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
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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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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Tom Coca
My family’s roots in NYC date to the 1890’s, when my ancestors passed through Ellis Island. I’ve lived in the city my entire life; first in Brooklyn and now in Staten Island. After retirement from the IT industry, I’ve spent more than the past decade providing tours to NYC’s visitors.
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…
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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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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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Efren Olivares
I lead exciting art tours in English and Spanish across NYC neighborhoods, from Chelsea to TriBeCa, the Upper East Side and Financial District. I founded Look@NYArt in 2017 to educate and engage audiences on Modern and Contemporary in NYC. I hold a Master of Art in Modern and Contemporary Art from Christie’s Ed. I have also been a Museum Guide at the Museum of the City of New York since 2021. An avid theater-goer, I am happy to advise.
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Shane Grogan
Let me acquaint you with the greatest city in the world!
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Ivan Shumkov
BUILD TOURS offers public tours and custom private tours for groups, companies and individuals to create memorable experiences of New York. Each tour highlights the distinct character of a specific area - weaving history, architecture, art, and design into engaging stories that help our guests experience, understand and connect with New York. We help our guests see, learn and enjoy the New York's architecture in new ways and on a deeper level.
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Marie Rousseau
I was born and raised in Paris, France and I've been living in New York since 2007.
I have a MA in both History and Political Science from University of Paris-La Sorbonne. After graduation, she decided to live my dream and moved to New York City to work at NYU’s Institute of French Studies and for…
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Sam Silverman
Founder of BagelFest, NYC Bagel Tours, and Brooklyn Bagel Blog
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Janet Solesky
I love New York, my birthplace & my home. When I travel, I miss city life and the high octane pace. My background is arts education, jazz (and other music) promotion. I've been a IGA certified Tour Director for EF Explore America for student tours to New York since '08.
Last year, I…
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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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Bill Goodhart
The tours I give always have a level of enthusiasm that is beyond scripted - because I live here and know that each day brings changes that will interest me and let me excite the tourist. I know why this is the Empire City, and can convey the excitement of discovery on virtually every corner.
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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Emmanuel Hadar
I was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel.
Fumi Arai
I am bilingual in English and Japanese. I have had more than 10 years experiencce as New York City tour guide.
Before that I made tour guide books in Japanese for Japanese tour related company for their clients. Japanese is my strong language as I was born and raised in my…
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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…
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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.
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Cynthia (Cindy) Ladopoulos
THANK YOU for visiting NYC!!!
Mitch Paluszek
A proud Board Member of GANYC. A proud retired City employee. A proud lover of this amazing City!
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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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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…
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Phil Desiere
Let my tours put the Big Apple at your feet!
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GANYC Certified Guide
Susan Soler
Susan is a native New Yorker. She is passionate about this city. She is ready to explore what this city has to offer, focusing on the joy and the senses that her tour can bring.
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Alfonso Pellegrino
Alfonso Pellegrino, Ph.D., is a licensed NYC Sightseeing Guide with over six years of international tour experience in Thailand, Italy, and Southeast Asia. As the founder of The Unusual Trip, he crafted unique and authentic itineraries. Fluent in English, Italian, and Thai, Alfonso offers personalized tours showcasing NYC’s rich history, hidden gems, and dynamic culture.
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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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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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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 (…
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Daria Walcott
Daria is a colorful licensed NYC tour guide (and 20-year resident) with a flair for the quirky & creative!