Certified Guide
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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.
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GANYC Certified Guide
Kitt Garrett
Kitt Garrett, Founder and CEO of Kitt Garrett & Associates
GANYC Certified Guide
Experience New York in an Intriguing New Way Fascinating Talks and Walks For Locals and Visitors with Kitt Garrett.
Experience New York in comfort and see more than you would walking around on your own.…
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Winfried Hohmann
I moved to New York 35 years ago as a foreign student. My love for the city made me decide to get a Sightseeing Guide licencse more than 20 years ago. I work with all kind of groups and tour requests. A few years back, I put together different tours for an incentive group of more than 800 people…
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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…
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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,…
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Pim Philip
Pim moved to New York in 2010. Besides being a (Dutch) licensed tour guide for all the 5 boroughs of New York City, he founded Pim Philip Experiences which offers customized travel and event experiences in New York City, catering to both private and corporate visitors. Tailor-made expeditions,…
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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。
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Julia Ryan
A Native New Yorker and expert guide, Julia has been touring with guests for over 20 years. Specializing in private tours, she works with some of the most exclusive hotels in the city. Tour New York with the exact itinerary and activities you want. The perfect combination of context, impeccable history, humor and fun -- plus the latest news and insights.
My tours are 100% customizable and personal.
Just like having a best friend in the business!
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Janice Hoffmann
Hello and welcome to the city that never sleeps!
I’ve been living in this amazing city since the mid 80s, so I have a lot of stories and insights to share with you. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, art, or entertainment, New York has something for everyone.
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Chris Shelley
A Red Sox fan who loves New York City? Now you've heard it all. I've lived in NYC since 1992. I've tried on identities as diverse as actor, Wall Street worker, entrepreneur, Massage Therapist and, since 2011, Professional Wedding Officiant. My career led me here, and my career has changed many times since being here. In that light, I can show you New York in the way my careers have introduced it to me.
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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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Beti Rozencwajg
I was born in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and have lived in the United States over 30 years. Besides being fluent in Portuguese and English, I speak several languages and have lived in other countries such as Mexico and Israel. Besides English, I do tours in Portuguese and Spanish. I am also an author of children's books. Please see website below.
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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…
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Bruce Bernstein
I am a licensed NYC tour guide and have led tours of NYC for individuals, groups, camps and universities as well as Open House New York. My tours are fast paced and usually cover at least two miles. I have been leading tours for more than 12 years.
My fast paced walking tours of New York…
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Kristin Singleton-Ferrari
Hi, I’m Kristin “TOUR GUIDE” Singleton-Ferrari!
I am a licensed NYC Sightseeing Guide. My tours include not only sights but sounds, tastes, culture and a bit of adventure. I have escorted hundreds of students and adults through the city and find it to be one of the most rewarding…
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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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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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Miriam Bourin
Hi, I’m Miriam, a Swedish transplant that moved to New York from Stockholm in 2004. I live in the “hip”, historic Hudson Valley, in the small village of High Falls.
Coming to New York City for the first time can be over-whelming for anyone.
Coming to New York City as a foreigners can be quite…
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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!
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Paula Thomson
• Veteran tour guide for the City Sights double deckers, OnBoard and Big Apple Greeters
• High-scorer on the NYC tour guide exam
• Manhattan resident over 40 years
• Enjoy history, art history and sharing this enthusiasm with you
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Tony Chen
Tony Chen has been working in the travel industry for over 16 years sharing his passion for history and helping others discover what is special about the place they are visiting.
Currently an undergraduate student at Columbia University, General Studies under the major of American History, Tony is…
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Marion Baumgarten
I am fully licensed in New York City, and do
tours in English, Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese!
Also go "over the road" especially Northeast (Canada) and the South.
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GANYC Certified Guide
Gary Dennis
Gary Dennis was born and raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. After attending the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts, Gary received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, with a minor in Theatre History (specializing in New York City) from Brooklyn College. …
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Beth Goffe
I am a long-term Upper West Side resident and a New York City history lover. I became a licensed New York City tour guide, after my work focus shifted from Human Resources (Client Services and Data) in the public and private sectors to Central Park. Thanks to my work both as an employee of the…
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Sonja Bredel
I was born and raised in Switzerland, studied in Vienna, and lived and worked in Beijing and New York. Discovering the history and secrets of the places where I live has always been a passion of mine. After eight years of living in New York and falling for NYC more and more, I decided to turn my…
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Robin London
I am a 3rd generation native New Yorker and professional licensed NYC tour guide who never gets bored exploring the city I love. I will share with you personal experiences, extensive knowledge and anecdotes of life in the Big Apple and you'll here it all in my native 'New Yawk' accent! Before…
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Prudence Wright Holmes
Veteran tour guide and resident of NYC for over 30 years. I know and love this city and want to take you on some exciting adventures, whether it be Lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Times Square. I can do it all.
I'm also an actress and have been in 4 Broadway show and can tell…
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Maggie Browne
A born and bred New Yorker having lived in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Roosevelt Island. A passion for New York, food, music, theater, museums, the arts. Signature tours include "Where Broadway Shops," "Underground Artist Tour" and "College Neighborhood Tours." Happy to tailor tours to the…
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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…
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Jari Mattila
Whether you're planning to see the famous sights, the restaurants, the museums, the shopping, the sports, or just about anything else you can think of, your visit will surely be a success! The possibilities for fun are endless and New York will never disappoint you. My hope is to enhance your…
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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…
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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…
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Riley Kellogg
Riley is a native-born, lifelong New York City resident, and has always had a passion for the city's history and culture. She holds a BA with Honors from Hunter College of the City University of New York and an MA from Columbia University; she currently teaches History at Queens College CUNY, and…
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DEREK CHAN
DEREK CHAN is an experienced, professional New York City-based, licensed tour guide who has provided hundreds of tours throughout NYC. An avid urban explorer, Derek appreciates the storied architecture, varied neighborhoods, historic brownstones and mixture of styles, in addition to the iconic,…
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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.
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Ben Wagenberg
Sesame, poppy, garlic, whole wheat, everything! New York’s bagel varieties are as distinct as its neighborhoods, which is why each Ben’s Bagel Walking Tour starts off with a fresh New York bagel! Led by Ben Wagenberg, dubbed “The Bagel Expert,” each tour offers Ben’s unique perspective into the nooks and crannies of NYC’s famed foods, landmarks and neighborhoods.
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Marylou Selo
I have been a member of GANYC from the time it was still the International Guides Association.
I love New York City and I am good in sharing my enthusiasm and my knowledge with our guests.
My best languages are Dutch, German, and English, but I can also do French and Spanish, since I have lived in…
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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…
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