New York Like a Native - Brooklyn, New York

Introduction

Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, New York Like a Native (NYLAN) is an innovative and passionate sightseeing tour agency that strives to provide tourists and locals alike with unique, personalized, and authentic experiences. With a strong commitment to offering atypical tours that delve deep into the city's rich history, culture, and hidden gems, NYLAN has quickly become a go-to destination for those seeking an insider's perspective on the Big Apple.

Main Services

• Bespoke Tours: NYLAN specializes in creating customized tours tailored to clients' interests. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a history buff, or a food lover, their expert guides will design an experience that aligns with your passions.
• Neighborhood Tours: Explore the diverse and vibrant neighborhoods of New York City with NYLAN's guided tours. From the gritty streets of Bushwick to the historic charm of Greenwich Village, each tour offers a unique glimpse into the area's culture, architecture, and local flavor.
• Iconic Landmarks Tours: For those who want to see the city's most famous attractions, NYLAN offers tours of iconic landmarks such as Central Park, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty. Their guides provide insightful narratives that bring these landmarks to life.
• Private Tours: NYLAN caters to small groups and private parties, offering personalized tours that accommodate individual schedules and preferences. This intimate setting allows for a more intimate and engaging experience.
• Walking Tours: NYLAN's walking tours are an excellent way to explore the city on foot while learning about its rich history and culture. Guided by knowledgeable locals, these tours offer a unique perspective on the city's architecture, art, and cuisine.

Location and Access

NYLAN's headquarters is located at 303 Beverley Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218, United States, in the heart of the bustling Flatbush neighborhood. This central location makes it easy for clients to access the agency and join their tours. Nearby subway stations include Beverley Road (Q train) and Cortelyou Road (Q train), providing convenient public transportation options. For those who prefer to drive, on-street parking is available, although it can be competitive during peak hours.

Featured Characteristics

• Expert Local Guides: NYLAN's team consists of passionate and knowledgeable locals who are dedicated to sharing their love for the city with visitors. Their guides are not only well-versed in the city's history but also provide insider tips and personal anecdotes that bring each tour to life.
• Small Group Sizes: NYLAN limits its group sizes to ensure a more intimate and personalized experience. This smaller setting allows for easier interaction with the guide and fellow tour-goers, fostering a sense of community among participants.
• Flexible Scheduling: NYLAN offers tours at various times throughout the day, accommodating clients' schedules and preferences. They also provide private tour options that can be booked at clients' convenience.
• Language Support: In addition to English, NYLAN offers tours in Spanish, French, German, and Italian, catering to a diverse range of international visitors.

Practical Information

• To book a tour with NYLAN, clients can visit their website (nylikeanative.com) or call their office at 9177958595. Online appointments are also available for added convenience.
• NYLAN accepts debit and credit card payments, making it easy for clients to secure their bookings.
• Tours typically range from two to four hours in length, depending on the itinerary and client preferences. It is recommended that clients wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the weather conditions.
• NYLAN encourages clients to arrive at the designated meeting point 10-15 minutes before the scheduled tour start time to ensure a prompt departure.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

NYLAN boasts an impressive average rating of 4.7/5 on Google My Business, with 20 reviews highlighting the agency's exceptional service and attention to detail. Clients consistently praise NYLAN's knowledgeable and engaging guides, who consistently deliver informative and entertaining tours. Many reviewers also commend the agency's ability to provide unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences that offer a fresh perspective on the city. Additionally, clients appreciate NYLAN's flexibility and willingness to accommodate their specific interests and preferences, creating truly personalized and memorable tours.

👍 Reviews of New York Like a Native

Jerome S.

5/5

My wife and I spent the weekend in Greenpoint and wanted to have a walking tour of the neighborhood. Doing a Google search, I came across Norman's website and saw that he had fantastic reviews on TripAdvisor. We booked a 2.5-hour tour with him and absolutely loved it! Norman is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and... a very fast walker! We consider ourselves to be good walkers, and I have to say that at the end of the tour, I had a hard time keeping up! Part of it was due to the fact I like taking lots of pictures and I had to up my pace to not lose him! We learned tons on the tour, had a lot of fun, and got some great recommendations for restaurants and a few other places to visit. We will book a tour with Norman for Williamsburg in the near future!

Pennie H.

5/5

My father was from Brooklyn and I sent Norman information on my father’s brownstone, schools, church with the hope of visiting them. Norman exceeded my expectations! He was fun to be with.

Alicia U.

5/5

Norman gave an excellent private tour of Crown Heights to my group of 9 friends. He is extremely well researched and prepared (brought a binder full of photos and news clippings to supplement his knowledge), witty and knows how to cover ground to get the most out of your 2.5 hours together! I had such a great time and would absolutely take another one of his tours! He was very communicative ahead of time and catered our tour to the audience of all New York residents. He even recommended some great lunch spots for afterward!

Jason A.

4/5

Having really enjoyed our family’s first private tour a few months ago (which was fantastic), we wanted to have the same experience in Brooklyn. Norman was well-reviewed. Our family had two perspectives of our tour. First, Norman knows Brooklyn well, and he takes his craft seriously. Tell him what you want, and he will prepare well and share a ton of information! He is also good at pointing out things to do following the tour (for us it was a great ferry ride to Williamsburg). From an experience and vibe perspective, he will admit his direct style. That’s fine and is aligned with the NY style, it just has less storytelling that is helpful with historical context. What dropped my rating was him moving beyond direct. He would ask a question that we couldn’t answer (or answer correctly) and then smile/chuckle at our responses. There were times that we felt like we were not in line with the teacher. Ultimately, Norman knows his stuff, works hard, and will share fascinating information. His style just didn't click as well with us as with the other reviewers.

Barry K.

5/5

What a Fantastic Tour!
Having never spent much time in Brooklyn, we were looking forward to this tour for a couple of months - and it exceeded our expectations. Norman was fantastic! We had a private tour and learned all about the history of Brooklyn and present day Brooklyn from a native’s perspective. Norman is super knowledgeable. Not only that, he is friendly, engaging, flexible, and eager to please. I highly recommend him and look forward to taking another tour with him in the future.

Nick W.

5/5

I can see that Norman has received five star reviews for years now so I’m happy to add mine. There’s a reason that he comes across as such an enthusiastic guide - he’s genuinely inquisitive and learning all the time. It might be as simple as a new lamppost sticker - he’ll take it in, add it to his phone and investigate. We did two tours with Norman, learned a lot and walked a few miles in the process. He’s a good man.

Julie S.

5/5

Norman took my dad and me on a tour of DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights in early January 2014. I can honestly say that touring with Norman made all of the difference on what we saw, the hidden, and the amazing vantage points to take pictures that we would have never known about. I especially liked his pictures of what a site or building looked like before it was renovated and redone. We are looking forward to hiring Norman for a tour of Williamsburg next time we are in town.

Lauri B.

5/5

Our group loved our Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO tour! Norman was so responsive to our group's needs and gave us a really interesting and informative tour. I lived in Brooklyn Heights for a few years and still learned so much from our two hour tour! He adjusted the tour as we needed because it was a really hot day and he kept things moving and interesting without an overload of information that some tour guides do. I highly recommend Norman for a fun and different Brooklyn tour!

Jerome S.

5/5

My wife and I spent the weekend in Greenpoint and wanted to have a walking tour of the neighborhood. Doing a Google search, I came across Norman's website and saw that he had fantastic reviews on TripAdvisor. We booked a 2.5-hour tour with him and absolutely loved it! Norman is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and... a very fast walker! We consider ourselves to be good walkers, and I have to say that at the end of the tour, I had a hard time keeping up! Part of it was due to the fact I like taking lots of pictures and I had to up my pace to not lose him! We learned tons on the tour, had a lot of fun, and got some great recommendations for restaurants and a few other places to visit. We will book a tour with Norman for Williamsburg in the near future!

Alicia U.

5/5

Norman gave an excellent private tour of Crown Heights to my group of 9 friends. He is extremely well researched and prepared (brought a binder full of photos and news clippings to supplement his knowledge), witty and knows how to cover ground to get the most out of your 2.5 hours together! I had such a great time and would absolutely take another one of his tours! He was very communicative ahead of time and catered our tour to the audience of all New York residents. He even recommended some great lunch spots for afterward!

Pennie H.

5/5

My father was from Brooklyn and I sent Norman information on my father’s brownstone, schools, church with the hope of visiting them. Norman exceeded my expectations! He was fun to be with.

Jason A.

4/5

Having really enjoyed our family’s first private tour a few months ago (which was fantastic), we wanted to have the same experience in Brooklyn. Norman was well-reviewed. Our family had two perspectives of our tour. First, Norman knows Brooklyn well, and he takes his craft seriously. Tell him what you want, and he will prepare well and share a ton of information! He is also good at pointing out things to do following the tour (for us it was a great ferry ride to Williamsburg). From an experience and vibe perspective, he will admit his direct style. That’s fine and is aligned with the NY style, it just has less storytelling that is helpful with historical context. What dropped my rating was him moving beyond direct. He would ask a question that we couldn’t answer (or answer correctly) and then smile/chuckle at our responses. There were times that we felt like we were not in line with the teacher. Ultimately, Norman knows his stuff, works hard, and will share fascinating information. His style just didn't click as well with us as with the other reviewers.

Barry K.

5/5

What a Fantastic Tour!
Having never spent much time in Brooklyn, we were looking forward to this tour for a couple of months - and it exceeded our expectations. Norman was fantastic! We had a private tour and learned all about the history of Brooklyn and present day Brooklyn from a native’s perspective. Norman is super knowledgeable. Not only that, he is friendly, engaging, flexible, and eager to please. I highly recommend him and look forward to taking another tour with him in the future.