"Hyggehiking" is my own special blend of Hygge gathering, a conversational stroll through the green spaces of our city.
For Saturday November 18th, we'll be starting with a morning hike through the newly opened Fallkill Trail in Prospect Park, then walking westwardly to the sea, where we'll spend the remainder of the day exploring the parks, piers, farms, cafes, galleries, and game halls of South Slope, Industry City, Carroll Gardens, and Red Hook!
Here's my Google Maps list of the specific places we'll traverse. We may not make it to every location on the list, but I encourage you to dig deeper into any of them and catch back up with the group whenever you please.
This gathering is open invite, and you can show up at any point throughout the day. I've posted our route to this page, and for every hike I text blast my realtime location for the whole day to all those who RSVP'd 🙌
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🗺️ ITINERARY 🗺️
10-11am — Fallkill Trail in Prospect Park
✨Kick off the morning with a hike on a trail that has just been remodeled after being closed to the public for nearly 30 years. Google maps tells of a place called Fallkill Falls. We'll attempt to meet there specifically. If its stated location in google maps turns out to be a lie, you'll be able to simply follow my live location to find us.
11am-1pm — Green-Wood Cemetery, Black Friday Everyday, Ayat, Industry City
✨ We'll cut through South Slope (keep an eye out for the many free items left on steps) to indulge some late season leaf peeping at the beautiful Green-Wood Cemetery. For the sake of contrast, we'll also briefly peek into the strange discount outlet Black Friday Everyday, where all items get refreshed each week and are under $10. Then onward to Industry City, a local hub of microparks, startups, art, and community gatherings.
1pm-2:30pm — Red Hook Park, Red Hook Farms, Coffrey Park, Sea & Soil Bakery Cafe
✨ We'll try to snag a free tour through Red Hook Farms and maybe even meet their adorable chickens! Then, we'll pass through Coffrey Park en route to the cozy worker-owned co-op Sea & Soil. They source my favorite coffee beans in NYC and constantly create custom sandwiches and pastries, like their scallion pancake croissants! Sliding scale pricing, too.
2:30-4:00pm — Pier 12 Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier, Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie, Pier 44 Waterfront Garden
✨ Hopefully the roses will still be in bloom! Last time I was here I saw a bumblebee sleeping in one. We might catch sight of giant cruise ships, and will definitely witness fun Statue of Liberty views as well as some very old abandoned trollies. Expect discussions of trolley problems as we enjoy the sunset.
4pm-6pm — BWAC Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition
✨ Triple exhibition of mixed media works, with a very cute shop featuring handcrafted items from local artists, and a hidden 2nd floor DIY arcade featuring multiple never-before-seen multiplayer video games designed by in-house artists! And live music, cozy vibes, and snacks! Preview some of the artists' work here: https://www.bwac.org
6-8pm — Food Bazaar, Strong Rope Brewery
✨ Food Bazaar is a giant supermarket and I want to see if it has those elusive prepared meals that I raved about from Subzi Bazaar in Flushing during our September Hyggehike 😂. After a brief stop there, we'll go enjoy some drinks and waterfront views at Strong Rope Brewery.
8-10pm — PioneerWorks
✨There's a daylong "Software For Artists Day" happening at PioneerWorks and if we're lucky, they'll have some evening programming too, where we can hopefully explore their galleries and backyard treehouse. This exhibition was specifically recommended to me. There will likely be several things going on in the area, so I'm mostly leaving our 8pm onward fairly open so we can vote with our feet! If you have suggestions of other Red Hook evening ideas, send them my way!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🎒WHAT TO BRING🎒
• comfy shoes
• light blanket
• warm jacket
• sun protection / umbrella (check weather beforehand)
• friends 🥰
Our Likely Route
"Hyggehiking" is my own special blend of Hygge gathering, a conversational stroll through the green spaces of our city.
For Saturday November 18th, we'll be starting with a morning hike through the newly opened Fallkill Trail in Prospect Park, then walking westwardly to the sea, where we'll spend the remainder of the day exploring the parks, piers, farms, cafes, galleries, and game halls of South Slope, Industry City, Carroll Gardens, and Red Hook!
Here's my Google Maps list of the specific places we'll traverse. We may not make it to every location on the list, but I encourage you to dig deeper into any of them and catch back up with the group whenever you please.
This gathering is open invite, and you can show up at any point throughout the day. I've posted our route to this page, and for every hike I text blast my realtime location for the whole day to all those who RSVP'd 🙌
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🗺️ ITINERARY 🗺️
10-11am — Fallkill Trail in Prospect Park
✨Kick off the morning with a hike on a trail that has just been remodeled after being closed to the public for nearly 30 years. Google maps tells of a place called Fallkill Falls. We'll attempt to meet there specifically. If its stated location in google maps turns out to be a lie, you'll be able to simply follow my live location to find us.
11am-1pm — Green-Wood Cemetery, Black Friday Everyday, Ayat, Industry City
✨ We'll cut through South Slope (keep an eye out for the many free items left on steps) to indulge some late season leaf peeping at the beautiful Green-Wood Cemetery. For the sake of contrast, we'll also briefly peek into the strange discount outlet Black Friday Everyday, where all items get refreshed each week and are under $10. Then onward to Industry City, a local hub of microparks, startups, art, and community gatherings.
1pm-2:30pm — Red Hook Park, Red Hook Farms, Coffrey Park, Sea & Soil Bakery Cafe
✨ We'll try to snag a free tour through Red Hook Farms and maybe even meet their adorable chickens! Then, we'll pass through Coffrey Park en route to the cozy worker-owned co-op Sea & Soil. They source my favorite coffee beans in NYC and constantly create custom sandwiches and pastries, like their scallion pancake croissants! Sliding scale pricing, too.
2:30-4:00pm — Pier 12 Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier, Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie, Pier 44 Waterfront Garden
✨ Hopefully the roses will still be in bloom! Last time I was here I saw a bumblebee sleeping in one. We might catch sight of giant cruise ships, and will definitely witness fun Statue of Liberty views as well as some very old abandoned trollies. Expect discussions of trolley problems as we enjoy the sunset.
4pm-6pm — BWAC Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition
✨ Triple exhibition of mixed media works, with a very cute shop featuring handcrafted items from local artists, and a hidden 2nd floor DIY arcade featuring multiple never-before-seen multiplayer video games designed by in-house artists! And live music, cozy vibes, and snacks! Preview some of the artists' work here: https://www.bwac.org
6-8pm — Food Bazaar, Strong Rope Brewery
✨ Food Bazaar is a giant supermarket and I want to see if it has those elusive prepared meals that I raved about from Subzi Bazaar in Flushing during our September Hyggehike 😂. After a brief stop there, we'll go enjoy some drinks and waterfront views at Strong Rope Brewery.
8-10pm — PioneerWorks
✨There's a daylong "Software For Artists Day" happening at PioneerWorks and if we're lucky, they'll have some evening programming too, where we can hopefully explore their galleries and backyard treehouse. This exhibition was specifically recommended to me. There will likely be several things going on in the area, so I'm mostly leaving our 8pm onward fairly open so we can vote with our feet! If you have suggestions of other Red Hook evening ideas, send them my way!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🎒WHAT TO BRING🎒
• comfy shoes
• light blanket
• warm jacket
• sun protection / umbrella (check weather beforehand)
• friends 🥰
Our Likely Route
"Hyggehiking" is my own special blend of Hygge gathering, a conversational stroll through the green spaces of our city.
For Saturday October 28th, I'm leading us on a journey by land and by sea to the enchanted gardens of Staten Island, where we'll explore a botanic garden, a Chinese Scholar garden, some natural woods (with secret lightning talks), and then all-you-can-eat Sri Lankan goodness, followed by an evening ferry ride back to Manhattan.
Here's my Google Maps list of the specific parks and places we'll traverse: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EeJvwgUiQc7hof847
This gathering is open invite, and you can show up whenever you like. Our map/trail is posted below, and I'll be sharing my realtime location all day long with all RSVP'd guests 🙌 so it'll be easy to find us.
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🗺️ ITINERARY 🗺️
10am-10:30am — Whitehall Terminal for Staten Island Ferry [MANHATTAN]
✨ Gather at the gate, board the (free) ferry, and set sail for Staten Island
11am-2pm — Snugg Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, Harbor Eats [STATEN ISLAND]
✨ Explore the gardens, lake, and cultural center, check out Heritage Farm and the Connie Gretz Secret Garden, lunch at Harbor Eats.
2-4pm — Chinese Scholar Garden ($5 entry)
✨ This is the most beautiful place I've encountered in my 12 years in NYC. A team of 40 Chinese artists and craftspeople spent a year in China creating the Garden’s components and another six months in Staten Island as craftsmen-in-residence at Snug Harbor to complete the construction.
4-6pm — Allison Pond Park, Goodhue Park, Silver Lake
✨ Wander along multiple lakes and into a nook of deep woods with a woodstump amphitheater where we'll have impromptu 5-minute lightning talks.
6-8pm — Lakruwana Restaurant
✨ Dig into their weekend all-you-can-eat buffet ($20.99pp) and enjoy their mesmerizing interior.
8-9pm — Staten Island Ferry Terminal ➡️ Whitehall Terminal
✨ Board the ferry and return to Manhattan.
9-10pm — The Cauldron Downtown [MANHATTAN]
✨ Celebrate Halloween season at a witchy pub with handcrafted drinks by resident potion masters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🎒WHAT TO BRING🎒
• comfy shoes
• light blanket
• warm jacket
• sun protection / umbrella (check weather beforehand)
• friends 🥰
Event Map
"Hyggehiking" is my own special blend of Hygge gathering, a conversational stroll through the green spaces of our city.
For Saturday September 2nd, I'm leading us on a culinary tour of most ethnically diverse and culinarily delicious neighborhoods in all of NYC. Strangely, all of these circle LaGuardia airport, so we'll get to observe planes taking off and landing from a variety of angles. If you haven't been in the flight path of a low flying airplane, you're in for memorable treat.
This gathering is open invite, and you can show up whenever you like. I'll post our route to this page and also share my realtime location all day long 🙌
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🗺️ ITINERARY 🗺️
1am-1pm — Francis Lewis Park, Powell's Cove Park, Hermon A. MacNeil Park, Amore Pizza
📝Wander through the parks of College Point, check out vistas of Whitestone Bridge, Riker's Island, and LaGuardia, then sample some local pizza.
1-4pm — Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, Subzi Bazaar, Unisphere, Queens Museum
📝 Sample dumplings in Flushing, stock up on best kept secret Indian packaged meals, behold the pride of the 1964 New York World's Fair, and explore the enormous scale model of all of NYC inside the Queens Museum.
4-7pm — Lemon Ice, Bubble Tea, Jackson Heights Food Truck Spree
📝 Try Benfaremo, "The Lemon Ice King Of Corona," then Anda Cafe for bubble tea, then chart a course for the heart of Jackson Heights for Sammy's Halal Cart (best in NYC in my opinion) and Star Fuska, a Bangladeshi food & dessert truck.
7-11pm — LaGuardia Landing Lights, Astoria Park, Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
📝 Catch one of the closest views you can get of planes taking off from LaGuardia, then explore Astoria Park before finally settling in NYC's oldest beer garden for some relaxation and deeper conversation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🎒WHAT TO BRING🎒
• comfy shoes
• cash
• light blanket
• layers in case it gets chilly
• sun protection / umbrella (check weather beforehand)
• friends 🥰
"Hyggehiking" is my own special blend of Hygge gathering, a conversational stroll through the green spaces of our city.
For Saturday August 12th, I'm taking advantage of NYC's Summer Streets by kicking things off at Summer Streets rest stop at 109th and Park Ave. From there, we'll venture through more than 10 lovely parks and gardens, en route toward Inwood, where we'll cap off the evening at a 24-hour Mexican restaurant.
This gathering is open invite, and you can show up whenever you like. I'll share my live location with all confirmed attendees on the day of the event so that you can join whenever in the day you're free.
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🗺️ ITINERARY 🗺️
(This is my Google Maps list of the specific parks and places we'll traverse.)
11am-1pm — East 109th St and Park Ave, Pabade Coffee
📝 Gather, scout out coffee/snacks, and enjoy free activities through Summer Streets, NYC's program that renders select streets vehicle-free for a few glorious weekends each year. Summer Streets technically starts at 7am, so if you're an early riser, consider their full activity list here: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/summerstreets.shtml#east-90
1-2pm — Central Park, Harlem Meer, Morningside Park, Columbia University
📝 Enjoy fragrant flowers in Central Park's Conservatory Garden, appreciate the sudden slopes of Morningside Park, then cut through Columbia's campus en route to the waterfront.
2-4pm — Riverside Park, Sakura Park, Manhattanville Market Food Court
📝 Explore the bird sanctuary of Riverside Park, pass Grant's Tomb and the towering Riverside Church, then take a rest stop for lunch.
3-5pm — Center for Discovery & Innovation, St. Nicholas Park, Hamilton Grange, Riverbank State Park
📝 Explore a surreal campus that feels nothing like Manhattan, then appreciate the views and heights of St. Nicholas Park before crossing into a secluded park built above a waste processing center, with views of the George Washington Bridge.
5-6pm — Fort Washington Park, George Washington Bridge
📝 I've never walked directly below the GWB, along where the Metro North line runs. I'm curious what we might find, and I heard there may be "Sisyphus Stones" by the water.
6-8pm — Heather Garden, Fort Tryon Park, Inwood Hill Park
📝 Hopefully we'll catch some good smells and a lovely sunset from the heights of Fort Tryon park, home of the Cloisters museum. Then, we'll cross into Inwood Hill Park and peek out from the tippy tip of Manhattan over the creek that merges with the Harlem River and later joins the East River.
8-10pm (or later) — Dinner at La Lomita
📝 After what will likely be a 7-10 mile walk, we'll sit down for a well-deserved meal and share stories from our journeys.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🎒WHAT TO BRING🎒
• comfy shoes
• light blanket
• layers in case it gets chilly
• friends 🥰
• umbrella (check weather beforehand)
"Hyggehiking" is my own special blend of Hygge gathering, a conversational stroll through the green spaces of our city.
For Saturday July 15th, I've designed a day of parks, piers, storytelling, and secret city nooks! All in, we'll have explored over 20 parks before the day is done!
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💞BONUS: DAY OF VISIBILITY💞
July 15th also happens to be the first-ever Day of Visibility for Non-Monogamy (learn more here: https://www.dayofvisibility.com) Be sure to bring any of your burning relationship questions as well as any sordid or salacious stories you'd like to share as we celebrate the ever evolving range of human relationships.
Note: All relationship permutations are welcome at this event 🤗
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🗺️ ITINERARY 🗺️
12-1pm — Essex Market
📝 Grab some food/coffee from any of the dozens of stalls, and bring it to the sunlit 2nd floor atrium, my favorite place to hang out, meet friends, and cowork.
1-2pm — Sara Roosevelt Park, Seward Park, Forsyth Plaza, Mussel Beach, Pier 35 Swings.
📝 Park crawl, wildflower gardens, public outdoor community gym, & giant swings date spot
2-3pm — Peck Slip, Pier 17 Rooftop, Elevated Acre
📝Periwinkle underpasses, plazas, rooftops, & secret bougie gardens.
3-5pm — Battery Park, Oasis Park, Boardwalk, Brookfield Place, Hudson Eats Food Court
📝 Urban farms, vista points, fancy boats, and food courts. We'll stop and eat here.
5-6pm — Rockefeller Park, River Park, Pier 26 Tide Deck, Hudson River Park, Little Island
📝 Piers, pylons, biers, and bygones. If the Little Island amphitheater is open, we may be able to use it for some public storytelling!
6-8pm — Pier 57 Rooftop Park, backpaths of Chelsea Piers, High Line Observation Deck, Jackson Square, Christopher Park
📝 History and mystery! We'll pass through NYC's oldest, newest, quirkiest, and queerest parks.
8-10pm (or later) — Washington Square Park
📝 Sunset, live music, people watching, yoga, stretching, deep conversation, and imbibing the inimitable chaos energy of my favorite park in NYC.
📍Here's my Google Maps list of the specific parks and places we'll traverse: 📍
https://goo.gl/maps/FJYKvBmzWn4x9Jq9A
This gathering is open invite, and you can show up whenever you like. I'll share my live location with all confirmed attendees on the day of the event so that you can join whenever in the day you're free.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🎒WHAT TO BRING🎒
• comfy shoes
• light blanket
• layers in case it gets chilly
• friends 🥰
• stories, songs, & spoken word poetry to share
Event & Venue Details
Saturday, April 22, 2023, 12pm-8pm
Hyggehiking through the parks of Brooklyn and Queens!
Greetings fellow hyggehikers!
"Hyggehiking" is the term I use for my special blend of Hygge gatherings where we get outside and engage in that convivial conversation while trekking through green spaces throughout our city.
Saturday April 22nd is Earth Day, and to celebrate, I've designed a day of street foods, waterfronts, community connections, and neighborhood beautification.
Itinerary:
- 12-3pm — Williamsburg
"Car-Free Earth Day" being celebrated as a Berry Street pedestrian takeover in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We'll meet at Gran Torino on Berry St, explore the street foods/funzies, then hang out at the Domino park waterfront. Around 1:30pm, we'll explore more food options at Smorgasberg in Bushwick Inlet Park, then walk north through McCarren park into Greenpoint, with a stop at Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop! - 3-5pm — Long Island City
We'll cross the Pulaski Bridge, then wander north into to tour three parks along the Long Island City waterfront: Hunter's Point South Park, Gantry Plaza State Park, and Queensbridge Park (with views of Roosevelt Island). Around 5pm, we'll catch the 7 train over to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. - 5-8pm — Flushing Meadows Corona Park
It's early access day for Queens Night Market! Tix to get in are $5 and can be purchased here. Dinner + picnic at Queens Night Market, sunset by the Unisphere.
Here's my Google Maps list of the specific parks and places we'll traverse.
All in, we'll have hit up 7 NYC parks and 3 street food fairs in a single day!
This gathering is open invite. It may include a silent disco.
What to bring:
- comfy shoes
- light blanket
- layers in case it gets chilly
- cash for street foods
- battery pack / charger
- friends 🥰
Below, I've shared the path we'll most likely take. You can ping me via text or messenger any point and I'll share my realtime location with you so that you can see where we are.
- 12-3pm — Williamsburg
Event & Venue Details
June 12, 2021, 10am-8pm
Hyggehiking through the parks of Queens
Greetings fellow hyggehikers!
For our first Hygge gathering of 2021, we're doing something a little different. After over a year of being cooped up indoors, we'll be gathering for a side by side, walk-and-talk through the interconnected parks of Queens in New York City!
Itinerary:
- 10-11am — Forest Park Watering Hole for birdwatching
- 11-2pm — Walk the Willow Lake Preserve Trail
- 2-4pm — Meander north through Flushing Meadows Corona Park
- 4-5pm — Visit Queens Museum (free entry with timed ticket)
- 5-6pm — Wander past Queens Botanic Garden en route to Flushing
- 6-8pm — Dinner in Downtown Flushing in-around One Fulton Square
You can ping me via text or messenger any point and I'll share my realtime location with you so that you can see where we are. Here's the saved Google Maps list I made for our stops.By my best estimates, this is the path we'll most likely take:
Event & Venue Details
From the main atrium of Brookfield Place (the large glass enclosure facing the waterfront/marina) take the escalators up to the food court. When you get to the top, keep walking straight ahead until you see the Chop't and/or Dos Toros, then look to the right and you should see us. We usually gather by the tables directly between those food stalls and the windows (above).
What to expect | What to bring
Our hike will be meander through parks, walking trails, and sidewalks, with some stretches in the sun, so wear comfy shoes and bring sunscreen and/or a hat. Friends will be joining at various points throughout the hike, so bring fun conversations and an open mind!
The photos below capture the range of environments you can expect to wander through.
Meet Your Host, Steve Dean
💁♂️Me
I'm an NYC-based community builder, dating industry consultant, relationship coach, entrepreneur, and diehard superconnector. Creating deep, authentic connections across communities is what I do. It’s what I live for. I host salons, dinners, meetups, webinars, and coworking sessions across multiple cities in order to bring people together from all over the world to share their stories and build new friendships, startups, and movements.
📱My Work
For over 12 years, I've been a consultant to the entire dating industry, helping founders build and launch new apps, and coaching individuals through the complex world of dating and relationships. You can hire me to consult, coach, speak, or lead a workshop anytime through my website, Dateworking.
🎧My Podcast
I've been using my Dateworking podcast as a glorious excuse to talk to all my favorite experts and founders who focus on the art and science of human connection, sexuality, dating, relationships, and personal development! Listen here!
🚀My Projects
I've recently begun collaborating with other dating experts to produce dating & relationship insights, fun statistics, events, founder interviews, and live shows! My personal mission is to develop a new lexicon and better norms for modern dating and relationships.
Subscribe to my newsletter of dating industry insights.
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If particularly curious, venture to https://stevedean.blog
