The United States is a country that has so much to offer. There are many different cities, states, and regions that you could visit and explore. But if you don’t have enough time to visit every place in the country, we recommend taking a trolley tour instead.
These tours allow visitors to see everything their destinations have to offer without having to worry about transportation or accommodation costs. Here are some of our favorite trolley tours from around the United States:
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1. San Francisco, California
As with any US trolley tour, you’ll travel in an open-air trolley that’s narrated by a live guide. Tours are available daily and last 2 hours and 15 minutes. You’ll head to Fisherman’s Wharf, where the city meets the sea, then take in views of Alcatraz Island before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.
Afterward, your tour continues through Sausalito and Tiburon before returning to San Francisco via Lombard Street (aka “the world’s most crooked street”).
See Related: Best Bus Tours from San Diego, California
2. San Diego, California
While a trolley tour may not be the most authentic way to get to know a city, it is an excellent way to see the place at your own pace. By using one of these tours, you can experience a city without having to navigate or navigate traffic, which is both time-consuming and stressful.
Trolley tours give visitors flexibility in terms of when they want to go sightseeing and what exact route they would like their tour guide to take them on.
Trolley tours are also ideal for those who want more transportation options than walking but less than driving in a car or taking public transportation (which may not always be available).
3. Miami, Florida
Miami is a wonderful tourist destination. Its beautiful beaches and fun nightlife make it a great place to visit, but you can only really know Miami by seeing it. One of the best ways to do this is with a trolley tour of the city.
The trolley tour offers an excellent chance to see Miami’s best sights without having to spend too much time on your feet or in traffic. You’ll get to see all the most famous landmarks as well as some off-the-beaten-path gems that you would miss if you were just driving around town yourself.
The trolley will take you through downtown, Little Havana, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables before heading out towards Key Biscayne and ending up back at South Beach (with stops along the way for lunch).
The guides on these tours are knowledgeable about local history and culture so expect lots of interesting tidbits about Miamians’ past and present!
4. Seattle, Washington
The city of Seattle is one of the best places in the world to visit. There are many attractions for visitors and residents alike. The trolleys are a great way to get around, as well as see some great sights in Seattle.
The trolleys are a great way to get around, as well as see some great sights in Seattle. The city has an extensive network of trolleys that run throughout the downtown area, and they are always full of people. If you’re not sure where to go, just hop on one of the trolleys and follow the crowd!
5. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile path that includes 16 sites important to the American Revolution. Beginning at Boston Common near downtown and ending at Charlestown Navy Yard where you can see where Paul Revere rowed across the Charles River.
The Boston Tea Party was an important event in the American Revolution because it showed that colonists were willing to risk their lives for freedom from taxation without representation.
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a city full of history and culture. The French Quarter is the most popular area to explore, but there are many other places to see as well. The Louisiana State Museum and New Orleans Museum of Art are both great attractions that you shouldn’t miss out on, while Jackson Square has been known as one of the best places in all of New Orleans since 1804.
There are also plenty of great restaurants in New Orleans, including Arnaud’s Restaurant and Galatoire’s Restaurant. If you want to get away from downtown during your trip, consider staying at Hôtel Provincial or Maison Dupuy Hotel & Suites instead!
See Related: Discover The Best Bus Tours in the USA – An Ultimate Guide
7. New York City, New York
New York City is home to many trolley tours, but few are as comprehensive as those offered by NYC & Company. The city’s official tourism board offers a “City Tour on Foot” that includes a narrated walking tour of the highlights of Manhattan, including Times Square, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center—and you can even hop aboard a double-decker bus for an additional fee if you choose.
The company also offers several other options: a two-hour “Statue of Liberty Tour by Trolley” and an eight-hour “Full Circle Tour by Trolley or Bus.” And if you do decide to take the trolley route (which is mostly on flat ground), there are several different routes available:
- Hudson River Route: Explore Midtown’s landmarks including Chelsea Piers and High Line Park;
- Bronx/Harlem Route: See Brooklyn Bridge Park before heading into Harlem;
- Rockaway Peninsula Route: Enjoy views of Manhattan from Queensboro Bridge before heading over to Rockaway Beach. If you have time for only one tour during your visit, we recommend taking this one!
8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is a great place to visit. There are many things to do in Philadelphia, including taking a trolley tour through the city. Trolley tours are a great way to see the city, and there are many trolley tour companies in Philadelphia. You can take a trolley tour of the city, or you can do a custom tour.
It’s also possible to rent out an entire trolley for your group so that everyone has their own private ride through Philadelphia. If you are visiting in the summer, we recommend taking the night tour. The night tours have open-air cars and are much cooler than other types of trolleys.
9. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois is a great city for tourists to explore. The museums and architecture are worth seeing and it’s also a great place to visit in the summer. For example, you can go on the Chicago Trolley Tour which shows off some of the city’s most famous landmarks like Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, and Michigan Avenue.
Also, there are many other trolley tours such as City Lights Nighttime Trolley Tour that takes you through the historic districts of Chicago at night time so you will see all of the beautiful lights illuminating downtown Chicago while listening to fun facts about each area we pass by on our tour!
10. Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring natural wonders on Earth. Located on the border between Canada and the United States, Niagara Falls are made up of three separate waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. The word “Niagara” is thought to be an Iroquois word meaning “throat”, referring to its roaring sound when seen from above.
The area nearby is rich in history, with attractions like Fort Niagara being preserved as they were when they were used by soldiers in centuries past – before they witnessed a ferry boat transition into an amusement park ride!
11. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia is a popular tourist destination, and the trolley tours available in the city highlight many of its historical attractions. The Savannah History Museum and the Savannah Aquarium are both popular destinations for tourists visiting Savannah.
The Old Town Trolley Tours and Gray Line both offer regular trolley service around downtown Savannah. A third company, Savannah Trolley Tours provides guided tours that allow you to see all of the city’s main attractions on one trip.
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