USA · HISTORICAL TOURS

The 15 Best Historical Tours in the USA

112 tours  ·  from $18

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 historical tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

New York City: American Museum of Natural History Ticket - The fourth floor is the natural place to begin
City Tours, City Tours in New York City, Historical Tours, Museum Tours in New York City, Museums, New York City Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews

New York City: American Museum of Natural History Ticket

1.American Museum of Natural History Ticket

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

You get all-day entry to more than 40 permanent halls, the Rose Center, and the new Gilder Center. Add one or all ticketed exhibits for shows such as Encounters in the Milky Way, the butterfly vivarium, or the dinosaur extinction exhibit. The Explorer app helps you find your way.

“Great experience. We spent few hours and didn’t see everything. Great for a rainy or cold day. We visited NYE week and it was very crowded. It would be nice if they had a max number of ticket sales to prevent overcrowding. And maybe kids area would also be nice.”

Check availability →Read our full review

History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour - The Bewitched statue adds a pop culture detour
Guided, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Salem, Salem Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Salem

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 local historians such as Lisa, Michael, Sean, Ryan, and Dana, tracing the 1692 witch trial hysteria, old seaport wealth, haunted tales, and colonial architecture. The two-hour route includes the Witch Trials Memorial, Ropes Mansion, McIntire District, and Bewitched statue, but no building interiors.

“Michael was very funny and informative, he made this tour a very fun and interesting experience. I would definitely recommend tour and Michael.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour - What you see from the carriage
Charleston Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Charleston, Horses, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

Meet at Old South Carriage Company on Anson Street for a one-hour narrated ride through Charleston’s historic district. A Belgian or Percheron draft horse leads up to 16 passengers past mansions, piazzas, gardens, churches, and wrought iron gates. Your guide and route vary by departure.

“You would truly enjoy the experience, and everyone was so nice and professional. The tour guides are very friendly and informative. Great overall experience 😊”

Check availability →Read our full review

Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour - Pioneer Square above the old street level
Historical Tours, Seattle Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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 through Pioneer Square and three historic underground passageways with a local English-speaking guide. Hear about Seattle’s Great Fire era, Skid Row, the Klondike Gold Rush, and Coast Salish peoples. Guides such as David, Patti, Sarah, and Imogen bring plenty of humor and personality.

“Enjoyable historical through Streets and underground of Seattle. Daniel was knowledgeable and moved us at a reasonable pace.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History - Waipiʻo Valley and the Hamakua Coast
Big Island of Hawaii Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

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 Hawaii Island in a small Mercedes Sprinter van. See Punaluʻu Beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, Rainbow and Akaka Falls, Waipiʻo Valley, and a Kona coffee farm. Guides such as Chris, Drew, Kevin, and Kavika are known for lively island history and culture talks.

“Kamika was an amazing tour guide. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the big island. We took the tour the first day and now able able to see all the things we wanted more time at.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour - Starting at Boston Common and the State House
Boston Tours, Freedom Trail Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Boston, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Boston

Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

6.Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour

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

Walk Boston’s full Freedom Trail with a historian guide and up to 15 other people. Over 2.5 hours, you’ll connect Boston Common, the Granary Burying Ground, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s North End, and more to the tense years before the American Revolution. Indoor warm-up breaks may help in cold weather.

“Our travel guide Alejandro was knowledgeable and enthusiastic in his depiction of each historical destination. He was sympathetic to the frigid cold temperatures and we had warm-up breaks, which were appreciated. His overall presentation was educational and informative to even the Boston resident!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour - City Hall and the Four Corners of Law
Charleston Tours, Guided, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Charleston, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Charleston

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

7.Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

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

Start at Charleston City Hall and walk through the Four Corners of Law, French Quarter, Rainbow Row, and South of Broad. Guides such as Al, Duggar, Dennis, and Evans bring local history, architecture, and difficult stories to life. Bring water, wear good shoes, and expect a group of up to 20.

“Pleasant walk with very knowledgable guide. Really enjoyed it. Never really knew all of the history. Home run.”

Check availability →Read our full review

NYC: Starship Landmark 90 Minute Sightseeing Cruise - Starting at Pier 78 in Hudson River Park
Boat Tours in New York City, Cruises & Boat Tours, Historical Tours, New York City Tours, Sightseeing Cruises, Sightseeing Cruises in New York City, Tour Reviews

NYC: Starship Landmark 90 Minute Sightseeing Cruise

8.Starship Landmark 90 Minute Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,666 reviews · 1h 30m · from $34

Cruise from Pier 78 along the Hudson and East Rivers, passing Hudson Yards, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, and Lower Manhattan. You get indoor and outdoor decks, a snack bar, restrooms, and a live English guide. Guides such as Molly, Darius, and Al are known for mixing facts with humor.

“The crew and guide were excellent, historic places pointed out and little extra info about things- it was a great ride!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston - Meeting the horses at the Big Red Barn
Charleston Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Charleston, Horses, Tour Reviews, Tours

Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

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

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

Ride through historic Charleston from the Big Red Barn with a certified guide and a horse such as Admiral, Duke, or Marley. Expect about an hour on an open-sided, covered carriage, roughly 30 blocks of architecture, churches, gardens, and stories shaped by a city-assigned route.

“Lovely experience. We went early in the day and had an almost private tour. Jim was a great guide and Donald, the gorgeous Belgian draft horse, did a great job leading us around. Palmetto takes such good care of their horses!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour - Meeting at Chippewa Square
Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Savannah, Savannah Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Savannah

Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour

10.Savannah History and Haunts Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour

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

Meet near Chippewa Square for a 90-minute candlelit walk through Savannah’s historic center. Guides such as Dan, Kel, and Kendra mix war stories, executions, murders, legends, and paranormal lore. Expect cobblestones, cemetery history, a moderate pace, and a serious approach to the city’s darker past.

“We absolutely loved this tour. Our guide was so enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and fun to listen to. Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America's Most Beloved Ballpark - Starting at Jersey Street and Gate B
Boston Tours, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Boston, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

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

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

Spend an hour inside Fenway Park with guides such as Steve, Matt, Jack, or Mary Ella, visiting the Green Monster, roof deck, Pesky’s Pole, and Living Museum. You’ll hear Red Sox stories, see rare memorabilia, and gain access to areas usually closed during a game.

“Fantastic experience, large group, toured the entire stadium from one side to the other, guide was great!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Oahu: Mauka Warriors Luau Honoring Polynesia's Forgotten History - Arriving at Coral Crater Adventure Park
Historical Tours, Oahu Tours, Tour Reviews

Oahu: Mauka Warriors Luau Honoring Polynesia’s Forgotten History

12.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 for an all-you-can-eat Polynesian feast, hula lessons, weaving, Maori games, and a large outdoor performance. The show covers the Battle of Kipapa, King Kamehameha I, and traditions from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands.

“It was fun. The entertainment was really good, but was not impressed with the food. If they could make some improvements on the food, it would be a good show all the way around.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia - The Liberty Bell and the meaning behind the crack
Historical Tours, Philadelphia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia

13.Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia

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

Spend two hours walking Old City Philadelphia with a guide who has a history degree. Josh, Kyle, Joseph, Vince, and Ted are among the guides praised for lively storytelling. You’ll see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Franklin Court, Carpenters’ Hall, and more, mostly from the outside.

“Ted our guide was awesome! Very informative, polite and professional. I would highly recommend this if you want to learn the history in the city of Brotherly Love”

Check availability →Read our full review

Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour - Historic homes, architecture, and stories along the way
Guided, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in Savannah, Savannah Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Savannah

Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour

14.Historic Savannah Guided Walking Tour

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

Walk Savannah’s Historic District with a local guide, visiting squares, cobblestone lanes, Forsyth Park, River Street, Factors Walk, and Colonial Park Cemetery. Guides such as Pierce, Champ, Kelce, and Savannah bring history to life with clear storytelling and audio devices.

“Very knowledgeable tour guide. No cheesey stories. Excellent pacing. Communication equipment that actually worked.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour - Homes, Hollywood connections, and the people behind the façades
Garden District Tours, Ghost & History Walking Tours, Ghost Tours in New Orleans, Historical Tours, Historical Tours in New Orleans, New Orleans Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in New Orleans

New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour

15.New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour

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

Walk New Orleans’ Garden District with guides such as Caroline, Angie, or Shawn, learning about antebellum homes, cemetery customs, celebrity residents, and local life. The two-hour small-group tour visits Lafayette Cemetery from outside its gates, since repairs have closed it to the public.

“Our guide, Caroline, was very knowledgeable, funny, and engaging. I would have taken another tour from her if I had the time. The homes we saw were well chosen and the stories were entertaining. If standing still makes your back ache then load up on pain meds but it is worth it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Historical Tours

★ 5.0Top Rated Brooklyn Half-Day Food, History & Culture Tour via busFrom $189758 reviews
★ 4.5New Orleans Jazz History and Music Walking TourFrom $60477 reviews
★ 5.0New Orleans Cocktail History Walking Tour in the French QuarterFrom $95604 reviews
★ 5.0Garden District Home and History Walking TourFrom $26470 reviews
★ 5.0New Orleans Cocktail and Food History TourFrom $160819 reviews
★ 5.0#1 Sonoma Walking Food, Wine Tasting & History Tour (Public Tour)From $189457 reviews
★ 5.0Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem CreekFrom $48407 reviews
★ 5.0Carmel Small Group Walking Food & Cultural TourFrom $149392 reviews
★ 5.0Historic Memphis Guided Walking Tour: Memphis Beyond BealeFrom $32394 reviews
★ 5.0Secrets of Louisville: Food & History Walking Tour in NuLuFrom $139435 reviews
★ 5.0Key West Historic Seaport Food & Walking TourFrom $93642 reviews
★ 5.0History and Movie Tour of Beaufort by Golf CartFrom $38562 reviews
★ 5.0#1 Historical Horse Drawn Carriage Tour454 reviews
★ 4.5Ghost Tour: History and Haunts – Family Friendly – Best in GettysburgFrom $23378 reviews
★ 5.0History Museum, Pioneer House Museum & Schoolhouse Museum439 reviews

Keep browsing

Observation Decks12Museums57Walking Tours165City Tours177Central Park Tours23Statue of Liberty Tours13
Scroll to Top

Explore America

Pick a skyline, a canyon or a coastline.

Big views

Observation DecksGrand CanyonAntelope CanyonHelicopter FlightsNational Parks

On the water

Sightseeing CruisesSunset SailsWhale WatchingEverglades AirboatsSnorkelling

Food and drink

Food ToursBar CrawlsWine TastingsDinner CruisesPub Crawls

On foot

Walking ToursGhost WalksHistory ToursCity ToursBike Tours