About Untapped New York

Untapped New York team

Untapped New York unearths New York City’s secrets and hidden gems.

We can’t wait to explore New York with you.

Founded in 2009, Untapped New York is powered by a team of passionate New Yorkers, always exploring the city. We are dedicated to our mission of discovery, so come back daily to uncover new secret and hidden places, get behind-the-scenes access to the places we cover and meet the incredible people shaping our city.

Experience NYC’s secrets and hidden gems in person with our local guides, or access the city’s most off limits places by joining our community of passionate Untapped New York Insider members. We offer many ways to discover New York City.

Michelle Young, Founder

Michelle YoungMichelle is a graduate of Harvard College in the History of Art and Architecture and holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, where she is an Adjunct Professor of Architecture. She also teaches at the Craig Newmark School of Journalism at the City University of New York. Michelle appears regularly in documentaries and at conferences on urban issues. She has been featured on the History Channel’s The Engineering that Built the World, Netflix’s Stay Here, PBS’ 10 That Changed America, and Smithsonian Channel’s Secret Cities. Michelle is the author of Secret Brooklyn, New York Hidden Bars & Restaurantsand Broadway. She can be reached at @untappedmich. Official website: michelleyoungwriter.com.

Augustin Pasquet, CEO

Augustin PasquetAugustin hails from Paris, and has lived in Nigeria, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Brooklyn, where he currently resides. He is a graduate of ESSCA Business School in France with a major in marketing and worked for seven years in sales and brand marketing for L’Oreal in both Paris and New York City. Augustin’s photography has been published in Travel & Leisure, Brooklyn Magazine, Time Out New York, as well as in the books New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants, and Broadway.

Justin Rivers, Chief Experience Officer

Justin Rivers, Untapped New YorkJustin leads Untapped New York’s experience department, creating and delivering some of its most popular tours including the Underground Tour of the NYC Subway, the Remnants of Dutch New Amsterdam, and the Remnants of Penn Station tour. His mission continues to be creating and leading unique experiences that help New Yorkers and visitors alike rediscover their city. He has lived in New York City for over 20 years and is a graduate of Fordham University.

Bella Druckman headshotBella Druckman, Editor

Bella Druckman is a writer and editor. Hailing from Chicago, she betrays her hometown in her pizza preferences. When she is not writing about food, culture, the arts, religion, fashion, or New York’s juiciest secrets, she can be found exploring the city. Bella has served as an editor of the Columbia Daily Spectator and written for TODAY.com and Moment Magazine.

Laura Itzkowitz, Editor

Laura Itzkowitz in Rome photoLaura is a writer and editor based in Rome with an MFA in creative writing and a passion for covering travel, arts and culture, lifestyle, design, food and wine. In addition to Untapped New York, her writing has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Architectural Digest, Vogue, GQ, Departures, AFAR, and others. Prior to Rome, Laura lived in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and co-wrote New York Hidden Bars & Restaurants with Michelle Young. Follow her adventures on Instagram @lauraitzkowitz.

Aaron AsisAaron Asis, Artist in Residence

Aaron was born and raised in New York City and spent his childhood exploring its neighborhoods, its people, and its streets. As an artist, Aaron draws from a lifetime of curiosity and exploration to promote access and awareness throughout our cities — working to create connections between community groups, non-profit organizations, and government agencies, to celebrate the under-appreciated and exhibit work in unexpected places.

We’re always looking for talented professionals! Visit our employment page for current opportunities.

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