According to American playwright Tennessee Williams, ‘America has only three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everything else is Cleveland.’ – and back in his day, this may even have had a grain of truth to it. After all, we’re pretty sure he didn’t have access to Google Maps, and therefore didn’t really know what he was missing. Now of course, we know that all of America’s cities have something unique to offer us, experiences to be discovered and stories to be told.

Guided tours are a great way to make the most of a city. Whether you’re a born-and-bred local or a tourist with an appetite for exploration, tours will help you find the best spots, lesser-known hideouts, and hidden corners of a place. With guides who are passionate about their home patch, local eats and unique perspectives, our selection of city tours is bound to have something for you!

New York

New York City Photo Safari – $120

If you’re looking to explore the city, why not view it at your best artistic angle through the lens of a camera? Not only does this photo safari show you how best to frame the Big Apple, it also results in you having photographic souvenirs to take home with you! Even if you’re an NYC local, you’ll still get to see your home patch in a whole new light.

During this 2.5 roaming workshop, you’ll learn how to take amazing pictures with your digital camera. The tour begins with a discussion on the technical aspects of your chosen photography safari. After your discussion, participants are then provided with their photo assignments. Your options include Central Park, Iconic NY Parts 1 or 2, World Trade Center, Central Park at Night or Times Square at Night. New York is a city of many faces, so whichever photo safari you choose to embark on, you’re sure to capture a side you’ve never seen before. While you roam around and capture the best parts of the city that never sleeps, your guide will provide ongoing feedback and suggestions as to how you can improve your photographs. You’ll be an expert photographer in no time, with a portfolio of gorgeous photos to prove it!

San Francisco

Gourmet Culinary Tour of San Francisco – $63

San Francisco is a lively city bustling with culture, music, art, and most importantly, FOOD. There is so much Bay Area deliciousness to be had in San Francisco, so forget the tedious guesswork of compiling the best places, and embark on a culinary expedition like no other! This culinary walking tour will take you on an adventure filled with food and fun through a San Francisco neighborhood of your choosing.

Whether you go for the “North Beach/Little Italy” or “Chinatown” tour, you will be led by an experienced and passionate guide to the most delicious spots around. If you choose to explore North Beach and Little Italy, you can expect to enjoy an eclectic roster of culinary delights including fresh roasted coffee, focaccia sandwiches, chocolate truffles, pizza cooked in a 125-year-old brick oven, pastries, deli delights and much more. On the Chinatown tour, you’ll explore the Chinese markets, discover how fortune cookies are made, enjoy plenty of Dim Sum, visit a Buddhist temple, and try out Chinese cookware – amongst a lot of other fun stuff. If you can’t decide between the two neighborhoods, just select the Night tour to explore both!

Los Angeles

Historic Hollywood Walking Tour – $79

Get to know Hollywood through the iconic establishments that have kept its glamorous residents fed and watered for generations! Your 3-hour historic tour begins when you meet your guide on Hollywood Boulevard. Take a moment to soak up the atmosphere before you begin your star-studded adventure. As you venture down the walk of fame, your guide will regale you with tales of the famous Hollywood stars whose legacy lives on in the concrete. Along the way, you’ll enjoy classic cocktails at long-standing hotspots in Hollywood, exploring a mix of pubs, dive bars and restaurants still keeping the golden age of Hollywood alive and well. Admire the stunning Art Deco architecture and elegant theatres that line the boulevard, and get the inside story behind each location, maybe even hearing a ghost story or two along the way. By the end of the tour, you’ll realise there’s so much more to Hollywood than just the movies!

San Diego

San Diego Trolley Tour – $40

Enjoy this fully narrated San Diego trolley tour, and soak up all the best spots from the comfort of this charming vehicle. Covering over 100 points of interest, you’re bound to find something on this tour that piques your interest!

Your tour begins in Old Town, and covers a huge spread of fascinating areas: Old Town State Park, Seaport Village, Horton Plaza, Coronado Island, Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego Zoo, Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Museum of Art, Natural History Museum, Aerospace Museum, Lindbergh Field, Naval Station San Diego, Balboa Park, El Prado, Heritage Park, Star of India, Whaley House … and, if you can believe it, even more!

How you experience the trolley tour is up to you. You can board and enjoy the tour in full, taking in the attractions from inside the trolley, or hop-on and off at ten different attractions throughout the city.

Boston

Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise – $37

This sightseeing cruise experience of Boston Harbor allows you to enjoy one of two 90-minute cruises, choosing between Historic Harbor Day Tour or Boston Cruise at Sunset.

Whichever you choose, you’ll learn fascinating insights about the history and character of Boston. Boarding the boat at Long Wharf, you’ll be welcomed on board by the friendly captain and crew. Take a moment to admire the view from your comfortable vessel, and then it’ll be time to set sail! Once the ship is underway, you will have the chance to learn more about this beautiful city through stories and narration. On the historic harbor cruise, you can expect to learn about Boston’s inner and outer harbors, listen to tales of the revolutionary war, and hear local legends of the sea. If you embark on the sunset cruise, you’ll experience a tour with the USS Constitution’s sunset cannon serenade and flag-lowering, signalling the day’s end.

This Boston Harbor Cruise really is a great introduction to the city for a visitor, or the perfect way to rediscover your home patch if you’re a local!

Miami

Pub Crawl Tour of Miami – $55

Discover the top taverns in town with this 3 hour Coral Gables pub crawl! Your fun, friendly and knowledgeable guide will take you on a delicious beer-studded crawl of hand-selected establishments, exploring one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Miami. You’ll sample American, Belgian, Columbian or even Haitian beers, so be sure to arrive thirsty! Along the way, you’ll also learn about the culture and history of Coral Gables, one of the first planned communities in the country, and home to the university of Miami.

Washington DC

Politics Tour of Capitol Hill – $40

Discover the birthplace of American politics with this 2 hour Washington DC Capitol Hill tour! Your educational tour begins in the heart of the city, where you’ll meet your guide. Embarking on your adventure, you’ll journey through the nation’s capital, discovering the history of the city, the inner workings of the American government, and fascinating stories of U.S. politics. Stroll past the most historic and iconic buildings of Capitol Hill including the Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, the Eastern Market, the Old Navy Hospital and the Marine Core Barracks. Wander up one of the most historic streets in DC, where you’ll have the chance to engage in a lively political discussion with the group. The tour then concludes at a local bar, where you can continue the friendly discussion and debate over a drink or two.

Seattle

Seattle Chocolate Tour – $67

Explore Seattle through the two things that keep the minds of its residents sharp: chocolate and coffee. Coffee is a Seattle staple, so learn about its history and relationship to the city, as you explore a mixture of sweet and savory chocolate and coffee tastings. Indulge in delicious samples of gourmet treats: Tom Douglas’ famous triple coconut cream pie and chocolate chunk cookies, mini cupcakes and rich chocolate brownies, a hand-crafted chocolate cocktail, Colombian drinking chocolate and more!

Portland

Portland Tipsy Tour – $79

This 3 hour Portland tipsy tour is the perfect way to discover Portland’s cocktail and craft beer scene, have a fantastic night out and make the most of this quirky city!

During your 3-hour drink tasting tour, you’ll learn the many hidden inside stories about the influence of alcohol on the city. This tour mixes history and practical tips, so you’ll also receive helpful insights on how best to choose drinks for your personal preference. Portland has over 50 craft breweries and over a dozen local award-winning craft distilleries, so enjoy wine, beer, distilled spirits, cocktails, snacks, professional mixology and more. By the end of your adventure, you’ll have gained a new perspective and appreciation for the development, creation and fermentation of our favorite drinks. You’ll even learn absurd stories of how Portlanders handled the prohibition era! (Well, you can’t be expected to give up your 5 o’clock cocktail, even if it’s outlawed!)

Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta Walking Tour – $30

Explore the beauty and history of this ‘city in a forest’ during a two-hour sightseeing Atlanta walking tour. You’ll see some of the city’s most inspiring places, and learn about the major businesses that call Georgia home. Starting your scenic tour in the heart of Atlanta, you’ll meet your guide for the tour. You and your fellow participants will then be taken on a fascinating journey through downtown, learning about the different landmarks that make Atlanta unique, and hearing plenty of stories along the way. Walk through Centennial Park and visit Underground Atlanta to really get a feel for the city. You’ll also see some of the city’s major international businesses lining the streets, such as Coca Cola and CNN Center!

Philadelphia

South Philly Ethnic Eats Food – $46

This 3 hour sightseeing food tour allows you to eat your way through south Philadelphia, enjoying its global flavors and culture. Discover the flavors and culture of Asia and Mexico with this delicious experience! Stops include a Buddhist temple with elaborate ornate interior, a Vietnamese speciality shop, and a restaurant where you’ll enjoy spring rolls and authentic pork Banh Mi. You will also visit an Indonesian cafe to try a national dish, an Asian supermarket where you’ll discover new cooking ingredients, and a Mexican Taqueria for a delicious treat. In addition to the delicious global delicacies at some of South Philadelphia’s best speciality shops and restaurants, you’ll learn the inside scoop about Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese and Mexican food traditions.

Charleston

Sightseeing Tour of Charleston – $30

Charleston is a gorgeous, scenic place, so explore it with a tour guide who knows it inside out! Your two hour sightseeing tour will begin when you meet your guide, who will escort you and your fellow explorers through America’s most charming historic district. You’ll learn about Charlestowne, taking in its historic highlights and famous landmarks. This is a true insider tour, taking you where carriages and motor coaches are not allowed to. Stroll past antebellum mansions, hidden gardens, historic churches and graveyards, learning about the stories and traditions that reveal Charleston’s rich history.

Dallas

Uptown Dallas Food Tour – $83

Combine a fun day of sightseeing with plenty of delicious food, and discover Dallas’ culinary side with this Uptown Dallas Food Tour! One mile north of Downtown, Uptown is widely known as the most pedestrian-friendly neighborhood in the city. Full of flavor and historic attractions, the area is bursting at the seams with things to see, eat and drink. You’ll start by meeting your friendly guide in the west village, and they’ll escort you through the culinary landscape of Dallas. You’ll visit several locally owned establishments, in between admiring sights such as the State Thomas district and the McKinney Avenue Trolleys.

Houston

Houston Culinary Tour – $69

This Houston culinary tour is the best way to explore the city! Taste your way through White Oak or Market Square during this 3 ½ hour food tour. The best part about this experience is you get to choose your own adventure. Pick from the White Oak or Market Square tour, and begin your 1 ½ mile excursion through your chosen neighborhood! Along the way, you’ll stop at an eclectic mix of eateries, sampling both sweet and savory offerings for a well-rounded and delicious tour. You’ll learn about the area’s history, and get to know the hard-working and talented people who run the establishments. You can expect multiple tastings throughout your tour, so make sure you arrive hungry!

New Orleans

New Orleans Music and Jazz Tour – $59

Feel the incredible spirit of New Orleans with this 2 ½ hour music and jazz tour!

During your tour, you’ll learn the fascinating history of jazz, and witness some truly revolutionary live music at The Big Easy’s best venues.

You’ll meet your guide at Louis Armstrong Park. Stroll through this area named after one of the greats, and learn about the historical origins of jazz music. You’ll be shown through the Marigny neighborhood, and to the famous Frenchmen St. where poets with typewriters line the sidewalk, musicians play in the street and lively snippets of conversation and music erupt from inside the local bars. This is where New Orleans keeps some of its best music venues, so relax with a beer as you enjoy some of the best jazz in the country, even going behind the scenes to see the bands between sets. You’ll feel more like one of the band than a tourist!

Las Vegas

Las Vegas Lights Helicopter Tour – $248

How better to tour the extravagant city of lights than by helicopter? Get a unique vantage point on the twinkling city of Vegas with this 12 – 15 minute aerial tour.

You and your guest will be picked up from your hotel and escorted to the launch pad, where you’ll enjoy a champagne toast in true Las Vegas style. You and the rest of the passengers will then hop in the state-of-the-art ECO helicopter (some call it ‘the limousine of the sky’. Again, very on-brand for a city with a penchant for luxury vehicles.)

While you and the rest of the guests ascend from the launch pad, take in mesmerising views of the megaresorts of Las Vegas strip, the New York, New York skyline, the Bellagio fountains and the never-fading light of the Luxor pyramid. You’ll also enjoy unparalleled views of Downtown Las Vegas’ historic Fremont Street, home to the city’s first casinos.

Denver

Microbrew Tour Of Denver – $42

There’s no better way to experience the city of Denver than through beer.

Embark on this fascinating – and delicious – tour of Denver’s best Microbreweries. You’ll spend an educational afternoon with a friendly and knowledgeable guide, who will show you the best handcrafted beers, local breweries and brewpubs Denver has to offer. While you sip your way across the city, you’ll also learn how beer is made, hear about the history of Denver’s micro-brewing industry, and enjoy interesting tidbits of trivia. You’ll even have your own souvenir glass to take home with you at the end of the day – cheers!

Minneapolis

Historic Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour – $55

Embark on this delicious Twin Cities culinary tour, a 3 hour expedition of flavor! Your guide will escort you through the historic Northeast Minneapolis (or ‘Nordeast’ as it’s known to the locals) and you’ll experience this dynamic place through its very best food! Enjoy tastings from 6 locations, including baseball-fan-worthy sausages that are also served at Twins Stadium, authentic Neapolitan pizza, traditional Greek desserts, and gourmet cheeses to name just a few! Learn how local establishments came to be, who owns them, and some fun and interesting stories they have to share.

St. Louis

St. Louis Food Tasting Tour – $65

Enjoy this 3 hour guided food tour of either the Saint Louis’ Central West End or the Delmar Loop in University City, named one of the 10 greatest streets in America. You know such an accolade doesn’t come without good reason, so why not see what all the fuss is about?

Meet your guide and tour group at a central location, and begin your journey through some of St. Louis’ most mouth-watering restaurants. During the Central West End Food Tour, you’ll visit up to 5 local eateries, including a local chocolatier, an award-winning pizzeria, a landmark pub which focuses on fresh farm-to-table cuisine, and café located in an urban greenhouse.

If you choose the Delmar Loop Food Tour, you can expect stops like an old world bakery offering traditional Italian pastries, America’s original soda microbrewery, a Middle-Eastern family eatery, a Texas style BBQ joint, and the most highly acclaimed pizza parlor in St. Louis!

…Thank you for reading!

… And that concludes our favorite city tours of the U.S.! If you’re a local looking to get to know your city from a different perspective, a guided tour is a great way to discover lesser-known insights and experiences. Every city holds its own unique set of stories, traditions, cuisine and experiences to be had – you just have to uncover them! A city tour makes a great experience gift for the bold adventurer who has everything, so give them the opportunity to explore – they’ll thank you for it.

If you’re still looking or haven’t found your city on this list, feel free to browse our full range of U.S.A. tours and activities here.