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.
Slava Shpigel
I love New York and I love to show it off. My guiding style will fit best the curious and the passionate visitors who are not afraid to ask questions. Most of all in my job I love going into oratorial rabbit holes with a guest while discussing a historical trend and standing in front of a curious building/plaque/artefact/work of art.
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.
Dave Gardner
I am a fully-licensed tour guide in New York City. I'm a speaker on the double-decker tour buses, the boats, and on foot. I am fluent in any general New York tour. I am also the publisher of our tour-guide newsletter, GuideLines.My personal niche is that I run a Titanic-themed Walking…
Read More
GANYC Certified Guide
Ann C McDermott
Born in Brooklyn and having lived and worked in NYC her whole life, Ann knows NYC like the back of her hand. She will customize a tour for you and show you the hidden gems of New York City, whether that's an architectural wonder or a little known great restaurant with good eats to fit your price…
Read More
Shane Grogan
Let me acquaint you with the greatest city in the world!
Read More
Pim Philip
Pim moved to New York in 2010. Besides being a (Dutch) licensed tour guide for all the 5 boroughs of New York City, he founded Pim Philip Experiences which offers customized travel and event experiences in New York City, catering to both private and corporate visitors. Tailor-made expeditions,…
Read More
DEREK CHAN
DEREK CHAN is an experienced, professional New York City-based, licensed tour guide who has provided hundreds of tours throughout NYC. An avid urban explorer, Derek appreciates the storied architecture, varied neighborhoods, historic brownstones and mixture of styles, in addition to the iconic,…
Read More
GANYC Certified Guide
Yue Wang
Hey, this is hermit wang, my Chinese name is yue wang. I have been living in New York City for almost 14 years. I was born in Beijing China, but I set my family in New York City. The city is my mother town now. There are many museums in this city, some of them are brilliant, such as MET MOMA and…
Read More
Kelly Kopp
Welcome to New York City!
I moved to NYC 7 years ago from Florida. I now consider myself a New Yorker! The moment I stepped foot in this amazing city I immersed myself in all things New York. I am a licensed New York City Tour Guide and love showing visitors my vibrant perspective…
Read More
Carey Gibbs
I am a second generation new yorker, and a third generation show business guy;
MY tours are quite diverse, and all include photo ops, and a strong q&a session;
my history of nyc is quite strong,and I specialize in broadway, the great white way;
history of show business in nyc from early…
Read More
Maggie Browne
A born and bred New Yorker having lived in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Roosevelt Island. A passion for New York, food, music, theater, museums, the arts. Signature tours include "Where Broadway Shops," "Underground Artist Tour" and "College Neighborhood Tours." Happy to tailor tours to the…
Read More
Jeff Liss
I am a history buff and have spent most of my life in and around New York City. My tours go past the usual landmarks to explore the little known facts around the city, particularly in Manhattan's Midtown East.
Read More
Matthew Apter
Since summer 2008 Matt has been giving guided tours of New York City to all kinds of audiences: school groups on private coaches, travelers from all over the world on Water Taxis and double-decker buses, and small groups and families by foot and subway. The one constant in all these tours: Matt’s…
Read More
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.
Read More
Phil Desiere
Let my tours put the Big Apple at your feet!
Read More
Michael Kaback
I have been working in the garment district for almost 60 years now. I have watched the changes from up close.
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.
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
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
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.
Laura Caparrotti
My goal is to make people comfortable and able to fully enjoy the city, like the way I do. My first concern is always to make sure the client tells me what they cannot wait to see or experience, so I can add to the tour that element that will make the tour absolutely unique. I combine Historical…
Read More
John Hanke
I’m a retired civil engineer who spent over 25 years designing and inspecting structures—including many of NYC’s major bridges and tunnels. My love for the city led me to become a licensed tour guide in 2019, and I’ve been sharing its stories ever since!
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
James Henry
I specialize in the cemeteries and burial grounds of NYC. I’m employed as a guide by Green-Wood Cemetery and I give cemetery tours in Manhattan for Bowery Boys Walks, and talks for NY Adventure Club and Lectures on Tap.
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
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
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
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…
Read More
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.