Cary’s grandparents came to the United States from Russia and Italy, starting out in the tenements of the early 20th century and finding much success in their newly adopted country. Guests have long marveled at Cary’s educational, entertaining and insightful delivery of his vast memory of New York’s history, his uncanny anecdotes of old New York, and the celebrities he has known and loved. He bonds with guests right away, and they leave feeling like they’ve made a lifelong New York friend.
Cary is the consummate professional tour guide. He is a member of The Guides Association of New York, The World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, and the International Association of Tour Directors & Guides.
Available Tours
Relive the golden days of Harlem. Learn how (and why) it all started!
Visit the Abyssinian Baptist Church (once the largest Baptist congregation in the world) and several others where people flock on Sunday to hear Gospel.
See where the old nightclubs once stood, including the famous Cotton Club (where the gangsters and celebrities were in charge). Visit the haven that gave birth to the legendary Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Lena Horne and so many more.
Visit the spectacular Apollo Theater, home of “Amateur Night” that gave opportunity to James Brown, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., and the innovative Nicholas Brothers.
Learn where to get the best soul food in Harlem. Strong photo ops and Q&A sessions. You’ll be amazed at what you see, hear, feel and learn.
All of our tours are LGBT and Senior friendly. Let us know in advance of any special needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
At the end of the tour, you will have the option of joining your guide for a one-of-a-kind meal at an authentic Harlem restaurant you’ll never forget. Please note that the cost of your meal is not included as part of the tour.
September 11th, 2001 – a day that will live forever in our memories.
Visit the spot where it all took place and learn about the events of 9/11 from your tour guide who witnessed it all — from the planes crashing into the towers, to the aftermath, and the incredible effort to rebuild.
Tour Ground Zero, the former site of the Twin Towers, and learn about the fateful events of that day.
Learn about the surrounding locations that were destroyed, as well as those that were miraculously spared, and hear what life was like for the first responders & salvage workers on the scene.
See St. Paul’s Chapel, with its own storied history dating back to before the revolutionary war, which became a relief center for rescue & recovery efforts after 9/11.
Visit the 9/11 museum and 9/11 Memorial, as you’ve probably seen on television for the reading of the names on each anniversary.
All of our tours are LGBT and Senior friendly. Let us know in advance of any special needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
At the end of the tour, you have the option of visiting the new World Trade Center and One World Observatory on the 104th floor, including a one-of-a-kind photo op. The cost of this add-on is not included as part of the tour.
There’s no business like show business, and your tour guide knows his show business! A second-generation New Yorker and third-generation showman, Cary Gibbs will show you where this business got its start. Visit the original Broadway, known since the early 20th century as the Great White Way, and find out how it came to be called that.
See original venues from the heyday of American theater and live music, such as the famous Ziegfeld Follies, Minsky’s Burlesque, the site of the former Latin Quarter, and the Paramount (where Frank Sinatra got his start and home to Harry James, Benny Goodman, Martin & Lewis, Tony Bennett and others).
Visit the old radio studios where Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Rudy Vallee once ruled the radio waves, and the iconic Radio City Music Hall, home to New York City’s legendary Rockettes.
You’ll also see the famous hotel where celebrities such as Elvis Presley, Cary Grant, and members of the Beatles made their New York homes.
All of our tours are LGBT and Senior friendly. Let us know in advance of any special needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
On this tour, you will experience the New York City underworld of the past.
We will start in Little Italy and see the sites of many former social clubs where mafiosos dined and drank, sit-downs were held, and plans were hatched. See the former Ravenite Social Club where the Teflon Don John Gotti met with his crew. See the location of the infamous Five Points neighborhood, the setting of the movie “Gangs of New York”. Explore the Lower East Side, formerly ruled by mob boss Bugsy Siegel and the notorious Meyer Lansky.
See where Lucky Luciano had his morning coffee and pastry as he ruled La Cosa Nostra with an iron fist. Visit spots where parts of the classic film “The Godfather” were filmed on-location.
In Tompkins Square Park, you’ll learn about General Slocum and the tragedy that changed the flavor of the East Village forever. From your expert tour guide, you’ll learn how the Mafia got its start in New York City as “La Mano Nera” or the black hand, migrated from Sicily, and how these original gangsters made their money and lived their lives.
All of our tours are LGBT and Senior friendly. Let us know in advance of any special needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
At the end of the tour, you have the option of joining your guide for a meal at an authentic restaurant in Little Italy where famous mob figures ate, drank, and discussed business, including who might be next to get whacked! The cost of your meal is not included as part of the tour.
Everybody knows that Central Park is a New York legend and landmark.
But do you know why Central Park was founded, who built it, what was there before?
You’ll learn all of this and visit famous places like Belvedere Castle, the Central Park Zoo, Strawberry Fields monument to John Lennon, Tavern on the Green (where the movie stars dine).
But there are places most people have never heard of: Bethesda Lake and Fountain, where many early silent movies were made; The Loeb Boathouse and Restaurant; the Conservatory Garden (modeled after the gardens at Versailles) and so much more!
You’ll also visit the Dakota, where Yoko Ono still resides and where John Lennon was ambushed and shot. There’s so much hiding in plain sight… at the end of this two hour tour, you’ll know more about Central Park than most New Yorkers!
All of our tours are LGBT and Senior friendly. Let us know in advance of any special needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Visit Washington Heights, where Lin Manuel Miranda grew up and developed his ideas for his Broadway shows, the movie, and so much more.
You’ll visit the locations where the movie was shot and you’ll learn the history of this unique section of Manhattan.
See the famous Highbridge Pool, the oldest bridge in upper Manhattan (dating back to the Revolutionary War!) and so many photo ops, you’ll love it!
All of our tours are LGBT and Senior friendly. Let us know in advance of any special needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
The City is trying to rename this area “Midtown West” but to real New Yorkers, it will always be Hell’s Kitchen.
Walk through time and watch the transformation from crime, booze and broads to one of New York’s most trendy and fun neighborhoods.
Learn how it all started and how Hell’s Kitchen got its name, where the Westies ruled with violence, where drugs and prostitution flourished.
We will end the tour at one of Hell’s Kitchen’s oldest bars, dating back to Prohibition, where $3 pints of beer, cheap shots and free hot dogs are still available. Or, choose the famous Hell’s Kitchen Greek Bakery for memorable coffee and pastries (additional cost for either location).
All of our tours are LGBT and Senior friendly. Let us know in advance of any special needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Many photo ops and strong Q&A session included. We promise this will be a highlight of your visit to New York.
Book a cruise out of New York on Norwegian Cruise Lines (minimum 6 cabins) and Cary will come along as your personal tour guide.
No charge!