About Secret City
Since 2008, we’ve helped thousands of teams discover a whole new side of New York City — through epic scavenger hunts designed to be both competitive and fun! NYC is full of secrets, stories, and surprises. We’ll create a custom adventure for your group that challenges your thinking, sparks connection, and turns team-building into an experience you’ll never forget.
Our Story
Jared Nissim, Director
Jared Nissim has been bringing people together in New York City since 2001, when he founded The Lunch Club, a pioneering social network that connected New Yorkers through group meals and just about every kind of social event you can imagine.
He later created Speed Friending, a friendship-only twist on speed dating that gained worldwide recognition, and Meet The Neighbors, one of the first platforms designed to connect people who lived in the same building or neighborhood.
His community-building efforts have been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Time Magazine, NBC News, and others. More on Wikipedia →
Scavenger hunts became one of The Lunch Club’s most successful formats. Private groups and companies soon began requesting Jared’s hunts for their team-building events. A new company was born! In 2008, Jared launched Secret City Scavenger Hunts to meet that need, designing fun competitions in iconic NYC locations for all kinds of group events.
With a deep understanding of what makes group experiences meaningful, Jared and his team continue to create interactive hunts that bring people together in memorable ways.
Our Talented Scavenger Hunt Hosts
As a licensed tour guide, Krista has spent years sharing NYC’s wonders with visitors from around the world. Her deep knowledge of city history and natural storytelling ability make every hunt both entertaining and enlightening. Groups love her enthusiasm and the way she brings neighborhoods to life.
Walter’s passion for puzzles and theater background shine through in every hunt he hosts. His quick wit and stage-managing skills keep teams engaged and on track through the trickiest challenges. When he’s not leading hunts, you’ll find him in the theater — acting, stage-managing, or eating all the donuts in the green room.
Julie runs a children’s entertainment company but believes adults deserve just as much fun. Her theatrical flair and playful approach turn every hunt into an imaginative adventure where teams feel free to be silly and creative. She specializes in bringing out the kid in everyone.
Endlessly smitten with NYC’s beauty and grit, Laura’s excellent storytelling reveals the city’s hidden corners and surprising histories. She has a gift for making familiar neighborhoods feel brand new. When she’s not guiding hunts, she’s obsessing over her latest restaurant discovery — or being mistaken for Parker Posey.
Originally from England (by way of France and Spain), Joe brings an international perspective to NYC exploration that helps both locals and visitors see the city differently. The actor, producer, and self-proclaimed Harry Potter geek keeps teams entertained with his infectious enthusiasm and clever observations.
As an improv instructor and filmmaker, Laura specializes in unexpected moments and quick thinking that keep hunts unpredictable and exciting. Her NYC passion and improvisational skills create dynamic experiences full of spontaneity and laughter. Every hunt with Laura feels like a unique performance.
This Los Angeles native traded sunshine for NYC’s bright lights and never looked back. Her love for Broadway and theatrical storytelling makes every hunt feel like a performance, complete with drama and delightful surprises. Also: ice cream enthusiast, bulldog devotee, and expert at finding the best slice in any neighborhood.
From the Texas coast to Manhattan, this bite-sized actor brings Southern charm and fierce determination to NYC streets. Her competitive spirit and love of mysteries turn every hunt into an energetic race to the finish where teams push themselves to solve every clue.
Brooklyn-based actress, tour guide, and puzzle enthusiast who combines local expertise with creative problem-solving. Arielle’s sharp mind and love of Brooklyn’s hidden gems make her hunts both intellectually engaging and authentically neighborhood-focused. She knows where the locals actually hang out.
This Pacific Northwest transplant turned Brooklyn artist performs folk music in NYC parks during her free time, bringing that same creative, artistic energy to every hunt. Her approach makes city exploration feel like a captivating performance where every corner reveals something beautiful or unexpected.
Born and raised in NYC, James is a licensed NYC Tour Guide whose love for the city runs deep. An actor, director, and writer with a background in improv and trivia, he brings sharp instincts, quick wit, and contagious energy to every hunt. His enthusiasm for NYC’s stories and streets keeps teams engaged, confident, and moving.
Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Andres has called NYC home for 14 years and his love for his adopted city is contagious. The professional actor and fitness instructor brings high energy, natural charisma, and genuine passion to every hunt. His enthusiasm for NYC’s culture keeps teams moving and discovering.
Leigh Paris
Lifelong New Yorker who knows the city inside and out, from hidden alleys to iconic landmarks most tourists walk right past. A Secret City veteran for many years, Leigh has guided countless teams with decades of local knowledge, insider perspective, and stories you won’t find in any guidebook.
Actor and theater teacher who combines educational expertise with a genuine love for trivia, puzzles, and NYC history. Jackson’s teaching background makes him a natural at guiding teams through challenging clues while keeping everyone engaged and learning. He makes complicated puzzles feel conquerable.
Originally from Kansas City, Lisa is now a proud New Yorker with a passion for the hidden history of the Big Apple. Her experience as a professional actor makes for dynamic storytelling, and she loves to bring out the inner child in every game player! When she’s not hunting for NYC’s hidden treasures, you can find her cooking, playing with her dog, and playing Jeopardy at home with friends!
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