Amazing American History Tours

The United States has a fascinating and tumultuous history, and there is much learning (and unlearning) to be done around every corner of this vast country. Taking time to explore the many distinct regions and historic sites of the US provides us with insight into what a truly diverse nation this is. By touring the most significant attractions in American history with a local guide, you'll gain insight into what happened at these sites, and the importance they still hold to Americans today.

The guides on ToursByLocals offer historical tours that strive to connect the past with the present, and also the past with the personal, as many guides have their own family connections to events from generations past. Spark your curiosity, and see history truly come to life on these amazing American history tours.

8 Amazing American History Tours

The Immigrant Experience Walking Tour, New York City

New York City’s vibrancy comes from its melting pot made up of cultures from around the globe, with approximately 800 languages spoken in the city (138 in Queens alone). Step back in time to the immigration explosion of the mid-19th to early 20th century, where you will see New York’s most iconic and historic neighbourhoods guided by a Queens local whose great-grandparents immigrated to New York during this very boom. You’ll stroll through Chinatown, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side, exploring the historical significance as populations from around the world made these neighbourhoods their new home.

The Alabama Civil Rights Tour, Montgomery

Immerse yourself in the settings that launched the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama. This tour takes you through the pivotal sites where history was made by leaders such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lewis. You will visit the site where Rosa Parks took her stand for equality by sitting down on a city bus, learn about the tragic bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, and walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in the footsteps of the marchers who were attacked by Alabama State Troopers while fighting for the right to vote. Your guide is Jake, who himself took part in the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March, over 50 years ago.

Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston

Walk along Boston’s most popular attraction, as you meander through the city’s most historic sites guided by a local teacher and historian. This tour visits 14 sites that are significant in American history, starting on Boston Common and ending at Copp’s Hill Cemetery. You will learn about Boston’s role as a seaport and centre of the anti-slavery movement, see the Granary Burying Ground where famous Bostonians are buried, learn about the Boston Tea Party and why the Revolution started in Boston, and much more. This walking tour through downtown Boston is a great introduction to the rich history that fuels today’s vibrant city.

Experience the Real Hollywood Tale in Los Angeles

If you’re curious about the history of the dreamers, movie stars, and even a few ghosts that comprise the history of Hollywood and its world-renowned film industry, this tour is for you. Explore the iconic sights of Los Angeles as you learn about the meaning and background of famous places such as Griffith Park and the Observatory, the Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Dolby Theater, Egyptian theater, Hand and Footprints of the stars, Roosevelt Hotel, Knickerbocker hotel, Pacific Theater, and more. It's where old Hollywood glam came to life.

Tour historic San Antonio and the Alamo, Texas

Explore Texas' dynamic hub of San Antonio with a passionate and knowledgeable local guide, as you visit the city’s antique downtown, historic graffiti, the River Walk, and possibly the most historically significant location in the Lone Star State: Alamo Plaza. It was here that Mexican and Texan soldiers fought in the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, making this site a symbol of Texan heritage and independence. This tour will share insight into this site and other facets of the local culture, along with plenty of opportunities for taking photos and asking questions.

Tour the legendary site of Alcatraz, San Francisco

Those fascinated with the history of American incarceration and justice should visit Alcatraz Island, which once housed the country’s most hardened criminals such as Al “Scarface” Capone and other Prohibition-era gangsters. A fortress set atop a rock on an island separated from the shores of San Francisco by the rough waters of the Pacific, Alcatraz was known to be a maximum-security prison and it is said that no one ever successfully escaped, though many attempted. Today it is a public museum and you can visit the bone-chilling site with your professional guide.

See the White House and Memorials in Washington DC

Washington DC is filled with historical significance; as your local guide Joanne says “its memorials and buildings are part of our American identity and remind us of the important moments in our common history.” Visit the White House and West Wing, as well as the National Mall for a tour of the city’s famous monuments. You will see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial and the World War II Memorial, before ending up at the base of the Washington Monument. Along the way, you will hear history, scandals, and stories about the people who created and built Washington DC.

Learn about Revolutionary America in Philadelphia

Philadelphia was where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were signed, making it one of the most important places in US history. Take this tour of the “spiritual heart of Revolutionary America” where you learn about Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, which played host to the Continental Congress, and some of the rebellion’s most well-known proponents including Benjamin Franklin. You will see attractions such as the Museum of the American Revolution, Fort Mercer, Fort Mifflin, Valley Forge, Washington’s Crossing, the Liberty Bell and other sites. Your guide Robert is a direct descendent of President James Buchanan's brother, and has a deep love for American history.