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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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. Read More
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… Read More
Joe Rosenberg Specialities:  Behind-the-scenes theatre visit; Theatre District walking exploration; all Manhattan neighborhoods; most Brooklyn neighborhoods, many Queens neighborhoods, many neighborhoods in The Bronx, some neighborhoods in Staten Island.     Bio:   In large… Read More
Frank de Falco Award-winning licensed bi-lingual Italiani/English New York City walking tour guide.

Premiata guida gite a piedi bi-lingue italiano/inglese con licenza
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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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Marylou Selo I have been a member of GANYC from the time it was still the International Guides Association. I love New York City and I am good in sharing my enthusiasm and my knowledge with our guests. My best languages are Dutch, German, and English, but I can also do French and Spanish, since I have lived in… Read More
Robert Semenza I love New York and it shows.  Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Michael Dillinger I am a life long New Yorker and my family roots in this great city go back to the 1840's.  There is a lot of NYC in my DNA. As a guide I believe my job is to help visitor's fall in love with New York.  I have been a professional, full-time, guide for the past six years.  I love being… Read More
Mel Wasserman Born and raised in New York City, I have lived the culture, infrastructure and excitement of New York City my entire life.  Let me now share all this with you. I have been a licensed NYC sightseeing tour guide since 2010.  My specialties are: - the World Trade Center, original and rebuilt… Read More
Peter Cohen I am a native New Yorker with Brooklyn roots. 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.
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Jonathan Goldstein I have deep generational roots in New York City, mirroring the classic immigrant experience from Ellis Island to the Jewish Lower East Side. This has inspired an ongoing quest for the best of the city past and present, from the suspension cables of the Brooklyn Bridge to the hot pastrami at Katz's deli. Read More
David Turk Hello! I'm David, a lifetime New Yorker, and I'd love to be your guide and show you around. I have a passion for traveling around the world and for sharing with visitors from all over the world what makes New York City such a special place—its history, culture, food. Read More
Janet Solesky I love New York, my birthplace & my home. When I travel, I miss city life and the high octane pace. My background is arts education, jazz (and other music) promotion. I've been a IGA certified Tour Director for EF Explore America for student tours to New York since '08.   Last year, I… Read More
Bill Goodhart The tours I give always have a level of enthusiasm that is beyond scripted - because I live here and know that each day brings changes that will interest me and let me excite the tourist. I know why this is the Empire City, and can convey the excitement of discovery on virtually every corner.

I have learned to love this city; for me to make a real and true connection with it, I had to prove that I cared - and so I became a licensed guide!

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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… Read More
Christine Lazzara Hello! My name is Christine, and I'm thrilled to share the magic of my city with you. I curate unique, personalized adventures and then bring them to life, joining and guiding you every step of the way. My goal is to help you connect with NYC on a profound level while creating unforgettable moments in the process. Whether you're looking to explore the treasures of NYC or to celebrate a special occasion, I can help. Looking forward to meeting you! Read More
Mike Brennan I've lived in New York City all my life, and have been a licensed tour guide for over 25 years.  I love to show off my hometown, and all of my tours are tailored to what you want to see, whether it's the typical highlights or unique neighborhoods or city secrets (one of my specialties). … Read More
Jerry Ostrover I am a former teacher who always enjoyed showing friends and family the amazing sights of New York City, so, it was a natural for me to later become a licensed New York City tour guide. I continue to study the history and architecture around the City. There is no other city like it in the world.… Read More
Jari Mattila Whether you're planning to see the famous sights, the restaurants, the museums, the shopping, the sports, or just about anything else you can think of, your visit will surely be a success! The possibilities for fun are endless and New York will never disappoint you. My hope is to enhance your… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Gary Dennis   Gary Dennis was born and raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.  After attending the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts, Gary received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, with a minor in Theatre History (specializing in New York City) from Brooklyn College. … Read More
Sumiko Mizumoto I have been working as a tour guide in NYC since 2000. If you need Japanese tour guides, please let me know! 日本語ツアーガイドをお探しなら、ご連絡ください。   Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Amy Cook Whether you are visiting, or reside here without yet fully *living* here, Amy can share what it’s like to be a real New Yorker. She has been in Brooklyn for over 25 years and loves to share stories of the ever changing city. Insatiably curious, Amy is always absorbing new information and… 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
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… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Yue Wang Hey, this is hermit wang, my Chinese name is yue wang. I have been living in New York City for almost 14 years. I was born in Beijing China, but I set my family in New York City. The city is my mother town now. There are many museums in this city, some of them are brilliant, such as MET MOMA and… Read More
Bruce Roberts An Actor, Producer, proud Husband and Father, Bruce added Licensed Tour Guide to his resume over 18 years ago ago.  Since that time, he has balanced his love for the arts with his passion for history.  Many years ago, while walking to work in the theater district, he was discussing the… 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 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
GANYC Certified Guide Michael Morgenthal A lifelong New Yorker born and raised in Greenwich Village, Mike is a seasoned tour guide who has designed and led great tours of New York for hundreds of clients from around the world. He loves to show visitors the real New York, off the beaten track places known and loved by locals! In particular… 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
Anthony Robins "A magic carpet ride through Art Deco New York" National Arts Club "Anthony, with his wide brim hat, fast-talking New York accent and contagious enthusiasm [showed me that] the very real and iconic New York [Grand Central] terminal is the magical place to be discovered" Mail online… 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
Miriam Bourin Hi, I’m Miriam, a Swedish transplant that moved to New York from Stockholm in 2004. I live in the “hip”, historic Hudson Valley, in the small village of High Falls. Coming to New York City for the first time can be over-whelming for anyone. Coming to New York City as a foreigners can be quite… 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
Jose Raudales Jose has been sharing his love for New York City as a licensed guide since 2011. With a dual degree in Economics and History from Baruch College, he has a knack for uncovering the fascinating stories that make NYC the most vibrant and dynamic city in the world.On February 21, 2025, Jose gave his… Read More
Federico Suro "I am a registered New York tour guide, working in English, French and Spanish. Highlighting different aspects of this city, my tours are diverse, from the general to the more specific. My areas of expertise include Art, Architecture, History, Film/TV and Popular Culture. I find it stimulating when… 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
Suzanne Reisman Suzanne Reisman specializes in unique, unusual tours of New York City. If you want to delve into the New York City that's off the beaten (subway) track, she literally wrote a book about it. Join Suzanne to learn about disease, saints, garbage, rats, weird history, murders, corruption, anarchy, and NYC at sunrise. She can customize tours to meet accessibility needs, and is happy to wear a mask outdoors if requested.

*Off the Beaten (Subway) Track
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