I am a New-Yorker-by-choice who moved to the city in my early 20’s from Buffalo, NYC. I was in love with NYC before I got here and that’s only deepened in the ensuing 40 years. I made specialty hats and sold formal dresses in the garment district, worked in costume shops, acted in and directed various shows, waited tables, sold gift items in up-scale boutiques, and delivered corporate training to banks including Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. I’ve seen a lot of the city from the inside.
I’ve lived in Brooklyn, Midtown, on the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side and in Washington Heights so I know what living here is like and can break it down for you!
I love to share my town with visitors and can help you discover the history of the city and understand the reality of living here from telling the story of how the Brooklyn Bridge was built to explaining why there is steam pouring out of so many manhole covers.
I specialize in small-group tours and can suggest routes that you can customize based on your interests and schedule. See my Special Tours section below to get inspired, then drop me a line at NYCWithRo@gmail.com to get started on your next New York adventure.
My biggest interest is really figuring things out! if I see something that makes me think "what is that?" I'll make sure to note it down and try to find out. This has allowed me to build up a truly impressive set of trivial knowledge that I can share with you as we walk.
In particular I am an avid cook/baker, a knitter, a visitor of all the major and many of the smaller museums, and a lover of a well-made cocktail in a civilized setting. I like that cocktail in particular right after seeing a show or a concert so I can unpack that experience with friends. I can point out my favorite places as we tour so you can get back to relax when we are done.