This is my second time water rafting, the first time I went it was with a different company. I went…read morewith a group of 5, and we had a blast overall. However, I am confused on why they don't offer helmets especially with how many rocks there are. Our guide, Jake did openly swear at one of the customers for hanging onto his kayak, I understand it can be chaotic when people fall into the water and other people are frantically trying to get them back on the raft but it is very unprofessional in my opinion to be openly cursing at people for no reason. It could also be their first time rafting, and to have someone curse at you your first experience is not a good look. I also want to note the other guides were super helpful, it was just that one moment I noticed that threw me off!

The guides gave a thorough safety and intro talk before our drive to the launch…read more once on the river they guide you as to which side to stay on. It is important to stay on certain sides to avoid bigger rocks and your team has to work together. there are simple showers but you need to supply your own towel, soap and shampoo. We were a group of older adults and had a great time!

I joined one of the beginner paddle board classes with a friend on Sunday a week or two ago. I…read morethink the class had about 7 participants total, with two teachers. I came in from Manhattan, and took the PATH to get back home. The walk from the station to Pier 13 isn't short, so I can see why Google Maps suggests the bus to get to Pier 13. Personally I plan to snag a ride share from the station to Pier 13 in the future since I run late to most things and the walk took a while. Although I've been paddle boarding before, this class highlighted that I had never been taught some paddle boarding basics during my prior adventures. We hung out pretty close to the docks most of the time because the water was so choppy that day, but I believe the instructors said under better conditions the class sometimes ventured further out. For those of you wondering about how clean the water is - I personally did not mind falling in and was splashing my hair with the water to cool down as needed. The water felt fairly clean, and was "brackish," as the instructors liked to say. The instructors for this class were great, namely Ben (I believe that was his name anyway). He was fun, easy to talk to, and 100% willing to jump into the water to demonstrate re-mounting the board for people that had fallen. They cover how to get onto your board from the dock, how to hold your paddle, which parts of your body you should be engaging to paddle, paddling while kneeling, paddling while standing, tips on steadying yourself, and re-mounting the board. By the end of the hour I felt way more confident, and was interested in signing up for their other classes where you get a guided tour of the nearby areas. There was mention of paddling to an island nearby for one of those classes. Would highly recommend this as a weekend activity. There's plenty to eat and drink on the piers/walkways around there after you get done.

What an amazing time! A safe new and enjoyable adventure. We learned a new skill, the people in…read morecharge made sure we had an amazing experience.

I've never met a friendlier, kinder group. People of all ages. They share rides, gear, and mad…read moreskills. They knew so much about the Adirondacks and local rivers, but even more, they also travel to Southern rivers. It's great to see a group that really bonds with each other. I was tired of groups where people just wanted to paddle and go home. Here, day trips always have a Happy Hour tailgate party where folks share snacks and stories. I've heard the camping trips are fantastic. I was afraid to sign up when my skills were new, but the instructional weekend keeps giving...people keep coaching and helping. Or, you can also be in a tandem canoe with an expert. That's how I broke into moving and whitewater adventures. Best sport I ever did...and I"ve done a lot...because this group is so professional and warm.

AMC is great! I've been a member for about 8 years now and have been a student, taught students and…read morelead lots of paddling trips around the northeast region. I thought I went to learn to kayak, but I came out with so much more... Friends, community, and hundreds of memories and amazing experiences on and off the water. Trips are lead by volunteers so if it's not free, it's really inexpensive for you get involved.

Fun time kayaking on the Delaware River with a group of 13! The serenity of the river and nature…read morewas incredible. The water is warm even though it was only 70 ish degreees.

(This was a few months ago so the details could be a bit iffy.)…read more This was a very impromptu trip and everything at Edge of the Woods makes doing that easy. Head to the website, book the date & time you want and you're done. www.watergapadventure.com/river-trips A few things worth noting: They offer multiple trip lengths. The standard 4-, 6- and 10-mile trip (Smithfield to Portland) are all booked generically and then when you get there you tell them what you want to do. All pricing is the same which believe me compared to others companies, that's very different - in a good way. They do offer two other longer trips but those require calls to the main office I assume to assess river conditions; your own competency and shuttle availability. The main office in Delaware Water Gap is very easy to find and there was plenty of parking on a quiet post-Labor Day Monday. You check in, you're handed a laminated map, life jacket and given a brief route explanation and then you're off in the van. One problem arose and it was kind of a PIA but it was worked around. Most companies have different types/sizes/models of kayaks and quite often, will ask you what you prefer. Not here. When we left the office, the guy driving didn't say a word to me until we get to Smithfield Beach to unload. He had a few kayaks pre-loaded in the carrier but definitely did not look at them before we left. One of them had a broken foot pedal that he said couldn't be used, another was very much designed for a smaller individual (i.e. if you're taller and/or taller & larger it ain't happening safely) which only left two tandem models. Using a tandem as a single individual is not the end of the world but especially when the seats are still left in the two person configuration (i.e. one front and one back versus the rear one being placed more towards the middle), it's a PIA to maneuver the craft and you are paddling harder to get the job done compared to a single. The scenery along the route was decent. You could see a bit of the Shawnee Resort and Golf Course, an old stone bridge abutment in the middle of the river, under and along 80 and then when you get into the Water Gap itself with the high cliff sides. Very picturesque. Once you go under the old train viaduct in Portland, you give the office a call for the shuttle to meet you at the out point which is at the Portland Pedestrian Bridge. The whole experience was about four hours door to door to cover the ten miles on the water plus the shuttle to & from the pick up and drop off points. Lots of nice scenery, due to the low water level there wasn't much in the way of current except for the area around viaduqt in Portland and even that wasn't bad. I'm not a big fan of the equipment here but I wouldn't let that deter me from coming back in the future for one of their northern longer trips.

The setup: Mother's Day was coming up and I always try to find something unique and different for…read morethe momma of my kids as well as the mother-in-law. And I stumbled upon Urban Paddle and booked it for a 9am adventure. We lucked out that every variable and condition was ideal: weather, tide, calm water, almost no other boat-related traffic. We're a party of 7. The 'Urban Crew' numbered at 5. We were spoiled from start to finish with a group of really cool and helpful workers that were informative, fun, professional and made sure we were always safe and engaged the entire hour. (Make sure to watch their 6-minute YouTube video ahead of time so you know all about the proper paddling/rowing techniques when it comes time to hit the water.) The 'Urban Crew' were also invaluable because the owner was constantly taking pictures and videos and at the end airdropped them to us which was a nice 'cherry on top' since you can't really snap pictures for big chunks of the time when you're on the water. Is it expensive for an hour? No doubt. Did everyone absolutely love kayaking and getting to see everything from the Colgate clock to the back of the Statue of Liberty's head to the NYC skyline, not to mention all of the stunning yachts all docked and looking completely out of my price-range? Of course. Was it the funniest thing to see my mother-in-law somehow leaning back in her kayak like she was on a hammock while the father-in-law did all the hard work? Yup. (Did a cranky security guard try her best to be a stick in the mud regarding confusion over some parking-related issues when we were about to leave? Oh yeah.) I'd suggest clothing/footwear that you don't mind getting wet as well as sunglasses and sunblock (that sun is no joke bouncing off the water). Highly recommended. (The Mrs. is already plotting when to go back and I think she's even pricing kayaks to buy with that stimulus check that's burning a hole in her wallet.)

Overall this place is solid. My boyfriend and I went for the LED kayaking. The view was beautiful!…read moreThe difficulty was a 2/10 but honestly it does depend who you are and where your skill level is now. Our guide was perfect and he talked to us all night! Only bummed I never received the photos taken from that night. The entire trip takes a little over an hour. Parking is a little confusing but you have to find the parking authority and tell them you are there to kayak and pay $5 for a pass to put on your car. Overall great experience. I strongly advise not to put your hand into the water (who really knows what is in the Hudson River)

We stumbled upon Manhattan Community Boathouse free kayaking program while exploring the city and…read morewhat a glorious experience. The program is run by volunteers and funded by donations. Kayaking is offered on a first come, first served basis. They supply everything: life jacket, paddle, a single or two person kayak and a locker. You have 20 minutes and must say within the boundaries of the cove. Participants must be at least 18 years and know how to swim. Under 16 must share the kayak with an adult. Our experience felt like finding a treasure but in our case we want to share it with others

I first came here back in 2016 for the free kayaking. It was a blazing hot day and I just HAD to…read morefind a way to get out on the water, somewhere in the city. Manhattan Community Boathouse was just the place! I felt so welcomed and had so much fun during my first visit that I decided to become a volunteer. 5 years later, I still spend almost every summer weekend here, helping the organization offer the public the priceless (FREE!) experience of paddling on the Hudson river. Sharing this unique experience with the public is one of my favorite things to do in the city, and seeing the smiles on people's faces makes it all worth it. As a volunteer, I enjoy the extra training classes offered and volunteer-only kayaking trips we get to go on as well! A few things to know for the 2021 season, some of which is different from prior year reviews: MCBH is operating by reservation to prevent overcrowding. They are open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM - 6 PM through October 10. You can reserve your spot up to 2 weeks in advance on the website. Paddlers of all skill levels are invited to participate as long as you know how to swim. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. They offer changing rooms and lockers with locks provided, so you can bring a change of clothes if you want, because you will get wet. There's no public restroom here though, so be sure to stop in Clinton Dewitt park at 54th & 11th Ave before walking over if you need to use the facilities! Otherwise, a portapotty along the bike path near the boathouse is the only toilet option. Did I mention it's all free? The program is run entirely by volunteers, and funded solely by donations from the public, but there is absolutely no pressure to donate. Whether you come as a volunteer or as a member of the public, I think this is the best free activity in NYC!

Great way to get out of the city with no thought or planning on your part…read more Found this group through zozi. One 8 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail later, I'm very grateful. Yes, you're paying someone to pick you up, drive you to the trail head and lead the hike, but be honest.... you weren't gonna get in that hike you've been meaning to do between you and your measly zipcar subscription. I loved using this service and I would do it again. That they pick up three blocks from my house certainly didn't hurt... Our hike to Sunfish Pond in NE Pennsylvania was gorgeous, especially on the way back as it crossed a winter stream several times and my knees and hips started to ache, in the good way. But the best part was that I made some great friends. Really interesting New Yorkers tend to click on "Buy" under "8 mile winter hike". Who knew?? As much as I knew I'd like the hike, I ended up liking the company as well which was worth even more. We stopped for food at a great restaurant called (not kidding) "Beer from Here, Food from Near." Recommend the Session Stout though all four of my brand new friends got the Blonde Ale and loved it. There was traffic on the way back... and I wasn't driving! Yay.

I love Living Adventure Tours!…read more The first trip I went on was back in May--a friend had found an offer through a deal site and sent on the link. And--miracle of miracles, since I feel talking about things is one thing, but actually getting people to commit can sometimes feel impossible--three of us actually signed up. I'd been on a few trips through Discover Outdoors, so I imagined it'd be similar ... but it wasn't. It was way, way funner. The leader, Vaughn, is low-key and funny and makes it clear that he really WANTS to be out there, leading hikes. I always felt that the Discover Outdoor guides were kind of hiking snobs who were only leading a group of New Yorkers because they had to. And while Vaughn definitely knows his stuff, you can tell he really digs introducing newbies to hiking. The hike was fun, and the winery was RIDICULOUS. We had an awesome tasting, then everyone in the group bought bottles of wine, and pretty much got tanked. People were talking to each other, sharing snacks, and it was a really, really fun afternoon. And then Vaughn brought us to a cute farmstand AND dealt with everyone being loud and ridiculous in the van ride home. I went on another hike this fall, and it was just as good. Vaughn is flexible to the needs/wants of the group (we ended up doing two hikes, since the original itinerary was to a place affected by Sandy) then stopped at a cute NJ brewery for dinner. I've gone with friends both times, but it's not necessary. Vaughn is so friendly and good at facilitating conversation that you'd have a good time solo. But if you'd prefer to chill with your friends, as long as you're friendly to the rest of the group, that's fine, too. It's not like, mandatory hand holding and Kumbahya singing--just good people, good times, and a great way to get out of the city for the day. I will absolutely be going on more adventures!

This review will focus on the overall experience and the Intro to Whitewater experience. First off,…read moreANYONE can do this trip, do not bother with the beginner trip down the river. Unless you are medically unfit, you can do this. Exceptional customer service sums up the team at Jim Thorpe River Adventures (aka LOC). They are extremely well organized which makes for a great trip. Everyone from the moment you enter LOC until the very end was polite, professional and wanted to make sure you have a great time. Some tips to follow: you only need to arrive 15 minutes before your group time, this allows ample time to get situated. Buy their pre-made lunch, it is well worth the 10 bucks, bring extra water on the raft (especially in the summer). Use the bathroom before you get on the bus (and be quick). They give you a dry bucket for your lunch and items, yes you can bring your phone in a dry pouch. Wear a hat and a sun shirt, it is hot and sunny, without much shade. Jump in the water when you have the chance !! If you are a "full figured" person it will be difficult to re-enter the raft, be aware. The trip down river is very safe and well organized. The guides are VERY safety aware ! If you are nervous and listen to them, the team will get you down the river without a hitch ! A few suggestions: don't go on a busy holiday weekend, it can get crowded on the river, the safety briefing takes a long time and you a sitting in the sun (remove your vest and drink water), during July and August I would imagine the water is very low and slow (if it is a dry summer)...best only if you want to have a relaxing rafting trip. Overall, a bunch of fun. The entire family had a great time.

Went there this past Sunday. Was the 11:20 group. Monica, Penny, Justin aka Jesus, and two other…read morepeople were our guides. We all are in horrible shape. These guides were so sweet and so professional. At one point we accidentally ran over Monica with our raft. She just smiled and said to be more careful. Then, we can her over again. It was not intentional. That woman needs to be canonized as a saint after putting up with our group. The trip was awesome. Just about anyone could do it. There is this one part where someone comes and takes your picture as you're paddling. Made sure to get a copy of that. Can't wait until it arrives in the mail. Am extremely impressed with this place, in particular with Justin aka Jesus. That kid is so sweet and helped our little raft out so much. JustinSaves