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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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 more than the past decade providing tours to NYC’s visitors.

I enjoy getting on the subway, exiting at one of the many stops within the 5 boroughs, and wandering into all corners of this vast city. When not roving throughout the city, or giving tours, I spend my time reading, writing, and with my grandchildren.

I prefer discussing a guest’s interests beforehand and customizing a tour to focus on those preferences. I also specialize in tours that cover several hours and territory, often 3-5 miles.

Loosen up, put on comfortable shoes, and roam through New York City with me! Read More
Brian "BFAB" Bice Charismatic, fun and energetic guide with a background in fashion and retail. Local resident of Hell's Kitchen for over a decade, and owner of BFAB Tours, which offers dynamic walking tours of Hell's Kitchen that are equal parts education and entertainment. Read More
Chris Shelley A Red Sox fan who loves New York City? Now you've heard it all. I've lived in NYC since 1992. I've tried on identities as diverse as actor, Wall Street worker, entrepreneur, Massage Therapist and, since 2011, Professional Wedding Officiant. My career led me here, and my career has changed many times since being here. In that light, I can show you New York in the way my careers have introduced it to me. Read More
Dena Brody As a contractor and licensed guide for 3 years now, I lead Chinatown/Little Italy and Greenwich Village food tours as well as Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island walking tours. With expertise in numerous neighborhoods and a love for food, I have started my own tour company: Feast by the Foot and I am currently workshopping a SoHo food tour! Please reach out if you’d love to learn more about any of the above. Read More
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
GANYC Certified Guide Jose Mauricio Montoya With a global perspective and a passion for storytelling, I bring New York City to life as a reflection of the world itself. More than a guide, I curate immersive experiences that connect travelers to the city’s people, hidden histories, and cultural layers—revealing an authentic New York shaped by migration, creativity, and reinvention, one that resonates long after the journey ends. Read More
Ben Wagenberg Ben, an authentic, native New Yorker, drove a New York City Checker Cab during college to help defray expenses. This helped him learn the ins and outs of every borough. During his lifetime lived in New York, he has experienced the evolutionary changes of the City's diverse neighborhoods. Ben has a… Read More
Maddy Levi Maddy, a native New Yorker and experienced, licensed tour guide, delights in sharing her passion and knowledge of New York with visitors from around the globe. She specializes in walking tours of historic districts and neighborhoods in Manhattan, and tours of her current hometown of Long Beach, New… Read More
Ronald Groenendyk As a Dutchman who has been living in New York for more than 25 years, I offers walking tours under the name The MetaTourist since 2019. "Meta" in modern slang indicates something self-referential (self-aware). Having traveled for work and pleasure all of my life, I can be a visitor and an observer at the same time. As an immigrant, I can give you the inside and outside perspective. Why do people come to NYC? Why did I come to NYC? Why are you here? Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Jared Goldstein Enthusiasm, stories, wonder, and great memories.History! Architecture! Views! Energy!  How we live here.Experience it with Jared the NYC Tour Guide! 1-917-533-1057  Jared@JaredtheNYCTourGuide.com  http://JaredtheNYCTourGuide.com  I love sharing New York City, my home… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Robert Brenner Robert Brenner is a public historian specializing in 20th century New York City history. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in history at the CUNY Graduate Center. His fields of research include queer, Jewish, food, cultural, and political histories. He is also a licensed New York City tour guide and a certified member of the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC). Read More
Frederic Gilbert Hi ! I was born in France and made New York my home a couple of years ago after backpacking over the world for a year. I felt in love with New York in 1995, and recently founded My Special New York, a tour company providing immersive and unique experiences in New York city, from tours for… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide John Semlak My name is John Semlak.  I'm a tour guide, historian, and photographer.   I give tours in a wide range of areas.  I have experiecne in bus tours all over the city, escorted tours, and tours of popular attractions like the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial, the High Line,… Read More
Lisa Puccio Read More
Asad Dandia I am a born-and-bred New Yorker who leads unique experiences covering communities and themes not offered by anyone else. I have led tours for a range of seekers, from second graders to corporate staff to university students and faculty.

Check out my storytelling project, New York Narratives (www.newyorknarratives.com) to learn more. Or write to me directly at asad@newyorknarratives.com.

I can't wait to immerse you into my city! 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! 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 Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Matthew Baker Matthew Baker has been a New Yorker since 1992 and a licensed tour guide since 2005. Having worked in such venerable institutions as the New York Public Library, Saks Fifth Avenue, and FAO Schwarz, he has seen, known, and loved an incredible cross section of New York City cultures. And now, he… Read More
Laura Campisi Sicilian by birth, New Yorker by choice! 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.
 Read More
Jim Dykes Jim Dykes new email is JimDykesNY@gmail.com; All other emails are cancelled.  Jim is a writer and actor who has been a licensed New York guide for many years. CHECK MY 5-STAR RATINGS on TRIP ADVISOR!!  History, architecture and fabulous NYC real estate are passions: Jim is a former GANYC… Read More
Gardiner Comfort I am a native New Yorker, an actor, and teacher with a unique, friendly, and performative approach to touring. I am highly knowledgeable about known, and lesser known, historical and cultural aspects of New York City. As a performer, I am great at reading people and can provide a fun, informative, and welcoming tour for any group of people, regardless of age or special interest. Read More
Janice Hoffmann Hello and welcome to the city that never sleeps!

I’ve been living in this amazing city since the mid 80s, so I have a lot of stories and insights to share with you. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, art, or entertainment, New York has something for everyone. Read More
Erin Donnelly Explore history in a New York minute from the canyons of Lower Manhattan to the quaint enclave of Gramercy with Erin Donnelly, Co-Founder of Reel New York City. Erin’s walking tours feature famous landmarks and off-the-beaten-path spots, engaging storytelling from a passionate expert and opportunities for small groups to have a personalized experience.

Airbnb Experiences Host Read More
Kristin Singleton-Ferrari Kristin! Tour Director and Guide in English and Italian... All NYC, Brooklyn Expert, Educational Tours from NY to DC Philadelphia Gettysburg and much more. Tours to Niagara Falls and Eastern Canada. Many other cities but NYC is HOME! 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
GANYC Certified Guide Daria Walcott Daria is a colorful licensed NYC tour guide (and 20-year resident) with a flair for the quirky & creative!

A 20-year veteran of theatrical and event production, she's been a props designer for store windows, a lighting technician, a costume craftsperson and a scenic carpenter. She enjoys sharing her love for NYC via unique walking tours with several different companies, and is striking out on her own recently with "Strange & Unusual NYC Tours". Read More
Kelly Kopp Welcome to New York City! I moved to NYC 7 years ago from Florida.  I now consider myself a New Yorker!  The moment I stepped foot in this amazing city I immersed myself in all things New York.  I am a licensed New York City Tour Guide and love showing visitors my vibrant perspective… Read More
Julia Ryan A Native New Yorker and expert guide, Julia has been touring with guests for over 20 years. Specializing in private tours, she works with some of the most exclusive hotels in the city. Tour New York with the exact itinerary and activities you want. The perfect combination of context, impeccable history, humor and fun -- plus the latest news and insights.
My tours are 100% customizable and personal.
Just like having a best friend in the business! Read More
Dennis Onorato Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Jeremy Wilcox I specialize in small-group walking tours, especially for those who are looking for something off the beaten path. I aim to provide something more personal and fun than the traditional group tours. My 5-star ratings on multiple platforms speak for themselves. 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
Minna Scharff Born in Brooklyn, a soccer mom in Greenwich Village (no minivan, just the "3" and "F" trains) and now a tour guide that explores everything old and new in her native city.  A social worker by profession and licensed New York City tour guide of 12 years. Has experience doing everything from… Read More
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
GANYC Certified Guide Jonathan Turer Visitors say my tours are “witty” “fun” “informative” and “fascinating.” And this: “For 5 1/2 hours we did not want to miss a thing he said and more importantly, neither did our two teenagers. Now that is a feat!” and “My wife was born and raised in NYC and ... even she learned a whole bunch about… Read More
Alessia Nencioni Hello everybody, my name is Alessia Nencioni I'm from Florence, Italy and I came here 15 years ago as tourist myself and then fell in love with this vibrant city (and not only the city ...)  and decided to stay. I fell in love also with the amazing architecture, I'm very passionate about Art… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Kevin Wilkinson New York can be a hectic place! Imagine how much easier it can be with your own private tour guide.   I am friendly, reliable and KNOWLEDGEABLE. I know this city inside and out, and I love to tell stories.   I offer a variety of services. Walking Tours - I have several amazing routes… 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
Karen Brueckner My background in customer service, travel and education has motivated and inspired me to become a tour guide. New York is where I was born, where I feel most alive and connected with the world. When you walk with me, you will feel energized by not only the narrative but with stops along the way to… Read More
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