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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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. 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
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
Lyall Croft Lyall’s love for history is a lifelong pursuit and his research while writing tours is extensive. A Tour Guide for fifteen years, Lyall’s experience in tourism blossomed from being the owner of Boston Bike Tours (1999 to 2011), pioneering the bicycle tour industry in Boston. His tours are based on… 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
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
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
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
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
GANYC Certified Guide Robin Garr GANYC Certified and experienced in leading tours on a wide range of topics and passionate about New York City! History, art, architecture, natural history, sports, anywhere in the five boroughs. 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
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. 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
Marta Cooper Read More
GANYC Certified Guide Kitt Garrett Kitt Garrett, Founder and CEO of Kitt Garrett & AssociatesLecturer and JournalistExperience New York in an Intriguing New Way Fascinating Talks and Walks For Locals and Visitors with Kitt Garrett. Experience New York in comfort and see more than you would walking around on your own. … 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
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 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
Megan Marod Helping you get your very best NYC experience. Read More
Marc Landman My name is Marc and I am a Jets fan. I began giving sightseeing tours of all five boroughs in 1979. Since that time I conduct an excellent bus highlight tour of Manhattan. Also, I conduct localized walking tours and sometimes via the Subway.
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John Comerford 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
Heidi Zsa Zsa Benedikt I decided to become a licensed tour guide after the attacks of Sept 11, 2001. Strange to say I have the greatest job from the worst day in New Yorks history.  Read More
Peter Cohen I am a native New Yorker with Brooklyn roots. 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
Ben Wagenberg Sesame, poppy, garlic, whole wheat, everything! New York’s bagel varieties are as distinct as its neighborhoods, which is why each Ben’s Bagel Walking Tour starts off with a fresh New York bagel! Led by Ben Wagenberg, dubbed “The Bagel Expert,” each tour offers Ben’s unique perspective into the nooks and crannies of NYC’s famed foods, landmarks and neighborhoods. 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
Debbie Wells Debbie Wells, President of Artful Buzz brings the NYC art world, including art galleries, museums, artist studios, art organizations, etc) directly to you with her engaging and enthusiastic style! You get the insider's perspective from a native New Yorker who has been an art and design professional for years. Also check out www.artfulbuzz.com to register for her free e-newsletter, Artful Morning Brew filled with original commentary and more! 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