Private & Custom NYC Tours by a Local

I’m Nicky — a writer and East Village local with generations of family history in New York City. Join me on a bespoke, private tour to experience the city’s history, food, architecture, and culture like a local.

A one-of-a-kind NYC experience — designed around you.

Private City Experiences

Get introduced to New York, explore new neighborhoods with a local, or discover hidden gems on a custom tour. Experiences available by foot, subway, or private vehicle.

Curated Tours

Custom Itinerary Planning

I’ve hosted corporate events for Fortune 500 companies, honeymoons for couples with multi-day itineraries, and large school groups. Work with me to craft your dream visit.

Customize Your Tour

Why Nicky Tours?

When you book a Nicky Tour, you’re booking an experience with me, Nicky: a local, officially licensed tour guide with an intimate knowledge of New York City. Whether last minute or months in advance, I’ll work directly with you to craft a custom experience specifically tailored around your group, plus provide tips and recommendations for your entire stay.

Call me directly to start planning your dream NYC experience.

Call Nicky Now

Group of seven people standing together on a city sidewalk in front of a large building with electronic signs and arched windows, some wearing jackets and backpacks.

The interior of the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City, showing its vertical and horizontal neon signs with bright red, yellow, and blue lights, surrounded by tall modern skyscrapers.

Two women standing outside a pizza restaurant, one holding a slice of pizza on a white plate, both smiling and enjoying their meal.

A monument with a golden statue of a woman holding a torch, surrounded by trees and tall modern skyscrapers in the background.

A young man with brown hair, beard, and light gray Carhartt sweatshirt pointing towards the Washington Square Arch in New York City with the Empire State Building visible in the background.

Stone lion statue in front of the New York Public Library building in Manhattan, New York City.

A park with leafless trees and a calm river, with rocks along the shore and a path on the right side, on an overcast day.

Grand central station interior with large windows, high green ceiling with constellation artwork, and a crowd of people walking on the marble floor.

Cityscape with tall skyscrapers and a cloudy sky, including a building with a flag on top.

The exterior of a restaurant with a sign reading 'RESTAURANT Superiority Burger'. Additional signs mention gelato, beans, focaccia, and sometimes. Neon signs inside the window display an Italian menu, including 'La Grotta' and 'Tequila Reposado'.

Street view of New York City with tall buildings, including the Chrysler Building, and a red banner for the New York Public Library.

A young man with wavy hair and a beard smiling on a city street corner, wearing a dark coat over a gray shirt, with cars parked along the street and leafless trees on a sunny day.

People ice skating at an indoor rink surrounded by tall buildings and a fountain with a golden sculpture in New York City.

A group of five people standing in front of the New York Stock Exchange building, which has tall columns, flags, and a detailed frieze at the top.

Meet Your Guide

Nicky Shapiro, your licensed NYC guide

After a lifetime spent living amongst city legend and lore, I served as a public school teacher in Harlem, backpacked around the world for a year with my surfboard, and became an officially licensed New York City tour guide after realizing the power of great local guides through my travels.

My endless curiosity for all things New York keeps me up to date with the city’s hottest restaurants, bars, and culture, and my boundless passion for history connects me with the city’s deep roots.

Meet Nicky

Curated Tours

Downtown Highlights

Greenwich Village. SoHo. Little Italy. Chinatown. The World Trade Center. Wall Street.
My part of town, your way.

View Private Tour
NYC Pizza Experience

"What's the best slice of pizza in New York City?" Find out for yourself.
Four pizza stops. All inclusive.

View Private Tour
East Village Food Tour

New York’s foodie paradise just so happens to be my backyard.
Local stops, insider knowledge, world-class eating.

View Private Tour
West Village Backstreets

A centuries-old farming village. In the heart of New York City.
With the option for a curated food tour.

View Private Tour
Upper West Side Food Tour

Fine dining and high culture in an exclusive NYC neighborhood.
Five all-inclusive stops amidst history and decadence.

View Private Tour
Central Park Insider

Discover the secrets embedded in New York's crown jewel on a guided stroll through the world's most famous public space.
Escape the bustle like a local.

View Private Tour
Midtown Highlights

Central Park. Fifth Avenue. Rockefeller Center. Grand Central Terminal.
Postcard NYC at your pace.

View Private Tour
Custom Tour

Looking to combine tours into full or multiple days? New neighborhood you’d like to explore? Traveling with a large group?
Work with me to craft the ultimate custom experience.

Customize Private Tour