What we’re about
NEW YORK ADVENTURE CLUB
UNLOCK YOUR CITY
We give you insider access to the city’s best-kept secrets. But we’re so much more than a tour company.
WHO WE ARE
We are a community-driven club that curates the most unique experiences in town, with a focus on history and storytelling. We show you a city you never knew existed, and offer a community you can’t live without.
You won’t find our special-access tours and exclusive events anywhere else. Think after-hours tours of New York City’s most celebrated spaces, themed parties in unexpected locations, and weekend excursions to incredible destinations. All of our events end with social hangouts so you can meet people who love exploring as much as you do.
THE ‘CLUB’ IN NEW YORK ADVENTURE CLUB
Our current community is more than 50,000 members strong and includes everyone from recent NYC transplants to lifelong residents. Whatever borough you’re from (or city or country, for that matter), we’ll make it easy for you to take full advantage of the unique places and great people this city has to offer.
WHERE WE GO
To ensure a one-of-a-kind experience each and every time, we hand pick events and outings specifically for the New York Adventure Club community. Recent events include:
* An after-hours tour of New York City Hall
* Special access into some of New York's most coveted private social clubs, including the Explorers Club and National Arts Club
* Petting baby kangaroos, holding sloths, and feeding leopards at Staten Island Zoo
* A behind-the-scenes exploration of the Woolworth Building with the building manager
* An NYPD Precinct tour, including a meet-and-greet with detectives and Emergency Service Unit crew members
* A tour of the Polish Consulate led by the Consul General and Vice Consul General of Poland
* An after-hours flashlight tour of Green-Wood Cemetery and catacombs
* A special-access tour of Brookhaven National Laboratory and its Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC)
* A Halloween party in a historic gothic crypt, complete with a five-piece brass band
Visit our site for a look at our upcoming adventures.
For now, our experiences are based in and around NYC, but we plan to expand to other cities soon.
QUESTIONS?
Drop us a line at support@nyadventureclub.com and we’ll happily answer.
Unlock Your City with New York Adventure Club.
P.S. - Sign up with our weekly newsletter to stay up to date with interesting events around town!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 'Breaking the Grid: Western Art That Challenged Linear Perspective' WebinarLink visible for attendees$12.00
Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)
Click the link below to officially register for this experience:
https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1427955496329
Linear perspective is often celebrated as one of the greatest achievements of Renaissance art — but is it the only way to view the world? What if multiple, inverted, or even fourth-dimensional perspectives offer an entirely different visual experience? It's time to take a fresh look at the history of Western art through the many ways artists have shaped, shifted, and reinvented how we see space.
Join New York Adventure Club as we reexamine the celebrated canon of Western art with a focus on the diverse and sometimes surprising perspectives artists have taken to represent space.
Led by art historian, museum guide, and New York Adventure Club lecturer Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff, this eye-opening visual journey from the Renaissance to modern day will include:
- The Renaissance’s pivotal role in establishing linear perspective as a defining principle of Western art
- How artworks function as “windows” into imagined worlds, and what that means for viewer engagement
- The role of the audience in shaping the perception of space within a composition
- A breakdown of artistic choices, from single-point to reverse and multiple-point perspectives, and why artists use them
- How to adopt new ways of seeing, challenging yourself to experience artworks through unfamiliar visual frameworks
Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Mariska — any and all questions 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
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!About Mariska
Mariska is a Social Psychologist by trade but took up her love for the arts again after the birth of her children.
Heavily pregnant with number 3, Mariska finished her MA at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, in Dutch Baroque Art. Soon after this she was lucky enough to lecture for the most wonderful group of students. She decided this was what she wanted to do and set up Art Historical London offering art historical lectures, courses, tours, travel and events from London and Amsterdam, and since 2020 online.
Fully accredited in the UK to teach the over 16, Mariska also lectures for NAFDAS, an arts education society with members in the UK and Mainland Europe, New Zealand and Australia. She is a lecturer with the public program of the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, and can provide live, online and recorded lectures for groups or individuals.Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment - 'John Hays Hammond Jr. & The Last Castle of America's Gilded Age' WebinarNeeds location$12.00
Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)
Click the link below to officially register for this experience:
https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1424817911729
Perched atop a weathered cliff 30 miles outside of Boston, a medieval castle commands sweeping views of Gloucester Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean — an imposing monument to the life’s work of a man once dubbed America’s “electronic sorcerer.” What truths — and fabrications — lie behind the Gilded Age inventor obsessed with power, mystery, and myth? It's time to step inside the strange and spectacular world of John Hays Hammond Jr., and uncover the scandal, genius, and secrets that built one of the most curious museums in the country.
Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the captivating life of John Hays Hammond Jr. and the one-of-a-kind castle he called home. From Gilded Age privilege and pioneering inventions to scandal, queer artistic circles, and architectural spectacle, this is the story behind one of America’s most eccentric visionaries — and the museum that bears his name.
Led by Caleb A. McMurphy, Director of Education at the Hammond Castle Museum, our unique experience will include:
- A look at Hammond’s Gilded Age upbringing and entry into high society
- An overview of his engineering feats, from radio control and military devices to early television and musical inventions
- A discussion of Hammond's personal life — from his relationship to Isabella Stewart Gardner and Gloucester's Queer 'Dabsville' enclave to his scandalous marriage to his wife Irene, a published astrologer and purported "student of the occult"
- An exploration of Hammond's extensive European travels during which he met with Popes and despots and personally assembled a vast collection of antiquities which make up the bulk of the Museum's collection."
- A glimpse into the Castle’s creation, highlighting artifacts, archival photos, primary documents, and the team that built the museum
- A deep dive into the design and symbolism of Hammond Castle Museum, from its medieval architecture and secret passages to the eclectic fusion of technology, artifacts, and personal mythology
Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Caleb — any and all questions 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
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!About Caleb A. McMurphy
Caleb A. McMurphy is the Director of Visitor Services & Education at Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester, MA, where he leads the museum’s interpretive programming, educational initiatives, and public events. With a passion for blending history, technology, and culture, he has brought new life to the museum’s storytelling—highlighting everything from rare Roman artifacts and medieval architecture to the castle’s hidden connections to queer art circles and occult lore. His innovative approach to public engagement continues to deepen visitor appreciation for one of America’s most eccentric historic landmarks.
Learn more about the Hammond Castle Museum at www.hammondcastle.org.Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Photo Credit: Main - Carin Macnamara / Advanced Imaging ©2025
Categories: Virtual, Gilded Age - 'The 1933-1934 Chicago World’s Fair, Part 2: Visions of the Future' WebinarNeeds location$12.00
Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)
Click the link below to officially register for this experience:
How do you throw a massive global exposition during the depths of the Great Depression — and actually make money doing it? For the city of Chicago, the answer came in the form of daring ambition, creative financing, and a splash of lakeside innovation. It's time to discover how a city's 100th birthday became the perfect excuse to offer hope during one of the nation’s darkest economic periods — and a stunning preview of the world yet to come.
Join New York Adventure Club for a captivating two-part series on the 1933-1934 Chicago World’s Fair, a spectacular international exposition celebrating the city’s centennial with cutting-edge technology, modernist architecture, and a vision of progress. In Part Two: Visions of the Future, we'll explore what visitors experienced once they arrived — from immersive corporate showcases to the surprising decision to give the fair a second life.
Led by world’s fair historian and author Bill Cotter, this special experience will include:
- A close look at the grand pavilions on Northerly Island, featuring the biggest names in American transportation and industry
- How fair organizers reimagined the exposition for an unexpected second season after it turned a surprising profit
- An exploration of exhibits focused on science, progress, and innovation, including early visions of the future that shaped public imagination
- The social and cultural impact of the fair, from how it reflected American optimism to how it shaped Chicago’s identity
- Rare archival photos from Bill’s extensive collection, many being publicly shown for the first time
Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Bill — 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!About Bill
Bill Cotter was inspired by the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair to pursue a career in technology, becoming a submarine designer out of college for the US Navy, working on the Polaris-Poseidon-Trident guidance and launch systems. Cotter was then hired by The Walt Disney Company to set up the company's initial computer security. He also contributed to the designs for several major computer-controlled attractions. More recently, Bill retired as a Senior Vice President of Information Systems for Bank of America and is now an active volunteer with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Bill has written 13 volumes about the history of world’s fairs. He has contributed to dozens of books and documentaries and served as a consultant on several movies, including Iron Man 2 (2010) and Tomorrowland (2015). Bill spoke at the 50th anniversary of the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair and Disney’s D23 celebration of the Fair held at Walt Disney World Resort. Bill is also the author of a comprehensive history of Disney television and other entertainment projects, and operates three websites devoted to the study of world’s fairs.The 1933-1934 Chicago World’s Fair Series
Part 1: Birth of a Spectacle (Tuesday, July 8)
Part 2: Reinvention & Finale (Tuesday, July 15)Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Moments in History - 'A Walk Through Enchanted Alsace, Part 3: Molsheim & Kaysersberg' WebinarLink visible for attendees$12.00
Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)
Click the link below to officially register for this experience:
Tucked between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, Alsace is a cultural crossroads where French flair meets German tradition — and every village looks like it leapt from the pages of a fairy tale. How did this northeastern French region become so steeped in charm, with timber-framed houses, flower-filled balconies, and legendary wines at every turn? From spiral medieval streets to Renaissance libraries, it's time to uncover the unforgettable towns that bring Alsace’s story to life.
Join New York Adventure Club for a captivating six-part series through the enchanting towns of Alsace, packed with medieval marvels, cultural treasures, hidden wine route gems, and storybook charm around every corner. In Part Three: Molsheim & Kaysersberg, we’ll travel from a serene spiritual hub once home to Jesuits to a hillside village that captures the alpine heart of Alsace.
Led by tour guide Kelsey Betzelberger, this experience — featuring plenty of firsthand photo and video walkthroughs, intriguing anecdotes, and expert insights — will include:
- Molsheim’s Spiritual Elegance & Baroque Charm — A look at the town’s serene churches, cloisters, and courtyards that reflect its deep Jesuit roots and quiet beauty
- Historic Squares, Cloisters & Alsatian Delights — An exploration of Molsheim’s flower-lined walkways paired with local culinary staples like Pinot Blanc and tarte flambée
- Kaysersberg’s Storybook Streets & Stone Bridges — A discussion around this postcard-perfect village where timbered homes cling to alpine slopes and a gentle stream winds beneath arched bridges
- Honoring Albert Schweitzer’s Legacy — An overview of the life and impact of Nobel Peace Prize winner Albert Schweitzer, born in Kaysersberg, and how his philosophy echoes through the town
- Pinot Gris & the Taste of Mountain Terroir — A glimpse into the bold, earthy character of Pinot Gris grown on Kaysersberg’s steep vineyard slopes and the traditions that shaped its cultivation
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!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.A Walk Through Enchanged Alsace Series
Part 1: Eguisheim & Sélestat (Thursday, June 26)
Part 2: Riquewihr (Thursday, July 3)
Part 3: Molsheim & Kaysersberg (Thursday, July 10)
Part 4: Ribeauvillé & Obernai (Thursday, July 17)
Part 5: Colmar (Thursday, July 24)
Part 6: Strasbourg (Thursday, July 31)Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Landmarks
