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.

Certified Guide
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Mike Grant As a full-time licensed New York Guide since 2008, it is a privilege to be a good-will representative for the city of my birth. In February 2014, I received a Tour Director's certification from International Tour Management Institute (ITMI). Licensed Washington DC Tour Guide. Among my leadership… Read More
Mike Gantcher Mike is a true New Yorker, deeply rooted in the city's vibrant culture and history. With over 30 years of experience, he offers unmatched insights into NYC's iconic landmarks and hidden gems. His background in Urban Studies and diverse career in finance, real estate, and technology give him a unique perspective on the city's evolving landscape. Discover NYC through the eyes of a seasoned local with Mike as your guide. Read More
Harvey Paul Davidson CHME, CMP Emeritus See New York City with a native son. Harvey Davidson was born and raised in Brooklyn and attended its public schools and colleges. While in high school, he worked part-time as a messenger and learned the city streets and ins and outs of Manhattan’s neighborhoods. Later work assignments made him… 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!
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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.
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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.

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.
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Alvin Alexis Born and raised in NYC.  Alvin has been a Licensed Guide over 15 years, hosting individuals and groups from student to seniors. Whether seeing NY by Foot/ Bus/ Subway, or Motor Coach  I  am very flexible and can cater tours to your individual needs.  I like to mix… Read More
Rod Lorenzo I have lived in the New York area off and on for 20 years. Originally from California, as a Certified International Tour Manager, I also do over-the-road tours of the Southwest, national parks, the Blues Route and the East Coast. My background is primarily in hospitality, therefore, I am accustomed… 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
Enrico Giolo I love NY. That's the reason why i left my Venetian village 15 years ago and with a lot dreams I moved to the Big Apple. After 10 years my relationship with NY is still great. I am lucky to do a job that I really love, I am happy to bring people to discover the real New York, to let them discover… Read More
Jeff Riback Jeff Riback is a born and bred New Yorker, raised in Queens, and now a long-term resident of Manhattan's Upper East Side. Whether you’re visiting New York for the first or 15th time, Jeff is eager to share with you his love of the City, its history, and the ever-changing character of its many… Read More
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
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
Shane Grogan Let me acquaint you with the greatest city in the world! Read More
Jonathan Dauermann Hello! American-born, though with many international experiences, I've been a resident of NYC for a decade now, and I'm a veteran tour guide with four years of experience and counting! Now a licensed NYC guide, I can help you and your group design a customized itinerary that both creates the New… Read More
Alex Tervooren I am the Founder and Creator of the popular food and history blog Food Strolls Guided Tours. My passion is NYC food and history, and our guided tours are one of a kind NYC experiences! All of my tours focus on NYC history, with an emphasis on ethnic foods, immigration, and demographics. Our… Read More
Evanna Wilbraham Let me help you discover New York in a new way! 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.
NYC certified tour guide since 2020. Come discover the Big Apple with me!
Guide certifiee de New York depuis 2020, je vous ferai decouvrir la Grosse Pomme!
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Eliot Niles Native New Yorker,  Brooklynite: played stickball in the streets and skiball on old Coney Island boardwalk. Lived in the Midwest. Taught ESL in  Paris, improv in Rome. Licensed NYC Guide since 1991.  GANYC member from  1992--2003, and  again 2018.  Business Member:… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Debbie Mason I am a native New Yorker who has been a licensed New York Sightseeing Guide since 2011, a photographer, storm chaser (chasing tornadoes & severe weather in the Midwestern, US) and a lover of all things New York. I am incredibly passionate about the city that I call home and I am extremely proud… Read More
Svetlana Pézier I’m a French-American from Normandy, New Yorker by heart since 2014. I was a tour guide in France and I came to NYC to study the Tenement Museum, the city’s Architecture and History, and the People who made this city. In my tours, you’ll learn about those three and more, from my love of this place… Read More
Tony Mantione Tony Is Italian born and has been living in Brooklyn since the mid 1960's. Since the 70's, Tony has been cycling the streets of NYC exploring and learning about this great city. In 2009 Tony founded Brooklyn Bike Tours LLC with the intention to share his love for cycling and NYC and in particular… 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
Susan Mills Birnbaum Susan Mills Birnbaum's lifelong fascination with history ignited a journey that transformed her into an ardent advocate for preserving the past and sharing its riches. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in History from Hunter College, Susan's affiliation with The Bronx, Brooklyn, and New York… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Mark Levy Mark Levy AKA The Tourfather is the founder and owner of The Levy's Unique New York! NY's First Family of Tour Guides and with his sons Matt Levy, Gideon Levy and Jonah Levy have created NY's most sucessfull tour guide company with a corps of 25 of the best guides in NY. I am a proud Bronx native (… Read More
Adam Guy I Know A Guy NYC Tours, run by Adam Guy, offers full and half-day neighborhood walking tours for families and small groups, In addition, I provide trip planning assistance and serve as a go-to resource during their trip from A GUY who knows NYC inside and out.I aim to help visitors feel at ease… 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
Winfried Hohmann I moved to New York 35 years ago as a foreign student. My love for the city made me decide to get a Sightseeing Guide licencse more than 20 years ago. I work with all kind of groups and tour requests. A few years back, I put together different tours for an incentive group of more than 800 people… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Kevin Draper I am a New York City Historian and experienced licensed guide on a mission to provide exceptional and unforgettable experiences with the highest level of service. I will give you a front row seat and exciting insight into the city’s dynamic history, diverse culture, iconic sites, and reveal… 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
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
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Laurene Hamilton I’m a licensed New York City tour guide, passionate about sharing the city’s energy, diversity, and endless stories. I design unique, mostly French-speaking tours and immersive experiences that go far beyond typical sightseeing.Whether I’m contributing to Le Petit Journal New York, collaborating… Read More
Nya Bowman A native New Yorker hailing from the vibrant Lower East Side, with over two decades of experience as a licensed NYC Tour Guide a professional Dancer, Actor, and Educator. Read More
Patrick van Rosendaal Patrick van Rosendaal author of the besteller BE NY  an alumnus of the prestigious Vlerick business school and had seen quite a few corners of the world before he decided to move to New York. As a former Parisian and Londoner, big city life no longer held any secrets. Then his life… Read More
Art Zuckerman I am a retired teacher, have had managerial positions in corporate America and have run a successful computer company.  Along with my wife, also a licensed guide, we host a radio show called "Z Travel and Leisure" which focuses on New York City, travel and cultural topics.  We have also… Read More
Sonja Bredel I was born and raised in Switzerland, studied in Vienna, and lived and worked in Beijing and New York. Discovering the history and secrets of the places where I live has always been a passion of mine. After eight years of living in New York and falling for NYC more and more, I decided to turn my… Read More
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 nearly the past decade providing tours to NYC’s visitors. I enjoy… Read More