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.
GANYC Certified Guide
Matthew Baker
Matthew Baker has been a New Yorker since 1992 and a licensed tour guide since 2005. Having worked in such venerable institutions as the New York Public Library, Saks Fifth Avenue, and FAO Schwarz, he has seen, known, and loved an incredible cross section of New York City cultures. And now, he…
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Jeff Riback
Jeff Riback is a born and bred New Yorker, raised in Queens, and now a long-term resident of Manhattan's Upper East Side. Whether you’re visiting New York for the first or 15th time, Jeff is eager to share with you his love of the City, its history, and the ever-changing character of its many…
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Deborah Steigerwald
Welcome to exploring NYC. My name is Debbie and I am "The Happy Tour Guide", I design fun adventures that people love to go on! I have lived in NYC for 25 years and have a sincere love of travel and interacting with people from around the globe.
Marriott Vacation Club Activities…
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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.
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Mitch Paluszek
A proud Board Member of GANYC. A proud retired City employee. A proud lover of this amazing City!
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Michael Agovino
My name is Michael Agovino and I am a native Bronxite transplanted into the wonderful world of Queens. I am a NYC DOE teacher and in love with New York City's colorful history. I am an avid genealogist, learner, and micro-historian. I believe that learning about the "every-day" people of our city…
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Robert Semenza
I love New York and it shows.
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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.
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
Joseph Salvatore Knipper
Look! It's a fashion-impaired hipster...No! It's a young Santa Claus! ...No! It's Joseph Salvatore Knipper!
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Monia Bonaldo
Buongiorno a tutti, sono felice di presentarmi a voi come Guida Turistica di New York! Sono Italiana e faccio questo bellissimo lavoro con passione e dedizione da alcuni anni. New York e' una citta' che non finisce mai di stupire, tradizioni e culture diverse sono all'ordine del giorno, profumi e…
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Art Zuckerman
I am a retired teacher, have had managerial positions in corporate America and have run a successful computer company. Along with my wife, also a licensed guide, we host a radio show called "Z Travel and Leisure" which focuses on New York City, travel and cultural topics. We have also…
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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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Maria-Leena Kerr
I'm a native Dane who decided in 2006 to make New York City my home. Thirteen trips later I moved here, and I now call myself a professional NYC tourist and tour guide.
I hold two degrees in hotel and tourism, manage an online concierge service for Danish tourists and speak fluently Danish and…
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Bob Gelber
After retiring from the New York State Court System, I wanted to introduce tourists to my hometown of New York City. During the past twelve years I have been leading American and foreign tourists, helping them discover places and neighborhoods most tourists will not visit on their…
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Gloria Browne
Discover the best New York City has to offer. With more than 20 years of experience, I will work with you to maximize your time in New York and take you beyond the city that you already know.
I am fluent, and can offer assistance, in English, Italian (mother language) and German.
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GANYC Certified Guide
Mark Levy
Mark Levy AKA The Tourfather is the founder and owner of The Levy's Unique New York! NY's First Family of Tour Guides and with his sons Matt Levy, Gideon Levy and Jonah Levy have created NY's most sucessfull tour guide company with a corps of 25 of the best guides in NY. I am a proud Bronx native (…
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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…
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Eric Thomas
Eric P. Thomas, tras una carrera de más de 35 años en la industria de viajes y turismo de EE. UU., ha desarrollado una reputación de experiencia en la programación de Visit USA. New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Niagara Falls, Boston, Eastern Canada.
Alfred Pommer
I am: a college graduate, an author of four Manhattan guide books, a self employed licensed New York City guide and a native New Yorker born, raised and educated in New York City. For over 28 years I have been giving private and publicly scheduled neighborhood walking tours in Manhattan's…
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GANYC Certified Guide
Kat Scaglione
Sharing my favorite city with friends and visitors is one of my favorite things in life, whether we’re exploring art, history, food or iconic architecture. Join me on a tour, and let’s uncover the stories that make New York truly unforgettable!
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Mike Grant
As a full-time licensed New York Guide since 2008, it is a privilege to be a good-will representative for the city of my birth. In February 2014, I received a Tour Director's certification from International Tour Management Institute (ITMI). Licensed Washington DC Tour Guide. Among my leadership…
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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.
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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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Michael Kaback
I have been working in the garment district for almost 60 years now. I have watched the changes from up close.
Peter Cohen
I am a native New Yorker with Brooklyn roots.
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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.
Jose Raudales
Jose has been sharing his love for New York City as a licensed guide since 2011. With a dual degree in Economics and History from Baruch College, he has a knack for uncovering the fascinating stories that make NYC the most vibrant and dynamic city in the world.On February 21, 2025, Jose gave his…
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GANYC Certified Guide
Pat Braun-Mazzucca
Although I was born in New York, my family moved to the Midwest where I lived for 12 years. Upon graduating college, I moved back to New York. This has given me the benefit of being able to view this dynamic city from a non-native’s perspective. After hearing stories from people who had visited New…
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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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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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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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Jonathan Dauermann
Hello!
American-born, though with many international experiences, I've been a resident of NYC for a decade now, and I'm a veteran tour guide with four years of experience and counting! Now a licensed NYC guide, I can help you and your group design a customized itinerary that both creates the New…
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