By Adam Guy
I get asked questions about everything while with my guests. Personal questions. Questions about the City. Strange questions. And I’m always happy to share what I can.
In this blog, I thought I'd share the questions I'm asked the most. The answers may surprise or inspire you. You might get some ideas for things to do or not to do in NYC. Hopefully, you’ll get to know me a bit better and learn about why I do what I do.
If I’m in NYC for one day, what’s the one thing I absolutely must do/see?
If I had to choose one, it would be the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s striking, beautiful, and historic. The Brooklyn Bridge helped shape New York forever. A walk on the Bridge is memorable. I recommend taking a subway to the Brooklyn side and walking back to Manhattan versus the other direction. You get majestic views of Manhattan when you do it that way.
I see horror stories on TV about the NYC subway system. Tell me… are the subways scary?
I ride the subway multiple times a day, and I rarely see or have any incidents. Do things happen? Sure. But look at the news in your hometown, especially relating to things like road rage. Every city has instances of violence and poverty. The difference with New York City… most media outlets operate here in New York … above the subway system. In fact, the local NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates operate in the same offices as the national broadcasters. It’s easier and faster to get stories here.
My advice about the subway is simple. If you see something that makes you at all uncomfortable, move away. Don’t get involved. Change cars. Wait for the next train. Leave the station. I do this occasionally if someone in my car makes me feel uncomfortable. Be aware of your surroundings. And generally, I rarely ride the subway after midnight. Most of the not good things happen after midnight.
Here's an article from the Gothamist, which goes more in depth. And this is a helpful list of safety tips from the City University of New York.
DO RIDE THE SUBWAY. It is the fastest, most efficient, and most affordable way to get around NYC. Here’s a simple NYC Subway 101 guide for doing so.
What’s your favorite Broadway show?
This is tough as I have seen more than 1,000 shows since moving here in 2013. Overall, I’d have to say Hamilton and Come From Away are a tie for my favorite. For the current offerings, my favorite is The Outsiders. My most frequent recommendation for guests is an off-Broadway gem called The Play That Goes Wrong. It’s hilarious and great for teens and adults alike.
What is your favorite restaurant, pizza place, and bagel shop?
I get asked this one so often, and YES, I have definitive answers. My favorite restaurant is Enoteca Maria, a tiny Italian restaurant on Staten Island (not far from the Ferry). All the chefs are Italian grandmothers or “nonnas.” The food is homemade, and the experience just feels special. Be sure to make a reservation.
My favorite place for a classic New York pizza slice called NY Pizza Suprema. After having tried many, many places, I think this one is the BEST “bendy” slice in the city. It is located on 8th Ave near 31st St behind Madison Square Garden.
For bagels, you can’t beat Best Bagel & Coffee on 35th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. I consistently get the tastiest bagels with the perfect amount of cream cheese here. With a name like that, it had better be good.
What’s one piece of advice you give to every guest about their visit to NYC?
Don’t over plan. I know there are 1,000 things to do in NYC. But if you try to run around the city seeing every attraction, visit every park, and sample every bakery, you won’t see the city. New York City is not a theme park. You will NEVER conquer it.
Guests should go easy and be sure to include time to wander neighborhoods and do some people watching. That's what make the city magical. And in the end, meaningful time spent with family or friends laughing and chatting your way through the city is the most important part.
What do you do when it rains or snows on a tour?
We do the tour! If it rains, we use umbrellas. In the cold we stop for plenty of hot chocolate and thaw breaks. (And I bring hand warmers for guests.) As you are likely only here for a few days, lean into the weather. It’s part of the experience, too. You may even get a hilarious story out of it that starts like, “It was pouring while we were in Central Park, when the funniest thing happened.”
Have you met any famous people in NYC. If so, who? (Spill it, Adam!)
Because I had an extensive career in my former life working with celebrities, I’m going to limit this response to celebrities encountered “in the wild” of New York City. Here goes… Matt Damon, Cynthia Nixon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rosie O’Donnell, Mo Rocca, Michael Bloomberg, Josh Gad, Mike Birbiglia, Daniel Radcliffe, Keri Russell, Paul Giamatti, Leslie Odom, Jr., Nia Vardalos, Rachel Dratch, and Hoda Kotb. I’m sure there are more, but it’s been 13 years, so I may be forgetting some people.
What’s an area of town you don’t love?
Little Italy. It’s all souvenir shops and average Italian restaurants these days. There’s little of the authentic Italian experience you hope to get there anymore.
There are 150 + museums in NYC. Have you been to them all and which is your favorite?
No, I have not been to them all and am still learning about some that I didn’t know existed. I learned about The Bone Museum in Williamsburg… yesterday! My favorite museum in New York City is the Transit Museum in downtown Brooklyn. It exists in a decommissioned subway station. You can explore all the old subway cars and learn about the history of the transit system. A close second is the Museum of Broadway.
What do you think of the many “City Pass” programs for tourists? Should I use one?
There are a variety of “city pass” programs, which, for a fixed fee, can allow you to see numerous attractions with the same ticket. Some are based on number of places you can visit. Some are timebound (1-day, 3-day, etc.) They have names like CityPass, GoCity, New York Pass, Sightseeing Pass, Turbo Pass and FlexPass. They can be confusing to differentiate. Thank goodness, Free Tours By Foot write a lengthy blog about these “city passes” to break it all down.
Now, are they worth it? If you take advantage or max out the pass, you can save money on the attractions. That said, there are trade-offs:
Your trip itinerary may end up being built based on the pass – like you are chasing the value.
Many of the attractions still require timed or advanced booking, so planning ahead is critical.
Not all passes have the same attractions.
Some of the attractions aren’t as great as, say, wandering a neighborhood. (I’m not a fan of the double decker bus tours, for example. It’s not a competitive thing. I promise. I’m just a firm believer that NYC should be seen by walking and the subway.)
Sometimes there are three skyscrapers on a pass. You only need to visit one of them (in my opinion.)
Since you may be unfamiliar with getting around the city, you need to organize your experiences smartly: going from the Statue of Liberty to the Natural History Museum is a time waster. Again, plan ahead.
I prefer something simple like Go City’s 3-day explorer pass, which lets you save money on a few sights, such as the 9-11 Museum & Memorial and the Statue of Liberty and several skyscrapers. This still gives you plenty of room in a plan to do the rest of New York without overbooking the days.
Here’s my take though. If you are here four days or more, the pass can be a great value. All that time allows you to spread the paid attractions out, so that you can do other NYC essentials like wandering Midtown or Greenwich Village, shopping in SoHo, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, exploring Central Park, and seeing a Broadway show.
In your opinion, what’s an overrated place to visit in NYC?
This answer may get me in trouble, but... Ellen’s Stardust Diner. Long lines. Mediocre and overpriced food. All just to hear Defying Gravity while eating pancakes? Please use your money to actually go see Wicked. If you must hear live Broadway tunes while dining, I suggest a better alternative (where you can make a reservation!), Gayle’s Broadway Rose.
I bet you get 1,000 requests to go to places people see on Instagram or TikTok. What do you think of those places?
It’s hit or miss. I try a lot of them, if only so I can stay ahead of my guests who hear about places. Often, these bakeries or shops turn out to be good for a one-time experience only. Higher end restaurants are the exception. But, like most regular people, I can almost never get a reservation to these sought after foodie hot spots. I’m also not someone who will wait an hour in line for a plate of pasta, even if that dish would bestow me with superpowers.
How did you meet your wife, Janet?
I pulled her name out of a hat during a “Secret Santa” type activity called Giving Day at summer camp when I was 11 years old. I’m completely serious! I got to know her a bit and made her a gift that I would present to her at the end of the camp session. I made Janet a red wood heart with her name on it that I made in woodworking class. Seventeen years later, when we reconnected, she still had the heart I made her. It was sitting on her bookshelf. Meant to be… Did you get goosebumps?
Janet dubs herself “the Guy behind the Guy” of I Know A Guy NYC Tours.
What’s the best book about NYC you’ve ever read?
Elizabeth Gilbert’s City of Girls is a favorite. NYC is the backdrop for this well-written coming-of-age in the City story. Ok, so it’s not like a history book on NYC, but I loved the story and writing. Try Damnation Island by Stacy Horn for a non-fiction recommendation.
What's a quote that inspires you?
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." – Maya Angelou
Is there a "best time" of year to come to NYC? Which is your favorite?
I think Autumn is the best time of year to visit NYC. I’m a sucker for fall foliage and hot chocolate. That’s why. If you visit during the last week of October or first week of November, the leaves are usually popping with color, temperatures offer a light but manageable chill, and crowds are low.
December is another magical time in NYC. All those Hallmark movies capture the holiday spirit quite well, even if most of them are filmed in Canada.
Ooooh … and Spring! When everyone comes out of winter hibernation, seemingly on the same day, the energy of the city returns! They’re all great. Just come. You’ll enjoy all four seasons.
Do you own or rent your home?
I own a home in Jackson Heights, Queens. For the first 11 years here, I rented apartments in Brooklyn Heights and on Roosevelt Island. Every neighborhood living experience has helped me fall in love with NYC even more.
Why do you wear so much red?
Red is my brand color and my favorite color. But I wear red so guests can spot me in a crowd. That’s the main reason. Black is the unofficial color of New York, so wearing red helps me stand out in the sea of people.
What’s the best moment you’ve experienced with guests on a tour?
So, so many great moments on tour; of excitement, of connection, of hilarity, of coincidence, of meaning. I’ll share one.
My guest Leigh-Anne from New Zealand grew up watching Sesame Street as a little girl. It was how she understood New York. Stealthily, I diverted our tour to 63rd Street on the Upper West Side. We were chatting and getting to know each other when I stopped at the corner of Broadway and West 63rd Street. And then I said, “Leigh-Anne, we’re here.” Quizzically, she looked at me and replied, “Where’s here?” Then I pointed toward the street sign. Leigh-Anne looked up and her demeanor went from calm and collected to utter elation.
Tears began to flow as she stared at a sign that said SESAME STREET. This wasn’t the Sesame Street you see on TV. That’s a set. But the offices for the show are in the building next door to the street sign. The actual show is filmed on a soundstage in Astoria, Queens.
I wasn’t expecting the reaction but couldn’t help to feed off her joy and smile. Sesame Street had been an important part of her world growing up as a child in New Zealand. It was a great moment Leigh-Anne, her partner Hywel and I will remember forever.
How did you come up with the name I Know A Guy NYC Tours?
An easy one. My name is Adam Guy. And I wanted people to remember the name. The whole idea of “I Know A Guy” is a universal way to identify a great resource you like to recommend. Put that together with my name and BAM! I Know A Guy NYC Tours was born.
Are you a fan of Times Square?
I absolutely LOVE Times Square. I can’t get enough of the energy and bright lights. My wife is not a fan on the other hand. She often tells me that you’re not a real New Yorker until you loathe Times Square. I would NEVER dare say she was wrong. Um… hey Janet, look at these shiny things over here… (distract, distract, distract.)
Do you know where New York City chefs can get good chicken broth?
At the Stock Exchange, of course!
Do you ever attend live television shows like The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon or The View?
Yes! I attend about 5-6 shows a year. (And you can, too.) It’s such a fun and special experience to be in the audience. And it’s one of those things you can only do in New York and Los Angeles. Shows will occasionally do giveaways, too!
I was once gifted a $900 vacuum from the Kelly Clarkson Show. Everyone in the audience got one. The only show I have not been able to see in person is Saturday Night Live. It is the toughest ticket to get. I wrote a blog all about how you can get tickets to the various shows filmed in New York City.
How many pairs of shoes do you go through each year?
About 10 pairs. I’m a HOKA guy; the Bondi line to be specific.
How much is rent? Give us the lowdown!
When we moved here in 2013, we paid an astounding $3,300 for our 600 square foot apartment in Brooklyn Heights. In Atlanta, we paid one third of that for three times the space. (Yes, it’s a shock.) Janet and I then moved to a 490 square foot place that cost $2,400. That was too small. We then moved to Roosevelt Island where we paid $2,600 for a one bedroom with a balcony. And now we own an apartment.
It's impossible to give you an exact sense of rents in the city. Just know that they are some of the highest prices in the country based on space. You can rent a one bedroom from $2,000 up to $10,000 or more. It all depends on where you are in the city, the building itself, the view, the amenities, and how the market it is doing at that exact moment. Getting a place is highly competitive and process-wise can be a pain in the tush.
What’s your favorite movie or TV show filmed in NYC?
It’s hard to beat Seinfeld. It still holds up after all these years and does a great job of showcasing the strange and wonderful people that live in NYC. SERENITY NOW!
Is it safe to eat from a hot dog cart?
I don’t have them often but have been fine with the few I had. I found this blog from a food safety consultant which better answers these questions. And then I got a second opinion from this blog called sickday. Apparently it all depends on the vendor themselves and how they care for the food, more than the food itself. I leave it up to your best judgment.
Where do you go when you “gotta go”?
Knowing where bathrooms are in the city is probably the thing I help people with the most on a tour. The rule: if you are at or near a bathroom, and there’s even the slightest chance you have to go, USE IT. Before you leave for the day. When at a restaurant or attraction.
New York is not the most restroom-friendly town. You can’t just walk into a restaurant or store and use theirs. Even Starbucks is changing their policy.
A few helpful hints for you. Hotels and large department stores usually have options. There are bathrooms in most parks, but they are usually unsavory (except the one in Bryant Park... so nice!)
You can always buy something like a coffee and ask to use the restroom. If you have a small child, restaurants will probably let you use the facilities.
And then there are Apps. Crazy right? The two featured below, Flush and Sit, are fairly reliable. They show available restrooms on a google map so you can see which ones are close by.
Last but not least, a clever Instagrammer named Teddy Siegel aka @got2gonyc built a shared Google Map of bathrooms that you can access on your phone. The crowdsourced map shows location of over 2,000 bathrooms across all five boroughs.
But again… when you are near a restroom… USE IT. Or at least give it a try. Any New Yorker will give the same advice.
How do I buy a knock-off purse?
As a non-purse buyer, I had to find an expert to help with this question. Meet Betsy Bags. She’s written numerous articles about this subject. Is it legal? I turned to a law firm of Heiferman & Associates to help answer this question: “One of the interesting things about New York counterfeiting laws § 165.71, § 165.72 and § 165.73, is that it is illegal to sell counterfeit goods, but not to buy them (unless you’re buying with the intent to sell, deceive, etc.). If you buy 100 pairs of designer imposter sunglasses out of the trunk of some guy’s car, you have technically done nothing wrong, even if you know the glasses are fake. However, if you then turn around and sell those glasses, you have broken the law.“
But is it wrong to do? Let's leave that to the little devil and angel on your shoulders to have that debate.
What's the weirdest thing you’ve seen in NYC?
The amazing thing about New York City is that you can be whoever you want to be and find your community. So let your freak flag fly, I say. There is no weird. That said, occasionally you’ll see or experience something that is a ‘not-every-day’ kind of thing. I encountered this colorful pooch in SoHo one day. Meet Zoe. Unsurprisingly, she has become social media famous for her bright purple and pink locks. New York City… gotta love it!
Which podcasts do you listen to?
I listen to a variety of podcasts. Sometimes I want funny, sometimes drama, sometimes serious. Lately I’ve been Trevor Noah’s “What Now?” podcast. I enjoy Simon Sinek’s “A Bit of Optimism.” I occasional absorb an episode from Mel Robbins. (She loves to talk!) I catch up on the sports I missed on the podcast version of ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption.” Mike Birbiglia’s “Working It Out” podcast is a staple in my listening queue.
Esther Perel’s podcast “Where Should We Begin?” is engrossing, but I only have headspace for its therapeutic depth on occasion. NPR’s “The Indicator” and “Planet Money” make me feel smart. “Smartless” with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett is there for candy listening.
My guilty pleasure, because occasionally I like some good drama and dirt, is The Bert Show podcast, a morning radio show out of Atlanta. They key to a good podcast for subway travel is shorter segments, like 6-10 minutes.
And, I've been a guest on a few podcasts. Most recently I was on David Niu’s “Unlost Cause” podcast. Listen to it here. I was also proud to have been on Mariel Fry’s “Travel Experiences Reimagined”… twice! Here are links to my first appearance and my second appearance.
What do you hope your guests experience on a tour with you?
I want my guests to feel at ease exploring this overwhelming yet incredible city. And I want to help them make amazing memories together. Yes, I want them to learn a bit of history, facts, and stories about New York, too. But laughing, sharing our lives, and taking heaps of photos along the way are all essential to an I Know A Guy NYC Tour experience.
Just like Maya Angelou said in the quote above, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I want my guests to feel cared for (they are), heard (they are), and experience the magic of New York City in the way that’s just right for them (they do).
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Have any more questions for me? Ask away! E-mail me at aguy@iknowaguy.nyc or send me a note on Facebook or Instagram. It’ll actually be ME (not a bot) who responds. I’ve also written a series of other helpful blogs, which may have the answer you're looking for. There’s one about buying Broadway tickets, another about visiting the Statue of Liberty, one about how to use the NYC subway, and many more.
Thanks for reading this blog! If you would like to chat about your upcoming trip and possible tour ideas, please contact me at aguy@iknowaguy.nyc or 404-915-9901 I'm quite friendly!
© All photos by Adam Guy
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