PRESS PLAY · USA AUDIO TOURS
American self-guided touring means the car as often as the pavement: park loops, coast roads and city walks that start at a trailhead sign. The 15 below are priced, timed and clear about where the signal disappears.
Take a 30-minute narrated ferry from Liberty Square or Patriots Point to Fort Sumter. A National Park Service ranger introduces the fort, then you get about an hour to explore the ruins, museum, bookstore, and harbor views before cruising back.
“It was a wonderful tour. Even with my 8 year old child was excited about the ferry ride and touring the fort.”
Start at Pier 33 for a ferry ride to Alcatraz Island, then walk through the cell blocks with a self-guided app tour. See cells linked to Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, hear how escape attempts unfolded, and stay on the island as long as you like.
“Transport was very fast and efficient. Arriving at Alcatraz you can catch a little tram if you’re not too good on your feet. I’m not, but managed the walk ok even if it was quite warm (September). The guided tour was fascinating. You can spend as long as you like there, ferries leave frequently. Absolutely loved my trip.”
Use a 1, 2, or 3-day pass to explore Los Angeles by open-top double-decker bus. Ride four routes covering Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Downtown LA, and Universal Studios. Audio commentary comes in nine languages, with live bus tracking through the CitySightseeing LA app.
“It was a wonderful experience. The family and I were able to see a number of tourist attractions in a very short period of time. The staff was extremely courteous and friendly. Best Bang for your bucks!! Highly recommended”
Ride an open-air double-decker bus through Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Downtown LA, and studio country. Choose a one, two, or three-day pass, use the nine-language audio guide, and hop off at places such as the Dolby Theatre, Venice Beach, Farmers Market, and Warner Bros. Studios.
“I always do the hop on hop off in all cities. A very relaxed way to get to know a city with limited time”
Enter a 6,000-square-foot Chicago museum filled with medieval torture, restraint, and execution displays. Your mobile ticket includes an audio guide and ghost-hunting app, so you can move at your own pace, examine interactive exhibits, and add a spooky game to the visit. Allow about 90 minutes, though careful readers may stay longer.
“This was a fun and interactive experience. Interesting to learn about the different means of torture and why…. Glad to live in this century!”
Drive Gettysburg’s official battlefield route with an English-language GPS audio guide. Follow the fighting from McPherson’s Ridge to Pickett’s Charge, stopping for monuments, views, photos, and side stories. One purchase covers up to four people in the car, with lifetime access and offline playback.
“Take your time and soak it up so much good information! It is very inexpensive for the amount of content you get”
Explore Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on a self-guided visit lasting about one to two hours. Watch the Soul of Nashville film, browse five exhibits hosted by music and television figures, visit the Hatch Show Print gallery, and request an on-stage photo when the stage is available.
“We loved touring the Ryman! The movie was so informative and innovative. It was special to get to tour the Ryman and see all of the exhibits. We were also able to have our picture made which was included with our tickets.”
Steven, Tanya, or Laurent picks you up at your Las Vegas hotel, provides a helmet, map, water, snack, and electric bike, then sends you along Red Rock Canyon’s paved 13-mile loop. You ride independently, stop when you like, and meet the driver at the finish.
“Steven was awesome - so friendly and helpful and kind. Bikes were in great shape and we loved the ride. Would highly recommend this operator!”
Drive Joshua Tree National Park at your own pace with an English audio guide, offline maps, and more than 60 GPS-triggered stories. Follow a 66-mile route from the Joshua Tree Visitor Center to Twenty-Nine Palms, with optional stops for mines, boulders, stargazing, and a bonus Hidden Valley Nature Trail tour.
“We all enjoyed it. The speaker was clear and easy to understand and the information was interesting.”
Start before dawn from Haiku, ride by van to Haleakala’s summit for sunrise, then bike downhill at your own pace from about 6,500 feet. Guides such as Eddie Buddy, Corey, and Russell add local stories before a scenic ride, Makawao stop, and optional breakfast.
“The views were beyond my expectations!! The ride was great, they provided everything we needed for the ride including wind suits which were so necessary.”
Drive from Las Vegas to Willow Beach for a small-group, beginner-friendly kayak trip led by guides such as Eugene, Jeff, Melissa, or Gage. Paddle 4 miles through Black Canyon, visit the sunlit Emerald Cave, stop at a historic overlook, and enjoy snacks and water before returning.
“Jeff our tour guide was knowledgeable and very kind. Best part of our Vegas trips hands down! Water was so refreshing!”
Take the official ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, then explore the cellhouse, gardens, ruins, and protest sites with two audio experiences. Your companion guide covers the full journey, while the official cellhouse recording adds inmate voices and prison stories. Choose the night option for ranger talks and limited evening access.
“absolutely loved it. free audio guide is avaliable for the cell tour.”
Drive Acadia’s 22-mile Park Loop Road with the Action Tour Guide app, hearing more than 36 GPS-triggered stories about Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, and other key sights. You set the pace, stop for hikes, and use the tour offline after downloading it.
“This was very informational and we enjoyed it. We had it playing through apple car play and commentary cut off 2-3 seconds at the being and end of each stop. That was frustrating.”
Ride downhill from Haleakala’s 6,500-foot staging area, then continue through Makawao to Paia at your own pace. Maui Sunriders supplies bikes, helmets, weather gear, maps, a van shuttle, and roadside help. Guides such as Remy, Dane, Mattias, and Roy handle safety and local tips.
“Easy ride down the mountain. Great customer service and helpful hints. Any experience level works since you go at your own speed.”
Drive more than 65 miles around Lake Tahoe with an audio guide that starts stories by GPS. Learn about the Washoe people, celebrity estates, ski history, beaches, and viewpoints. The Action Tour Guide app works offline, costs $16.99 per car, and can be reused for a year.
“Very informative and helpful. You can go as fast as you want or as slow as you want. It is a true bargain!”
Pick a walk, a drive, a ticket or a game.
