Contact New York Like A Native

Contact form + how to book (please read guidance)

Tour guide Norman Oder

Nearly all my tours are private tours, which typically last at least 2.5 hours, but can be adapted and extended, and scheduled at mutual convenience. I am available for private tours most days, including holidays.

1) Please note that the listed tours rely on walking and public transit, but I can adapt tours to incorporate vehicles. You can't see everything in one visit, even with a vehicle!

I do not have a car or drive. A vehicle tour requires hiring a car (or bus) and driver, and typically costs at least $50/hour more. I cannot hire a vehicle for you, though I can offer some suggestions.

2) Most tours typically require steady, sometimes brisk walking, perhaps 2 to 5+ miles. I can adapt the tours to your pace and endurance; please let me know your preferences. If someone in your group can't walk much, consider a vehicle, or perhaps my gentlest tour, DUMBO, Fulton Ferry & Brooklyn Heights.

3) Before you contact me, please peruse my listed tours (linked at top) and check the Fees for Private tours page, which explains potential cost (starting at $170). You also might check the FAQ and list of misconceptions about Brooklyn.

4) As a one-guide operation, my availability varies, but I will respond promptly, usually within hours, sometimes within minutes, always within a day. (Please check your junk mail or spam.) Same-day tours may be available. After an initial exchange of email, I'm happy to set up a phone consultation if helpful.

5) I prefer email, since it avoids "phone tag," but I recognize that's not always possible. You can leave a phone message (answering the questions below, if possible) at my voice mail, which is 917-795-8595; please note that this this method alerts me no faster than email.

6) I lead ticketed group public tours only rarely, listed on the Schedule page. Sorry, I cannot combine your private tour request with another private tour group.

8) The questions below with asterisks require responses. Please type your email correctly. For Gmail users especially, you may have to whitelist my email address (final question) to avoid it being rejected as spam. If you have a strong junk mail (or spam) filter, please check it for my reply.

Thank you,
Norman Oder

* Indicates required field

Name *

First

Last

Email (please type carefully!) *

Mobile phone number *

Where are you from? *

How many in your group? (Fees based on group size. See link at top.) If you have kids--how old? *

When (days/dates) would you like the tour? *

What time(s) would you like the tour? *

Has your group been to Brooklyn (or our tour area) before? If so, where? *

Which tour do you want? (Or: what is your request?) *

How long a tour would you like? (Most are 2.5+ hours but can be extended or combined. Brooklyn 101 is 3 hours) *

On the DAY of the tour, where (hotel name, address, or cross streets) will you be leaving from, if you know? (Please be as specific as possible.) *

Anything else I should know? (Preferred pace, difficulty walking, destination after the tour, referral from a previous client, etc.?) *

I am vaccinated/boosted and have been leading tours outdoors without a mask, but I can wear a mask outside on request. Please let me know your preference. *

Reminder: if your email account has a strong spam filter, will you check your spam for my response? (Just say: OK.) *

Please click to send your message.