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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Bob Gelber After retiring from the New York State Court System, I wanted to introduce tourists to my hometown of New York City.   During the past twelve years I have been leading American and foreign tourists, helping them discover places and neighborhoods most tourists will not visit on their… 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 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
Joseph Pizzingrillo Lifelong native New Yorker. Solid experience and knowledge of Manhattan as well as all NYC boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Kevin Lawrence After spending over a decade organizing and conducting tours throughout China and Taiwan, I have over the past couple of years shifted my professional touring expertise to my beloved hometown, New York City. I conduct river-to-river tours (i.e. lower Manhattan, West Village/East Village, 42nd… Read More
Mitch Paluszek A proud semi-retired City employee. A proud lover of this amazing City! Read More
Evelyne André I am a French native,  Professional Franco/American Tour Director , originally licensed in France , now with 35 years of experience guiding visitors throughout the USA . In  NYC , where I hold the official sightseeing guide license ,  and where I reside,  I am constantly… Read More
Steve Clopper I'm Talking Tours – NYC & DC with Heart and Flavor
Discover the stories, rhythms, and flavors that bring New York City and Washington, DC to life. Led by a passionate guide with deep roots in Hispanic culture and a love for Queens, I'm Talking Tours bridges communities through shared experiences of food, music, and human connection. Whether you're exploring the rich diversity of Queens or the powerful symbolism of DC, you'll get more than a tour — you'll feel truly welcomed. Each journey is crafted to spark understanding, delight the senses, and celebrate what brings us together.

found on Social Media as El Guero Frijolero. Karaoke star of the Tri State Mexican Karaoke Circuit. Orale! Read More
Norman Oder Veteran tour guide Norman Oder("fast-walking, fast-talking") specializes in Brooklyn neighborhoods and also has branched out to a few neighborhoods in Queens and Manhattan. 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
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
Daryl Williams 3rd Generation New Yawker, Stuyvesant High School, Baruch College C.U.N.Y. Graduate. St. Albans Born, Ex East Villager, Ex-SOHOer and current Harlemite, who still has love for this City and ALL that it has to offer and willing to share it’s warts and gems…. 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
Eva Nagy Read More
Elke Vanhaecke As an art historian and radio journalist, I am captivated by the power of sound to uncover hidden stories. Now, as a city guide, I bring this passion to life in the streets of New York.
From the echoing chaos of Times Square to the melodic buzz of Central Park, I reveal the tales of history and diversity that every street corner holds.
I offer tours in Dutch, English, and French, infusing each experience with a touch of my Belgian heritage. Read More
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
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
Andrew Neuman I am a native New Yorker and have a deep love and appreciation for the history of New York City. My walking tours are unique and one-of-a-kind that delve into the untold stories, scandalous nights, and legendary figures that shaped New York City’s cultural heartbeat. From the glitz of the golden age of nightspots to the crooning-voiced rise of Frank Sinatra on the city’s stages. I don’t just guide you through history - I resurrect it. 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
Sara Lyons I love my city for a living, and there's always more to love! Read More
José Francisco Ávila José Francisco Ávila is a NYC licensed tour guide, author and publisher, social justice activist, he is author of the books Garifuna Ancestry: and Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride.

He is the founder of the Garifuna Experience in NYC website, a NYC Garifuna tourism destination brand. The vision is to position New York City as the Epicenter of the Garifuna Arts and Garifuna Culture, showcasing it as a vibrant destination for travelers.
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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 Read More
Nirupama Zaveri    My name is Nirupama (Neetu) Zaveri. I was born and nurtured in India, but for the past 24 years I have lived in New York. I was a global banker for 20 years and gave up my corparte job to lead tours in US and worldwide. I am a  NYC + DC guide and I am fluent in several languages.… 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
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
Michael Gray I am a graduate of the University of Minnesota (B.A. Philosophy) and Columbia University (M.A. Elementary Education).  I lived and worked in China (Hongkong, Taipei and China) for ten years, including four years of Chinese language study at the Beijing Language Institute and at the Mandarin… Read More
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. Read More
David Felsen David Felsen is the author of New York City Monuments of Black Americans: A History and Guide. He is an Emmy Award Winning producer who teaches American history to eleventh graders at Avenues: The World School in New York City. He has a master’s degree in American history from the Gilder Lehrman… 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
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
Ayelen Scapuzzi Licensed NYC tour guide, registered press, and founder of NY My Way®. Sharing New York in Spanish for Latino and Hispanic travelers—the city I call the Infinite City, because one lifetime isn’t enough to know it all. Read More
Deborah Steigerwald Welcome to exploring NYC.  My name is Debbie and I am "The Happy Tour Guide", I design fun adventures that people love to go on! I have lived in NYC for 25 years and have a sincere love of travel and interacting with people from around the globe.   Marriott Vacation Club Activities… Read More
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.

In addition to Bronx tours, I am able to do tours of several other areas of New York City. 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
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
FRANK CORNEI 20 years experience as a licensed, multilingual, personable Tour Guide. Offering private tours for families, small groups as well as large groups. New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Niagara Falls, Boston, New England, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, Eastern Canada. Read More
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
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
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