About:
Discover the true essence of the Big Apple with "New York City Explained," a unique tour experience designed for small groups. Led by our expert guide, Mike, each tour is tailored to the group's interests and familiarity with the city, ensuring a personalized, unscripted, and engaging adventure. Go beyond the typical tourist attractions as Mike reveals the fascinating history and vibrant present of New York City. Understand what makes NYC exceptional among American cities, from its melting pot of cultures living side by side to its world-renowned culinary landscape.
"New York City Explained" offers a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of New Yorkers. Explore residential neighborhoods, stroll down tree-lined streets, and interact with locals to grasp the true spirit of this dynamic metropolis. Mike's extensive background, which spans factory work, the NY Stock Exchange, affordable housing development, and investment banking, enriches the tour with diverse perspectives. Delve into the sociological, historical, economic, and architectural facets of NYC, and experience hidden gems and authentic local flavors that are typically off the tourist radar. With over 30 years of living in NYC, Mike brings unparalleled insights and stories that make "New York City Explained" an unforgettable journey through the city that never sleeps.
Education:
BA Urban Studies - Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Special Tours:
Our tours aim to show visitors the real NYC by riding different subway lines to showcase the unique neighborhoods that thrive along each route in every borough.
For example, our Q Train through Brooklyn tour (AKA No plane Needed to See the World Tour!) unveils a new realm at each stop. Begin at the scenic Brooklyn Promenade with its breathtaking Manhattan views, then dive into the borough's diverse communities. Traverse wealthy enclaves, feel the vibrant Caribbean energy, wander Victorian-era streets, and immerse in Middle Eastern, Russian, Ukrainian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian traditions. And end with hot dogs and ice cream at the famous Coney Island. Each stop offers a unique glimpse into the lives, stories, and cultures that define these neighborhoods.
Languages:
English
Services Offered:
Tour Guide
Tour Manager
Tour Consultant
Lecturer
Tours Offered:
Art & Architectural Tours
Brooklyn
Central Park
Chelsea
Chinatown/Little Italy
Downtown Manhattan
DUMBO
Dutch New Amsterdam
East Village
Grand Central Terminal
Greenwich Village
Immigrant Experience
Jewish History
Lecturer
Lower East Side
Private Tours
Prospect Park
South Street Seaport
Student Tours
Upper East Side
TriBeCa
Upper West Side
Walking Tours
Wall Street/Financial District
Featured Tours by Mike Gantcher
Upper West Side
Discover the Upper West Side with Mike, an urban expert and three-decade New Yorker. This tour blends history, architecture, economics, and sociology as we explore this quintessential neighborhood. Wander tree-lined brownstone streets, taste authentic bagels and hot dogs, and experience the real NY
Q Train through Brooklyn tour (AKA No Plane Needed to See the World! Tour)
Hop on our Q Train in Brooklyn tour—no plane needed to see the world! Start at the Brooklyn Promenade, then explore diverse neighborhoods. Traverse wealthy enclaves, feel vibrant Caribbean energy, wander Victorian streets, and immerse in Middle Eastern, Russian, Ukrainian, and Georgian cultures.