I’m a native New Yorker, with a love of the City’s history and the ever-changing character of its neighborhoods. My family’s history here goes back to 1903, with roots in Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Queens. I grew up in what is now arguably the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in the City, where the home that was my grandparents’, parents’, and mine for a collective 66 years, is now a thriving and expanding Buddhist temple. There’s no place that can sustain your interest like New York City, and my deep family roots and working life here, will help you gain a new perspective and understanding of how New York came to be the “greatest city in the world.” Join me, and see New York with native eyes.
Jeff
Riback
6 years of experience
New York, NY
United States of America (USA)
Contact Options
About
Tours Offered & Destination Knowledge
Bus ToursFood & Drink ToursGeneral Walking ToursLocal GuidePrivate Tours
I'm a native New Yorker, and except for educational forays in Ithaca, NY and Nashville, TN, have lived in New York City my entire life (Queens and Manhattan). My subway/walking tours have included most of Manhattan below 96th Street; Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, and downtown Brooklyn; Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Forest Hills, and Flushing in Queens.
I have an undergraduate degree in American Studies from Cornell, with a concentration in urban development and Gilded Age New York City politics. My tours tend to emphasize NYC history and development, with special emphasis on the 400-year history and development of those neighborhoods visited.
I am also a licensed, but now retired New York attorney, and former Assistant General Counsel at Consolidated Edison Company of New York, the power utility for New York City and its northern suburbs. I have extensive regulatory and public affairs experience with the utility infrastructure of the City and its suburbs, including generation, transmission, distribution, and related environmental issues, which adds an extra dimension to my understanding of the City's growth.
Fun Fact!
I have visited 38 countries on four continents at least once, and 22 of the 30 current major league baseball stadiums. More of both to come.
Hobbies & Interests
Theater, travel, food, baseball, historical fiction and history are my principal interests outside of guiding. My blood runs Yankee blue, but have been known on occasion to accept, reluctantly, a limited transfusion of Mets orange.
Testimonials
"Jeff obviously is very passionate about NYC -- his knowledge is fantastic and he really immerses you in the culture and history." --Kath & Mark, Australia
"Jeff...covered so much ground. We ate Colombian food in Queens, Polish in Brooklyn, learnt so much about the history of New York, and watched the sunset from the Williamsburg Bridge. Marvelous! -- Matt & Tamsin, U.K.
"Jeff was a font of knowledge. He was able to give us the history of many of the iconic buildings and answer our numerous questions about living in New York." -- Kevin & Kaye, Australia
"A fantastic experience with Jeff. Made such a difference to our holiday and our New York experience. -- Samantha & George, U.K.
Details
Gateway Airport(s)
JFK, EWR, LGA
Licenses
New York City (NYC)
Training
Language(s)
English
Additional Education
NYC DCWP sightseeing guide license (current).
NYS Court Administration Bar license (current).
J.D., Vanderbilt University School of Law; Associate Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
A.B. cum laude, American Studies, Cornell University
General Availability
Generally, available fall, spring, and sporadic summer weekdays. No weekends.
Photo Album
