Spotlight on GANYC Guide: Julia Ryan
Introducing GANYC guide Julia Ryan of her own company: Born and Bred NY Tours
Website: Born and Bred NY Tours
Email
Phone #: 917-405-8086
Social Media: Facebook / Instagram
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How long have you been a tour guide?
Over 20 years.
What types of tours do you offer?
As a native daughter of this great city, I have so many personal accounts about life and trends through the years. As a historian and storyteller, I am always putting the places we are visiting or the events we are witnessing into the context of the city's birth and growth through the years. The tours I offer are classic city coach tours and specialized neighborhood walking tours (The High Line & Meatpacking, Harlem, Upper West Side, Central Park, Fifth Ave, Flatiron District, Times Square & Theatre District, Immigrants of the Lower East Side, Wall Street Financial District, 9/11 Memorial WTC and Hudson Waterfront, DUMBO, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island and an Alexander Hamilton Tour). I also specialize in educational tours and have designed many workshops and supportive study materials for clients around a particular subject or theme.
Do you offer Niche Tours?
I am happy to customize tours for clients and have done so in various ways for several years.
What time of year would you consider your busy season?
Lately, all the time!
Have you or your company received any awards?
I have received awards as an actress and writer. My work has been produced as part of several NYC theater festivals.
Have you or your company been featured in print, broadcast (tv or radio) or online media?
My best film credit as a professional actress is playing a museum docent in the feature film "Tell Tale", starring Lena Heady and Josh Lucas. Here's the link: Video
What drove you to become a tour guide or tour operator or create this company/organization?
I was living in Paris working as a nightclub singer (and waitress, bien sûr) - when the opportunity arose to work as a guide for American students visiting Europe. Since my raison d'être at the time was to see as much of this glorious world as possible, I jumped at the chance. Thus began my illustrious career as a guide. When I returned to NY, I worked as a guide while putting myself through a rigorous conservatory training program, studying Meisner technique. As I got older and wiser, my knowledge base grew and my guiding skills became better and better - that, and becoming a parent, which taught me patience by the bushel full. Also, I minored in History at Northwestern University, my historian father is a Professor Emeritus at CUNY, and I come from a family of teachers - sharing my love for this city and it's inhabitants is in my blood.
What is the most gratifying part of your work?
Meeting people from all over the world, laughing a lot, and getting to be out and about in the greatest city in the United States.
What celebrities (if any) have patronized your business or organization?
I never recognize celebrities! I just talk to people and then get told later, "did you know who that was?" This drives my husband crazy. But I think most celebrities prefer to be treated like regular people, or at least they enjoy the notion that they might be able to pass through the street of NYC incognito.
How long have you been a member of GANYC?
Several years.
How did you hear or learn about GANYC?
When I was starting as a young guide, the organization was a great resource.
How has GANYC helped you and your business?
Helping to keep me informed and connected to other guides, offering great FAM tours, and with assisting others in finding me and the services I offer.
What's your advice or Tour Guide tip you love to share to people visiting New York?
Just talk to people - you'll get the best advice about whatever you are looking for, and possibly make a friend!
(For more info or to book a tour with Julia check out her GANYC profile by clicking here)