Hire a Guide

NYC licensed guides are the best 'bang-for-your-tourism-buck.' Take the time to learn what our members have to offer. A GANYC member will help you make the most of your time. We also have a wide variety of multilingual guides to aid all international travelers on any service they need.

GANYC members are solely responsible for the content of their profiles on this site.

The designation Certified Guide means the marked individual guide has successfully completed and fulfilled all the requirements of GANYC's professional development program that focuses on how to research, plan, and conduct high-quality tours. These guides are authorized to use the designation, "GANYC certified guide."

Other US tour guide associations have Hire a Guide systems similar to GANYC's. You may contact the San Francisco Tour Guide Guild and the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington DC with the forms on their websites.

Certified Guide
Video
Website
José Francisco Ávila José Francisco Ávila is a NYC licensed tour guide, author and publisher, social justice activist, he is author of the books Garifuna Ancestry: and Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride.

He is the founder of the Garifuna Experience in NYC website, a NYC Garifuna tourism destination brand. The vision is to position New York City as the Epicenter of the Garifuna Arts and Garifuna Culture, showcasing it as a vibrant destination for travelers.
Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Jared Goldstein Enthusiasm, stories, wonder, and great memories.History! Architecture! Views! Energy!  How we live here.Experience it with Jared the NYC Tour Guide! 1-917-533-1057  Jared@JaredtheNYCTourGuide.com  http://JaredtheNYCTourGuide.com  I love sharing New York City, my home… Read More
Arun Kristian Das Arun is a tour guide, multimedia journalist, and running coach. He has more than 25 years of professional experience telling stories about the city and its people. He is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School and a two-time finisher of the New York City Marathon. Read More
Kristin Singleton-Ferrari Kristin! Tour Director and Guide in English and Italian... All NYC, Brooklyn Expert, Educational Tours from NY to DC Philadelphia Gettysburg and much more. Tours to Niagara Falls and Eastern Canada. Many other cities but NYC is HOME! Read More
Dave King I arrived in NYC in 2002 with no job, no apartment, and no network. A time before Facebook, before smartphones—when the only way to truly connect was through real conversation. So I put myself out there, joining an open mic at an East Village dive and becoming a volunteer guide. Through these encounters, I began to see NYC not just as a city but as a story, unfolding on every corner. Read More
Bill Goodhart The tours I give always have a level of enthusiasm that is beyond scripted - because I live here and know that each day brings changes that will interest me and let me excite the tourist. I know why this is the Empire City, and can convey the excitement of discovery on virtually every corner.

I have learned to love this city; for me to make a real and true connection with it, I had to prove that I cared - and so I became a licensed guide!

Read More
Patrick van Rosendaal Patrick van Rosendaal author of the besteller BE NY  an alumnus of the prestigious Vlerick business school and had seen quite a few corners of the world before he decided to move to New York. As a former Parisian and Londoner, big city life no longer held any secrets. Then his life… Read More
Carey Gibbs I am a second generation new yorker, and a third generation show business guy; MY tours are quite diverse, and all include photo ops, and a strong q&a session; my history of nyc is quite strong,and I specialize in broadway, the great white way; history of show business in nyc from early… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Ann C McDermott Born in Brooklyn and having lived and worked in NYC her whole life, Ann knows NYC like the back of her hand. She will customize a tour for you and show you the hidden gems of New York City, whether that's an architectural wonder or a little known great restaurant with good eats to fit your price… Read More
Kathleen Kobylarz Helping German and French speaking guests is my passion. As a lifelong resident of the NYC metropolitan area, I look forward to working with you soon!       Read More
Lydie Laurent A one-of-a-kind experience not to be missed in New York! Meet the artists (painters, sculptors, ceramists, muralists, musicians, etc.) in their studio. Hear their incredible story and be a part of their growing success. During Lydie's tours, a special manufacturing and creation process is always ongoing. Let's get a front-row seat to such an event and discover the incredible new works of the New York art scene before others know about it! Be those privileged! Read More
Fumi Arai I am bilingual in English and Japanese.  I have had more than 10 years experiencce as New York City  tour guide. Before that  I made tour guide books in Japanese for Japanese tour related company for their clients.  Japanese is my strong language as I was born and raised in my… Read More
Susan Mills Birnbaum Susan Mills Birnbaum's lifelong fascination with history ignited a journey that transformed her into an ardent advocate for preserving the past and sharing its riches. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in History from Hunter College, Susan's affiliation with The Bronx, Brooklyn, and New York… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Joseph Salvatore Knipper Look! It's a fashion-impaired hipster...No! It's a young Santa Claus! ...No! It's Joseph Salvatore Knipper! Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Stan O'Connor Hi, I’ve been licensed in New York City for over 25 years. I work with school groups, seniors, organizations, travel agents and coach companies from all over. With interest in history, architecture, geology, wildlife (important at our parks and beaches) and the myriad of cultures here in New York… Read More
Janet Solesky I love New York, my birthplace & my home. When I travel, I miss city life and the high octane pace. My background is arts education, jazz (and other music) promotion. I've been a IGA certified Tour Director for EF Explore America for student tours to New York since '08.   Last year, I… Read More
Kevin McKeever I grew up in Buffalo, NY and have lived twice as long in New York City. Having traveled around the world, I have enjoyed gaining a deeper understanding of the places I visit. For my tours, I give great pride in creating unique connections for my tour guest, informed by the rich history of New York City and filled with the many WOW moments found throughout the City. Read More
Steve Kornblit Steve Kornblit loves people, food, tourists and NYC, not necessarily in that order! Steve has developed a walking tour business that focuses on the backgrounds of his tour guests to make the experience unique.  Most of us came from somewhere else so why not delve into your past as we explore… Read More
Dylan Fineman Hello! My name is Dylan. I'm a lifelong New Yorker and recently licensed tour guide! I do Manhattan neighborhood tours (specializing in Lower Manhattan) and more niche tours including Build a Bagel, Gods of New York: A Superhero Tour, and the Jewish Experience tour. Get in touch with me through email and lets make your trip to the Big Apple a memorable one! Read More
Martine Dominique Like every New Yorker, I have a story and New York City has been my home for over 27 years. I came via: Paris, Spain, Haiti to settle in Manhattan. The lights of Broadway caught my soul, and I was able to reinvent myself many times. ​ I studied Theatre at the Cours Florent in Paris and at… Read More
Frederique Antoinette Barbier I am a licensed tour guide in NYC and Washington, D.C., and have over 15 years of experience in tourism.  I specialize in private, made to measure tours for individuals and small groups, opera/cultural tours, incentive & corporate travel, and medical conventions.  Born in Switzerland… Read More
Liam Strain Liam Strain is a native New Yorker with over 30 years of experience interpreting the history of New York City for the public, first guiding visitors at and then managing historic sites. He is the owner & operator of The Streets Where It Happened Walking Tours, specializing solely on guided walking tours of New York City during the American Revolution era.
Read More
Brian "BFAB" Bice Charismatic, fun and energetic guide with a background in fashion and retail. Local resident of Hell's Kitchen for over a decade, and owner of BFAB Tours, which offers dynamic walking tours of Hell's Kitchen that are equal parts education and entertainment. Read More
Karen Brueckner My background in customer service, travel and education has motivated and inspired me to become a tour guide. New York is where I was born, where I feel most alive and connected with the world. When you walk with me, you will feel energized by not only the narrative but with stops along the way to… Read More
Jeff Riback Jeff Riback is a born and bred New Yorker, raised in Queens, and now a long-term resident of Manhattan's Upper East Side. Whether you’re visiting New York for the first or 15th time, Jeff is eager to share with you his love of the City, its history, and the ever-changing character of its many… Read More
Dani Heinrich I am Dani, a licensed NYC tour guide. I am originally from Germany and offer tours in English as well as my mother tongue German. I have been introducing visitors from all over the world to NYC since 2017 and have turned my passion for Brooklyn and NYC into my career. I've got over 2,000 reviews on… Read More
Eric Ramos Rodríguez Eric Ramos, a licensed sightseeing tour guide of the City of New York and founder of Big Apple Walks has over 20 years of experience in the fields of art and design. He studied architecture and urban planning at the University of Puerto Rico and at the Pratt Institute in New York. To his… Read More
Richard Soden I'm excited for you to see the great things New York City has to offer and unlock the secrets upon which the city was built. Experience the best of Manhattan's vibrant streets, historic landmarks, and lesser-known wonders with a lifelong New Yorker... As a licensed New York City Tour Guide, I'm… Read More
Sumiko Mizumoto I have been working as a tour guide in NYC since 2000. If you need Japanese tour guides, please let me know! 日本語ツアーガイドをお探しなら、ご連絡ください。   Read More
Nirupama Zaveri    My name is Nirupama (Neetu) Zaveri. I was born and nurtured in India, but for the past 24 years I have lived in New York. I was a global banker for 20 years and gave up my corparte job to lead tours in US and worldwide. I am a  NYC + DC guide and I am fluent in several languages.… Read More
Howard Birnbaum I am a native New Yorker who loves to share his knowledge as well as experiences of growing up with whomever is willing to listen. I can take you throughout Manhattan as well as my beloved Bronx and discuss the culture,history and points of interest of both. We will tour major venues as well as… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide John Semlak My name is John Semlak.  I'm a tour guide, historian, and photographer.   I give tours in a wide range of areas.  I have experiecne in bus tours all over the city, escorted tours, and tours of popular attractions like the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial, the High Line,… Read More
Erin Donnelly Explore history in a New York minute from the canyons of Lower Manhattan to the quaint enclave of Gramercy with Erin Donnelly, Co-Founder of Reel New York City. Erin’s walking tours feature famous landmarks and off-the-beaten-path spots, engaging storytelling from a passionate expert and opportunities for small groups to have a personalized experience.

Airbnb Experiences Host
Read More
David Herszenson As a physician who lives and works in the Bronx, I have found a distinct pleasure in sharing the beauty and history of the borough's many vibrant and diverse neighborhoods.

In addition to Bronx tours, I am able to do tours of several other areas of New York City.
Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Amy Cook Whether you are visiting, or reside here without yet fully *living* here, Amy can share what it’s like to be a real New Yorker. She has been in Brooklyn for over 25 years and loves to share stories of the ever changing city. A GANYC member since 2019, she is one of the instructors for its guide… Read More
Michael Gray I am a graduate of the University of Minnesota (B.A. Philosophy) and Columbia University (M.A. Elementary Education).  I lived and worked in China (Hongkong, Taipei and China) for ten years, including four years of Chinese language study at the Beijing Language Institute and at the Mandarin… Read More
Lyall Croft Lyall’s love for history is a lifelong pursuit and his research while writing tours is extensive. A Tour Guide for fifteen years, Lyall’s experience in tourism blossomed from being the owner of Boston Bike Tours (1999 to 2011), pioneering the bicycle tour industry in Boston. His tours are based on… Read More
Annie Desmond Hello there.  My name is Annie Desmond and I am proud to be a NYC tour guide.  I live in Manhattan in the fabulous upper west side.  I have a deep passion for this great city and guiding has become my life.  I am a true New Yorker.  I have a diverse background in finance… Read More
Gordon Polatnick This is going to be fun. I can't wait to speak to you about what you'd like to get out of your New York tour. After more than 30 years of guiding, I'm more enthused than ever to create the perfect experience for each guest. The joy for me comes from listening to your needs and designing itineraries… Read More
Debbie Wells Debbie Wells, President of Artful Buzz brings the NYC art world, including art galleries, museums, artist studios, art organizations, etc) directly to you with her engaging and enthusiastic style! You get the insider's perspective from a native New Yorker who has been an art and design professional for years. Also check out www.artfulbuzz.com to register for her free e-newsletter, Artful Morning Brew filled with original commentary and more! Read More