The best introduction to any city is an enthusiastic local who loves the place. Visitors to New York city are lucky: New York is so big, so famous, so busy; yet Gotham City has 400 volunteers ready to personally show you their favorite town.
The name to remember is Big Apple Greeter: a non-profit organization that's offered this free service in "The Big Apple" for 12 years. Visitors are matched with volunteers who show them famous NY sights or unique neighborhoods, usually for 2 to 4 hours.
If you're interested in Coney Island, SoHo, art museums, or Harlem history, there's a volunteer who's right for you. And if you're traveling with kids, your perfect match may be John Borders*, who's squired around families from 28 countries and 45 states.
What's it like being Greeted?
With my 13-year-old son, I joined John as he met the Guyatts, a family of three from England. (Normally, John would take only one family; a Greet is a one-on-one outing, and not a group tour.)
Our first foray: a lesson in using New York's cheap, convenient subway; John also gives us MetroCards for riding all day. John is a great joker, and tells the Guyatts' teenage daughter that he always teaches the kids how to navigate the subway, because they're smarter than the parents. He's kidding. I think.
After the subway, we take the Staten Island ferry: a free ride that swings by Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, with great photo op's. Next is Battery Park and Wall Street. The gregarious John is full of historical facts and anecdotes; and later, at the World Trade Center, his personal comments make our visit to Ground Zero-- emotional for any visitor-- especially meaningful.
John is known for extra-long outings; when we took our leave, he and the Guyatts were on their way to the Upper East Side for lunch followed by a trip to Roosevelt Island, a small neighborhood reached from Manhattan by aerial tram. I'm sure they all had a terrific time.
What you need to know about Big Apple Greeters:
Where do I meet my Big Apple Greeter?
Your Greeter will meet you, right at your hotel.How do I sign up for Big Apple Greeters?
Easiest way is at the Big Apple Greeter web site; sign-up allows you to suggest several possible dates and to specify the ages of any children in your party. From one to six people (including children) can go on a Greet. The web site is available in English, French, German and Spanish. Phone number is: 212-669-8159. Try to sign up three weeks in advance; more lead time is better still.How much does it cost?
Zero. Remember, your greeter isn't a tour guide, but rather a new friend showing you around his/her town.Can I specify a particular interest?
Absolutely; the more you specify, the better the chance you'll be matched with a volunteer who shares your passions and interests. On the other hand, you can open the door to the unexpected by simply requesting "Greeters Choice".John Borders is no longer "Greeting" but many other great volunteers love to show families their town.
*photo copyright by Teresa Plowright 2003
