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.

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Fred Pflantzer NY See Tours is a NY City tour agency that has been joyfully conducting guided tours since 2010. NY See is a trusted and well-reviewed tour agency providing unforgettable NY experiences for groups, individuals, couples, families, and friends. Fred Pflantzer, the proprietor of NY See Tours, is a… Read More
Jason Stein Jason is a licensed NYC tour guide and a history enthusiast who enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with others. He has a passion for NYC and his background in stand-up comedy and improv provides for an “infotaining” experience. Jason has developed and led several tours for The Municipal Art Society. He gives tours all around NYC and a few of his specialized tours include crossing bridges and the Revolutionary War Spy Tour. Read More
Charlie Meany Charles "Charlie" Meany is a highly rated, professional tour guide operating in New York City. Known for his engaging, charismatic, and theatrical storytelling style, he frequently works with top-tier tour agencies such as Walks (Take Walks), ExperienceFirst, and Babylon Tours.In addition to his career as a local expert, Charlie is a classically trained professional actor. Gives tours of Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island and Metropolitan museum. Read More
Andy Sydor 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
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
GANYC Certified Guide Robin Garr GANYC Certified and experienced in leading tours on a wide range of topics and passionate about New York City! History, art, architecture, natural history, sports, anywhere in the five boroughs. Read More
Jeff Snop Read More
Suzanne Goss Let me build a tour of New York around your own personal interests - topics, eras, or figures from history, the arts, sports, music, the business world, etc. I've been giving tours for 15 years and no two are ever the same!
-I was born and raised in Brooklyn, which has continued to be my home for my entire life.
-Lead tours of individuals, couples, families, small groups
- Corporate tours customized with industry cases and themes
-Walking and public transportation Read More
Alvin Alexis Born and raised in NYC.  Alvin has been a Licensed Guide over 15 years, hosting individuals and groups from student to seniors. Whether seeing NY by Foot/ Bus/ Subway, or Motor Coach  I  am very flexible and can cater tours to your individual needs.  I like to mix… Read More
Brendan Rothman-Hicks I am a native New Yorker and have been working as a tour guide for 4 years now.   In my time as a tour guide I have lead food tours, historical walking tours, double decker bus tours and have also given tours to student groups visiting New York.   I am available to give tours on foot, via… Read More
Ken Falk 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
Susan Zuckerman I am a retired history teacher and currently an adjunct professor teaching history at a local college, but now devote most of my time to being a licensed New York City guide. Additionally, along with my husband, who is also a licensed tour guide, I have co-authored a book on New York City, have a… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Patrick Casey Hello, and thanks for looking me up. If you are seeking someone who can show you New York from a local's view, we should talk. Sure, we can do all the usual suspects and we should, they are wonderful places and sites. But with a little information from you, I'll tailor a tour that suits your taste… 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
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
Rayn Riel Rayn is a licensed NYC tour guide and AICP-certified urban planner with extensive experience in infrastructure planning and operations. A native New Yorker, he leads tours that uncover the hidden history, design, and behind-the-scenes workings of the city’s transportation infrastructure. From abandoned subway stations to major transit hubs, his walks offer a rare insider’s perspective on how New York City is built, maintained, and kept moving.
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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
Ayelen Scapuzzi Licensed NYC tour guide, registered press, and founder of NY My Way®. Sharing New York in Spanish for Latino and Hispanic travelers—the city I call the Infinite City, because one lifetime isn’t enough to know it all. Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Robert Brenner Robert Brenner is a public historian specializing in 20th century New York City history. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in history at the CUNY Graduate Center. His fields of research include queer, Jewish, food, cultural, and political histories. He is also a licensed New York City tour guide and a certified member of the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC). Read More
Laurene Hamilton After studying economics in France and art history in Spain, I worked in business in Switzerland — before moving to New York City, where I found a new calling: guiding people through the city's stories.At heart, I'm a professional storyteller, passionate about history and theater. My tours aren't… Read More
James Maher My inspiration has always come from the people, history, and vibrant streets of New York City. Initially captivated by street photography—long before I even knew that’s what it was—I spent countless hours wandering Fifth Avenue, watching and documenting the city’s pulse. This passion led me deeper into New York’s unique neighborhoods, where I became fascinated by the city's incredible architecture and diverse communities. Along the way, I extensively studied New York's history and became a certified photography tour and workshop guide.

Since founding my photography business in 2006, my work has grown to include photography tours and street photography workshops that guide photographers from around the world. My goal is always to help people capture authentic images of New York’s distinctive energy and rich historical context. My tours combine practical photography instruction with immersive storytelling.

My commitment to documenting New York’s history is reflected in several extensive documentary projects. My recently completed 15-year series, Glass City and Hype, explore New York’s evolution in the post-9/11 era. East Village Stories, from 2012-2017, comprises nearly 150 portraits and detailed interviews with residents and business owners, creating a living archive of one of Manhattan’s most dynamic neighborhoods. Additionally, my 2017 project with the Manny Cantor Community Center, Storytelling in our Immigrant City, highlights the diverse immigrant experiences of the Lower East Side through portraits and powerful personal narratives.

I feel incredibly lucky to share my passion for photography, history, and New York City through tours, workshops, and documentary projects. If you'd like to work together or explore New York with me, please reach out directly at james@jamesmaherphotography.com. Read More
Matt Levy Over 20 years in the travel and tourism industry.
Native Brooklynite
Owner/Operator of Spread Love Tours, fka The Levys' Unique New York! Read More
Gardiner Comfort I am a native New Yorker, an actor, and teacher with a unique, friendly, and performative approach to touring. I am highly knowledgeable about known, and lesser known, historical and cultural aspects of New York City. As a performer, I am great at reading people and can provide a fun, informative, and welcoming tour for any group of people, regardless of age or special interest. Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Ricky Russo Ricky Russo was born in Trieste (Italy) in 1973 and has lived in New York since 2013. He is a tour guide, DJ, music journalist and historian, creator of radio and TV programs and musical event organizer (from the Peggy Guggenheim Museum to concerts of Italian artists in New York.) He holds a degree… 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
Yaroslav Bondarenko "My name is Yaroslav and I'll be your tour guide today" - these are words that I start my every tour with. I've been doing sightseeing tours since I my college years - then I was showing my home town Kyiv and Ukraine to tourists from USA. Now I show my home New York City to tourists from all over… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Michael Morgenthal A lifelong New Yorker born and raised in Greenwich Village, Mike is a seasoned tour guide who has designed and led great tours of New York for hundreds of clients from around the world. He loves to show visitors the real New York, off the beaten track places known and loved by locals! In particular… Read More
Josette Rocco Born and raised in Brooklyn, lover of people and all things New York Read More
Tony Di Sante Tony has been a licensed guide since 1998. In January 2002, he began working with New York City Vacation Packages to build the first ever tour of the World Trade Center site (Ground Zero). For this reason, it makes him the foremost tour guide on September 11 and what has, is and will be happening… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Yue Wang Hey, this is hermit wang, my Chinese name is yue wang. I have been living in New York City for almost 14 years. I was born in Beijing China, but I set my family in New York City. The city is my mother town now. There are many museums in this city, some of them are brilliant, such as MET MOMA and… Read More
Jason Thompson Hello viewer - My name is Jason Thompson and I'm a lifelong resident of this fair city. I've had the full New York experience from specialized high school attendence to being a victim of gentrification to ignoring showtime on the subway! I run my own Sightseeing Theater tour called "Tour Noir: A… Read More
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.
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Cynthia Leder I'm fluent in French (I lived in Belgium for 2 years and enjoy other cultures) and have spent all my adult life in New York City. I specialize in planning cultural programs in New York, especially theater (off Broadway, Broadway, and classics); dance, and music. Read More
Michael Kaback I have been working in the garment district for almost 60 years now. I have watched the changes from up close.
On my tour, you will learn just what I have observed over these six decades.
In addition, you will learn about fashion from ancient Egyptian times through the haute couture of Paris, France, and into the current prominence of New York City as the fashion capital of the world.
I also offer a terrific Flat Iron District walking tour.
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Maria Toromanova It was love at first sight, New York and me. After many years of living in, exploring and probing the five boroughs of this gem of a city, I decide to become a New York City tour guide. Twenty years later I still enjoy sharing my experience and knowledge with the many visitors who come here to this… Read More
Rod Lorenzo I have lived in the New York area off and on for 20 years. Originally from California, as a Certified International Tour Manager, I also do over-the-road tours of the Southwest, national parks, the Blues Route and the East Coast. My background is primarily in hospitality, therefore, I am accustomed… Read More
Ray Rosato I was born and raised in Brooklyn and lived in New York City all my life. (So I guess that makes me a native.) I've been conducting guided tours of NYC for over a decade and loved every single minute of it. Some of my favorite spots are Chinatown with the wonderful soup dumplings, Greenwich Village… Read More
Carey Golden I'm Carey, a teacher turned tour guide! As a military wife, for twenty years, I moved to many states in the US and South Korea!  I'm now combining my passion for teaching and touring into an adventure for you!   I enjoy meeting people and sharing my love for architecture, history, and… Read More