History on the ground · USA HISTORY TOURS

The 15 Best History Tours in the USA

191 tours  ·  from $20 a head

From the Freedom Trail to the Savannah squares and the French Quarter, these 15 American history tours are the ones worth an afternoon, with prices and walking times.

New York City: American Museum of Natural History Ticket - Begin upstairs with dinosaurs and fossils
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New York City: American Museum of Natural History Ticket

1.New York City: American Museum of Natural History Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15,447 reviews · 1 day · from $37Our pick

Spend a full day exploring 40-plus halls at the American Museum of Natural History beside Central Park. Your ticket covers permanent exhibits and the Gilder Center, while selected options add shows such as Invisible Worlds, the butterfly vivarium, or the Hayden Planetarium Space Show. Use the free Explorer App for maps, quizzes, and exhibit stories.

“It was great and definitely worth a visit. The exhibits were fascinating. I highly recommend booking tickets beforehand and having the barcode ready as it makes entry quick and easy. The map we received at the beginning was a bit confusing but I think that was probably just us. Overall a fantastic experience that I would strongly recommend”

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History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour - The Witch Trials Memorial calls for a quieter pause
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History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

2.History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14,564 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $36Top rated

Walk Salem with historians such as Lisa, Michael, Sean, Ryan, and Diane, stopping at the Witch Trials Memorial, Witch House, Ropes Mansion, and McIntire District. Expect a lively mix of 1692 history, architecture, ghost tales, modern witchcraft, and lantern-lit atmosphere. The tour stays outdoors, runs in all weather, and costs $36.

“Michael did a great job in talks us back to the Salem of the 17th century. I enjoyed hearing about the history and ~hauntings~ of Salem! The tour was very informative and enjoyable, and worth every penny and more!! Couldn't have asked for a better tour, and tour guide :)”

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Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour - Starting at 14 Anson Street
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Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

3.Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10,023 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $50

Ride through Charleston’s historic district for about an hour in a covered carriage pulled by a Belgian or Percheron draft horse. A certified Palmetto Guild guide, such as Wendy, Ro, Carol, or Maddie, explains the city’s colonial past, Civil War role, homes, churches, gardens, and unusual characters. Routes are assigned by the city, so each ride covers a different zone.

“It was a great tour with fantastic information and a very charismatic and knowledgeable Carriage Tour Guide.”

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Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour - Pioneer Square before the skyscrapers
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Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

4.Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8,006 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $29Best value

Walk four blocks through Pioneer Square and three historic underground passageways with guides such as David, Patti, Imogen, or Sarah. Expect a lively one-hour lesson on Seattle’s origins, the Great Fire, Skid Row, the Klondike Gold Rush, and the Coast Salish peoples, with stairs and uneven surfaces along the way.

“Very interesting. Our guide was passionate about the history of the underground so therefore a fantastic historian. We had a 7 year old with us and he enjoyed it too!”

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Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History - Waipio Valley and the Hamakua Coast
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Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History

5.Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,569 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $264

Spend about 11 hours crossing the Big Island in a small Mercedes Sprinter van. Visit a Kona coffee farm, Punaluʻu Beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, and Waipio Valley. Guides such as Chris, Drew, Dave, and Justin are known for lively storytelling about Hawaiian culture and history.

“We saw everything from Kona coffee to black sand beach, volcano steam, lava tube, 2 water falls and a beautiful valley. Yes you can rent a car & see all this but you would've missed out on the best part that put ot all together. That was our fabulous guide, Drew. His knowledge of the history and facts really brought it to life. Plus his fun side kept it from being monotonous. Worth the time and money.”

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Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour - Starting at Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House
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Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

6.Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,450 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Follow Boston’s 2.5-hour Freedom Trail walk from Boston Common to Copp’s Hill Terrace with a historian guide. Groups are capped at 16, and guides such as Jon, Maura, Mark, Alejandro, and Maz bring the 1760 to 1775 story to life through vivid storytelling and questions. Expect outdoor sightseeing, steady walking, and no interior admissions.

“Lots of walking but you learn so much and cut through the heart of historic Boston! Our guide Will was extremely knowledgeable and passionate on the subject!”

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Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour - Rainbow Row and the South of Broad homes
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Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

7.Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,216 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Meet your English-speaking local guide at Charleston City Hall for a two-hour walk through the Four Corners of Law, the French Quarter, Rainbow Row, and South of Broad. Guides such as Evans, Al, Dennis, and Duggar bring architecture, war, faith, and slavery into the story. Expect a flat route, changing stops, and no public restrooms.

“It was casual walking a lot of information was given and a true insight of the peninsula and the historical background. Our guide was very professional in her historical knowledge of the area and the nature and vegetation.”

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Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston - Why the guide matters more than the carriage
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Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

8.Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,561 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $49

Ride through Charleston’s historic district from the Big Red Barn near City Market. A certified guide narrates the one-hour journey through roughly 30 blocks, sharing stories of pirates, wars, plantations, architecture, and Reconstruction. Routes are assigned by a city lottery, so exact sights vary. Carriages hold up to 16 people and are covered.

“Enjoyable tour with good information and stories. Weather was clear and cool - good for both horses and passengers”

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Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour - Walking Savannah’s squares and cobblestones
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Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour

9.Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,235 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Walk Savannah’s historic streets after dark with guides such as Dan, Kel, or Kendra. This 90-minute candlelit tour blends documented history, executions, murders, war stories, legends, and paranormal claims without relying on jump scares. It starts near Chippewa Square and ends at Colonial Park Cemetery.

“The tour guide was very knowledgeable & engaging which made the tour that much more fun. With a group of about 26 folks, the guide kept the tour moving and involved the whole time.”

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Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America's Most Beloved Ballpark - Starting at Jersey Street and finding the right entrance
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Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America’s Most Beloved Ballpark

10.Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America’s Most Beloved Ballpark

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,013 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $45

Spend about an hour inside Fenway Park with a professional guide such as Steve, Matt, Jack, or Mary Ella. See the Green Monster, Pesky’s Pole, roof deck, press areas, and Fenway Park Living Museum. The tour runs in all weather, includes stairs, and costs $45.16 per person.

“Very enjoyable and informative. Fenway is just the coolest place. I have been to many baseball parks but this one is the best.”

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Oahu: Mauka Warriors Luau Honoring Polynesia's Forgotten History - Arriving at Coral Crater Adventure Park
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Oahu: Mauka Warriors Luau Honoring Polynesia’s Forgotten History

11.Oahu: Mauka Warriors Luau Honoring Polynesia’s Forgotten History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,013 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $145

Spend about four hours at Coral Crater Adventure Park with an all-you-can-eat Polynesian buffet, hula lessons, Maori games, tattoo demonstrations, weaving, and a dramatic show about the Battle of Kipapa and King Kamehameha I. Hotel pickup is available from Waikiki and Pier 2.

“The venue is outside but well laid out. The dancers are amazing and the story is true to the Polynesian history. The event was well organized, including the transportation. A luau is a pivotal stop while in Hawaii!”

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Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia - Independence Hall and the rooms where the nation took shape
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Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia

12.Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,944 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $29

Spend two hours walking Philadelphia’s Old City with a history-degree guide such as Josh, Kyle, Ted, Joseph, or Vince. See the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Franklin Court, Carpenters’ Hall, Congress Hall, and more. The tour stays outdoors, with morning and afternoon departures, groups capped at 24, and plenty of practical advice for returning to major sites.

“Vincent was a great tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions. The tour went by very fast. Looking forward to taking it again in the spring.”

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Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour - Starting At Oglethorpe Square
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Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour

13.Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,918 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Spend about two hours walking Savannah’s Historic District with a local English-speaking guide. You’ll see squares, historic homes, Factors Walk, River Street, Forsyth Park, Colonial Park Cemetery, and the former Girl Scout headquarters. Audio equipment helps you hear clearly, and morning or afternoon departures are available.

“Our guide, ironically named Savannah, was very knowledgeable with the city history, architecture, people and sites. She was excellent. It was a wonderful tour.”

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New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour - Mansion Stories, Film Connections, and Local Personalities
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New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour

14.New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,879 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35

Spend about two hours walking New Orleans’ Garden District with a local guide such as Caroline, Angie, or Sean. Learn why Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 has above-ground tombs, admire antebellum homes and film locations, and hear stories about the people who shaped the neighborhood. Groups are capped at 15, and the cemetery is viewed from outside its gates.

“Not a ton of walking, but very informative. Learn and hear about a dozen homes and the different style of architecture. Also lots of other history about the Garden District.”

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Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise - Boarding at Charleston Maritime Center
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Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

15.Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,788 reviews · from $44

Board the 80-foot Carolina Belle at Charleston Maritime Center for a 90-minute narrated cruise along the Cooper River. You’ll see Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, Fort Moultrie, the Battery, Waterfront Park, and the Ravenel Bridge. Choose a daytime sailing for more history or sunset for softer views and a memorable finish.

“What a fun trip touring the Harbor. The Captain regaled us with history and fun bits of information. I wish he would have acknowledged the beautiful and important Black History Museum and Memorial, along with the other activities available close by on the shore.”

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New in USA History Tours

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★ 5.0Fairbanks: Private Mush on the Historic Yukon Quest TrailFrom $19530 reviews
★ 4.7Fairbanks: Gold Dredge 8 Historic Train TourFrom $89219 reviews
★ 4.7Charleston:Evening Haunted History Horse-Drawn Carriage TourFrom $5138 reviews
★ 4.9Philadelphia: Valley Forge National Historical Park TourFrom $11539 reviews
★ 4.2Door County Historic Cottage Row & Strawberry Islands CruiseFrom $4524 reviews
★ 5.0Discover Alexandria: Historic Homes, Churches, and Taverns!From $3026 reviews
★ 4.5Denver: History and Architecture Walking ToursFrom $2034 reviews
★ 4.8D.C: Monuments & History Guided Open-Air Bus Tour-Day &NightFrom $4092 reviews
★ 4.9Denver: City Highlights and History Walking TourFrom $3995 reviews
★ 4.9DC: Georgetown History & Architecture Tour with Local GuideFrom $3969 reviews
★ 4.7Washington DC: African American History Museum Private Tour54 reviews

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