Become a Local Friend in New York
Turn your local knowledge into your own travel profile on Roavi. Get discovered by travelers who want the real New York experience — your city, your way.
Free to join · No complicated setup · You stay in control
You — Local Friend
New York
Your own profile
What is a Local Friend?
A Local Friend shows travelers their city the real way — the food spots, the nightlife, the hidden gems and the culture that guidebooks miss. You're not a tour company and there are no scripts. You're a trusted local who shares the place you love, right here in New York.
What a New Yorker is actually worth to a visitor
Nobody needs you to find them a hidden gem in New York. Every block of this city has been written about. What visitors do not have is a way to tell which of the fifty famous things is worth four hours of a five-day trip, how far apart two places on the same subway map really are, and what exists past the part of Manhattan they already know from television.
What you can show
- 1
Which famous thing to skip. Times Square in twenty minutes, the Empire State observation deck versus the two newer ones, whether the ferry does the job the harbour cruise charges for. Saying no is most of the value.
- 2
An outer borough on its own terms — Sunset Park, Jackson Heights, Astoria, Arthur Avenue. A visitor will not get there alone and it is where the food is.
- 3
The subway as a native uses it: express versus local, which transfer is a trap, when a bus or a twelve-minute walk beats waiting.
- 4
Whatever you are actually into. Live jazz on a Tuesday, a gallery opening, pickup basketball, a shape-note sing, the good bagel argument. Specific beats comprehensive here.
One thing to check before you charge for this: New York City requires a Sightseeing Guide License from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for anyone who, for a fee, guides or escorts people to points of interest in the city. It involves an exam. Whether a given Roavi meetup is inside that definition depends on what you actually do, so look at the DCWP rules for yourself and decide how you want to describe your offer — do not take this paragraph as legal advice.
Why join Roavi
Roavi gives you the page and the visibility — you bring the local know-how.
Your own profile page
A personal page that's yours — your photo, your story, your city. Share the link anywhere.
Get discovered on Google
Your profile sits on our New York pages, which are built to rank — so travelers searching for a local find you.
Show your real self
Add photos and the experiences you love. Travelers choose you because of who you are, not a faceless listing.
Interests & languages
List the languages you speak and the things you're into, so the right travelers connect with you.
No complicated setup
Apply in minutes. No license, no fees to join, no endless forms — just your profile and you're live.
Meet people from everywhere
Connect with travelers from around the world who want the real local experience, not a tourist trap.
How travelers discover you
They search Google
Travelers look for “a local friend in New York”. Roavi's pages rank — and your profile is on them.
They browse your city
On the New York page they see real locals, filter by interest, and open your profile.
They message you
No middleman. Travelers reach out directly and you plan something real together.
How it works
Apply in minutes
Create your free Roavi account and tell us about yourself.
Build your profile
Add your city, interests, languages and photos — make it yours.
Get discovered
Your page goes live on Roavi and starts showing up for travelers.
Meet travelers
They message you directly and you show them your city, your way.
Travelers are looking for locals in New York
Be one of the first Local Friends they meet. Build your profile today and get discovered by travelers heading to New York.
Frequently asked questions
Everyone in New York is busy. Does a few hours a month work?
Yes. You choose which requests to take and when. Plenty of people do one weekend afternoon a month. New York gets a very high volume of short trips, so there is usually someone whose dates fit whatever window you have.
I speak another language at home. Does that help?
It is often the whole reason someone picks you. New York receives visitors from everywhere, and a lot of them would rather spend a day with a New Yorker who speaks their language than with anyone else. Put every language you actually speak on your profile — it is the single most useful line on it in this city.
How do I become a Local Friend in New York?
Tap “Apply in minutes”, create your free Roavi profile, and add your city (New York), languages, interests and a few photos. Once you're approved, your profile page goes live and travelers can discover and message you.
Is it free to join Roavi as a Local Friend?
Yes — creating your Local Friend profile is free. You decide how you connect with travelers and there's no complicated setup.
What is a Local Friend?
A Local Friend is someone who shows travelers their city the real way — favorite food spots, nightlife, hidden gems and culture. You're not a tour company; you're a trusted local who shares what you love.
How do travelers find me?
Roavi gives you your own profile page and lists you on our city pages for New York, which are built to rank on Google. Travelers searching for a local guide discover your profile and message you directly.
Do I need experience or a license?
No. If you love your city and enjoy meeting people, you can be a Local Friend. Just be welcoming, reliable and honest about what you offer.
Ready to get your own Roavi page?
Join the locals showing travelers the real New York. It's free, it's fast, and it's yours.
Apply in minutes