Robert was a wonderful guide! He showed us a side of the Village that we had never seen before. His stories and insights were very cool. Highly recommended!
Private tour in New York City Rob M
5.0
(30) reviews
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Rob M.
4.9
Guide rating
77
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Tours delivered
8 hrs
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My name is Rob and I am a native New Yorker with a great love for this city, both as a dynamic place to live and for its fascinating history. I've been a history buff of the city for as long as I can remember. I was already an explorer of New York as a young teenager, the beginning of a life long affair. I am a licensed private guide in New York City offering private tours of various parts of the city. My academic background is in the study of architecture and city planning. My professional background has largely been as a photojournalist and documentary filmmaker, as well as an author of books for children. The main thread of my career is as a storyteller, and that is what I actively bring to my guide work in New York, where there are many, many stories to tell. For instance, did you know that fishing - yes, that's right , fishing - can be excellent within city waters?! We are an island and coastal city, but no one thinks of New York City and fishing in the same thought, right? It surprised me enough to make a well -received documentary about that, called Gotham Fish Tales. I became a guide because I have always loved exploring, learning and talking about the city. I'm not content to simply recite facts. Absorbing stories of the people, events and forces of history which influenced the city's development come to life on my tours. It is not just about what happened here but why, and how that influences life in today's New York. Food is another of my abiding interests and this city has incredibly good food. It is also a place where much great food can be found at very affordable prices. Like anywhere else, you have to know where to go. I will either point out where to find great food or, if you like, I can conduct special tours which bring you to some of these places. My tours require light to moderate walking, as I believe you see and appreciate much more that way. If required, I can work with vehicles as well. I look forward to meeting you and sharing my appreciation of my home town. Licensed New York City Tour guide BA in Urban Studies/Architecture Professional photojournalist Documentary director and producer of Gotham Fish Tales - The Amazing Story of Fishing in New York City Author and photographer of 12 books for children
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Rob M.
Greenwich Village has been the artistic center of New York for a century, which is reason enough to visit. It's also one of the most architecturally intact 19th century districts you can find here. It is off the grid, with winding streets that ignore the street plan of Manhattan. Tree lined blocks abound with shops, restaurants and small parks. The history here is filled with noteworthy figures and movements that have, literally, shaped the country. The northern edge of "The Village", the meatpacking district, has transformed itself as an entirely different place of fashion and food, where the latest trends adorn shop windows and where high end restaurants occupy century old storefronts. We end the tour ascending the above ground High Line, arguably the most significant new park in the city since Central Park. It is a miraculous transformation of landscaping and design which has entirely transformed 25 blocks of the the far west side of Manhattan , and is simply a 'must see' when visiting New York.
Robert was a wonderful guide! He showed us a side of the Village that we had never seen before. His stories and insights were very cool. Highly recommended!
In May 2026, we had the honor of having Rob as our private tour guide for Greenwich Village, the Highline, and the meat-packing district. To say that Rob was fantastic is definitely an understatement! One thing that made the tour so perfect was that Rob made it fit our needs and interests. Plus, he gave us tips on best restaurants and other places to visit. He loves his city and knows it so well --- from an historical perspective to current day culture and issues. He has a wealth of knowledge, a personality that is so engaging, and a sense of humor that we truly enjoyed. Our tour was one of the best we have ever had!!! We hope to tour with him again the next time we are in the city. Such a delight!! Thank you, Rob!!
Really enjoyed our tour of the Village with Robert-- he's got lots of good local knowledge-- went at a pace that was comprehensive but now slow. Stopped for an epic coffee too.
We had an outstanding Saturday morning tour in Greenwich Village and Meatpacking District with Rob. He is a fantastic storyteller with deep expertise and knowledge about everything in NY from architecture to history and culture life in NY and beyond. After a tour with Rob you understand the city better than ever before! We will certainly come back!
Thank you very much to Rob for an amazing tour! As a family we've been to New York City many times, but have never taken the time to explore Greenwich Village. Rob is incredibly knowledgable about the area and the stories that come from the Village, like where Bob Dylan lived and worked to the architecture of the buildings. It's a comprehensive and incredibly interesting tour and we would highly recommend!
Rob was great! Very informative and talked off the cuff. We stopped to talk to residents which I very much enjoyed. 😊 Would definitely recommend! Thank you!
- Washington Square Park area - the is the spiritual; heart of Greenwich Village. It is always an active place - the food choices of MacDougal and Bleecker St - a great and tasty variety of choices - Bob Dylan's Village - how the folk revival movement in the 1960s was overtaken by the legendary musician - the story of Cafe Society - a forgotten but very important venue in the history of jazz in America - The Stonewall -the story of the birth of the gay rights movement in America - the 'Friends' building - where the world pleasing tv show took place - the transformation of the Meatpacking district - from dark and dangerous to high fashion - Whitney museum - the new home of one of the city's finest modern art museums - High Line ( south end) - the most important park in the city since Central Park *If you would like this tour for more than 5 people. please get in touch and we can make that arrangement.
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by foot
103 Waverly Place, New York, New York, 10011, United States
MacDougal St and Waverly Pl, Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/7kwSQXcPVjkLo1VV9
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