1/18
International Greeters
What if you could go to a city you’ve never been to before and meet a local who can show you around for a few hours and provide recommendations for things to do and see during your trip? Lynn Brooks was a lifelong resident of New York who loved her city and had this idea in
What if you could go to a city you’ve never been to before and meet a local who can show you around for a few hours and provide recommendations for things to do and see during your trip? Lynn Brooks was a lifelong resident of New York who loved her city and had this idea in
04:56 PM - Jun 18, 2023
2/18
the late 1980’s. “I want other people to understand New York the way I do. I want them to experience the city the way I do. And all I need to do is invite visitors to spend some time with me or any inhabitant of New York – to show them the hidden and beautiful life in this city. We will show them
04:58 PM - Jun 18, 2023
3/18
hidden and beautiful life in this city. We will show them the deli where we get our sweets, tell them about the nice music events in smaller theatres, tell them how to get around, tell them about our lives.”
Lynn founded Big Apple Greeter in 1992. Local press picked up the idea and so did the
Lynn founded Big Apple Greeter in 1992. Local press picked up the idea and so did the
04:59 PM - Jun 18, 2023
4/18
national and international press.
In 2002, there were five Greeter destinations worldwide.
In 2010 there were 25.
In 2015, there were more than 100.
And today there are 126 International Greeter destinations in 33 countries.
Lynn Brooks passed away in 2013.
In 2002, there were five Greeter destinations worldwide.
In 2010 there were 25.
In 2015, there were more than 100.
And today there are 126 International Greeter destinations in 33 countries.
Lynn Brooks passed away in 2013.
05:00 PM - Jun 18, 2023
5/18
A retired cycling/skiing friend is a Chicago Greeter and he would talk about his visits from time to time. It sounded great, but I didn’t think I had the time or the knowledge to be any good at it, and that’s never stopped me before. I submitted an application, had a couple of interviews,
05:02 PM - Jun 18, 2023
6/18
and tagged along on a Greeter visit. I was accepted as a Chicago Greeter on February 27, 2020, a day or two before the world shut down for Covid-19. I was invited on a couple of Zoom calls with Greeter orgs from around the world, sharing thoughts on how best to proceed, but with so much uncertainty
05:03 PM - Jun 18, 2023
7/18
and spreading infections and deaths, the program shut down.
Fast (slow) forward to December 3, 2021. I had my first Greeter visit with a family of six from Anaheim, California. The visit lasted 3.5 hours, and they liked it. I did too. Since then, I have done another 35 Greeter visits.
Fast (slow) forward to December 3, 2021. I had my first Greeter visit with a family of six from Anaheim, California. The visit lasted 3.5 hours, and they liked it. I did too. Since then, I have done another 35 Greeter visits.
05:05 PM - Jun 18, 2023
8/18
I have lived in Chicago for 40 years. One of the unexpected benefits of these Greeter Tours is I get to fall in love with my city all over again through the eyes of tourists who are seeing it for the first time.
Another surprise is that people come to Chicago from all over the world.
Another surprise is that people come to Chicago from all over the world.
05:07 PM - Jun 18, 2023
9/18
Chicago Greeters has a website with available visits which specify where the visitors live, language requirements, interests, number of people in group (1-6), ages/mobility issues so Greeters can select their visitors accordingly. Once selected, I’ll send an email or WhatsApp message introducing
05:08 PM - Jun 18, 2023
10/18
myself and getting a finer edge on what they’re interested in seeing, whether they have been here before, etc. Out of my 36 visits, 6 were from the US, France, and Spain; 4 from Germany; 3 from Brazil; 2 from Argentina, Mexico, Canada; and 1 each from Colombia, Portugal, England, Vietnam, and
05:09 PM - Jun 18, 2023
11/18
South Korea. My visits are usually 3-4 hours, with a low of 2.5 and a high of 6.5 hours. One or two visits were less than ideal, but overwhelmingly, they have been great.
When the visit ends, I’ll usually let them know if they have any questions or need any recommendations during the rest of their
When the visit ends, I’ll usually let them know if they have any questions or need any recommendations during the rest of their
05:09 PM - Jun 18, 2023
12/18
to just shoot me a message, and sometimes they do. I have an open invitation from a woman in Lavandou, France to stay at her Airbnb. I got an email months after her Greeter visit from a woman from Freiburg, Germany who was so excited that Greeters came to her city and that she is now a Freiburg
05:10 PM - Jun 18, 2023
13/18
Greeter.
Visitors have bought me lunch or a beer at a venue where they wanted to linger, but these Tours are 100% free. No charge. Gratuities are cheerfully refused. Chicago has about 200 Greeters. I haven’t met them all, but we do have a Greeter pub crawl every couple of months, so I’m working
Visitors have bought me lunch or a beer at a venue where they wanted to linger, but these Tours are 100% free. No charge. Gratuities are cheerfully refused. Chicago has about 200 Greeters. I haven’t met them all, but we do have a Greeter pub crawl every couple of months, so I’m working
05:11 PM - Jun 18, 2023
15/18
• Greeters are a worldwide non-profit organization.
• Destinations around the world offer private free walks with locals through cities for visitors.
• Our city walks – called Greets – are free of charge, no tipping.
• Greets are offered for single tourists and small groups up to six people.
• Destinations around the world offer private free walks with locals through cities for visitors.
• Our city walks – called Greets – are free of charge, no tipping.
• Greets are offered for single tourists and small groups up to six people.
05:13 PM - Jun 18, 2023
18/18
Here's a link to International Greeter's website:
https://internationalgreet...
https://internationalgreet...
05:59 PM - Mar 14, 2024
In response to KevinC.
A fantastic idea, no matter what city, large or small. In working with the public at our historic theatre, I gave many an impromptu "50-cent tour" through the years and met wonderful people from all over.
12:54 AM - Apr 03, 2024
In response to KevinC.
I used a service similar to this in Tokyo (Tokyo Free Guides). I had a lovely day with a woman who just wanted to practice her English skills and share the beauty of Tokyo (I did pay for all meals/drinks). We stayed in touch and met up in Paris years later. It was a really great experience!
11:19 AM - Aug 01, 2023
