Upper West Side: Your Guide to Understanding NYC

We had a wonderful time on our tour with Mike. The tour contained an interesting mixture of history and modern achievements. Mike was very kind and displayed his knowledge of urban areas and his love for NYC! Overall it was a great experience and would recommend this trip to anyone to get a glimpse into the life and history of NYC.

Was a good time! Mike was very friendly and knew a lot about the history of the places he showed us. He made sure to personalize the experience a bit based on our specific interests. He always arrived on time(if not earlier) and offered to take pictures too. I would recommend!

Thanks to Mike giving us a spot into New York live in Upper Westside. The stories about this area, about the neighbourhood and all it's wonderful spirit impressed us very much. We enjoed this time very much. His explanatiions about the architecture, how everything was thought through before it was done, whether if it was introducing electricity to the public or if it was how to move people from the brownstones to apartments. We really loved how he explained the way people in new york live or how much thought they put into simple things. Also his explanations about the imigrants and theorie movements were top to understand NY. All his practical tips (we tried to use them today), the stories behind, were great. We also loved the typical new Yorker bagle and the cookies. Of course also the new Yorker hot dog and the supermarkets we've been in. So those were our favorites, but all in all we liked the whole tour and the whole day we've spent together so it is hard to pick a favorite from all of it. Thanks for this amazing guiding!😃

My wife planned this tour as part of her Dad’s 90th Birthday weekend celebration. Since he was born in the Upper West Side she thought that it would be fun to take a 3 hour tour. TBH… my first thought was “a 3 plus hour tour!?!… hmmm “ and then I hoped it didn’t involve a boat called the SS Minnow 🚤…! To get to the point… the tour exceeded all expectations and was the highlight of the weekend! I highly recommend taking this or any of Mike’s tours. The tour was a wonderful mix of learning about what’s here now and also how things came to be what they are. The people, the buildings, the cultures and the economic forces that shaped it all. And everything is presented in an entertaining and engaging manner. Never overly detailed or overly simplistic. Plus… lots of great food! I hope to take future tours on future trips! Thanks again Mike !

At the end of March, Mike gave us a tour of the Upper West Side — and I have to say, it was absolutely amazing! His approach and dedication truly impressed us. He shared not only his knowledge but also personal stories, which gave us a much deeper understanding of the city and its people. He showed us how to really see New York, took us for some delicious bagels and incredible hot dogs. It was our first time in the city, and all three of us — my husband, our one-year-old child, and I — were absolutely thrilled. Mike was such an engaged and caring guide, not just during the tour but even afterwards. He checked in on us, asked how we were doing, and helped us find great spots for food. It was fantastic! Thanks again, Mike!

Mike is an excellent host, he is a great connoisseur of New York history, he gave us in detail how society was formed and how people lived. I show us the traditional places to eat what the local people enjoy eating. It was super!!! Best of all was his punctuality and great willingness to make us feel at ease and enjoy the ride and his knowledge. It is highly recommended Thank you very much Mike, we hope to see you again soon 😊

The experience with Mike was extraordinary. It took us to get to know residential areas, not so popular for tourists, but that are full of history, and that are indispensable to understand New York City. We were delighted with wonderful markets and specialty shops. An experience not only full of learning, but also delicious food. Mike's bagel recommendation, it was amazing. Mike, he's an extremely nice person. He was making sure we understood, showing his real passion for explaining the history of New York City. His enthusiasm, in explaining things got infected and made everything a fantastic experience. Do not hesitate for a second to take a tour with him. I promise you won't regret it. With people like Mike, it makes me want to get back to New York City soon.

The tour with Mike was amazing! He is a true expert in the city’s history and culture. Each stop on the tour was like a history lesson, with details about the neighborhoods, buildings, and people who helped shape New York over the years. I learned about the evolution of New York architecture, and lesser-known stories that made the area even more captivating. He was very attentive and always open to questions. The pace was perfect, giving us enough time to explore each location and absorb the stories without feeling rushed. I highly recommend this guide to anyone who wants to dive deep into New York’s history in an authentic way. Made my visit to New York even more special!

Mike was hands down the best tour guide I’ve ever had! We spent the entire morning exploring the Upper West Side of NYC, and it was an unforgettable experience. The tour was packed with fascinating facts about the city’s history, focusing on Manhattan, the neighborhood, its stunning architecture, and so much more. We visited the main filming location of *Only Murders in the Building* along with countless other beautiful landmarks in the area. To top it all off, we got to sample some incredible local treats, including authentic bagels, one of the best hot dogs I’ve ever had, and the famous Levain cookies that are all over Instagram. I could go on and on about how amazing the tour was, but honestly, it’s something you have to experience for yourself. I wholeheartedly recommend Mike’s walking tour—it’s an absolute must!

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We did an incredibly great tour with Mike on the Upper West Side. Mike inspired us with his knowledge of New York. From architecture to film and series locations as well as delicious bagels at the start and hot dogs for lunch, an all-round successful day. Mike knows a lot about the city, its history and development. He also told us a lot about the Jewish community and showed great shops. He took a lot of time for us and we had a lot of fun together. He also knows real insider tips, such as the Apple Bank. You really get to know New York as a place to live, away from the well-known tourist spots. Finally Mike gave us tips for Central Park so that we could move on on on our own. We have completely different impressions now, learned a lot and a different understanding of the city. We can only recommend the tour to everyone.