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.
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…
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Hardy Phippen
Over 15 years of experience leading a wide variety of NYC tours, both general and specialized, for adults or students, organizations as well as individuals.
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Deborah Steigerwald
Welcome to exploring NYC. My name is Debbie and I am "The Happy Tour Guide", I design fun adventures that people love to go on! I have lived in NYC for 25 years and have a sincere love of travel and interacting with people from around the globe.
Marriott Vacation Club Activities…
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Matthew Apter
Since summer 2008 Matt has been giving guided tours of New York City to all kinds of audiences: school groups on private coaches, travelers from all over the world on Water Taxis and double-decker buses, and small groups and families by foot and subway. The one constant in all these tours: Matt’s…
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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…
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GANYC Certified Guide
Mark Anderson
An Architect restoring New York City landmark buildings for decades and now a Certified Guide, I love having the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for our city. Come on a fun tour with me, where we learn about architecture, materials and the people who continue to make New York City special.
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…
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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…
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Alfonso Pellegrino
Alfonso Pellegrino, Ph.D., is a licensed NYC Sightseeing Guide with over six years of international tour experience in Thailand, Italy, and Southeast Asia. As the founder of The Unusual Trip, he crafted unique and authentic itineraries. Fluent in English, Italian, and Thai, Alfonso offers personalized tours showcasing NYC’s rich history, hidden gems, and dynamic culture.
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Gloria Browne
Discover the best New York City has to offer. With more than 20 years of experience, I will work with you to maximize your time in New York and take you beyond the city that you already know.
I am fluent, and can offer assistance, in English, Italian (mother language) and German.
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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…
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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…
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GANYC Certified Guide
Joseph Salvatore Knipper
Look! It's a fashion-impaired hipster...No! It's a young Santa Claus! ...No! It's Joseph Salvatore Knipper!
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Matt Levy
Over 20 years in the travel and tourism industry.
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?
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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…
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Bob Rice
My family and I have been native New Yorkers for generations. New York is my playground. I love to experience its venues. What increases our enjoyment and appreciation is when we are in the company of those who are out to have fun while sharing each others energy.
My varied…
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Eric Thomas
Eric P. Thomas, tras una carrera de más de 35 años en la industria de viajes y turismo de EE. UU., ha desarrollado una reputación de experiencia en la programación de Visit USA. New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Niagara Falls, Boston, Eastern Canada.
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…
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Joan B Vaccari
Native New Yorker - resident of Queens County. Holds NYC & Co Enchanced Guide Certificate. Specializes in school groups and senior citizens with a special focus on Queens and select Manhattan locations such as Central Park, the Cloisters, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Ladies Mile area.
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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…
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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.
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Abby Ross
Abby Ross founded NYC Water Tower Tours to highlight the wonder of water towers.
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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.
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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.
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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!
Elke Vanhaecke
As an art historian and radio journalist, I am captivated by the power of sound to uncover hidden stories. Now, as a city guide, I bring this passion to life in the streets of New York.
Richard Sanford
Richard Sanford our Lingo Planet guide specializes in language immersion tours in The Big Apple...all by bicycle! Whether you want to practice your English, Spanish, Italian or Mandarin Chinese or are a native speaker of one of those languages you'll find a tour that is just right for you…
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GANYC Certified Guide
Pat Braun-Mazzucca
Although I was born in New York, my family moved to the Midwest where I lived for 12 years. Upon graduating college, I moved back to New York. This has given me the benefit of being able to view this dynamic city from a non-native’s perspective. After hearing stories from people who had visited New…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Sam Silverman
Founder of BagelFest, NYC Bagel Tours, and Brooklyn Bagel Blog
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Michael Zufolo
Michael is a born & bred New Yorker who loves the City and all that is has to offer. He's up on what's happening in the Big A twelve months a year. He can fill you in and offer you advice on where at what to do while you and your group see the sites.
Michael's tours include NYC Landmarks,…
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Joseph Landon
For Joe, leading tours and curating experiences is not just a job, but a way of life. He is dedicated to sharing his love and appreciation of New York City with others, and helping to preserve the city's unique history and culture for future generations to enjoy.