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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Sy Lukin Native New Yorker who likes to share his love of the city. NYC walking tours for history, food and architecture. Big Apple Greeter. 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
Carey Golden I'm Carey, a teacher turned tour guide! As a military wife, for twenty years, I moved to many states in the US and South Korea!  I'm now combining my passion for teaching and touring into an adventure for you!   I enjoy meeting people and sharing my love for architecture, history, and… Read More
Robert Zhu You haven't been to New York City without my tours. Read More
Krikor Daglian I'm a resident of New York City for about 20 years, mostly living in the East Village. Since 2013, I've been a licensed tour guide in NY and have lead hundreds of tours in various neighborhoods, including the East Village, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, SoHo and many more. My focus has always been… 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 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
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
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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Emmanuel Hadar I was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel.
Came to New York City on 9/11/2001, and have been working in the field of tourism since 2010.
Have been doing tours all over the north east region - Niagara Falls, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C and New York City.
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Svetlana Pézier I’m a French-American from Normandy, New Yorker by heart since 2014. I was a tour guide in France and I came to NYC to study the Tenement Museum, the city’s Architecture and History, and the People who made this city. In my tours, you’ll learn about those three and more, from my love of this place… 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
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
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
Georgette Malliagros New York isn't just a place, it's a live, breathing story of a fast-paced everchanging kaleidescope of history and anecdotes! Navigating this city with curiosity at heart, I lead tours with intuition, history, and a deep love of the details often overlooked. My walks are part poetry, part discovery and joyful wandering, where history flirts with the present and every detail shines through, as long as we notice. The breathtaking skyscrapers, crooked streets downtown and the hidden courtyards, the rhythm of a neighborhood at golden hour, the historical landmarks and museums, the rich tapestry of architecture, and beautiful views across the rivers will leave you dazzled whether its your first visit or fiftieth! Living among a diversity of cultures, languages, a plethora of art, music and a delicious variety of cuisine, I am truly horored to share our fascinating NYC with you! Read More
Erin Donnelly Explore history in a New York minute from the canyons of Lower Manhattan to the quaint enclave of Gramercy with Erin Donnelly, Co-Founder of Reel New York City. Erin’s walking tours feature famous landmarks and off-the-beaten-path spots, engaging storytelling from a passionate expert and opportunities for small groups to have a personalized experience.

Airbnb Experiences Host
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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.
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Bruce Roberts An Actor, Producer, proud Husband and Father, Bruce added Licensed Tour Guide to his resume over 18 years ago ago.  Since that time, he has balanced his love for the arts with his passion for history.  Many years ago, while walking to work in the theater district, he was discussing the… Read More
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. 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 Thompson Hello viewer - My name is Jason Thompson and I'm a lifelong resident of this fair city. I've had the full New York experience from specialized high school attendence to being a victim of gentrification to ignoring showtime on the subway! I run my own Sightseeing Theater tour called "Tour Noir: A… Read More
Tony Mantione Tony Is Italian born and has been living in Brooklyn since the mid 1960's. Since the 70's, Tony has been cycling the streets of NYC exploring and learning about this great city. In 2009 Tony founded Brooklyn Bike Tours LLC with the intention to share his love for cycling and NYC and in particular… 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
Leigh Hallingby Leigh is a licensed New York City tour guide who specializes in Harlem, Morningside Heights,  the Upper West Side and Washington Heights. She is passionate about exploring all five NYC boroughs and beyond on foot, mostly through organized walking tours. Leigh holds Masters degrees in both… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Jose Mauricio Montoya With a global perspective and a passion for storytelling, I bring New York City to life as a reflection of the world itself. More than a guide, I curate immersive experiences that connect travelers to the city’s people, hidden histories, and cultural layers—revealing an authentic New York shaped by migration, creativity, and reinvention, one that resonates long after the journey ends. Read More
Federico Suro "I am a registered New York tour guide, working in English, French and Spanish. Highlighting different aspects of this city, my tours are diverse, from the general to the more specific. My areas of expertise include Art, Architecture, History, Film/TV and Popular Culture. I find it stimulating when… 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
Hardy Phippen Over 15 years of experience leading a wide variety of NYC tours, both general and specialized, for adults or students, organizations as well as individuals. 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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Suzanne Goss Let me build a tour of New York around your own personal interests - topics, eras, or figures from history, the arts, sports, music, the business world, etc. I've been giving tours for 15 years and no two are ever the same!
-I was born and raised in Brooklyn, which has continued to be my home for my entire life.
-Lead tours of individuals, couples, families, small groups
- Corporate tours customized with industry cases and themes
-Walking and public transportation
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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
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… Read More
Manuela Biondi Buongiorno a tutti! Sono architetto, interior designer e guida autorizzata qui a New York City. Il mio amore per questa incredibile città si vede in ognuno dei miei tour. Non vedo l’ora di condividere la passione che ho per New York City con voi, accompagnandovi in giro alla scoperta di ogni angolo… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Robert Brenner Robert Brenner is a licensed New York City tour guide, a certified member of the Guides Association of New York City, a docent for the Municipal Art Society of New York, and almost lifelong New Yorker. He has led walking tours for Barnard College, the Bowery Alliance of Neighbors, Google, the… Read More
Gay Zizes I am a native New Yorker with a vast knowledge of this city. Tours can be catered for all ages and interests. Read More
Debbie Wells Debbie Wells, President of Artful Buzz brings the NYC art world, including art galleries, museums, artist studios, art organizations, etc) directly to you with her engaging and enthusiastic style! You get the insider's perspective from a native New Yorker who has been an art and design professional for years. Also check out www.artfulbuzz.com to register for her free e-newsletter, Artful Morning Brew filled with original commentary and more! 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
Nachum David Niv New York City experienced Tour Guide in Italian, Hebrew, English I’m well presented, articulate, engaging and knowledgeable New York City licensed guide who love touring, enjoy presenting and are comfortable with those who are looking for a Genuine New York Experience. I’m dependable and… 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