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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Dennis Onorato Read More
Bob Read More
Peter Cohen I am a native New Yorker with Brooklyn roots. 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
Brad Fraver Brad Fraver teaches English at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, in New York City. He has a PhD in English education from Teachers College, Columbia University. In addition to teaching full-time for almost two decades, Brad publishes in the field of English education and also enjoys long-distance running, listening to live jazz, singing tenor in a community choir, and leading historical walking tours. Read More
Slava Shpigel I love New York and I love to show it off. My guiding style will fit best the curious and the passionate visitors who are not afraid to ask questions. Most of all in my job I love going into oratorial rabbit holes with a guest while discussing a historical trend and standing in front of a curious building/plaque/artefact/work of art. Read More
Allison Rihn I love to show less often seen parts of NYC to people. II specifically like sharing the history and beauty of upper Manhattan. l immerse people into the city by showing them both the pretty and the gritty. The well known sites, as well as the secret ones often hidden in plain sight. I am also a certified Pilates instructor and integrate pilates and tours together creating fun new ways to see the city! Read More
Andy McNeil My name is Andy McNeil and I've lived in NYC for the past 13 years. I've always been fascinated with the history of the city and showing friends and family around so I figured not why make it official and become a licensed NYC tour guide. I'm looking forward to learning more about the city I love and sharing my experiences with new friends. Read More
Matthew Cummings Hi, I'm Matthew Cummings. New York City is my hometown and I've always loved it!  New York is endlessly fascinating. I'll take you to and through all the major sights of the city, as well as the less known but no less interesting ones, and tell you true, amazing stories about our… 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
Michael Agovino My name is Michael Agovino and I am a native Bronxite transplanted into the wonderful world of Queens. I am a NYC DOE teacher and in love with New York City's colorful history. I am an avid genealogist, learner, and micro-historian. I believe that learning about the "every-day" people of our city… 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
Laurene Hamilton After studying economics in France and art history in Spain, I worked in business in Switzerland — before moving to New York City, where I found a new calling: guiding people through the city's stories.At heart, I'm a professional storyteller, passionate about history and theater. My tours aren't… Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Ricky Russo Ricky Russo was born in Trieste (Italy) in 1973 and has lived in New York since 2013. He is a tour guide, DJ, music journalist and historian, creator of radio and TV programs and musical event organizer (from the Peggy Guggenheim Museum to concerts of Italian artists in New York.) He holds a degree… 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
GANYC Certified Guide Rita DeCassia I was born in Rio de Janeiro, and moved to New York City as a young woman, but I can say that I truly grew up here. Because of my fluency in many languages, friends encouraged me to become a tourist guide. Which opened an ongoing life of discoveries. And I love to share the complexities of our… 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
Jonathan H. Mishal Highly skilled tour guide with 25 years of experience.

Originally from Chicago, working and living in NYC.
Leading New York City art Walks and Urban Adventures since 2017.

Fluent in Hebrew and English Read More
Marie Rousseau I was born and raised in Paris, France and I've been living in New York since 2007. I have a MA in both History and Political Science from University of Paris-La Sorbonne. After graduation, she decided to live my dream and moved to New York City to work at NYU’s Institute of French Studies and for… Read More
Eric Ramos Rodríguez Eric Ramos, a licensed sightseeing tour guide of the City of New York and founder of Big Apple Walks has over 20 years of experience in the fields of art and design. He studied architecture and urban planning at the University of Puerto Rico and at the Pratt Institute in New York. To his… Read More
Liz Young Join these New York City walking tour excursions focusing on culture, history, eco-tourism, and all things food and drink! A Westsider, Liz focuses on Hell's Kitchen, Midtown Manhattan, and Chelsea. She ran restaurants, led the world's largest avocational cooking division, and later was Managing Editor of a peer-reviewed nutrition journal. She is a culinary school graduate and holds an MA in Food Studies and Food Management.
Venmo | @LizYoung578 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
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
Patricia Richards I am a walking tour guide in New York City. I specialize in Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tours as well as filming locations of HBO's series SUCCESSION! I offer private tours and small group public tours in English. Read More
Tony Di Sante Tony has been a licensed guide since 1998. In January 2002, he began working with New York City Vacation Packages to build the first ever tour of the World Trade Center site (Ground Zero). For this reason, it makes him the foremost tour guide on September 11 and what has, is and will be happening… Read More
Phil Desiere Let my tours put the Big Apple at your feet! Read More
Manuela Biondi Buongiorno a tutti! Sono architetto, interior designer e guida autorizzata qui a New York City. Il mio amore per questa incredibile città si vede in ognuno dei miei tour. Non vedo l’ora di condividere la passione che ho per New York City con voi, accompagnandovi in giro alla scoperta di ogni angolo… Read More
Eileen Gunn Eileen is a native New Yorker, world-traveler and travel writer turned tour guide. She has explored the city as a child, teen, single adult, as part of a couple and as a parent to a city-loving kid. She understands what parts of the city appeal to these varied audiences. She co-owns She Walks NYC Tours, a walking tour company that introduces fun, lesser-known parts of the city to women of all ages, starting with Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Read More
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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Oceane Dutcher Born on a French island in the Pacific Ocean, I moved to New York City 11 years ago to study acting. I quickly fell in love with the city's incredible energy, diversity, and stories, and I wanted to share that passion with French-speaking visitors from around the world.Today, I lead guided tours in… 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
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
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
Dave Gardner I am a fully-licensed tour guide in New York City.  I'm a speaker on the double-decker tour buses, the boats, and on foot. I am fluent in any general New York tour.  I am also the publisher of our tour-guide newsletter, GuideLines.My personal niche is that I run a Titanic-themed Walking… Read More
John Hanke I’m a retired civil engineer who spent over 25 years designing and inspecting structures—including many of NYC’s major bridges and tunnels. My love for the city led me to become a licensed tour guide in 2019, and I’ve been sharing its stories ever since!

I’m also an art lover and a regular at NYC’s museums and galleries. My home away from home is The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where I lead tours for Walks, LLC.

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Sara Lyons I love my city for a living, and there's always more to love! Read More
Fred Pflantzer NY See Tours is a NY City tour agency that has been joyfully conducting guided tours since 2010. NY See is a trusted and well-reviewed tour agency providing unforgettable NY experiences for groups, individuals, couples, families, and friends. Fred Pflantzer, the proprietor of NY See Tours, is a… Read More
Liam Strain Liam Strain is a native New Yorker with over 30 years of experience interpreting the history of New York City for the public, first guiding visitors at and then managing historic sites. He is the owner & operator of The Streets Where It Happened Walking Tours, specializing solely on guided walking tours of New York City during the American Revolution era.
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Susanne Wieneke I moved to New York City 27 years ago, without plans to stay, but was so intrigued by the City, that I was unable to leave. As I felt compelled to share my enthusiasm about this fascinating city with others, I passed the NYC sightseeing guide exam in 2001. Upon starting to give tours years ago, I… Read More
Myra Alperson I sometimes describe myself as a "professional amateur." An amateur is someone who truly LOVES what she does. And that's the story of my life as a food tour guide in NYC. Since 1983 I've been leading unusual, cutting-edge food tours. I go to many neighborhoods that no other food tours go to. Since… Read More