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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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… Read More
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.

Since the late 1980s, I have lived and worked in New York (DOE and UN), where I also pursued my studies (BA and MS). My personal journey enabled me to acquire proficiency in both Russian and English; in addition to my mother tongue, Spanish. Drawing upon this life path, I would like to share my experiences in New York and compare them with other cultures and places around the world.


Como licenciado oficial de guia turistico por el departamento del consumidor de la ciudad de New York. Me gustaria compartir mis experiencias de New York y compararlo con otras culturas y lugares del mundo. Estudie (BA y MS) a principios de los anos 80, en Leningrado/Sanpersburgo, URSS, esto me permitio conocer decenas de paises y culturas.

Desde los finales de los 80, Resido y trabajo en New York (DOE y UN) , donde tambien estudie( BA y MS) . Mi realidad personal, me permitio adquir el Idioma Ruso y el Ingles. Gracias a ese recorrido de vida, me gustaria compartir mis experiencias de New York y compararlo con otras culturas y lugares del mundo.

Как официальный гид по Нью-Йорку, имеющий лицензию Департамента по делам потребителей города Нью-Йорка, я хотел бы поделиться своим опытом жизни в Нью-Йорке и сравнить его с другими культурами и местами по всему миру, Однако в начале 1980-х годов я учился (бакалавриат и магистратура) в Ленинграде (ныне Санкт-Петербург), СССР — этот опыт позволил мне открыть для себя десятки стран и культур.

С конца 1980-х годов я живу и работаю в Нью-Йорке (DOE и ООН), где также продолжил своё образование (бакалавриат и магистратура). Мой жизненный путь помог мне свободно овладеть русским и английским языками, помимо моего родного испанского. Опираясь на этот богатый опыт, я хотел бы делиться своими впечатлениями о Нью-Йорке, сравнивать его с другими культурами и уголками мира. Read More
Tim Ries Founder of Tourist New York with 20+ years in NYC tourism. Former High Line Director, NYC-licensed guide, and proud member of the Guides Association of New York City. Passionate about sharing the best of NYC’s landmarks and hidden gems. Read More
Laurene Hamilton After studying economics in France and art history in Spain, I worked in business in Switzerland — before moving to New York City, where I found a new calling: guiding people through the city's stories.At heart, I'm a professional storyteller, passionate about history and theater. My tours aren't… Read More
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… 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
Steve Kornblit Steve Kornblit loves people, food, tourists and NYC, not necessarily in that order! Steve has developed a walking tour business that focuses on the backgrounds of his tour guests to make the experience unique.  Most of us came from somewhere else so why not delve into your past as we explore… Read More
Hsiaowen (Miqi) Lin Hi, I'm Miqi.It's nice to meet you here! 🙂People often ask why a wellness educator became a New York City tour guide.To me, the answer is simple: both are about helping people experience life more intentionally.For a little over three years, I've been teaching mind-body wellness and encouraging… Read More
Sara Lyons I love my city for a living, and there's always more to love! Read More
Josette Rocco Born and raised in Brooklyn, lover of people and all things New York Read More
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. Read More
Enrico Giolo I love NY. That's the reason why i left my Venetian village 15 years ago and with a lot dreams I moved to the Big Apple. After 10 years my relationship with NY is still great. I am lucky to do a job that I really love, I am happy to bring people to discover the real New York, to let them discover… Read More
Seth Charles Used to just be a normal guy until NYC grabbed me and wouldn't let go.

Now I've been giving tours in the city for over 10 years.

Topics of interest include the Weird (capital W), the obscure, and the mystical.
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Lili Murad Hellooooo…. New York has been my playground for the last 35 years. I have lived in every borough (OK, apart from Staten Island, although I was born in the sister state of New Jersey, so…). My family's story is the classic immigrant's odyssey, beginning in Ellis Island, spanning the rich history of… Read More
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
Mike Brennan I've lived in New York City all my life, and have been a licensed tour guide for over 25 years.  I love to show off my hometown, and all of my tours are tailored to what you want to see, whether it's the typical highlights or unique neighborhoods or city secrets (one of my specialties). … 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
Hiram L. Jacobs I am a licensed New York City Department of Consumer Affairs Tour Guide and a native New Yorker. Over the years, I acquired considerable experience organizing solo tours of the major European and East European capitals of the world, Toronto and Montreal, Canada, Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. I… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Debbie Mason I am a native New Yorker who has been a licensed New York Sightseeing Guide since 2011, a photographer, storm chaser (chasing tornadoes & severe weather in the Midwestern, US) and a lover of all things New York. I am incredibly passionate about the city that I call home and I am extremely proud… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Emma Guest-Consales, Ph.D. I am a full-time walking tour guide in New York City. I specialize in 19th c. New York, especially the Gilded Age, as well as contemporary New York City architecture and urban development. I offer private tours and small group public tours in English. Tutti i miei tour sono disponibili in italiano. Read More
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. … Read More
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.
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Jason Stein Jason is a licensed NYC tour guide and a history enthusiast who enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with others. He has a passion for NYC and his background in stand-up comedy and improv provides for an “infotaining” experience. Jason has developed and led several tours for The Municipal Art Society. He gives tours all around NYC and a few of his specialized tours include crossing bridges and the Revolutionary War Spy Tour. Read More
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… Read More
Michael Koenig Born and raised, third generation New Yorker who loves to help visitors make the most of their time in the city. Over the years I have worked with student, adult and corporate groups, helping them to enjoy the city on their Motorcoach, on foot or by the subway. I firmly believe you should have… Read More
Annie Desmond Hello there.  My name is Annie Desmond and I am proud to be a NYC tour guide.  I live in Manhattan in the fabulous upper west side.  I have a deep passion for this great city and guiding has become my life.  I am a true New Yorker.  I have a diverse background in finance… 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
Lisa Puccio Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Robert Brenner Robert Brenner is a public historian specializing in 20th century New York City history. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in history at the CUNY Graduate Center. His fields of research include queer, Jewish, food, cultural, and political histories. He is also a licensed New York City tour guide and a certified member of the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC). Read More
Oliver Grieb Gidday and "Grüß Gott", my name is Oli, your fun, fitness oriented, energizing and certified NYC Sightseeing Guide. I am not only your regular tour guide, but also your tour planer, tour fotograher and tour entertainer. To find out more about it, feel free to read my reviews on TripAdvisor: https… Read More
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.
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Brent Reno Read More
Bryce Hill Flexible & Fun NYC tours. Experience the greatest city on earth! NYC arts/history/pop culture tours. 10 years experience with group tours (both student and adult) and with private tours. 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
GANYC Certified Guide Mark Mandel Born in Manhattan, I have lived in the NY area for most of my life and commuted into the city for over 25 years to financial services jobs in midtown and downtown, including the original World Trade Center. I have strong interests in the economic development and growth of New York City and the infrastructure, including mass transit, that supports this. Read More
Bob Rice My family and I have been native New Yorkers for generations.  New York is my playground.  I love to experience its venues.  What increases our enjoyment and appreciation is when we are in the company of those who are out to have fun while sharing each others energy. My varied… Read More
Minna Scharff Born in Brooklyn, a soccer mom in Greenwich Village (no minivan, just the "3" and "F" trains) and now a tour guide that explores everything old and new in her native city.  A social worker by profession and licensed New York City tour guide of 12 years. Has experience doing everything from… Read More
Robert Driemeyer I'm Robert Driemeyer, a licensed guide, performer, Broadway producer, and creator of Broadway Barfly — a brand celebrating New York's legendary nightlife. From Broadway to cabarets, supper clubs to speakeasies, this is the New York I love. I explore the remarkable people, places, and events whose fabled history hides in plain sight. If you love the bygone world of smoky bars, elegant hotels, and racy nightclubs, I'm the guide to take you there! Read More
Nya Bowman A native New Yorker hailing from the vibrant Lower East Side, with over two decades of experience as a licensed NYC Tour Guide a professional Dancer, Actor, and Educator. Read More
Stan Kulp I've been pulling out all the stops--f-stops, that is--taking my photography obsession on the road as a New York City tour guide. After 15 years working in the financial industry, I'm doing what I really love, taking photos, and combining it with my second love, this huge marvelous place called New… Read More