I became a licensed New York City tour guide in 1995. My career began on the open top of a double-decker Gray Line bus, introducing the city to some of the 28 million people who visited that year. I continued to roll out the welcome mat as the number of tourists grew year after year, topping off at over 66 million in 2019.
However, since the pandemic, tourism has imploded, disappearing almost overnight. With the city’s reliance on both national and international travelers, industry insiders are saying that tourism won’t bounce back completely until 2025.
It is hard to imagine New York without tourists; they are the lifeblood of the city. For 25 years I’ve had the joy and privilege of meeting them. I’m often with my groups 24 hours a day, singing along with them at Broadway shows, shopping for fashions in Nolita, and eating cannoli in Little Italy. We enjoy walking the High Line, admiring great works of art, and exploring the city’s history from Harlem to the Seaport District. I considered myself a self-appointed ambassador of the city, and, like a typical guide, I took the job seriously.
New York City’s Top Tourist Sites
I’ve been to the Statue of Liberty over 500 times, and although visiting her can get tedious (juggling everyone’s cell phones to take a million pictures), I get to see Lady Liberty through their eyes—a powerful symbol of freedom that often brings tears of joy. I always felt proud and honored to be present at such a meaningful moment in their lives. I’ve taken folks to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree every year for a quarter of a century, and each visit I still “oooh” and “ahhh” along with them.
I remember the awe I felt visiting this massive city for the first time in 1987. I was 17 years old and a senior from a North Florida high school when we took a school trip. The city crowds and pace were frightening at first, but our young, energetic tour guide navigated us through the city effortlessly. I was fascinated by the world-famous museums, Central Park, the Empire State Building, and even the downtrodden Times Square—maybe especially Times Square (this was before the redevelopment). I fell in love with it all—the grit, the grime, the smells, the subway. That trip had a profound impact on me; as a result of that visit, I vowed to move to the city as soon as possible.
Becoming a NYC Tour Guide
At age 23, after a year of studying and visiting every museum and NYC attraction, I registered to take the sightseeing guide license exam. I took the test on July 18, 1995, and I passed—barely. I still remember the questions that I missed: one about a local sports team (never cared) and one about the statue of Atlas at Rockefeller Center (it weighs seven tons, in case you were wondering). And did you know the East River is actually not a river but a salt-water estuary? Yeah, neither did I. But I passed and was now a licensed NYC tour guide. I was thrilled.
I worked for a few years refining my “patter” and style of narration. Soon I began working for student tour companies since many schools around the world consider NYC the ultimate field trip. I also worked for hotel concierge desks and began conducting specialized tours. I became the NYC shopping guru, taking crowds to sample sales in the Garment District and boutiques in SOHO, as well as vintage and thrift stores. I still marvel at the time I took a Russian oligarch’s wife on a three-million-dollar shopping spree at Bergdorf’s, and I still have the snakeskin clutch she gifted me to prove it.
Lower East Side Tour
I was a huge fan of the Sex and the City television series and had even worked as an extra in one of the episodes. I began offering a “SATC” tour as well. We would go and see “Carrie’s home” and “Steve’s bar” and several other iconic spots, all while sipping mimosas and wearing hot-pink boas on the bus.
The Lower East Side (LES) tour also became a specialty of mine. That neighborhood is funky and eclectic and has something for absolutely everyone. You like food? We’d do a tasting tour of their wonderful, unique restaurants and markets, such as the Essex Market, the Doughnut Plant, Guss’ Pickles, and Katz’s deli. You want fashion? This area is full of tiny boutiques with one-of-a-kind items where you’d return home with something truly original, amazing, and super cool.
Interested in history? This area boasts one of the richest, densest treasure troves of history in the entire city, culminating in one of the city’s best museums—the Tenement Museum. I never finished a tour of the Lower East Side without every tourist gushing with gratitude for showing them places they wouldn’t have found on their own. I’d smile and accept their accolades, but the secret of the tour’s success wasn’t really due to my skills as a tour guide; the LES is just that fabulous and sells itself.
New York After 9/11
I loved giving tours of the Financial District. When the September 11th attacks occurred, I had the unfortunate distinction of not only being a seasoned tour guide of the World Trade Center, but I also lived in the area, just six blocks away on Rector Street. I was home that morning, awakened by the impact of the first plane, and watched the second plane fly over our building in horror. However, I turned that life-changing experience and my firsthand account of that tragic day into an opportunity to educate the public. I became an expert 9/11 tour guide and offered weekly tours of the site. I also wrote a book about it to document my experience for future generations, as well as to provide a written form of my walking tour for those unable to travel and see for themselves.
I became proficient at giving Central Park tours. “Why would I need a tour guide to navigate a park?” I’d sometimes hear. I’d clear my throat and respond, “Because there’s 843 acres in this park. And a lot of interesting history. Don’t you want to know more about what you’re seeing?” If they needed further convincing, I’d step on a soapbox and rattle off some Central Park facts and figures. “There are eight bodies of water, 29 statues, 21 playgrounds, 36 bridges and tunnels, a zoo, 26 baseball fields, 12 tennis courts, six soccer fields, four basketball courts…” After each tour, I realized I loved the exercise and spending the day outdoors with tourists who quickly became friends. I’d often say to myself, “I can’t believe I do this for a living.”
I noticed if the tour went well, and we had fun, they would request me as their guide the next time they were in the city. To be prepared for these repeat customers, I began taking notes after each tour. I’d jot down their likes and dislikes, along with any quirky thing that happened on their tour that might jog my memory when I saw them again. With the evolution of social media, it was even easier to stay in touch after the tours.
At one point, I realized up to 75% of my “friends” on social media were people I’ve toured. One mother-daughter duo I took on a two-hour shopping tour a decade ago comments on almost every single picture I post, and they’re my biggest supporters. Students I toured years ago have invited me to their weddings; I’ve remained in touch with one particular student, Kate from Salem, Virginia, since 2007, and I’ve enjoyed watching her grow up.
Insider Tips from a New York City Tour Guide
As the years went by, and my love for the city grew, I became a “perpetual tourist.” I was always doing research. I constantly visited new eateries, new stores, new museums, new attractions as they opened. My curiosity was never sated—and I couldn’t wait to share what I found with my tour groups. When PS Kitchen opened in Times Square, I took all my groups there. Not only is the food delicious, but 100% of their profits support global charities. Puglia’s in Little Italy isn’t new, but it’s my “Cheers,” and I love exposing tourists to that neighborhood-bar feel. Every visitor to New York City should carve out time to hit Chelsea Market (peruse Chelsea Market Baskets for unique and clever gift items, grab a fish taco at Los Mariscos, and check out Artists & Fleas for cutting-edge designs while you’re there!).
I considered myself a self-appointed ambassador of the city. I felt so lucky, spending almost every day for 25 years doing something I loved. One of the biggest joys of the job came from the tourists themselves. I loved meeting so many different people from almost every country around the globe, every demographic, and every walk of life. Although we each have different cultures, ethnicities, languages, and religions, there are so many things we can all relate to: the thrill of going up to the top of Empire State Building, experiencing a Broadway show, and looking at a panoramic view of Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry.
COVID and Fallout on NYC Tourism
And then, 2020 happened. I contracted COVID mid-March, I believe, from someone on a tour. I was hospitalized twice and told I had a 50% chance of survival. While I struggled to live, tourism in NYC died. I watched helplessly as Broadway went dark, stores shuttered, and hotels closed. I slowly recovered, but tourism did not. Tourism is one of the largest and most lucrative NYC industries, supporting 400,000 workers and bringing in at least $46 billion annually. Job losses have affected every sector from hotels, restaurants, bars, and retail to bus companies, entertainment, and travel. Several of my fellow tour guides have left the city, simply because there isn’t any reason to stay. I left too.
Sure, I’m going to miss my apartment, my job, and my income. But what I’m really going to miss is every single one of the 70 million visitors projected to come in 2021. Maybe one of them was you. I’ll miss seeing you smile as we walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, or sigh as you bite into a hot slice of New York pizza. I’ll even miss taking your pictures at the Statue of Liberty (for the thousandth time).
I’m going to miss seeing the city through your eyes with that same childlike wonder I felt when I was 17. It might be 2025 until people feel safe enough to travel again. Nevertheless, I hope it’s much sooner. We want you to come back, and when you do, we will be waiting for you. We will get back on our buses, we will take your tickets, we will check your coats, and we will open the curtain once again.
The city isn’t the same without you. I’m not the same without you.
