Hello! My name is Jeff Dobbins. I am a licensed New York City tour guide and writer.
With over two decades of experience, I lead tours of NYC’s iconic sites, neighborhoods, and theme-specific tours (i.e. Architectural Masterpieces of Midtown, Gilded Age New York, Insider’s Guide to Broadway, etc.) I have created tours for the New-York Historical Society, Google, the New York Public Library, Cartier, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University. My forte: New York’s fascinating history and cultures.
In addition to my private tours, I’ve created walking tours for numerous NYC Tour companies. I’ve also crafted multi-day NYC itineraries for clients. Please check my tour reviews from previous guests.
As a professional writer, I’ve written over 150 articles about New York City, covering its landmarks, neighborhoods, history, dining, and events. It has been a labor of love because I’m passionate about all things New York City. In fact, in my free time, I’m often exploring new aspects of the city or delving into another book, documentary, or lecture (I’m a genuine NYC geek).
I am a longterm New Yorker. NYC has been my home for three decades and I’ve experienced the city’s dark days and evolution. I’ve lived in several Manhattan neighborhoods, including Hell’s Kitchen, Inwood, Harlem, and currently the Upper West Side. I worked in New York’s theater industry for decades, managing theaters on Broadway and in Lincoln Center. I’ve also worked at many of the city’s iconic locations, including Rockefeller Center, Macy’s, Tiffany & Co., and Grand Central Terminal.
I believe every tour should be an occasion – an extraordinary experience created by guide and guests. Like a performance, a good NYC tour should have proper pacing, in-depth information, illuminating stories about its history and characters, a bit of humor, and plenty of fun.
On every tour, I combine my experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to create a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable New York experience.