Testimonials

I had such a wonderful introduction to hiking that I can’t wait for my next expedition!
Joanna F., NYC

The Mexico trip was amazing! I went not knowing anyone and came back with 20 new friends. It was an action packed, adventurous five days that I will never forget. I’ve now been on two awesome Urban Escapes trips. They are well organized and the guides’ infectious energy and enthusiasm ensure a good time for everyone.
Jessie B., Astoria

Getting out of the city and being able to hike through the woods and see the beautiful white snow kissed scenery was a welcome change. Looking at the frozen lake high in the mountains was breathtaking. But ending the day with a fun filled snow tubing ride with everyone I bonded with earlier in the day just made it a perfect day! Maia is also a warm caring guide that really knows how to plan trips. Highly recommended!

Bob W., NYC

I highly recommend Urban Escapes for all levels of adventure seekers! I went without knowing anyone and my hiking experience was great from start to finish. The guides were fun to hang out with, attentive to every person, helpful in getting you through rock scrambles, and just all round nice people. I’ve already told all of my friends about Urban Escapes.
Nina A., NYC

Thanks so much for this weekend—I had such an awesome time! It really cleared my mind and I got exactly what I needed. The crew was wonderful and I am happy, tired, and sore right now.
Sophie N., Weston, CT

Great trip, amazing guides, awesome people and a really perfect price! It was such a fun way to get out of the city, remember what nature really looks and smells like, and meet new friends with the exact same interests. I didn’t know anyone when I signed up, and I literally walked away with 20 new friends. Thanks so much for planning such an amazing weekend trip, I’ve already signed up for 2 more trips and look forward to many more to come!
Jacob L., NYC

Maia and the other leaders could not have been nicer and more accommodating. I am not typically one to get down and dirty, but I could not have had a better time hiking, camping, rafting, and literally sleeping beneath the stars!
Grant B., Philadelphia

A totally kickin trip and amazing leaders. The trip self-selects for young, active, energetic, outgoing people and you just can’t beat that. I expect to be on more Urban Escapes trips very soon!
Matt P., NYC

The Urban Escapes trip was fabulous and I’d highly recommend it to others considering going. There was a great group of around 20 people from all different walks of life, ages, backgrounds, and so on. But everyone got along so well and we all will continue to stay in touch. The hike was truly beautiful, and not too intense that I couldn’t enjoy the view. The camping and games by the campfire were a lot of fun. And the best part was our 13 mile whitewater rafting adventure which was a blast. The UE staff was very friendly and accommodative, and I will definitely take a trip through them again.
Amir V., NYC

Thank you very much for giving us a lot of wonderful experiences this weekend. Almost everything was new for me and so it is unforgettable. My friend and I were both so happy to join your fantastic and really enjoyable trip!
Noriko M., Japan

This trip was memorable because it was just awesome! I promise that Urban Escapes takes you to a wonderful world and refreshes you, all while broadening your perspective.
Waka N., Japan

I went on the Whitewater challenge and didn’t know anyone. I had the best time, met some great people, swam in a waterfall, and the day on the river was awesome. Urban Escapes took all the hassle out of the trip. Best weekend of the summer!
Jordan C., Brooklyn

The hike was the beautiful, the campsite nice, the food delicious, especially for being on a fair and make-shift oven. The campfire games were awesome—definitely keep that a tradition and the tours were incredible!
Laura M., Westchester

Camping was a great way to meet people with similar interests. Thanks for the awesome guides and bringing such nice people together. And, oh the stories…!
Evan N., Hoboken

This was definitely one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. I’d totally go on other ones, and highly recommend to all of my friends.
Ying C., NYC

Urban Escapes is a great way to spend a weekend out of the city. Good times and good people. It’s something I’ll definitely do again.
Austin B., NYC

My trip with Urban Escapes was an awesome, relaxing, invigorating weekend away from the city. They made planning and outfitting for the hike super-easy, and I left having met several interesting New Yorkers without any bar mung on my shoes.
Aisha S., NYC

When a friend asked if I wanted to go camping with Urban Escapes for the weekend, I said yes before I realized that this was “real” camping—those big backpacker packs, no convenience store, no bathrooms. I had no idea how much fun I could have, carrying all of my gear in and out of the site, participating in setting up our tents, hiking to a stream for water. I left that weekend feeling like I learned a lot, experienced something new, and bonded with a bunch of new people over it!
Emily S., NYC

I had a great time on the trip, Maia knows how to lead a fun and safe expedition. Looking forward to my next one!
Leonard F., Jersey City

My first trip with Urban Escapes was divine. An incredibly easy and fun way to leave the city and get outdoors. The guides were amazing, the people I met were hands-down wonderful and the trails were scenic yet not overly demanding. Could not have asked for a better experience.
Richie G., NYC

Hiking through Bear Mountain in all its greenery was incredibly beautiful and relaxing. The scenery starts as soon as you get in the car and leave the city. Getting away and being immersed in nature with friends with a backpack on your back was a totally transforming and refreshing experience. I was totally invested in this trip, between cooking, getting water for yourself, and sleeping in a tent under the stars—the whole experience was really mind-blowing. Anybody, whether you consider yourself an outdoorsy person or not, would have an amazing time on this camping trip. It would be literally be impossible not to!
Diane W., NYC

I’ve known Maia since college and always knew she would make an ideal guide in any kind of backcountry setting. Having undergone countless backpacking trips in diverse climates all over the world, her wilderness savvy can only be outdone by her warm and welcoming personality to newcomers. In less than a few minutes of meeting one another (I not knowing anyone besides Maia), my trip mates and I all felt like we’d been buds for years. From our scenic lunch on a treeless summit overlooking the verdant bloom of Bear Mountain State Park to the marshmallows of our homely campfire, we had a total blast. Maia finds routes you wouldn’t believe existed an hour or two beyond the city shores.
Matt S., Brooklyn

What a weekend!! After spending countless weekends searching for “something different” in New York, I finally heard about Urban Escapes from a friend who’d gone camping with them a couple weeks earlier and decided to give it a shot. It couldn’t have worked out much better. Maia, our energetic guide, showed us a great time as we hiked a beautiful trail, ate lunch atop a mountain with a gorgeous view, and set up our own campsite, fire and all. But the best part was the people we met, who are now some of my closest friends in the city! Anyone who’s looking for a change of pace and the chance to meet new, adventurous people should definitely check out Urban Escapes.
Rick G., NYC

This trip offered me fun and challenging outdoor activities without the hassle of organizing it myself. Every other attempt I’ve made at going camping with people from NY either falls through or gets too expensive, but this trip was so easy to plan and so affordable! The perfect weekend away from the big city!
Dan W., NYC

I had a great time on the Urban Escapes trip last weekend. I hadn’t been camping in a few years so I was really looking forward to it. The planning and location were fantastic and the people I met were a lot of fun. I will definitely be doing it again soon.
Mike P., Brooklyn