On Saturday July 11th, we'll explore Manhattan's most memorable makeout spots, from secret gardens and rooftops to iconic landmarks with dreamy vistas. Note that making out is neither required nor necessarily encouraged during this daylong city wander, but you'll come away with ample ideas and itineraries for future fraternizing, and by all means feel free to share stories of snoggings of yore and to suggest additional recs along the trek.
If you can convince any ecologist/sociologist friends to join us, maybe they can help us uncover the intricacies undergirding urban dating ecologies!
This hike celebrates 2026's Week of Visibility of Non-Monogamy. While monogamy works great for most people most of the time, it's nice to celebrate all the nontraditional relationship styles and approaches that enable people to choose and cultivate the best relationship configurations for them!
Here's my attempt at explaining non-monogamy using cat gifs.
About
If you haven't been to a Hygge event before, think of it as a casual gathering to make new friends, discuss fun projects you're eager to work on, dive into deep, thoughtful discussions, and meet people who can help make NYC feel like a smaller, closer-knit community. Bring your friends, family, coworkers, anyone you think would enjoy both meeting new people and coming across friendly and familiar faces.
"Hyggehiking" is my own special blend of Hygge gathering — a conversational stroll through the green spaces of our city.
Logistics
This is a 10+ hour urban walk spanning 10+ miles, and you are free to join us at any point in the day. All RSVP'd "yes" and "maybe" attendees will receive a link at 10am to my realtime location for the entire day, along with my phone number, so you can see exactly where we are on Google Maps and call me directly if you need help.
What to bring
- comfy walking shoes
- sun protection
- cash
- friends 🥰
Itinerary
Here's my Google Maps list of the places we'll pass by. We may not make it to every location on the list, but I encourage you to dig deeper into any of them whenever you please. All times are rough estimates.
- 10am-10:30am — Little Canal in 'Dimes Square' (our meetup spot)
- 10:30am-11:30am — Williamsburg Bridge, East River Promenade, Pier 42, Pier 35
- 11:30am-1pm — Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport, Pier 17, Elevated Acre, Oasis Park
- 1pm-2pm — Hudson Eats Food Court
- 2pm-4pm — Poet's House, Collect Pond Park, Elizabeth Street Garden, Housing Works Bookstore, Washington Square Park, Jefferson Market Library
- 4pm-6pm — Gansevoort Beach, Little Island, Pier 57, Pier 59, High Line, Bryant Park, Radio City
- 6pm-8pm — Hallett Nature Sanctuary, The Mall & Literary Walk, Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, Shawarma Bay
- 8pm-9pm — Hearst Plaza, Lincoln Center, Pier 97, Riverside Park, Pier 1
- 9pm-10pm — Umpire Rock, Ladies Pavillion
Meet Your Host, Steve Dean
💁♂️Me
I'm a Philly-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 15 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 started my Dateworking podcast to learn from experts and founders who focus on the art and science of human connection, sexuality, dating, relationships, and personal development! Listen here!
Explore to my library/newsletter of dating & relationship insights.
Follow my news, events, and founder interviews on Facebook and Instagram.
Hire me to advise your dating business or personal dating life.
If particularly curious, venture to https://stevedean.me
💸 Tip your Host 💸
Suggested: $20
I keep this event free-to-attend so that it's easy for people to bring anyone they please without feeling like they're shoving someone's face into a paywall.
That said, your donations are what enable me to actually look forward to doing this sustainably, year over year. Please be as generous as you are able.
Paypal: @stevedean
