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.
Laura Campisi
Sicilian by birth, New Yorker by choice!
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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…
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John Hanke
I’m a retired civil engineer who spent over 25 years designing and inspecting structures—including many of NYC’s major bridges and tunnels. My love for the city led me to become a licensed tour guide in 2019, and I’ve been sharing its stories ever since!
Joan B Vaccari
Native New Yorker - resident of Queens County. Holds NYC & Co Enchanced Guide Certificate. Specializes in school groups and senior citizens with a special focus on Queens and select Manhattan locations such as Central Park, the Cloisters, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Ladies Mile area.
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GANYC Certified Guide
Kevin Wilkinson
New York can be a hectic place!
Imagine how much easier it can be with your own private tour guide.
I am friendly, reliable and KNOWLEDGEABLE.
I know this city inside and out, and I love to tell stories.
I offer a variety of services.
Walking Tours - I have several amazing routes…
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Jocelyn Taub
I am a native New Yorker whose connection to the city began at Ellis Island when my grandparents emigrated from Eastern Europe.
My background is in promotion and marketing within the music business, radio and sports. I am therefore very well versed in the history of sports and music in New…
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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!
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Anette Murgalla-Hollmann
I transferred my passion for New York into a career and offer guided tours mostly in German, sometimes in English or in both languages if you have a mixed group. I am a NYC licensed Tour Guide and with my background as an Account Director in advertising agencies for digital solutions and as an Event Manager I am quite good in planing and executing your customized tour. Let me show you the city!
Liz Young
Join these New York City walking tour excursions focusing on culture, history, eco-tourism, and all things food and drink! A Westsider, Liz focuses on Hell's Kitchen, Midtown Manhattan, and Chelsea. She ran restaurants, led the world's largest avocational cooking division, and later was Managing Editor of a peer-reviewed nutrition journal. She is a culinary school graduate and holds an MA in Food Studies and Food Management.
GANYC Certified Guide
Kevin Lawrence
After spending over a decade organizing and conducting tours throughout China and Taiwan, I have over the past couple of years shifted my professional touring expertise to my beloved hometown, New York City. I conduct river-to-river tours (i.e. lower Manhattan, West Village/East Village, 42nd…
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Emmanuel Hadar
I was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel.
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…
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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!
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Leila Luna
Leila Luna
I have lived in New York City since 1982 and have been a licensed Tour Guide, since 1987. I'm a former teacher with Law Degree and Master in Communication, and also Journalist writing about the City. I'm author and publisher for the first City Guide, Calendar and Map, in Portuguese: "…
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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…
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Benedicte Charpentier
When I was a kid, I wanted to become an archaeologist. But then I veered into languages and lived in Asia for a few years before coming to New York City two decades ago. My early love of finding history in the most mundane things, combined with my enthusiasm for communication and building bridges between cultures, brought me to become a tour guide in this city that I am still forever exploring and rediscovering.
Dave Gardner
I am a fully-licensed tour guide in New York City. I'm a speaker on the double-decker tour buses, the boats, and on foot. I am fluent in any general New York tour. I am also the publisher of our tour-guide newsletter, GuideLines.My personal niche is that I run a Titanic-themed Walking…
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Bruce Roberts
An Actor, Producer, proud Husband and Father, Bruce added Licensed Tour Guide to his resume over 18 years ago ago. Since that time, he has balanced his love for the arts with his passion for history. Many years ago, while walking to work in the theater district, he was discussing the…
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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…
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Anina Young
I first became a NYC tour guide in 2002.
Norman Oder
Veteran tour guide Norman Oder("fast-walking, fast-talking") specializes in Brooklyn neighborhoods and also has branched out to a few neighborhoods in Queens and Manhattan.
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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…
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Michael Zufolo
Michael is a born & bred New Yorker who loves the City and all that is has to offer. He's up on what's happening in the Big A twelve months a year. He can fill you in and offer you advice on where at what to do while you and your group see the sites.
Michael's tours include NYC Landmarks,…
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Emiliano Perez
As an official New York City Tour Guide with a license from the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, I would like to share my experiences in New York and compare them with other cultures and places around the world. In the early 1980s, I studied (BA and MS) in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), USSR—an experience that allowed me to discover dozens of countries and cultures.
Libby Corydon-Apicella
Introduction to New York City for families
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge
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GANYC Certified Guide
Jonathan Turer
Visitors say my tours are “witty” “fun” “informative” and “fascinating.” And this: “For 5 1/2 hours we did not want to miss a thing he said and more importantly, neither did our two teenagers. Now that is a feat!” and “My wife was born and raised in NYC and ... even she learned a whole bunch about…
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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…
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GANYC Certified Guide
Michael Dillinger
I am a life long New Yorker and my family roots in this great city go back to the 1840's. There is a lot of NYC in my DNA.
As a guide I believe my job is to help visitor's fall in love with New York. I have been a professional, full-time, guide for the past six years. I love being…
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George Tonkin
This tour explores the city of New York in Hamilton's life, and the deep impression he left behind. As we uncover the secrets behind his inexhaustible drive and his unimaginable achievements, it explains his relentless effort to leave his bold impression on his adopted nation.
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Meri Haitkin
I’m a New York City walking tour guide with a background in television and film. My focus is on downtown Manhattan, food, art, and pop culture. I am likely the only guide at the Statue of Liberty mentioning the movie “Remo Williams.” I love to center my tours around people -- the known and unknown New Yorkers who lived the wildly compelling story of this fantastic city.
GANYC Certified Guide
Mark Anderson
An Architect restoring New York City landmark buildings for decades and now a Certified Guide, I love having the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for our city. Come on a fun tour with me, where we learn about architecture, materials and the people who continue to make New York City special.