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.
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…
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GANYC Certified Guide
Stan O'Connor
Hi, I’ve been licensed in New York City for over 25 years. I work with school groups, seniors, organizations, travel agents and coach companies from all over. With interest in history, architecture, geology, wildlife (important at our parks and beaches) and the myriad of cultures here in New York…
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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: "…
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Libby Corydon-Apicella
Introduction to New York City for families
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge
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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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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.
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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.
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Charlie Niessner
Charlie Niessner, a licensed NYC Tour Guide and GANYC member, is a lifelong resident of NYC.
Has led tours for the Municipal Art Society and for over 10 years unique walks for Big Apple Greeter in addition to private tours.
He is also a genealogy docent for the National Archives…
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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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Monia Bonaldo
Buongiorno a tutti, sono felice di presentarmi a voi come Guida Turistica di New York! Sono Italiana e faccio questo bellissimo lavoro con passione e dedizione da alcuni anni. New York e' una citta' che non finisce mai di stupire, tradizioni e culture diverse sono all'ordine del giorno, profumi e…
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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…
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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.
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David Herszenson
As a physician who lives and works in the Bronx, I have found a distinct pleasure in sharing the beauty and history of the borough's many vibrant and diverse neighborhoods.
Martine Dominique
Like every New Yorker, I have a story and New York City has been my home for over 27 years. I came via: Paris, Spain, Haiti to settle in Manhattan. The lights of Broadway caught my soul, and I was able to reinvent myself many times.
I studied Theatre at the Cours Florent in Paris and at…
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Ronald Groenendyk
As a Dutchman who has been living in New York for more than 25 years, I offers walking tours under the name The MetaTourist since 2019. "Meta" in modern slang indicates something self-referential (self-aware). Having traveled for work and pleasure all of my life, I can be a visitor and an observer at the same time. As an immigrant, I can give you the inside and outside perspective. Why do people come to NYC? Why did I come to NYC? Why are you here?
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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…
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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…
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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.
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.
Allison Rihn
I love to show less often seen parts of NYC to people. II specifically like sharing the history and beauty of upper Manhattan. l immerse people into the city by showing them both the pretty and the gritty. The well known sites, as well as the secret ones often hidden in plain sight. I am also a certified Pilates instructor and integrate pilates and tours together creating fun new ways to see the city!
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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.
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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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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…
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Ray Rosato
I was born and raised in Brooklyn and lived in New York City all my life. (So I guess that makes me a native.) I've been conducting guided tours of NYC for over a decade and loved every single minute of it. Some of my favorite spots are Chinatown with the wonderful soup dumplings, Greenwich Village…
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Gloria Browne
Discover the best New York City has to offer. With more than 20 years of experience, I will work with you to maximize your time in New York and take you beyond the city that you already know.
I am fluent, and can offer assistance, in English, Italian (mother language) and German.
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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.
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,…
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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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Ludwina Lang
I am orginally from Germany but live in the U.S. for many years. I have a BA in Business Administration and a minor in History. History was always my favorite and that is why I love to guide tours. I worked for 25 years at Mercedes-Benz as an analyst, but always kept an eye on the…
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GANYC Certified Guide
Patrick Casey
Hello, and thanks for looking me up.
If you are seeking someone who can show you New York from a local's view, we should talk.
Sure, we can do all the usual suspects and we should, they are wonderful places and sites. But with a little information from you, I'll tailor a tour that suits your taste…
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Manny Sanudo
Born in New York City, Manny has been leading bicycle tours here for the last dozen years.
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