Best Local Tour Guides 2022
Indianapolis Helicopters
Customers love the "state of the art " services and accommodating staff at Indianapolis Helicopters. The company's pilot has more than 10,000 hours of flight experience and is fully FAA certified, giving customers the assurance of a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable tour experience. Customers can choose from a range of tour options, like the four-person daytime tour, the "anytime" tour for special occasions, and an open door tour for photographers. Customers can check rates and book a tour on the company's website, and buy gift certificates for friends and loved ones.
Upland Brewing Company
Upland Brewing Company is an Indianapolis favorite, with six convenient locations for customers to enjoy great food and an extensive selection of handcrafted beers designed to suit any taste. The company hosts regular events, as well as private parties and banquets in the Upland Banquet Hall, and offers a series of tours for locals and tourists. The company's tours let customers explore The Wood Shop Brewery and tasting room and the Production Brewery, while customers enjoy samples of fresh, handmade seasonal, limited edition, and everyday Upland Brewing Company beers.
ActiveIndy Tours
ActiveIndy Tours has earned rave reviews from customers for its friendly staff and range of services. The company offers a selection of walking, running, and biking tours for locals and visitors, giving customers a chance to enjoy a guided tour of the city's sites while keeping active. The company's tour guide takes customers around sites like White River State Park, Old Northside and Lockerbie, and historic downtown, all while ensuring that customers can enjoy the tour at their own pace. Customers can read information about the company's tours on the website, and call or use the online contact form to sign up for a fun, active tour group.
12.05 Distillery
12.05 Distillery is the only 100% woman-owned distillery in the state, creating high-quality spirits made with local ingredients and crafted with years of experience and a commitment to innovation. The company offers a range of handcrafted spirits to suit any taste, including vodkas, gins, liqueurs, and a line of delicious whiskeys. The company offers tours of the distilling facility six days per week, giving customers a chance to learn about the crafting process and enjoy samples of the company's spirits. Customers can call the company to ask about tours.
Top Shelf Tours
Top Shelf Tours is the one-stop company for private parties, tour groups, and special events, with a fleet of 14-person buses and a friendly, experienced staff dedicated to customer satisfaction. Customers can enjoy a range of tours to local distilleries, breweries, and wineries, giving visitors a chance to see the facilities, meet local crafters, and sample delicious beverages. The company also provides bus rentals for proms, birthday parties, and winter lights tours, and customers can purchase gift certificates to give friends and loved one the gift of a professional tour experience.
Indy Fun Trolley Tours
Indy Fun Trolley Tours provides a fun, unique way for visitors to see the sights. The company's authentic, air-conditioned trolley cars let customers enjoy local attractions over the course of a 75-minute tour, covering sights like the Indy Motor Speedway, Monument Circle, White River Garden, and Christ Church Cathedral. The company's website features public tour ticket prices for adults, seniors, military, and children under age twelve, and customers can call or contact the company online to ask about scheduling private tours for parties and special events.
The HandleBar
The HandleBar is an innovative local tour company that gives customers a fun and exciting way to explore the city. The company offers the city's only 16-person pedal pub, a mobile touring vehicle that lets customers bring their own beer and wine and pedal around the town and enjoy the sights. The company provides the bike and driver for fun group tours, and customers can bring the drinks and snacks. The company also offers single-seater bikes, and customers can check out rental pricing and rules and book a tour on the company's website.
Expert Answers To Common Questions:
- Introduction
- What is a tour guide?
- What is the difference between escorted and guided tours?
- What is a guided city tour?
- What happens on a guided tour?
- Why are guided tours good?
- What is a private tour guide?
- Can you hire a personal tour guide?
- Are self-guided tours worth it?
- Are guided tours worth it?
- How to find a local tour guide?
- How much do local tour guides cost?
- How much should we tip our tour guide?
- What is a ghost tour?
- What is an architectural tour?
- How do winery tours work?
- What has to be tackled during pre-tour?
- How much do tour guides make?
- Q: Introduction
- A: If you're looking to get the most out of your vacation experience, then hiring a tour guide can be a smart choice. Learning about new places and seeing how the locals live are just a few of the reasons travelers hire tour guides. There are local tours catering to almost any interest, too, from browsing art galleries to adventuring in the great outdoors. Whether you'd like to tour with a group or prefer one-on-one guidance from your own private escort, you've got plenty of options to choose from. Here are answers to common questions about what to expect on different kinds of tours and how to choose the best local tour for your travel plans.
- Q: What is a tour guide?
- A: Tour guides provide information that helps travelers learn more about the place they're visiting. Guides can give tours of museums, scenic locations, historical monuments, and many other points of interest. Some give walking tours, while others hold tours on a bus or boat.
- Q: What is the difference between escorted and guided tours?
- A: Escorted tours are an all-inclusive experience led by a tour director who oversees the trip from beginning to end. They often include transportation, hotel stays, sightseeing activities, tickets to attractions, and meals. Guided tours are provided by various local representatives and don't typically escort travelers to each destination, allowing for more flexibility throughout the day.
- Q: What is a guided city tour?
- A: Guided city tours are for travelers who want to professional guidance as they explore a city. They're often given by locals who are knowledgeable about the area and can help visitors find restaurants, shops, and other interesting places off the beaten path. These tours can also take travelers to the most popular attractions a city has to offer.
- Q: What happens on a guided tour?
- A: On a tour, guides describe the location in detail, explain its importance, and answer questions visitors may have. Local guides may tell personal stories about what it's like to live there, giving travelers a unique perspective they can't get anywhere else. Guides also look out for the safety of guests and make sure the group stays organized so no one gets left behind or lost.
- Q: Why are guided tours good?
- A: For many travelers, exploring a new place on their own can be a bit overwhelming. Guided tours remove the guesswork by showing visitors the top sights in a streamlined and efficient way. These tours can also steer people away from dangerous areas and help provide a sense of safety for visitors.
- Q: What is a private tour guide?
- A: Private tour guides give tours to one party at a time, allowing for more customized service and flexible scheduling. Guests can choose which sites they'd like to see and how much time to spend at each destination. Private tours are often taken by families who need special accommodations for small children, the elderly, or the disabled.
- Q: Can you hire a personal tour guide?
- A: Personal tour guides essentially offer the same services as a private tour guide. It's possible to hire a personal tour guide in many areas, particularly in places known as popular tourist destinations. Hiring a personal tour guide can be more expensive than a group tour, though, so it's not always ideal for travelers on a budget.
- Q: Are self-guided tours worth it?
- A: Self-guided tours arrange an itinerary for travelers to follow, but don't usually include transportation between sites or a hired guide. They're best in places with well-established travel routes, such as set trails in national parks. This type of tour can be rewarding for the adventurous traveler who enjoys exploring an area independently.
- Q: Are guided tours worth it?
- A: Guided tours can be worth it depending on the destination and your travel goals. They're beneficial if you're not sure which places are worth visiting or if you'd like to check out a variety of destinations in the most efficient way. Guided tours also bring peace of mind by keeping you away from potentially dangerous areas.
- Q: How to find a local tour guide?
- A: Local tour guides don't always advertise their services online, so many travelers may be unsure about how to hire one. Reputable tour guides can often be found by asking hotel staff, other travelers, or local tourist agencies for recommendations.
- Q: How much do local tour guides cost?
- A: The price to hire a local tour guide varies widely depending on the destination, length of the trip, and whether the tour is given to a group or privately. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $100 per hour. There may be additional costs for transportation and baggage handling.
- Q: How much should we tip our tour guide?
- A: It's generally a good practice to tip 10 to 20% of the cost of the tour. For bus tours, tip the driver a minimum of $1 per person per day. Tipping isn't normally expected for guides at government sites and national parks.
- Q: What is a ghost tour?
- A: Ghost tours allow travelers to learn about locations with a history of hauntings and paranormal activity. Not all ghost tours are frightening; there are many options suitable for children. Tours often include access to ghost-hunting equipment, such as infrared cameras and dowsing rods. Popular destinations for ghost tours include graveyards, old hotels, parks, and historic downtowns.
- Q: What is an architectural tour?
- A: An architectural tour can be an exciting way to learn about the most iconic and beautiful buildings in a city. These tours are available on foot, by bus, or by boat. Architectural boat tours are especially popular in waterfront cities such as Chicago, Miami, and San Diego.
- Q: How do winery tours work?
- A: Winery tours include a tour of the vineyards and a demonstration of how the wine is made in the production area. Afterward, visitors are given samples of wine to taste, and meals may also be provided on some tours. Tours can last anywhere from two hours to two weeks depending on how many wineries travelers want to visit.
- Q: What has to be tackled during pre-tour?
- A: Before the tour, guides should study the route and learn as much as possible about the location so they're prepared to answer questions guests might have. It's ideal to have backup destinations planned in case the original site happens to be closed or inaccessible. Before departing, go over the guest list and review the rules and regulations of any areas you plan to visit.
- Q: How much do tour guides make?
- A: Wages for tour guides can vary depending on location and experience. On average, tour guides earn approximately $17 per hour, plus up to $75 per day in tips. Guides are typically paid more in areas where licensing is required.