on Fire Island
Sayville LIRR Station, Depot Street and Greeley Avenue, Sayville, NY, USIt won't be long now before summer ends. Let's enjoy it while it lasts. let's escape to FIRE ISLAND for a day of fun and frolic in the sun, reachable on Long Island Railroad (LIRR)
ABOUT FIRE ISLAND: Nestled in between the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, FIRE ISLAND is the ultimate vacation getaway, offering pristine beaches without a hint of pretention and has been a haven for generations of beach-goers, outdoor enthusiasts, and water sport lovers. Free of cars and chaos, Fire Island uniquely seems like a world away from its neighboring New York metropolitan way of life.
FOR THIS MEETUP, we will visit the SAILORS HAVEN/SUNKEN FOREST and CHERRY GROVE parts of Fire Island.
GETTING THERE: Pick up any Long Island Railroad (LIRR) train that will get you to SAYVILLE STATION by 9:09am
Once in Sayville, we'll hop on the Colonial Taxi (cost $5.00) that will take us to the Sayville Marina where we will pick up the 9:25am ferry to SAILOR'S HAVEN. One-way ferry cost is $11.00.AGENDA: Once we arrive in Sailors Haven, we will do a nature walk through Sunken Forest, as well as partake in some more beach fun and frolic time.
We'll then make our way on foot to CHERRY GROVE, a high-spirited and primarily gay community that was named for a grove of wild cherry trees destroyed in the hurricane of 1938. In Cherry Grove we will explore the community. Lots of restaurant to dine at. We'll also allot some beach time in Cherry Grove.
For return trip, we will pick up the ferry leaving from Cherry Grove.
Cherry Grove ferry schedule: http://sayvilleferry.com/schedule-grove.php
Day's agenda remains subject to last minute changes. Come with an open mind for adventure and flexibility for whatever the day might bring.
WHAT TO BRING: Beach gear and paraphernalia; sunscreen; bug spray (for the Sunken Forest nature walk); towels; swim suits if you want to swim; change of clothes (there are shower facilities at Sailor's Haven); and whatever else you may need to get you through a day at the beach
DURATION: This is an all-day event but you can leave on your own at any time. We won't judge. Much.
WEATHER: Heavy rain cancels!
LIABILITY WAIVER: come prepared. Hold no one liable. Participate at your own risks. etc. etc.
1 attendeeKeep Calm and Kayak to a Waterfall
Cold Spring Metro-North Station, Market Street, Cold Spring, NY, USAs summer ends ... let’s head outside and embark on a Hudson Valley kayaking adventure in Cold Spring. We will embark on a 4-hour guided kayak tour through Constitution Marsh to a secluded freshwater waterfall and wading pool. No experience required. Trip is fit for kayakers of all skill levels.
Details ———-> HERE
About event; This four-hour paddle guides kayakers of all experience levels through the protected waters of Audubon Society’s Constitution Marsh. Glide between tall grasses and keep an eye out for local wildlife as your ACA-certified guide leads the way. The tour’s destination is a shaded, secluded freshwater waterfall that spills into a small wading pool—an ideal spot to relax, cool off, and enjoy a packed picnic while stepping away from daily stress.What's included:
- ACA-certified kayak guide
- Kayak, paddle, and life jacket
Tour Highlights:
- Paddle through the protected sanctuary of Constitution Marsh surrounded by tall grasses
- Opportunities to view local wildlife during a relaxing, scenic route
- Arrive at a secluded shaded waterfall with a small wading pool for cooling off and picnicking
Not included:
- Transportation to/from Cold Spring
- Lunch, snacks, beverages
Price: $130.00
- Prepayment is required.
- Book your trip ------> HERE
To maintain rsvp integrity for this Meetup, as prepayment is required, all interested rsvps waitlisted until you confirm you have booked your own spot. Once booked, post a comment that you have done so and I'll then move you off the waitlist.
Getting there: From NYC you can take Metro-North out of Grand Central Terminal to COLD SPRING STATION. The kayak outfitter located at 14 Market Street, Cold Spring, just around the corner from the train station. Get there by 10:30AM to sign in and get your rentals. Tour time is 11AM to 2PM.
After kayak, we'll explore Cold Spring on foot and grab eats and booze before heading home full and happy.
LIABILITY WAIVER: Come prepared. Participate at your own risks. Hold no one liable, etc, etc.
1 attendee
