About Us
Independent cultural journalism rooted in the streets, galleries, and neighborhoods of New York City.
The Modern Guide was founded on a simple idea: the best way to understand a city is through the people who live in it. We cover New York's arts scene, cultural institutions, and neighborhood life from the perspective of locals who walk these blocks every day.
We are an independent, ad-supported publication. That means no sponsored content disguised as editorial, no pay-for-play reviews, and no corporate partnerships shaping what we write. Our loyalty is to the reader and to the city itself.
From gallery openings in Chelsea to family-run bakeries in Astoria, we believe every corner of New York has a story worth telling — and we aim to tell it with honesty, depth, and genuine enthusiasm.
Editor-in-Chief
Cultural journalist with over ten years covering NYC arts and architecture. Former writer at leading architectural publications. Sets the editorial direction and ensures every piece meets our standard for depth and accuracy.
City Guide Writer
Born and raised in Manhattan, Marcus covers neighborhoods, food, and the rhythms of daily city life. A former walking tour guide turned writer, he knows every shortcut, corner shop, and hidden courtyard worth visiting.
Arts Correspondent
Gallery scene expert covering openings, exhibitions, and the business of art in New York. Priya holds an MFA from the School of Visual Arts and brings a practiced eye to every review and profile she writes.
Everything we publish is based on first-hand experience. We visit every museum, walk every neighborhood, and eat at every restaurant before we write a single word. If we haven't been there ourselves, it doesn't go on the site.
We update our guides regularly to reflect closures, new openings, and changing hours. A recommendation from two years ago is only useful if it's still accurate today, so we revisit our most-read pieces on a rolling basis.
Our writing prioritizes practical tips — what to see first, when to go, what most visitors miss — alongside the cultural context that makes each place meaningful. And we never run sponsored content disguised as editorial. If something is an ad, it's labeled as one.
Have a tip, a correction, or just want to say hello? We'd love to hear from you. Head over to our contact page to drop us a line.