See the real New York

New York City has reclaimed its status as one of the world’s great tourist destinations, through new investment, better law enforcement and a subsequent lower crime rate, and a positive attitude that works very well. A tourism success story, by any standard, but many veteran visitors to the Big Apple are now complaining that the “new” New York is just a little too slick and Disneyfied. Theme restaurants and mega-musicals have their place, critics say, but New York has so much more of real life to offer.

The trouble is, how do you find it? One great new way to see the side of New York City that hasn’t changed too much is to take advantage of Big Apple Greeters, a free service that matches you up with a New York tour guide who can show you special aspects of the real city.

Knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers, known as “Greeters,” promote New York’s small town charm by accompanying visitors on 2-4 hour journeys in any of the five boroughs, free of charge. Although they can assist visitors in seeing the better known tourist attractions, their main focus as volunteer “friends” is to share their favorite neighbourhoods and to show visitors the little things they’ll oftemiss.