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What we’re about

This Meetup group is not affiliated with any organization. It is designed for people who are fit and in reasonably good shape and who want to get some exercise and learn more about New York City. New York City Hiking Tours is “more walk and less talk. The hikes and walks vary in length from 4-10 miles and can last anywhere from 3-6 hours or so. These events are fairly fast paced although I will stop on occasion a number of times to talk very briefly about what we see. We cover a lot of ground at a reasonably steady pace and the goal is to see as much of a specific area in New York City as possible. It is my hope that on each and every hiking tour you will not only experience something that will give you a sense of wonder and excitement but you will enjoy yourself as well.
I plan on visiting and exploring many different areas in New York City. For example, I really enjoy exploring Central Park (I have guidebooks from the 1860’s), the lower Manhattan Waterfront, Riverside Park, Prospect Park, Williamsburg, Vinegar Hill, DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Chelsea and the Meat Packing District where I am familiar with a number of art galleries there, Roosevelt Island, Governors Island, City Island, Long Island City etc. etc. I tend to focus on certain areas and know some of these areas better than others. 
I make it a point to insure that the hikes and walks I lead are a lot of fun. BUT and this is a big BUT, I take the RSVP process very seriously and expect that any participant should do the same. I will often limit registration to keep the group size manageable and I do not like to keep a “Wait List” for a lengthy period of time. I want you to be able to plan your day in advance and I want to be able to plan the event as well. If you RSVP for an event and are a “No Show” because you did not remove your RSVP and do not have a good reason for not showing up, I am going to simply delete you from the group. If you make it a habit of withdrawing your RSVP shortly before an event begins, I am also going to delete you from the group. Meeting Details will only be provided to those who RSVP and will not be publicized on the website. I also require that members use a real first name unless I know them. I’m just asking that people be considerate to me and the others in the Group and that every one act responsibly.
As an Organizer I have to pay Meetup a relatively small fee each month but I spend much time and effort planning and preparing for an event. I am a Iicensed NYC tour guide with many years of experience leading tours around NYC. I am going to request that anyone who attends an event make a monetary contribution but the amount of that donation is entirely up to you.

ABOUT ME

I’ve been a licensed NYC sightseeing guide for more than 10 years. I have led professional tours in different parts of New York City for tourists from all over the world, camp kids, locals who want to learn more about the City, college and alumni groups and even a fairly large group of Danish architects (coincidentally, I once lived in Copenhagen while I was in college). I have also led tours for Open House New York and the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC). At one time, I have been a volunteer hike leader for probably the premier hiking club in the Northeast where I have led tours in the woods upstate and in New York City for 15 years.  
In July 2018, a book I wrote called You Gotta Have Heart was published. It's a coming of age story about an orphaned boy growing up in New York City. Some of the most memorable scenes of the book take place in areas of New York City that we tour. The book is suitable for both adults and children. 
Healthy living is very important to me. I spend a lot of time exploring NYC, read a lot, enjoy listening to music and watching movies and I have extensive training in the martial arts and even train to this day – although I have to admit I’m getting my butt kicked in an awful lot learning new disciplines. But-it’s all fun.

WAIVER OF LIABILITY

Your participation in any activities of New York City Hiking Tours is your acknowledgement that you are solely responsible for your own assessment of your abilities and your physical fitness to participate in that activity.

Walkers and Hikers must be physically fit. There are always inherent risks that can cause or lead to injury, property damage, illness *including the corona virus*, emotional trauma, disability or death to participants or others when participating in an activity. Some, but not all of these risks include: hazardous and unpredictable ground, water or weather conditions, traffic conditions, misjudgments made by the leader or a participant, the potential that the participant or others may act carelessly or recklessly, etc. etc. New York City Hiking Tours cannot assure a participant’s safety or eliminate any of these risks. The participant is voluntarily participating in any activity conducted by New York City Hiking Tours with knowledge of these risks, and therefore the participant must accept full responsibility for the inherent and other risks (both known and unknown) of these activities, and for any injury, damage, death or other loss suffered by the participant.

By joining any event conducted by New York City Hiking Tours, the participant agrees to release and not sue New York City Hiking Tours and/or Bruce Bernstein with regard to any and all claims, liabilities, suits, or expenses (including reasonable costs and attorney’s fees) for any injury, property damage, illness including the corona virus, emotional trauma, disability or death to participants or others in any way connected with the participation in an activity. Should a participant bring an action against New York City Hiking Tours and/or Bruce Bernstein despite this waiver of liability that participant will be responsible for any and all attorneys fees incurred by New York City Hiking Tours and/or Bruce Bernstein in defending such action.

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