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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Joe Svehlak Native Brooklynite, historian, and community activist. Involved in planning and preservation issues in Brooklyn and in Downtown Manhattan for over 40 years. Former careers in Wall Street and Brooklyn real estate (brownstones and co-ops). Freelance custom tours for various organizations… 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
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
Joseph Landon For Joe, leading tours and curating experiences is not just a job, but a way of life. He is dedicated to sharing his love and appreciation of New York City with others, and helping to preserve the city's unique history and culture for future generations to enjoy.

Come Venture NYC with Jojo! Read More
Shane Grogan Let me acquaint you with the greatest city in the world! Read More
Susanne Koster I'm Susanne, a native New Yorker from Long Island with lively and engaging custom tours.  Allow me to create an adventure for you, your family or group.  Let me be your personal guide and have your touring through New York like a local.  Consider me your best college friend that… Read More
Christine Lazzara Hello! My name is Christine, and I'm thrilled to share the magic of my city with you. I curate unique, personalized adventures and then bring them to life, joining and guiding you every step of the way. My goal is to help you connect with NYC on a profound level while creating unforgettable moments in the process. Whether you're looking to explore the treasures of NYC or to celebrate a special occasion, I can help. Looking forward to meeting you! 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
Andrew K I provide historical walking tours in Greenwich Village and Flatiron in NYC.


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Myra Alperson I sometimes describe myself as a "professional amateur." An amateur is someone who truly LOVES what she does. And that's the story of my life as a food tour guide in NYC. Since 1983 I've been leading unusual, cutting-edge food tours. I go to many neighborhoods that no other food tours go to. Since… Read More
Heidi Zsa Zsa Benedikt I decided to become a licensed tour guide after the attacks of Sept 11, 2001. Strange to say I have the greatest job from the worst day in New Yorks history.  Read More
Ian R. Goza My name is Ian Goza. I am a Manhattan resident, history educator, and tour guide with a passion for facilitating experiences that engage with New York’s vibrant past. I am a licensed sightseeing guide with 2 years of experience giving guided walking tours in New York City.
I have experience teaching history to students and adults of all ages. My favorite place to be is out walking in the city! Read More
Frank de Falco Award-winning licensed bi-lingual Italiani/English New York City walking tour guide.

Premiata guida gite a piedi bi-lingue italiano/inglese con licenza Read More
Jeff Snop Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Trisha Lynn Sullivan I'm a native New Yorker and have loved the city my whole life, but because my family moved when I was young I have also visited the city as a tourist. I have a background in both Fine Art and Elementary Education and am an avid traveler.. I studied Tour Guiding and Tour Management at ITMI (… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Rita DeCassia I was born in Rio de Janeiro, and moved to New York City as a young woman, but I can say that I truly grew up here. Because of my fluency in many languages, friends encouraged me to become a tourist guide. Which opened an ongoing life of discoveries. And I love to share the complexities of our… 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
Richard Sanford Richard Sanford our Lingo Planet guide specializes in language immersion tours in The Big Apple...all by bicycle! Whether you want to practice your English, Spanish, Italian or Mandarin Chinese or are a native speaker of one of those languages you'll find a tour that is just right for you… Read More
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
Sara Lyons I love my city for a living, and there's always more to love! Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Debbie Mason I am a native New Yorker who has been a licensed New York Sightseeing Guide since 2011, a photographer, storm chaser (chasing tornadoes & severe weather in the Midwestern, US) and a lover of all things New York. I am incredibly passionate about the city that I call home and I am extremely proud… Read More
Barbara Frank Lower East side tour includes synagogues. History of Tenements then and now. Food highlights from bialys to deli and everything in between. Read More
Laurene Hamilton I’m a licensed New York City tour guide, passionate about sharing the city’s energy, diversity, and endless stories. I design unique, mostly French-speaking tours and immersive experiences that go far beyond typical sightseeing.Whether I’m contributing to Le Petit Journal New York, collaborating… Read More
Mel Wasserman Born and raised in New York City, I have lived the culture, infrastructure and excitement of New York City my entire life.  Let me now share all this with you. I have been a licensed NYC sightseeing tour guide since 2010.  My specialties are: - the World Trade Center, original and rebuilt… Read More
Oliver Grieb Gidday and "Grüß Gott", my name is Oli, your fun, fitness oriented, energizing and certified NYC Sightseeing Guide. I am not only your regular tour guide, but also your tour planer, tour fotograher and tour entertainer. To find out more about it, feel free to read my reviews on TripAdvisor: https… Read More
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
Ingeborg Knottek-Hecht Read More
Hardy Phippen Over 15 years of experience leading a wide variety of NYC tours, both general and specialized, for adults or students, organizations as well as individuals. 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
Alex Tervooren I am the Founder and Creator of the popular food and history blog Food Strolls Guided Tours. My passion is NYC food and history, and our guided tours are one of a kind NYC experiences! All of my tours focus on NYC history, with an emphasis on ethnic foods, immigration, and demographics. Our… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Deborah Blau The beauty and excitement of New York City speaks for itself. LOUDLY. It can be overwhelming, especially if you are a first time visitor, here to visit our famous attractions. Wouldn't it be great to have a friendly, funny licensed New York guide to decode the local lingo? And if you are already… Read More
Asad Dandia I am a born-and-bred New Yorker who leads unique experiences covering communities and themes not offered by anyone else. I have led tours for a range of seekers, from second graders to corporate staff to university students and faculty.

Check out my storytelling project, New York Narratives (www.newyorknarratives.com) to learn more. Or write to me directly at asad@newyorknarratives.com.

I can't wait to immerse you into my city! Read More
George Barabas  Do you want to discover what makes New York a city like no other- a vibrant, diverse metropolis with a fascinating history and a constantly evolving face? Let me, a  life-long  New York City educator and Licensed Sightseeing Tour Guide, be your guide to the many… 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
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
Anina Young I first became a NYC tour guide in 2002. Left the business, then came back when I realized showing visitors around the city was a better career.
Wheelchair accessible tours and sight impaired tours of Central Park, the Financial District and 9/11 Memorial, and customizable all day accessible tours. www.wheelchairtoursnyc.com
Step-on guide.
Student tours.
Group tours.
I volunteer at a local high school after school program's Travel Club. Read More
Matthew Apter Since summer 2008 Matt has been giving guided tours of New York City to all kinds of audiences: school groups on private coaches, travelers from all over the world on Water Taxis and double-decker buses, and small groups and families by foot and subway. The one constant in all these tours: Matt’s… 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
GANYC Certified Guide Kevin Draper I am a New York City Historian and experienced licensed guide on a mission to provide exceptional and unforgettable experiences with the highest level of service. I will give you a front row seat and exciting insight into the city’s dynamic history, diverse culture, iconic sites, and reveal… 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