Thank you all for a wonderful and productive 2025 for GANYC, and we look forward to serving the guiding community in 2026! 🎉

Ann McDermott’s FAM tour in Prospect Park centered around the The Battle of Brooklyn, in August 1776. As America celebrates 250 years of independence next year, we look forward to more great tours recognizing New York’s role in the revolution! 🇺🇸

Merriwether Williams led members on a Central Park film tour. She shares two captivating behind-the-scenes stories about the movies filmed at each spot. The twist: one story is completely true, while the other is cleverly fabricated movie “mumbo jumbo.” Each guest's mission? Spot the nonsense.

Jeremy Wilcox led his fellow GANYC members on his annual Dyker Heights FAM to explore the best of the Christmas lights extravaganza that brings thousands of visitors a night to this residential neighborhood in southern Brooklyn. 🎅🏼🎄 Thanks to all who joined the tour. (photos by Kat Scaglione)

GANYC held elections among its membership for the 2026-2027 Executive Board. Winners— President: Michael Morgenthal Vice Presidents: Katherine Hill & Rosemary Shmavonian Treasurer: Sara Lyons Secretaries: Daria Walcott & Jose Raudales Members-at-Large: Cherie Davis, Gary Dennis, Christina Hansen

The December 2025 GANYC membership meeting took place at the Aloft Hotel - Long Island City. Or guest speaker was Stephanie Azzarone. She presented her newly released book, "Fabulous Fountains of New York." Video on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB_i...

John Semlak offered a unique familiarization (FAM) tour this week: “New York in Old Photographs: Mathew Brady and beginnings of photography in the Big Apple”. 📸 The tour traced the early history of photography in New York.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Guides Association of NYC! 🦃 🗽

Daria Walcott led a new tour for fellow members the other day: "Grand Palaces of Retail: Ladies’ Mile & The Fascinating History of NYC’s Gilded Age Department Stores, 1846-1910". The tour explored the Gilded Age history of department stores, their jaw-dropping architecture, & more.

The four most recent GANYC presidents at the IATDG Tour Connect 2025 conference in Maryland last week! The International Association of Tour Directors and Guides (IATDG) is the professional organization for trained and experienced tour directors worldwide.

GANYC member Joseph Pizzingrillo led a FAM tour this weekend: “7 Train - The Ultimate Authentic NYC Experience” 🚇 The tour used this subway line to explore several NYC areas, mixing historic areas in with some of the city’s biggest new developments.

GANYC is at the National Tour Association (NTA) Travel Exchange event in Ottawa! 🇨🇦 Travel Exchange brings together packaged travel professionals from all over North America and around the world. We are being represented there by GANYC Board member Cherie Davis.

The November 2025 GANYC membership meeting took place at: The Theater Center, in the Anne L. Bernstein Theater. The bulk of the meeting was dedicated to statements from candidates for the upcoming GANYC Executive Board elections. Video on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB6E...

GANYC traveled to Hart Island, just off the Bronx. The remains of more than one million people are buried here. Burials on Hart Island include individuals who were not claimed by their families or did not have private funerals; the homeless and the indigent; and mass burials of disease victims.

GANYC member Suzanne Reisman's detailed tour on the history of garbage and rats in New York has received lots of coverage, this time from CBS. Congrats to her on finding this success! You can watch the full segment on Instagram: www.instagram.com/reel/DQW-pNP...

GANYC President Michael Morgenthal led an encore of his "Stop The Presses!" tour for members, about the history of newspapers in New York. The tour looks at how the history of the city can be seen through its press (predating even the United States), how NYC papers came to shape the world.

Joe Svehlak did one of his "I Remember Lower Manhattan" FAM tours earlier this week. Joe started working downtown in 1956, and also shared family stories from the early 1900s when this family immigrated from Moravia, and at one point lived in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Andrew Neuman led a tour for his fellow GANYC members: "Gin, Jazz and the Golden Era of New York’s Nightlife". This history walk celebrated the city's golden age of nightclubs, hotel bars, saloons, jazz and cocktails - from the swanky exclusive nightspots and beyond.

GANYC members are offering a series of free walking tours to the public on Saturday, October 25, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of New York City. Registration is required. Here is the list of tours: www.ganyc.org/blog/free-to...

GANYC member Asad Dandia is featured in a new article in The Nation magazine. You can find the link in his post:

The October GANYC monthly membership meeting was held at the John Street United Methodist Church, in lower Manhattan. Our guest speaker was Reverend Stephanie L. Bennett. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCbX...

Jason Stein led a unique FAM tour, centered around two bridges... the University Heights Bridge and the Broadway Bridge, connecting upper Manhattan to the Bronx. This corner of NYC has hundreds of years of lesser-known history to discover.

Ann McDermott led fellow members on a FAM tour stroll through historic Prospect Park. In the final part of the tour, members saw parts of the historic Park Slope neighborhood, including a few key local institutions.

This Summer, Joe Svehlak delivered a tour about the Lower West Side and Little Syria... two lost neighborhoods just south of where the World Trade Center now stands. This video compiles the highlights of this tour in 45 minutes. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psje...

Joe Svehlak gave the latest installment of his Lower Manhattan FAM tours... this one covering from Foley Square down to Maiden Lane.

Guide Andrew Kirschner gave members a tour of Greenwich Village yesterday. The tour focused on the impact of historic people and events from the 1620s to the 1960s, and the events that helped shaped our culture. Thanks to all who came out on a lovely September day!

GANYC members had a great day trip earlier this week to Long Island's Gold Coast. We visited the Sands Point Preserve, with a tour of Hempstead House, a 50,000 sq ft Gilded Age mansion, built for Howard Gould and completed for Daniel Guggenheim in 1912. The property includes Castle Gould as well.

GANYC member Asad Dandia ( @asadfromnyc.bsky.social ) is profiled in City Limits, on telling the stories of New York’s past, and helping shape its future. citylimits.org/take-a-walk-...

GANYC members had a unique visit to the historical Lott House, in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn. It is an incredible remnant of the Dutch colonial era, appropriate as New York celebrates its 400th anniversary this year, dating back to the settlement of New Amsterdam.

GANYC members gathered yesterday evening on Pier 53 (Gansevoort Peninsula) for a casual networking get-together. We regularly hold events like this to help new and old members alike connect in person. Thanks to all who came out!

GANYC President Michael Morgenthal led a FAM tour for members yesterday, about Klein Deutschland. From the middle of the 19th Century, to the early 20th Century, Manhattan’s Lower East Side and East Village was a thriving German community, the 3rd largest German speaking enclave in the world.

GANYC is currently operating the latest version of its Certification Course. This course is offered annually to members to go beyond the knowledge-based city licensing exam, and to hone skills Yesterday, at the course halfway point, there was a walking tour practicum held around midtown Manhattan.

GANYC held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday at the Museum of the Moving Image. At the AGM, the President recaps members on the past year, and outlines the association's vision for the year ahead. Each of GANYC's volunteer Committees then present. Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtXE...

It was a genuine shame to see the city largely drop the ball on this historic anniversary. The Guides Association has been celebrating it all year with special tours offered by our members, and social media promotions. Another reason why GANYC is a go-to source for NYC tourism leadership.

GANYC President Michael Morgenthal led his "Stop The Presses!" tour for members, about the history of newspapers in New York. These tours provide our members with great networking and educational opportunities. Many more coming for members in the next month!

A lovely tribute to Hal Weiner, an activist and longtime GANYC member, who passed away last month. gaycitynews.com/hal-weiner-a... We send our thoughts to his family & friends on this recent loss.

GANYC recently began the latest round of its Certification Program. We created this course to enhance and certify skills beyond mere licensing requirements (skill versus knowledge). The 2-month course covers storytelling skills, customer service, logistics, & the creation of a unique tour product.

GANYC member Ayinde “AJ” Stevens is featured in this Condé Nast Travel piece about Gilded Age tours. Professional guides help bring every aspect of our city’s past and present to life! www.cntraveler.com/story/upper-...

GANYC member Jane August is featured in the Associated Press for her ambitious efforts to visit, and document, every museum in New York City. She's visited about 136 since 2021, with 64 still to go. You can read about her journeys here: apnews.com/article/ever...

The August 2025 GANYC monthly membership meeting took place at Luna Park, on Coney Island. This is an annual Summer tradition for GANYC. Our guest speaker was Barry Joseph, of the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum, and author of "Seltzertopia”. Video is on our YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrXs...

GANYC member Joseph Pizzingrillo led a FAM tour last week around the "Real Little Italy"... Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Nearby other attractions such as the Bronx Zoo and NY Botanical Garden, the Belmont neighborhood remains a favorite for its unique history and culture and shops.

Join GANYC members Tony Di Sante and Sara Lyons for a night of songs of songs about the greatest city in the world! Profits from the show will all be given to GANYC's ongoing multi-anniversary celebration efforts. 🎤 🗽 Reserve your spot with this link: shows.donttellmamanyc.com/9313-undersc...

GANYC members had another visit to the Empire State Building yesterday, including its amazing observation decks. We thank the ESB staff for their hospitality. This 94 year old landmark remains one of the most famous and visited buildings in the world.

Kevin Fitzpatrick gave GANYC members a tour of Governors Island for the 22nd anniversary of it being open to the public. The recorded history dates to the 17th-century. From its centuries as a US Army base and then a Coast Guard installation, to its 21st-century life as a recreational destination.

Longtime GANYC member Joe Svehlak gave his first FAM tour in over 4 years the other day: "I Remember Downtown Manhattan's Lower West Side".

GANYC members had a great visit the other day to the Empire State Building. Members visited the 80th Floor, 86th Floor Observatory, and the 102nd Floor. But before that, members were given a guided tour of the 2nd floor exhibits that are a modern addition to the Observatory experience.

Brad Fraver gave fellow members a unique tour yesterday, centered around Joan Didion's New York. Didion called the Upper East Side home most of her life. On the tour, the group scouted out her former homes and haunts while exploring their connections to specific passages from her writing.

GANYC guide Suzanne Reisman gave fellow members an encore of her popular “Garbage and Rats” FAM tour. 🐀 🗑️ The lower Manhattan tour covers the history of the rat populations in NYC, the history of sanitation in the city, and how the city combats rodents.

The July 2025 GANYC monthly membership meeting was held at the State Bar & Grill, at the Empire State Building (where many members stayed for drinks afterwards!). We also had the President's Report, and heard from several Committees. Video is on our YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7gZ...

A record hot June day was not enough to deter GANYC guides from their work! Jeremy Wilcox led fellow members on a tour around historic Flatbush, in central Brooklyn. This area has hundreds of years of unique history to explore. But its most beautiful treasure is the Victorian Flatbush subsection.