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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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
GANYC Certified Guide Rosemary Shmavonian New Yorker by choice with 40 years of exploring to share with you.
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Eliot Niles Native New Yorker: played stoopball & stickball with a spaldeen in the streets, and skiball on old Coney Island boardwalk. Brooklynite who has also lived & worked in other cities/countries, always seem to boomerang back home. Experienced licensed tour guide, local, regional, and international clientele. Read More
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… 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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Renee Kohn New York City guide. New York inside/out.  Tour manager throughout the U.S.   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
Gregory Marro Hi!  I'm Walking Greg Marro, a dynamic, entertaining Licensed NYC Tour Guide. GREG WALKS NYC offers the Italian of Greenwich Village, Music on MacDougal St., Meatball Crawl, Pierogi Walk, and Cake Walk walking tours!  Stroll along for lively tastings with music, photos and local history… 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
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
Ed Perlmutter I am a lifelong New Yorker and a native of Brooklyn, and I have spent most of my career in information technology in the financial industry.    However, since 2011 I have been a license NYC tour guide so I could do something I passionately enjoy --- to use my extensive… Read More
Anina Young I first became a NYC tour guide in 2002.
I specialize in wheelchair accessible tours amd sight impaired tours of Central Park, the Financial District and 9/11 Memorial, and customizable all day tours.
I conduct student tours around Manhattan.
I volunteer at a local high school after school program's Travel Club. Read More
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,… 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
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
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!

I’m also an art lover and a regular at NYC’s museums and galleries. My home away from home is The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where I lead tours for Walks, LLC.

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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
Frederic Gilbert Hi ! I was born in France and made New York my home a couple of years ago after backpacking over the world for a year. I felt in love with New York in 1995, and recently founded My Special New York, a tour company providing immersive and unique experiences in New York city, from tours for… Read More
Ben Wagenberg Ben, an authentic, native New Yorker, drove a New York City Checker Cab during college to help defray expenses. This helped him learn the ins and outs of every borough. During his lifetime lived in New York, he has experienced the evolutionary changes of the City's diverse neighborhoods. Ben has a… Read More
Dennis Onorato Read More
Jeff Snop 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
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. Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Emma Guest-Consales, Ph.D. I am a full-time guide at One World Observatory and a private walking tour guide in New York City. I specialize in 19th c. New York, especially the Gilded Age. Read More
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: "… Read More
Phil Desiere Let my tours put the Big Apple at your feet! Read More
Manny Sanudo Born in New York City, Manny has been leading bicycle tours here for the last dozen years. 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
Mike Gantcher Mike is a true New Yorker, deeply rooted in the city's vibrant culture and history. With over 30 years of experience, he offers unmatched insights into NYC's iconic landmarks and hidden gems. His background in Urban Studies and diverse career in finance, real estate, and technology give him a unique perspective on the city's evolving landscape. Discover NYC through the eyes of a seasoned local with Mike as your guide. Read More
David Turk Hello! I'm David, a lifetime New Yorker, and I'd love to be your guide and show you around. I have a passion for traveling around the world and for sharing with visitors from all over the world what makes New York City such a special place—its history, culture, food. Read More
Paloma Moro Hernandez Enamorada de NY desde la primera vez que nos vimos, he tenido la suerte de poder disfrutar la Ciudad en múltiples ocasiones como visitante, y finalmente, hacer realidad ese sueño que es convertirse en un verdadero New Yorker. Acompáñenme para conocer Nueva York en español, como nunca lo habían… Read More
Suzanne Reisman Suzanne Reisman specializes in unique, unusual tours of New York City. If you want to delve into the New York City that's off the beaten (subway) track, she literally wrote a book about it. Join Suzanne to learn about disease, saints, garbage, rats, weird history, murders, corruption, anarchy, and NYC at sunrise. She can customize tours to meet accessibility needs, and is happy to wear a mask outdoors if requested.

*Off the Beaten (Subway) Track Read More
Karen Goodman Fun, Enthusiastic and Informative Tours of NYC by a native New Yorker.  Born and raised in the Borough of Brooklyn.  Active in the tour industry since 1994,  leading tours as a Tour Director throughout the United States and Canada. I became a licensed New York City in 2000 and have… Read More
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… 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
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. Insatiably curious, Amy is always absorbing new information and… Read More
Jeff Liss I am a history buff and have spent most of my life in and around New York City. My tours go past the usual landmarks to explore the little known facts around the city, particularly in Manhattan's Midtown East. Read More
Andy McNeil My name is Andy McNeil and I've lived in NYC for the past 13 years. I've always been fascinated with the history of the city and showing friends and family around so I figured not why make it official and become a licensed NYC tour guide. I'm looking forward to learning more about the city I love and sharing my experiences with new friends. Read More
Erik Hodgetts A long-time Manhattan resident, Erik has always loved all things New York City. From local history & neighborhood stories to food culture & the many delicious offerings found all over town, living here continues to delight and intrigue him every day. A practicing architect, he has deep insight into the built environment, and his own food hobbies & explorations contribute to making unique, memorable experiences for tour guests and event audiences. 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