5 Great North American Tour Companies

Traveling to a city for the first time can be a great way to try new things, but it can be hard to know where to go to find the best food, drinks, and culture. A guided tour gives visitors the chance to learn about the area and see the sights. Whether you're planning a trip to Atlanta, Napa Valley, or Toronto, the companies listed here can help you sort out your itinerary and pack in plenty of fun. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Companies Offering Tours In The U.S. & Canada

Name Location
Charleston Culinary Tours Charleston, SC
Albuquerque Tourism & Sightseeing Factory Albuquerque, NM
Tasty Tours Toronto, ON
Atlanta Movie Tours Atlanta, GA
Gourmet Food & Wine Tours Bay Area, CA

Things to Bring on Your Next Vacation

  • Travel size toiletries that won't take up too much space
  • Keep your dirty clothes separate from the clean ones with a laundry bag
  • A money belt for easy access to cash & cards
  • If you're traveling with kids, you might want to bring along some games
  • Depending on your preference, either a backpack or some nice luggage
  • Cozy pillows can improve any long flight or car trip
  • If you're going to a country where you don't know the language, a translator can be a big help
  • A travel mug for your coffee or tea

Rick Steves On The Value Of Travel

8 Different Types of Cookbooks To Get You Inspired

If going on a culinary tour inspires you to get more creative in your own kitchen, getting a new cookbook full of delicious recipes can be a big help. Here are a few ideas that cover different cultures & dietary needs:

  1. Vegetarian
  2. Vegan
  3. For kids
  4. For beginners
  5. For diabetics
  6. Asian
  7. Mediterranean
  8. Instant pot

Gift Ideas for Wine Lovers

How Wine Is Made

In Depth

North America contains a stunning variety of landscapes and cultural enclaves, with attractions of all kinds available to interested travelers. In many places, guided tours enable exploration with the benefit of local knowledge, visiting regional hot spots for dining, art, and culture. Presented here, in no particular order, are five resources for travel experiences throughout the continent.

Starting us off at #1 is Charleston Culinary Tours, helping visitors explore the culture and cuisine of South Carolina's largest city. This company's expeditions showcase iconic local bars and restaurants, as well as the town's renowned Farmer's Market. Various options highlight locations like the historic French Quarter, the vibrant Upper King Street neighborhood, or the venerable Charleston Supper Club.

Specialty options with Charleston Culinary Tours include a look inside the kitchens of local chefs, a Mixology Tour offering a mobile cocktail party, and a Farm-to-Table Experience letting guests follow their ingredients from the market to the plate. Visitors can sample the foods for which the region is renowned, like fried flounder, fresh peaches, and classic South Carolina barbecue.

Visitors can sample the foods for which the region is renowned, like fried flounder, fresh peaches, and classic South Carolina barbecue.

Next up at #2 is Albuquerque Tourism & Sightseeing Factory, which introduces guests to the charms of New Mexico's busiest metropolis. Participants travel the city by trolley or on a passenger party bike known as the Duke City Pedaler, visiting local highlights such as the Balloon Fiesta and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and experiencing local brewing and cuisine.

Owned and operated by two longtime locals, AT&SF showcases Albuquerque features like the University of New Mexico and the city's many picturesque murals. Specialty offerings include The Hopper, making the round of local craft breweries, or the BaD Tour, exploring filming locations from the acclaimed television series Breaking Bad. The company also leads the Albucreepy Downtown Ghost Walk, bringing guests to sites of reputed hauntings.

Our #3 entry is Tasty Tours, providing outings through Toronto with local experts as guides, and centered around an exploration of the city's food and sweets. The available options include a trip to the downtown area to visit popular eateries and iconic landmarks, or the Taste the World tour focused on the culturally diverse foods of the Kensington Market neighborhood.

The available options include a trip to the downtown area to visit popular eateries and iconic landmarks, or the Taste the World tour focused on the culturally diverse foods of the Kensington Market neighborhood.

Tasty Tours offers an excursion for guests interested in sampling Toronto's burgeoning chocolate industry, including a unique guided chocolate tasting event, as well as the option to create custom private trips. All guests are invited to take home the company's signature Toffle confection, a Toronto-themed spin on the iconic Ontario butter tart.

At #4 we have Atlanta Movie Tours, which creates experiences delving into the rich history of the Georgia film industry. The Best of Atlanta option showcases locations from beloved properties like Watchmen and The Hunger Games, while specialized tours focus on individual hits such as Stranger Things or The Walking Dead. Local film buffs help inform visitors about the many high-profile movies shot in the area.

Many of AMT's offerings use films to explore other aspects of Atlanta's history, such as the heritage of the civil rights movement, while the Castleberry Hill Backlot tour showcases a neighborhood that has been featured in hundreds of movies and shows. The company offers tours hosted by actors from iconic properties, as well as celebrity impersonators for hire, and its Atlanta Wrap-Up Blog shares industry news and reviews.

The company offers tours hosted by actors from iconic properties, as well as celebrity impersonators for hire, and its Atlanta Wrap-Up Blog shares industry news and reviews.

We'll finish with #5, Gourmet Food & Wine Tours, a resource for visits to California's famed vineyard region. This company's programs include an exploration of the restaurants of the renowned Village of Yountville, a riverside stroll through Napa, and a series of culinary wine pairings in St. Helena. These tours pair small groups of visitors with experienced guides for information on the area's vintages and culture.

Additional options from Gourmet Food & Wine Tours include an educational walk along Sausalito's iconic Bridgeway and the History Scoop experience, which pairs an exploration of Sonoma's past and present with a serving of local ice cream. The company can also provide customized private experiences, and its blog shares recommendations for regional wine and dining.