image from Big Apple Greeter |
Having a friend show a visitor around town is such a fun way to get to know a city, but often that isn't an option. Luckily, there's a non-profit called Big Apple Greeter, which seeks to create a similar experience.
Big Apple Greeter connects tourists with a New York City volunteer who will show visitors around a neighborhood. The volunteer isn't a licensed tour guide, and the idea is a bit more relaxed than with a professional tour -- the New Yorker shows the tourists around in the same way a friend might. And, as with a friend, there is no cost to be shown around (although donations are appreciated).
The casual style of the program is purposeful. The founder, Lynn Brooks, wanted to show visitors who might otherwise be intimidated by New York how all the neighborhoods feel like small towns to those who live in them.
I've been familiar with Big Apple Greeter for a while because I know a few people who volunteer for them, but I recently found out that similar programs now exist in many other cities. According to Wikipedia, one can find greeters in all of these cities:
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image from Big Apple Greeter |
Now that I know these programs exist outside of New York, I plan to look into them for future travels. It sounds like a great addition to a trip to meet someone who lives there. I may not end up at an underground bar, but I'm sure I would get to see some great spots that travel books miss.
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