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.

Certified Guide
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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
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… 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
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
Heidi Zsa Zsa Benedikt I decided to become a licensed tour guide after the attacks of Sept 11, 2001. Strange to say I have the greatest job from the worst day in New Yorks history.  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
George Barabas  Do you want to discover what makes New York a city like no other- a vibrant, diverse metropolis with a fascinating history and a constantly evolving face? Let me, a  life-long  New York City educator and Licensed Sightseeing Tour Guide, be your guide to the many… Read More
Gordon Polatnick This is going to be fun. I can't wait to speak to you about what you'd like to get out of your New York tour. After more than 30 years of guiding, I'm more enthused than ever to create the perfect experience for each guest. The joy for me comes from listening to your needs and designing itineraries… Read More
Susanne Wieneke I moved to New York City 27 years ago, without plans to stay, but was so intrigued by the City, that I was unable to leave. As I felt compelled to share my enthusiasm about this fascinating city with others, I passed the NYC sightseeing guide exam in 2001. Upon starting to give tours years ago, I… 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
GANYC Certified Guide Robin Garr GANYC Certified and experienced in leading tours on a wide range of topics and passionate about New York City! History, art, architecture, natural history, sports, anywhere in the five boroughs. 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
Sara Lyons I love my city for a living, and there's always more to love! Read More
Anette Murgalla-Hollmann I transferred my passion for New York into a career and offer guided tours mostly in German, sometimes in English or in both languages if you have a mixed group. I am a NYC licensed Tour Guide and with my background as an Account Director in advertising agencies for digital solutions and as an Event Manager I am quite good in planing and executing your customized tour. Let me show you the city!

I am also a Marriage Officiant and and can perform marriage ceremonies within the City of New York. I offer this service in German.
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Jonathan Goldstein I have deep generational roots in New York City, mirroring the classic immigrant experience from Ellis Island to the Jewish Lower East Side. This has inspired an ongoing quest for the best of the city past and present, from the suspension cables of the Brooklyn Bridge to the hot pastrami at Katz's deli. Read More
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 (… 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
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… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Jonathan Turer Visitors say my tours are “witty” “fun” “informative” and “fascinating.” And this: “For 5 1/2 hours we did not want to miss a thing he said and more importantly, neither did our two teenagers. Now that is a feat!” and “My wife was born and raised in NYC and ... even she learned a whole bunch about… Read More
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,… Read More
Patrick van Rosendaal Patrick van Rosendaal author of the besteller BE NY  an alumnus of the prestigious Vlerick business school and had seen quite a few corners of the world before he decided to move to New York. As a former Parisian and Londoner, big city life no longer held any secrets. Then his life… Read More
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.

I have learned to love this city; for me to make a real and true connection with it, I had to prove that I cared - and so I became a licensed guide!

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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. Read More
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
Robert Zhu Growing up in Manhattan, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Food, art, and history are the main focus of my tours. Your visit to this vibrant world city wouldn’t be complete without my tours, even if you’re a local. So, put on your vagabond shoes and let’s stray!

You can find my tours on BoweryBoysWalks.com and ToursByLocals.com.
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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 (… Read More
Fred Pflantzer NY See Tours is a NY City tour agency that has been joyfully conducting guided tours since 2010. NY See is a trusted and well-reviewed tour agency providing unforgettable NY experiences for groups, individuals, couples, families, and friends. Fred Pflantzer, the proprietor of NY See Tours, is a… Read More
Joseph Landon For Joe, leading tours and curating experiences is not just a job, but a way of life. He is dedicated to sharing his love and appreciation of New York City with others, and helping to preserve the city's unique history and culture for future generations to enjoy.

Come Venture NYC with Jojo!
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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… 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
Yaroslav Bondarenko "My name is Yaroslav and I'll be your tour guide today" - these are words that I start my every tour with. I've been doing sightseeing tours since I my college years - then I was showing my home town Kyiv and Ukraine to tourists from USA. Now I show my home New York City to tourists from all over… 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
Susanne Koster I'm Susanne, a native New Yorker from Long Island with lively and engaging custom tours.  Allow me to create an adventure for you, your family or group.  Let me be your personal guide and have your touring through New York like a local.  Consider me your best college friend that… Read More
Cherie Davis I love NYC and want you to see the amazing sites we have here. I specialize in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. I have lived in NYC since 1996 and have been a guide since 2017. There is so much to see and do here. From the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge to tiny little stores that have been around for decades. Read More
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
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! Read More
Phil Desiere Let my tours put the Big Apple at your feet! Read More