The 9 Self-Guided Tours in the USA That Earn Their Price

1.Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,343 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $43Our pick

Ride a 30-minute ferry from Liberty Square or Patriots Point to Fort Sumter, where a National Park Service ranger explains the opening battle of the Civil War. You get about an hour to explore the ruins, museum, bookstore, and views before the return boat. Expect stairs, changing weather, and no restrooms at the fort.

“Lots of information. Ferry ride over was great with the explanation of what happened at the fort. Had a great time.”

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2.Alcatraz Ticket, Ferry, & Self-Guided App

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,460 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

Take the ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island, then explore the prison at your own pace with a self-guided app and official cell house audio tour. See the cells linked to Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, learn about the island’s escape attempts, and enjoy wide views of San Francisco Bay and the skyline.

“Very interesting and informative tour. Easily accessible and the ferry ride is a great way to see the bay and bridge and San Francisco skyline. We had a beautiful day which helped. Good value for the experience. Would recommend as a must see in the Bay Area.”

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3.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 2,030 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $51

See Los Angeles from an open-top double-decker bus with a 1, 2, or 3-day pass. 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.

“Drivers are nice, very friendly and familiar with routes. But omg summer time in LA is super crazy hot!!! And there are NO AC in the bus, that’s only thing you have to concern with this bus service”

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4.Medieval Torture Museum Ticket with Audio Guide and Ghost Hunting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 962 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35Best value

You’ll walk through a 6,000-square-foot Chicago exhibition filled with realistic wax figures, torture devices, and hands-on displays. Your ticket includes a self-guided audio tour and ghost-hunting app, so you can move at your own pace. Bring earbuds, expect dim lighting, and allow about 90 minutes, or longer if you read everything.

“I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this museum. I went because by daughter wanted to see it. Very informative audio tour. You go at your own pace.”

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5.Gettysburg Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 910 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.)

Follow Gettysburg’s 19-mile battlefield road with an English-language audio guide that starts at the Heritage Center or National Park Visitor Center. GPS triggers more than 60 stories as you pass McPherson’s Ridge, Little Round Top, Pickett’s Charge, and the National Cemetery. Download the Action Tour Guide app before arriving, then explore at your own pace.

“Very easy to follow and loved the ability to stop and start as we wanted! Will definitely use again on our next trip.”

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6.Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 762 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.)

Drive Joshua Tree National Park in your own car with an offline Action Tour Guide app that triggers narration by GPS. The route covers about 66 miles and more than 60 stories, with stops for Samuelsons Rock, Hidden Valley, Lost Horse Mine, Skull Rock, Keys View, and stargazing. You set the pace, choose the hikes, and can reuse the tour on future trips.

“App was very easy to operate and the narration provided very interesting information about the natural history of the Park.”

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7.Alcatraz, Ferry & Audio Tour w/ Night Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 617 reviews · 3 hours · from $78

Travel from Pier 33 to Alcatraz on the official ferry, then explore the cellhouse, gardens, ruins, protest sites, and island views at your own pace. Your ticket includes the official Cellhouse audio tour plus a separate companion guide with Indigenous voices, inmate reflections, and stories of island life. A night option adds ranger introductions and evening access.

“such a fantastic trip. well worth the journey over and the narration around the prison was so interesting.”

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8.Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 521 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Drive Acadia’s 22-mile Park Loop Road with more than 36 location-triggered audio stories covering Hulls Cove, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, and more. You drive your own car, stop when you like, and use the Action Tour Guide app offline. The $16.99 price covers a group of up to four.

“This is a great app. We felt vey good after we used it. Keep you from being tied to the busses. You can go as fast or slow as you want.”

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9.Self-Guided Ebike Tours of Acadia National Park Carriage Roads

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 427 reviews · 1 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $130

Pick up a Class 1 e-bike at Hull’s Cove Visitor Center and set off on Acadia’s hard-packed carriage roads. Island Time provides a lesson, map, helmet, lock, basket, phone holder, and insulated bag. Choose a one to six-hour rental, ask Wilton or the staff for route tips, and ride toward Jordan Pond or other park sights at your own pace.

“Wonderful experience exploring Acadia NP. E bikes were very fun and Gilbert? Instructed us on their use. Perfect fall color. It was cold and rainy but we still enjoyed it. Highly recommend !!”

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