tours for locals

ToursByLocals Review: Can You Trust Their Tour guides? [2024]

Here's a rundown of the tour guide company, ToursByLocals, including what they do, what their features are, and if it's worth the money. Read on to find out more!

When you’re planning a trip to a new city or country, you want to make sure you get the most out of your visit by finding the best things to do, places to stay, and restaurants to eat at.

If that's the case, then read all about them in our travel blog collection here. Here at  Pilot , we’re all about helping you plan your trip and make the best of your time abroad.

However, if you're not the type that wants to plan out every detail of your trip, why not get a tour guide instead? We know that for many people, a great way to get to know a city is to take part in an organized travel tour, whether that’s as part of a large group or in a more private and personalized setting. Whether it's joining a tour on a yacht or hopping on a Busabout , tour guides comes in many shapes or forms!

There are many ways to find local guides to a city or town, and  ToursByLocals  is one of them. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? Read our comprehensive guide to find out!

What Is ToursByLocals?

ToursByLocals is an easy-to-use website that provides you, the traveler, with access to local tourist guides in cities all over the world. It currently operates in 193 countries and has more than 4,500 guides that you can connect with, in locations ranging from Barcelona, Paris, Rome, and Bern to places a little further afield, like Tokyo, Iceland, and even the South Island of New Zealand.

The tour guides are all local people that just so happen to have expert knowledge of the ins and outs of their hometown. Taking a tour from a local is one of the best ways to learn more about historical events that took place in a certain city, explore specific neighborhoods, or just find out about the best things to do while you’re traveling.

As well as personal tours of cities, ToursByLocals offers  shore excursions , allowing you to get a local’s perspective of any of the stops on your cruise.

At the moment, you can even book virtual tours with ToursByLocals if you’re craving a travel fix but can’t get away right now—perfect for armchair tourism during the pandemic! If you book and attend a live virtual tour, which will still be run by local people, you’ll also receive the money you’ve spent as a voucher that you can spend on an in-person tour when you’re next free to travel. Score!

Is ToursByLocals an Accredited Tour Company?

Now, you might be wondering why ToursByLocals doesn’t come up if you’re searching for top-rated tour companies in Europe, or if you’ve been googling the best US travel and tour options. There’s a pretty simple explanation for this: ToursByLocals isn’t actually a tour company.

Instead, it acts as a marketplace that gives you access to individual guides who run their own tours. All tours listed on the website are private tours, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can message guides to see if they can customize a tour to better suit your needs.

What Is a Personal Tour?

One of the main benefits of using ToursByLocals is that you’ll be receiving a personal tour rather than a group tour. We’ve all seen group tours on our travels: Hordes of people following a slightly tired-looking guide who’s carrying some kind of brightly colored umbrella or flag, speaking in hushed tones into a microphone and not stopping to answer any questions along the way. Sounds great!

A personal tour is not like this. Instead, it’s one that you and your travel buddies (whether that’s your family, your partner, or your friends) book privately with a guide. The benefits of a personal tour are numerous:

• You can customize the tour based on your own interests
• You’re free to ask as many questions as you like without feeling like you’re bogarting the guide!
• You can book it for a time and date that suits you, making it easier to fit in with your other travel plans
• You could gain access to certain tourist spots that may be closed to large groups
• You avoid having to interact with  that one person— you know the type—who thinks they know more than the guide!

Instead of booking onto a tour that’s targeted at large groups, which can be impersonal and pretty rigid in structure, a personal tour allows you more freedom. It gives you the chance to get to know a city however you   want, making it easier to find your way around and uncover the coolest parts of town.

How Do I Find a Private Tour Guide?

Using ToursByLocals to find a private tour guide is easy. Sign up or log in to your account, then search by location. Add the dates you want to go on a tour, then browse the options and book whichever one interests you most.

You can also contact the tour guide before booking to arrange customization if you’re looking for something more personal to your interests.

Once you’ve got everything organized, just pay ahead of time and attend your tour. It couldn’t be simpler.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Sometimes when you’re traveling, things go wrong. Maybe your cruise ship has illness on board and has been told it can’t dock, meaning your planned shore excursion is a no-go. Maybe you’ve had to cancel your whole trip because of a family issue. Or maybe you’ve just changed your mind! Can you still get your money back?

The ToursByLocals cancelation policy is pretty fair. If you cancel 15 days or more before the tour was due to start, you can get all your money back. Nice. You’ll also get a refund if certain unforeseeable events take place—this includes the ship being told it can’t dock.

If you’re booking ahead of time but aren’t completely sure whether you’re definitely going to attend the tour, the website also offers a more flexible (but more expensive) cancelation policy, known as the “Any Reason” policy. If you’ve paid extra for this, you can cancel for any reason at all, as long as you do so before the tour starts.

How Do I Become a Local Tour Guide?

If you want to  become a tour guide  for ToursByLocals, you can  apply  through the ToursByLocals website. You have to be legally permitted to give tours in your area (but this doesn’t mean you have to be a licensed tour guide—“passionate locals” are also encouraged to apply).

If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to take part in an interview process to make sure you’re suitable for giving tours, and to check your English skills. You’ll also have to undergo a background check.

If you pass all the stages of the application process, you can start selling your tours on ToursByLocals.

Do Tour Guides Make Good Money?

Tour guides that offer their services through ToursByLocals can charge as much as they think is appropriate for their tours. The company takes a percentage of every dollar earned, but you can factor this into your pricing when you set up your profile and tour offerings.

Remember to make sure you’re getting paid a fair amount, but you’ll also want to ensure your prices aren’t so expensive that they’re off-putting to potential customers!

Is ToursByLocals Worth It?

It’s easy enough to find and book private tours with ToursByLocals, but is it really worth it? The costs of private tours can be high, and with guides setting their own prices, you could end up paying huge amounts for a private tour.

It all depends on what you’re looking for from your vacation. Some people prefer group tours, as they give them the chance to meet new people and get a basic overview of a city or a particular sight. For others, it makes more sense to book a private tour because it’s easier to get a personalized or customizable experience. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference.

I'd recommend looking at different options and reading up on specific reviews of that individual tour operator before making the purchase!

My Rating: 4.1/5

• Local experiences
• Curated tours
• Many destinations
• Experiences vary per guide

Plan your trip yourself!

Whether you decide to book a personal tour through ToursByLocals or not, you’ll want to make sure that your trip goes smoothly. Use Pilot to plan your trip—we have the ultimate travel planning tools and much more to help you!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

Satisfy your wanderlust

Get Pilot. The travel planner that takes fun and convenience to a whole other level. Try it out yourself.

Trending Travel Stories

Discover new places and be inspired by stories from our traveller community.

Related Travel Guides

Is EF Ultimate Break Legit & Worth It? A Full Review [2024]

ViaHero Review: Should you let locals plan your 2024 trip?

TripUniq: Are Locals Planned Tours Worth Your Time? [Review]

Contiki Tours Europe: No regrets... except? [Latest Review]

EF Go Ahead Tours Review 2024: Are their guided tours worth it?

For The Love of Travels review: A different way to group travel?

Make the most of every trip

You won’t want to plan trips any other way!

The trip planner that puts everything in one place, making planning your trip easier, quicker, and more fun.

Find a cool local to show you around

Localies get you out of the tourist bubble, so you feel the real vibe of every place.

Where are you going?

Hundreds of inspiring localies: from San Francisco to Tokyo 🌎

The Co-Founder of Localie and networktrips.io

131 guests hosted

I’m a part-time social media manager and full-t...

39 guests hosted

Scientist and blogger

10 guests hosted

Petra and Michal

Native Prague enthusiasts on the mission

9 guests hosted

Your friend in Barcelona

8 guests hosted

Full time engineer, part-time traveler

7 guests hosted

Aesthetic joys and beauty hunting in London

4 guests hosted

Brazilian hiking guy

American expat in the city of lights

3 guests hosted

Your friend from Milan: fun, easy-going, expert...

No guides here. No boring tours. Just real locals. Localie is just like visiting a friend all over the globe who can't wait to show you around as their guest.

We meet you at the airport, bus station or hotel — wherever you like and whenever you prefer.

One on one you and your friends. No strangers. 100% personalized.

One walk = many discoveries. Book half a day or a whole day, and we pack it with dozens of hidden gems.

All localies have passed a check, and our customer care team makes sure that every trip is exceptional.

Our customers love us ❤️

Avg review score.

Jen Errington

We enjoyed a great afternoon with Nick who picked us up from the cruise port in Rotterdam. He was very knowledgeable and personable as he drove us to see the windmills in Kinderdijk and then to Delft where he took us on a great wa...

Marita Schiltz

Peu in Lisbon did an amazing job we had the best day

Linda Sasso

Vladislava was a fantastic tour guide for my day-long walking adventure. I learned about the differences in architecture by centuries, got to see “hidden paths” and immersive in the Vienna culture and experiences. Highly recomme...

adelina lebsack

The adventure was great! I liked Stefano’s sense of humour and the way he presented facts and info about the city. The best part was when we stepped away from the fore planned route and went to the North of the city — it certainly...

Robin Kessler

Funchal (Madeira)

An absolute treat! Carlos is a native of Madeira, and knew the nooks and crannies. It was his delight to take us hither and thither, from farm areas to exquisite landscapes. His knowledge was boundless: tourist attractions, hikes,...

Chloe Sypes

Super nice walk! She showed me great places of Athens and was super nice and easy to talk to :)

Localie is available on every continent 🌎

556 walks conducted

393 walks conducted

161 walks conducted

134 walks conducted

123 walks conducted

116 walks conducted

94 walks conducted

88 walks conducted

61 walks conducted

Where is our home?

Where is our home? And what does the concept of home mean to you at this moment? The question posted in 11 languages on streets of Istanbul. During the conceptual photo exhibition “Where is My Home?” made by talented creator team. To get ...

Travel Tips By Locals

Although Oslo doesn't have midnight sun, the shortest night lasts just 5 hours and even then the sky is still partially bright. Now in August I feel weird when it's dark at 10 pm – feel too early 😃 In the winter the day will last only 6 h...

• 1 800 970 7299
• Live Chat (Online) Live Chat (Offline)
• My Wishlist
• Find a Trip

Your browser 'Internet Explorer' is out of date. Update your browser for more security, comfort and the best experience on this site.

USA Local Tours Packages

• Ways to travel
• Local Tours

It’s time for a great American adventure. From the West Coast to the East Coast. Miles of adventures. Right here, right now!

Who says travel has to mean a long-haul flight to a faraway place? Not us! And we have a bunch of brand-new USA tours so you can explore it all — the deserts, the beaches, the mountains, the forests, the parks, the wildlife, the cities, the people, and the total sea-to-shining-sea awesomeness that is your own backyard — the Intrepid way.

Explore new trips in the USA

Every Intrepid small group tour has been carefully designed to make sure you have an unforgettable grassroots travel experience, with ultimate itineraries, perfectly sized groups, legendary local leaders and plenty of authentic real life experiences.

Western USA National Parks Loop

5 days from 1605.

Set off on a five-day adventure through some of the USA’s most epic scenery, including...

Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans

7 days from 2795.

Walk in famous footsteps on a 7-day musical journey from Nashville to Memphis and New...

Best of Alaska

10 days from 5430.

Explore the rugged landscape of icy Alaska. From Anchorage, circle the Kenai Peninsula...

View all USA & Canada trips

Popular local destinations 

New Orleans

Los Angeles

San Juan Islands

Kenai Peninsula

Grand Canyon

Yellowstone National Park

Yosemite National Park

Zion National Park

Denali National Park

$99 deposits

Lock in a trip for only a $99 deposit.

Flexible bookings

Our new flexible booking policy and safety guidelines will inspire you to book and travel with confidence, now and into the future.

Responsible travel

The leader in responsible, ethical small group adventures since 1989. 

Explore epic national parks of the US

Yellowstone and grand tetons adventure, 6 days from 3035.

Take a discovery tour of Wyoming’s highlights, with plenty of wildlife-spotting and...

Hiking in Yosemite National Park

5 days from 2276.

Follow your feet on this 5-day walking tour that shows off the very best of Yosemite...

Hiking in Denali National Park

6 days from 3070.

Hike Denali National Park in Alaska and see North America’s second-tallest peak, Denali...

Real San Francisco to LA

13 days from 2499.

Take an adventure through California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada past Joshua Tree, Grand...

Yellowstone and Grand Teton Family Holiday

6 days from 3653.

Take the family on a 6-day adventure in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks....

LA to Vegas: Grand National Parks

10 days from 3689.

From the famed LA streets to the glitz of the Vegas strip, travel through the hush of...

Hiking in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada

5 days from 1390.

Explore the Sierra Nevada Range on a 5-day small group hiking tour which includes...

Utah Parks Circuit

8 days from 2420.

Explore rugged Utah on this eight-day adventure. Hit Zion National Park, Monument...

Utah, Nevada & California

14 days from 3615.

Beginning in Las Vegas, see Zion, Moab and Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Yosemite, the...

View all US national park trips

Local walking & trekking trips

Hiking in sedona and the grand canyon, 4 days from 2620.

Discover the very best of Northern Arizona on this 4-day hiking adventure through...

Hiking Utah's National Parks

9 days from 3167.

Explore Las Vegas, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef, Arches National Park, Zion...

Hiking in the Grand Canyon: North & South Rims

5 days from 3110.

Discover the magnificence of the Grand Canyon on a 5-day walking adventure, exploring...

Hiking Washington's Olympic National Park

3 days from 2155.

Experience the very best of the Olympic Peninsula with a perfect balance of challenge...

Winter Hiking and Backpacking in Grand Canyon: Rim to Rim

6 days from 2235.

Escape the crowds, see incredible views, sleep under the stars, check out waterfalls...

Hike Vermont: Fall Foliage

5 days from 3285.

Hike through the vibrant colours of Vermont’s changing seasons on this trip exploring...

Hike New Hampshire's Appalachian Trail and Presidential Peaks

4 days from 1895.

Spend an incredible 4 days hiking the highest mountains in New Hampshire, the...

Hiking and Camping in Zion

3 days from 1560.

Experience Utah’s most famous national park as a standalone canyon country experience...

Hiking and Backpacking in Yellowstone

4 days from 1605.

See the best of Yellowstone on an Intrepid small group hiking and camping adventure...

Hiking and Camping in Joshua Tree

4 days from 1775.

Experience Joshua Tree’s surreal landscapes, cool oases, and famous Joshua Trees on a 4...

Hiking and Camping in Yellowstone

5 days from 2230.

See the best of this iconic national park on five spectacularly diverse, hand-picked...

Hiking and Backpacking Yellowstone's Bechler River Traverse

5 days from 2045.

Avoid the crowds and see the best of Southern Yellowstone National Park’s backcountry...

Hiking and Camping in Utah

6 days from 2360.

Experience Utah’s most famous national park destinations and see the best of Zion,...

Hiking and Backpacking North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains

3 days from 1070.

Discover great trails, incredible views, spectacular summits and more on a small group...

Hiking and Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park

5 days from 2090.

Set up camp on the edges of Rocky Mountain National Park and hike past highlights like...

Hiking and Backpacking Utah's Coyote Gulch

4 days from 1740.

Take a hiking trip through Utah’s Coyote Gulch in the United States and trek past...

Hiking in Yellowstone

5 days from 3830.

Enjoy the luxuries of a lodge and rustic dining each evening in different locations...

Hiking the Best of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

5 days from 3435.

Hike through the highlights of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including a walk...

Hiking the Best of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons

5 days from 4125.

Looking for a hiking trip in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park in...

Hiking Sedona's Red Rock Country

Discover the best of Sedona’s red rock country on this 4-day hiking adventure that...

Hiking the Best of Moab: Arches and Canyonlands

5 days from 3480.

Hike through the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Moab, Utah, exploring valleys...

Hiking the Best of the Grand Canyon

3 days from 1845.

Discover the very best of the Grand Canyon on this 3-day hiking adventure through Grand...

View all walking & trekking trips

Local family adventures

Western usa family holiday, 8 days from 3178.

Discover Western USA’s iconic landscape with the family on the 8-day adventure through...

View all family adventure trips

Tours by state

South Dakota

Popular tour routes.

We have a range of tours that incorporate different routes such as Los Angeles to San Francisco  or New York to New Orleans . Regardless of which way you prefer to travel, we’ll immerse you in the region’s rich cultural history and give you an unforgettable Aussie experience.

Los Angeles to San Francisco

New York to New Orleans

New Orleans to Atlanta

United states highlights.

Explore your favorite cities

If there’s one thing the USA does really well, it's bustling cities full of more culture and excitement than you’ll know what to do with. From the southern charm and jazz-infused personality of New Orleans to the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas , the cities of the United States know how to turn your epic adventure up a notch. All you have to do is walk through the streets of Salt Lake City or take in the beauty of Anchorage to make memories that’ll last you a lifetime.

Take a trip to the coast

There’s nothing like relaxing on a sun-drenched beach or admiring the rolling waves from your porch, and the USA is home to some of the best cities for doing exactly that. Whether you want to absorb the laidback lifestyle in Los Angeles  or rug up on Portland's breathtaking coastline, a beach escape might just be the thing you need to refresh and recharge. From Maine on the east to California on the west, there are heaps of places to excite your inner adventurer.

Hike through a national park

Lace up your boots and get ready for the USA’s national parks to take your breath away. Whether you fancy hiking in  Yellowstone National Park or prefer the uniquely shaped rock formations in Yosemite , there’s a national park for everyone. From staggeringly tall sandstone cliffs in Zion National Park to the lush and expansive scenery of Denali National Park , one trip is never enough to experience the natural beauty these parks have to offer.

Get active in Alaska

If you love getting the blood pumping and being surrounded by Mother Nature, Alaska ticks all the boxes for your next active adventure. From spotting otters and leaping salmon as you kayak through the pristine waters of Resurrection Bay to walking across ancient ice sheets on the huge  Matanuska Glacier with a glacier expert, get ready to experience the untamed beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.

United States tour reviews

United states faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join a trip in the united states.

Everyone traveling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage. 

All travelers are required to produce: 

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
• If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional. 

In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

How can I get to California?

Getting to California is relatively easy as there are a variety of options available including flying, driving, and taking public transport. You can fly into both big airports, such as LAX (Los Angeles), or small airports like Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) depending on which part of California you're traveling in. You can also drive to California if you're from a neighboring state (or want to go on an epic road trip) or you can take a bus or a train with several routes to all the popular destinations. 

Read more about getting to California

How do you get around Los Angeles?

Driving is the most time-efficient and popular way of getting around Los Angeles due to the city's size. While there is public transportation in the form of a bus network and the local metro, it's sometimes unreliable and can be quite time-consuming. Los Angeles is known for its crazy traffic situations, especially during peak periods of the day, so make sure you give yourself enough time to get around. 

Read more about getting around Los Angeles

How far is Utah from California?

The time it takes to travel from California to Utah depends on how you're traveling and where in California you're traveling from. Flying is by far the quickest way to travel to Utah with a flight between LAX and SLC (Salt Lake City Airport) taking just under 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive between the two states for an epic road trip that's 12 hours long. If you were to take public transport between the two states it would be longer still but is a relatively cheap option. 

Click to read more about how far Utah is from California

Does it snow in Salt Lake City?

Yes, it does snow during winter in Salt Lake City. Snow is expected to fall between November and March but it's not unheard of to experience snowfall as early as October or as late as April. Salt Lake City is a great place to participate in winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and bobsledding, with neighboring mountains close to the city itself. 

Read more about snow in Salt Lake City

What's the weather like in New Orleans?

Due to New Orleans' geographical location, the weather can vary significantly during the year. Being near large bodies of water, such as the Mississippi River, the weather in New Orleans is often wet in the colder months and humid in spring and summer. There are lots of sunny days during June, July, and August with the average temperature being a warm 78°F. However, the weather can be quite unpredictable at times so make sure you're checking weather forecasts before you travel so you're prepared for what to expect. 

Read more about the weather in New Orleans

What should I pack for Yellowstone National Park?

You'll want to make sure you're as comfortable as possible while walking the many amazing hikes and trails in Yellowstone National Park so packing clothes, including hiking boots and socks, that you're familiar with is a must. Regardless of the season you're traveling in, the weather can be quite cold at nighttime so ensure you're packing a heavier jacket or coat to keep you warm. You should also pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and other items that will protect you from the sun during the day. 

Read more about what to pack for Yellowstone

What's the best time to visit Denali National Park?

It's hard to pinpoint the best time to visit Denali National Park as the landscapes are beautiful all year round. When to visit Denali largely depends on what kind of vacation you're looking for. If you really want to see snow on the surrounding mountains and explore the ultimate winter wonderland then winter would be the best time to go, however, spring and summer see the flowers and vegetation bloom in an array of colors.

Learn about the best time to visit Denali National Park

What are some of the best things to do in Zion National Park?

There are heaps of fun and exciting things to do in Zion National Park, so much so, that you could spend days there and still not see it all. Promising a uniquely unforgettable experience, Zion National Park is full of expansive landscapes just waiting to be explored. Some of the activities you can participate in include cycling, hiking, river tubing, and rock climbing. You can also camp at the park and do a little stargazing to make the most of your time in the great outdoors. 

Learn about the best things to do in Zion National Park

United States tour departures by month

Read more about the United States

Jan 24, 2022

5 of the best colorado vacation....

Colorado is as diverse as it is spectacular with mountains, pristine lakes, alpine...

Dec 05, 2019

Vegan vegetarian food intolerances....

Two vegans, one vegetarian, one lactose intolerant and one gluten intolerant...

Apr 18, 2022

9 things i wish i’d known before....

1. Death Valley is big It’s obvious if you look at a map, but I didn’t really...

Jun 28, 2022

Off the beaten path: how to explore....

Joining forces with legendary backcountry trekking group, Wildland, Intrepid has...

Jul 12, 2023

The top 10 destinations to travel in....

From the iconic Incan ruins of Peru to the rolling Saharan dunes of Morocco, here...

Apr 18, 2019

How to make the most of 24 hours in....

Atlanta, Georgia, is the birthplace of the civil rights movement, Coca-Cola and…...

Jan 01, 2023

9 ways to get to know a place through....

Sometimes the best way to really get to know a place is by getting out into nature...

Aug 16, 2023

5 ways to experience indigenous....

Want to immerse yourself in North America's indigenous culture and learn something...

Feb 24, 2023

Navigating history, culture and power....

Intrepid traveller Anela Malik raises important questions about Black history and...

Sep 26, 2022

Meet the chef behind new orleans’....

Chef Dee Lavigne learned to cook at the age of seven. After a brief career in...

May 11, 2021

Into the wild: top 10 national parks....

From deserts, canyons and mountains, to alpine forests, lakes, tropical reefs,...

Nov 19, 2017

Ribs, rock ‘n’ roll and raucous times....

Skipping America's Deep South is a big, fat, deep-fried, sugar-coated, bourbon...

Mar 15, 2022

8 new usa experiences that amplify....

Want to learn Cajun cuisine from the only female-owned African American cooking...

Oct 16, 2018

5 of the usa’s best road trips (and....

We take a look five of the United States’ most iconic road trips, with a guide to...

Nov 28, 2019

Southern hospitality is a thing. here....

From Nashville to Savannah and beyond, old school values and charm make the USA's...

Apr 03, 2019

Devouring the deep south: what to eat....

‘What did you eat?’ is what I was asked the most after returning from a road trip...

May 09, 2016

The 15 most beautiful waterfalls in....

What makes the perfect waterfall? Height? Water volume? Sheer volume? We put the...

Nov 09, 2017

6 of the best things about a winter....

These sneaky benefits of visiting California during winter will have you booking a...

Apr 12, 2022

Meet the 25-year-old on a quest to....

While most young people were backpacking through Europe, environmental science...

Feb 20, 2022

7 great things to do in arizona.

If you’re looking for the best Arizona things to do, you’ll discover dramatic...

Apr 10, 2022

What to expect on a wolf tracking....

Find out what to expect on a wolf tracking tour in Yellowstone.

Apr 06, 2016

The call of the wild: our guide to....

Compared to Canada, Alaska’s National Parks are bigger, wilder and more remote (it...

Jun 20, 2017

How to watch live music like a local....

Music is everywhere in the Big Easy. But where do the LOCALS go to catch a tune?

Jun 11, 2021

5 fantastic family experiences you....

From digging for dinosaurs to mushing with sled dogs, these summer activities are...

May 14, 2021

5 reasons to do a group tour in....

I thought I knew the United States like the back of my hand - until I did a small...

Dec 08, 2019

Three places you can go to (really)....

Stargazing can make you feel humble and powerful at the same time – don’t forget,...

Oct 28, 2019

Finding the unfamiliar in america’s....

With several US stamps on my passport, I’d never actually ventured beyond the...

Oct 23, 2018

Why you should channel your inner....

The boots of female hiking pioneers such as Cheryl Strayed are large ones to fill ...

May 07, 2021

Everything you need to know about....

Where to go, what to do, what to pack - and more - all wrapped up in a neat little...

Nov 28, 2017

Coast to coast: 5 unexpected fringe....

Road-tripping across America will reveal cinematic landscapes, bizarre roadside...

Oct 10, 2017

Why i love new york in winter.

New York in winter may be freezing, but it's also festive, atmospheric, and...

Aug 07, 2018

Why now is the best time for a group....

If you’re after something a little more exciting than blobbing at a beach resort...

Dec 03, 2017

San fran to la: exploring california....

Doug Whyte's guide to the towns and cities that pepper the Californian coast, from...

Sep 25, 2018

6 top spots under a 5-hour flight....

Is the West Coast *really* the best coast? It is if you want to get to some truly...

May 06, 2019

7 festival trips that should....

From the weird and wonderful to the religious or spiritual, there’s one thing...

Nov 21, 2016

Where to find the best street art in nyc.

If you’re keen for a self-guided tour of New York City’s public art, here’s where...

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

Locals can be excellent tour guides. Here’s how to hire one

How ‘citizen guides’ can bring insight and intrigue to your next journey

A few years ago, Ruth Sadur and her boyfriend were supposed to travel together to Bali,   Indonesia . When he had to cancel at the last minute, Sadur wanted help navigating the trip. Her hotel connected her with De Yudha Herdyana, a local guide, who thought her itinerary was too generic. Instead, he ferried her to tourist-free rice paddies, uncrowded beaches, and restaurants with menus in Balinese that he translated. “It was one of my best travel days,” says the Melbourne, Australia , childcare worker. “He felt like my friend by the end of it.”

Herdyana is a citizen guide, a savvy resident whose small group tours can give travelers a fresh, often inexpensive introduction to a new place. Tourists have long connected with private guides, but internet-driven companies such as ToursByLocals and Airbnb Experiences are introducing younger travelers to more personalized, locally connected experiences by creating platforms where citizen guides can offer their services.  

( Delve into the Indigenous women upending Canada’s tourism industry .) Some experiences are unconventional, to say the least: A kayak trip down the Nile to see Cairo, Egypt ; a hike with a herd of goats in Death Valley, California . Some tours are more conventional, of course. You can always see Pompeii, Italy, with an archaeologist or Washington, D.C. ’s Georgetown with a historian .  

“But these guides can take you to more places in less time than when you are alone with your Lonely Planet book and a brochure from the tourist information office,” says Núria Galí Espelt, who studies tourism as an art history professor at the University of Girona.

Here’s why citizen guides have become more common, what kind of experiences and insider information they offer, and how to hire one during your next trip.

A personalized approach to tours

As tourism became a major economic driver in the 20th and 21st centuries, mass options were created to cater to crowds. Flat bottom boats ( bateaux mouches ) with prerecorded spiels launched in Paris in the mid 20th-century; hop-on, hop-off tour buses cruised the streets nearly everywhere by the 1980s; and jumbo cruise ship excursions now herd hordes around historic sites from Venice to Mexico . Somewhere along the way, guided tours earned a rep for being stodgy, sites-by-the-numbers itineraries.

Private guides had long been available to the wealthy or connected. But as travel information moved increasingly online in the early 21st century, suddenly anyone could turn up details on foodie walks around Porto, Portugal , or Google Shop Hop BA , which leads one-on-one visits to the crafts ateliers and vintage shops of Buenos Aires, Argentina . Multiple surveys find that people, especially Millennials and Generation Zers, enjoy paying for experiences more than spending money on material items.

( Read about the pioneering tour guides showing Afghanistan to the world. ) These specialty tours or private guides can have deeper connections and knowledge about the places where they operate, resulting in more bespoke trips for small groups or single travelers.   “Guides bring the spirit of the destination to life in a unique way,” says Nikki Hellyer, of ToursbyLocals. “In some cases, they’ve got generations of family there, plus unique stories and access to different things.”  

A guide can act as a hired friend-for-a-day, helping you see a place better and doling out mundane-but-useful information—how to navigate the New York City subway, where to buy groceries in   Berlin .   The experience often transcends a simple work-for-hire arrangement: The artist who shows you the many street murals of Lima, Peru , might invite you to a gallery opening after your tour; that bike trip leader in Copenhagen can fill you in on the city’s cycle lane rules and tell you where to grab a post-ride beer.

How to get your guide

The old-school way to find a local guide is to ask your hotel, and it’s still valid. But you can also search for guides and experiences via ToursbyLocals; the pay-what-you-want Free Tours by Foot ; or Airbnb Experiences, which launched in 2016 as a companion to the lodging listings company. The last offers some 40,000 options in 1,000 cities, ranging from walking tours of downtown Sydney, Australia , to surfing lessons in Los Angeles to exploring an abandoned missile silo in Kansas .

Citizens-on-the-street also headline with walking tour companies in major cities including the long-running, English-guided Paris Walks and Washington, D.C.’s history-focused   Washington Walks . If you have very specific interests (pottery in Spain , Shakespeare in London ), check with your destination’s official visitors bureau. Or try a Google search using your interest, destination, and the word “tour” to turn up specialized experiences such as Tokyo Ramen Tours or New York City   Jewish history tours . Just because a tour is private does not mean it costs more. Prices vary from place to place, but especially for family or friends traveling together, a private trip can be cheaper than joining a big bus or giant group walking tour.  

What it takes to be a guide

In some countries or cities, tour guides must receive special training and get certified; in other places and cases, guides are professional historians, passionate foodies, or just residents who are deeply plugged into their hometowns.  

What makes a standout one is their ability to interact with strangers and impart their knowledge in memorable ways. Deirdre Harman, a ToursByLocals guide in Dingle,   Ireland , sometimes sings or speaks in Gaelic when showing people churches and other spiritual sites. “You can read all about a place, but good guides can grow peoples’ imaginations,” she says. “We draw them into the experience.” ( Discover your next great vacation via TikTok .) For travelers, a guide can be both make a trip more meaningful and reveal what it’s really like to live in a given place. Take Jorteh Senah, a New York-based tech worker who visited Cairo, Egypt, recently. Short on time, he hired an Airbnb Experiences guide, Bakr Ghoniem.  

Ghoniem picked him up from the airport and whisked him to see—and photograph—the pyramids and the Sphinx far from the crowds. “Bakr was very social media savvy,” says Senah. “He knew how to capture the angles.” Over tea, Ghoniem told Senah about what his life was like in Cairo beyond the ancient monuments and souvenir hawkers. “It turned into a real conversation,” says Senah. “It was a cultural experience on so many levels.”

HOW TO FIND CITIZEN GUIDES

Related topics.

• CULTURAL TOURISM
• FOOD TOURISM
• WALKING TOURS
• CITY GUIDES

You May Also Like

The essential guide to visiting Scotland

Visiting Estonia? Here’s what the locals love

Free bonus issue.

Visiting Ireland? Here’s what the locals love

Visiting Maine: Here’s what the locals love

Visiting Alaska? Here’s what the locals love.

Visiting North Carolina: Here’s what the locals love

The essential guide to visiting Ireland

• History & Culture
• Environment
• Paid Content

History & Culture

• History Magazine
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

18 Best Websites & Apps to Find Local Tour Guides

• 5 Pinterest

If you are looking at this page you are probably looking for recommendations on where to find local tour guides . There are many websites and apps where you can book local tour guides and can sometimes be difficult to find. To save you some time, we have curated a list of websites in order to help you find the best local tour guides who will surely give you an enriching experience.

Websites to Find Local Tour Guides – Worldwide

For an even more convenient way to find local tour guides and compare their deals, check out TourScanner !

• Find local tour guides

Don’t hesitate to comment below if you wish to recommend other websites for local tour guides. Wishing you an excellent time and travel safe!! 🙂

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of Boston for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy Boston without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

The 13 best Boston city tours

Get to know the Hub on these culinary and history walks, sightseeing jaunts, market treks and other city tours

Bostonians would sooner root for the Yankees than endure the indignities of a slow-moving city tour with a bunch of non-natives, but that doesn’t mean we still don’t love exploring the best Boston attractions with savvy visitors in tow. From the best free things to do in Boston to the best museums in Boston , the Hub offers plenty of cultural options and activities. While it’s easy to hit the pavement and enjoy “America’s walking city” at your own pace, if you really want to dig deeper and learn all about the area’s rich, unique history and culture, make your plans now to check out these cool Boston city tours.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the  best   things to do   in Boston

An email you’ll actually love

Best Boston city tours

1.  Fenway Park Tour

• Things to do
• Sport events
• Fenway/Kenmore

This is the one you haul all the out-of-towners to—mostly because you can’t wait to go yourself. The hour-long tour includes player and ballpark history and visits to the press box and Pesky’s Pole; depending on the guide, you also might visit the bullpens and peek behind the anachronistic scoreboard. Game-day tours are available as well—hours, options and prices vary, check the website for special event info and restrictions.

2.  Historic Sightseeing Cruise

This narrated, 90-minute sightseeing tour takes you around some of the Harbor Islands while recounting the city’s history as a shipping port, as well as the role that the harbor played in the Revolutionary War. Just prepare yourself for the conditions (tours are offered daily, year-round), as well as the inevitable real estate envy when you sail past all the stunning waterfront condos. 

3.  Samuel Adams Brewery Tour

• price 1 of 4

For a city that’s often hamstrung by booze-related blue laws, Boston sure has a fine collection of breweries. The city’s most famous brewer is Samuel Adams, the Revolutionary and “maltster” after whom the brewery is named. Tours of the Jamaica Plain facility run daily (except for Sundays) and are free, although there is a suggested charitable donation of $2. You’ll taste the malts, smell the hops and enjoy multiple samples.

4.  Boston Public Library Art and Architecture Tour

• Attractions
• Libraries, archives and foundations

You can spend years visiting the BPL and never have proper knowledge of the beauty contained within. These free, volunteer-led tours—no appointment needed—offer architectural insight into both the original Renaissance Revival McKim building and the modernist Philip Johnson wing (added in 1972). Even longtime patrons are impressed by the sheer volume of oils, tapestries and sculptures populating the halls, including the John Singer Sargent murals that took some 30 years to create. 

5.  Freedom Trail Tour

The Freedom Trail  often gets a bad rap among locals, some of whom are tired of the gussied-up guides posing as historical figures as they shuffle tourists through the historical sites. If you don ’ t want to take a guided tour, it ’ s easy to enjoy the lovely self-guided stroll, two and a half miles that remind you of the city’s unparalleled Colonial and Revolutionary history. And if the trail has only whetted your appetite for historical discovery, consider taking a self-guided tour along the Black Heritage Trail or the Women’s Heritage Trail .

6.  Arnold Arboretum Tour

• Parks and gardens
• Jamaica Plain

This Jamaica Plain respite is worth a visit, in part due to the oldest and largest collection of lilac bushes in the world, predating even the founding of the arboretum in 1872. Free weekend tours will help better acquaint you with the vast expanse of flora. Check ahead to confirm hours and weather cancellations, and look into special seasonal themed tours that focus on one species, like the greenhouse collection of potted bonsai plants.

7.  Old State House Tour

• Historic buildings and sites

Designed by Bulfinch and completed in 1798, this magnificent structure replaced the old legislative building across Boston Common, which had been the headquarters of the British government. Included with admission, tours help visitors understand how the Old State House was the political center of Revolutionary Boston. Enthusiastic guides explain how the voices of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and others rang out from the halls and changed American history forever.

8.  North End Market Tour

Even if you’ve eaten in the North End before,  Boston Food Tours ’  exploration of the neighborhood will take your knowledge to another level by teaching (and feeding) you along the way. On the tour you ’ ll learn how Italians ’ food traditions were adapted to America, while acquiring insider cooking tips and discovering where to buy the very best ingredients. At multiple stops, you ’ ll learn about the very best of the neighborhood, ensuring you ’ ll get more out of your future visits.

9.  Ghosts & Gravestones Tour

Our city’s history is not all puppy dogs and rainbows—death, disease and crime make sizeable appearances as well. By taking a Ghosts & Gravestones tour (days/times vary by season), you will learn about murders and executions like the ones that took place on the Boston Common. Try not to be spooked by stories of paranormal activity at the Omni Parker House or the legend of the Boston Strangler.

10.  Walks with the Local AMC Chapter

The Appalachian Mountain Club wants to show you parts of Greater Boston you’ve never explored before. Year-round hikes and nature walks, both accessible and challenging, take you all around the state (and sometimes New Hampshire, too), lasting anywhere from 3 to 20 miles. Dates and times vary, and walks cost just $1 if you’re not an AMC member.

11.  Castle Island Park and Fort Independence

• South Boston

Locals sometimes forget about the 1850 granite bastion known as Fort Independence, poised at the ocean end of South Boston on Castle Island. It’s a good spot for an all-day picnic, or to pretend you’re going on a medieval raid. Free tours of the fort are offered on summer weekends; check in advance for details.

12.  Boston Lobster Tours

Trap-to-table is the only way to eat your favorite crustacean. Take a tour aboard a legit Downeast-style lobster boat with up to three other friends (bench seating is offered), and cruise around the Boston Harbor for 75 minutes, learning about the local industry and hauling up two traps of your own; whatever is of legal size is yours to keep and (presumably) eat.

13.  City Wine Tours

Two hours of wine drinking under the auspices of learning? Yes, we imagine a few Bostonians would partake. Choose between four neighborhoods—South End, Back Bay, North End or Assembly Row in Somerville—then join an intimate group led by a wine connoisseur. The guide leads you to top-notch hot spots where you’ll learn how to taste, pair and buy fine wines.

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor Relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Copyright agent
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide

Puerto Rico’s southern coast is the island’s best-kept secret

Take it from a guayama native: the caribbean coast is worth exploring from end to end.

The scenery starts to change when you leave the tall hotels and tapón (traffic jam) of San Juan behind.

Head south on Route 52, and you will start seeing the lush green mountains of Cordillera Central. As you approach the southern coast, the dense vegetation transforms into clusters of cactuses and shrubs, painting an arid landscape against the distant view of the Caribbean Sea.

Ranging east to west from the town of Yabucoa to Cabo Rojo, the southern coast of Puerto Rico is rich in culture, food, beaches and nature. But beyond all the tangible attractions, locals say the spirit of hospitality makes the place unique. “Our greatest asset is the people, who make people feel at home,” says Milexys Rosado Romero, the owner of Hacienda Tres Casitas , a farm stay in Cabo Rojo.

I learned this growing up in Guayama, where neighbors traded mangoes for papayas. My parents were always inviting people for coffee, or my dad might arrive home with a bagful of fresh seafood he got from a friend he ran into at the beach.

Unfortunately, no reliable public transport options exist, so renting a car is the best bet to reach the smaller towns and unspoiled beaches. Highway 52 traverses the island from north to south, taking you from San Juan to Guayama in around 90 minutes, depending on traffic, and to Ponce in two hours or less. Highway 2 takes you west to Cabo Rojo and up the western coast, and Route 3 takes you along the eastern coast with scenic ocean views of Patillas and Maunabo.

If traveling during the fall, you may catch surfers in Guardarraya Beach in Patillas. It’s hard to get lost as you can easily find lesser-known beaches via Google Maps, with good cell coverage throughout the region.

Many of the lodgings offered on the southern coast, from the luxury Copamarina Beach Resort to the kid-friendly Combate Beach Resort , have been owned by local families for generations. Farm stays, small inns known as paradors and vacation rentals dominate the accommodations, making for a relaxed scene.

I recommend visiting from Wednesdays to Sundays for a livelier scene and more dining options; earlier in the week is perfect for having the beaches all to yourself.

Low-key beaches in Cabo Rojo

Even the Caribbean Sea beaches on the southern coast of Puerto Rico are in chill mode, more relaxed than their choppy Atlantic Ocean counterparts in the north.

With small waves and shallow waters, Combate Beach, on the southwest corner, is ideal for families. Make it a day-long affair with a passion fruit mojito at Annie’s Place with picturesque sunset views.

For a more rustic beach experience, go to Playa Sucia, one of Puerto Rico’s southernmost beaches. While there, hike the trails leading to El Faro de Cabo Rojo and Puente de Piedra for 360-degree views of a colorful mix of Caribbean blues, sandy-colored rocky enclaves and green mangroves along the coast. Walk a mile and a half north of Playa Sucia, and you will encounter the Salinas de Cabo Rojo, with colorful yellow-shouldered blackbirds flying over the pink salt flats.

Boquerón is a neighborhood known for its stands of local fish, oysters and clams. You can also take a dip at its small sandy strip. The neighborhood is vibrant, with music blaring throughout the many kiosks and beachside restaurants, most specializing in seafood. You don’t have to go far inland to find roasted pork at Camino Los Charros. Rosado also recommends La Catumba Lechonera among the many restaurants that specialize in pork.

Restaurants on the rise in Guayama

“Guayama esta pegao” — in style, according to what I’ve heard from many friends across the island.

A coastal city on the southeastern side, it is known for having a charming plaza (town square) with homes and buildings dating from the 1800s. One of these historical homes houses Gallo Pinto , a restaurant by chef Ángel David Moreno Zayas that has become a destination with dishes like grilled oysters, bone marrow with beef tartare, and fried red snapper.

“I’ve worked in many kitchens in San Juan and the mainland United States, but I wanted to open my restaurant in Guayama,” says Moreno Zayas of his hometown. “It started as a casual place because we were recovering from the pandemic, but now we’ve incorporated more fine-dining elements, and the reception has been spectacular.”

After a feast at Gallo Pinto, one must save room for ice cream at one of Guayama’s classic spots, Rex Cream. Owned by Chinese-Cuban immigrants, the Louke Chang family, it’s a mandatory stop. A scoop of salty-sweet corn ice cream with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon is perfect for a walk along the plaza.

At Pozuelo, a fishermen’s neighborhood beyond the city center, go to El Arcoiris for one of my childhood favorites, the octopus salad with a side of tostones. Or bite into a crispy alcapurria — a fritter made of banana and root vegetables — at El Fogón de Susa as you stroll along the beach.

You can find one of the most impressive wine lists in the south at Prime Market , where local couple Laury Cordero Sabater and Antonio Palau transformed an old home along Route 3 into an ample outdoor patio with a menu specializing in steaks.

Art and culture in Ponce

It’s hard to find Puerto Ricans prouder of their hometown than Ponceños. I’m not disputing their pride, because the city has so much to offer, especially in terms of arts and culture.

“Start with a walking tour of the city center of Ponce to learn about the history of Ponce and gain an orientation of the city,” says Melina Aguilar Colón, the founder of Isla Caribe tours. “One of the sights not to be missed is the Parque de Bombas de Ponce,” she said. Initially built in 1882 for the Exhibition Trade Fair, the Ponce firehouse is a symbol of the city; the distinct red-and-black-striped facade was an inspiration for the Ponce flag.

After walking through the city center, go for cocktails along Paseo de la Salsa Cheo Feliciano, named after the pioneering salsa singer José Feliciano. At El Marlin 107, William Collazo, a big name in Puerto Rico’s cocktail community, mixes drinks with tropical infusions like coconut water, guava and mangoes. On the weekends, expect live music along the street where you can test your salsa skills. For dinner, head to Chef’s Creations, where you catch chef Jorge Rivera cooking over a wood-fired grill in his restaurant’s patio.

Although the city has suffered structural damage during Hurricane Maria in 2017, followed by an earthquake in 2020, Ponce has focused on reconstruction and updates to many of its cultural institutions. The Teatro La Perla, a cultural hub for performance art, is set to reopen in 2025 with plays and musical performances. The Art Museum of Ponce , home of the iconic “Flaming June” by Sir Frederic Leighton (which is currently on loan to the Royal Academy of Arts in London), recently reopened its doors after extensive repairs.

Ponce is also considered the birthplace of plena music, one of the traditional sounds of Puerto Rico. Deeply infused with African beats, plena tells the story of the Puerto Rican people from the early 1900s. You can learn more about plena and other Puerto Rican music like bomba and danza at the Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña, a small museum in the city center.

El Bosque dry forest and bioluminescent bays

According to Aguilar Colón, “everybody knows about El Yunque rainforest, but nobody talks about El Bosque Seco de Guánica, the dry forest on the island’s southwest coast.” I agree.

One of the things that makes Puerto Rico unique is the contrast of ecosystems in a relatively small island. Walking along the trails, you will notice the different varieties of cactuses, Guayacán trees and mangroves as you get closer to the shoreline. Birdwatchers will rejoice with the sights of sparrow hawks, hummingbirds and brown pelicans. The dry forest is one of the island’s hottest places, so ensure you bring plenty of water and sun protection.

Next to Guánica, in the neighboring town of Lajas, there’s another natural phenomenon. La Parguera is home to one of the three bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico. Because of overpopulation, it’s not as bright as in Vieques, but it’s still worth a trip if you’re in the area.

The local dock offers boat rides, and you can also find kayak tours taking you deeper into the bay for better views. Beyond the bay, the Parguera is known for its bustling scene on the weekends with plenty of bars, restaurants and bands.

Jessica van Dop DeJesus is a travel and food writer, digital content creator and the author of “ The Dining Traveler Guide to Puerto Rico .” She divides her time between Brussels, D.C. and western New York. Follow her on Instagram @diningtraveler .

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights ..

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.

Cookie banner

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy . Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use , which became effective December 20, 2019.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.

Follow The Ringer online:

• Follow The Ringer on Twitter
• Follow The Ringer on Instagram
• Follow The Ringer on Youtube

Site search

• March Madness
• What to Watch
• Bill Simmons Podcast
• 24 Question Party People
• 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s
• Against All Odds
• Bachelor Party
• The Bakari Sellers Podcast
• Beyond the Arc
• The Big Picture
• Black Girl Songbook
• Book of Basketball 2.0
• Boom/Bust: HQ Trivia
• Counter Pressed
• The Dave Chang Show
• East Coast Bias
• Every Single Album: Taylor Swift
• Extra Point Taken
• Fairway Rollin’
• Fantasy Football Show
• The Fozcast
• The Full Go
• Gambling Show
• Gene and Roger
• Higher Learning
• The Hottest Take
• Jam Session
• Just Like Us
• Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air
• Last Song Standing
• The Local Angle
• Masked Man Show
• The Mismatch
• Mint Edition
• Morally Corrupt Bravo Show
• New York, New York
• Off the Pike
• One Shining Podcast
• Philly Special
• Plain English
• The Pod Has Spoken
• The Press Box
• The Prestige TV Podcast
• Recipe Club
• The Rewatchables
• Ringer Dish
• The Ringer-Verse
• The Ripple Effect
• The Rugby Pod
• The Ryen Russillo Podcast
• Sports Cards Nonsense
• Slow News Day
• Speidi’s 16th Minute
• Somebody’s Gotta Win
• Sports Card Nonsense
• This Blew Up
• Trial by Content
• Wednesday Worldwide
• What If? The Len Bias Story
• Wrighty’s House
• Wrestling Show
• Latest Episodes
• All Podcasts

Filed under:

• Pop Culture

Where Did It All Go Wrong for J.Lo?

Weak tour sales, a baffling album-movie-documentary, and general online mockery—why does everyone seem to have a problem with Jennifer Lopez?

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: Where Did It All Go Wrong for J.Lo?

In February, Jennifer Lopez released a bundle of multimedia projects that were each part of a larger statement—arguably, a misguided one—about the power of love or something. One of those was This Is Me … Now , a very cheesy and otherwise unremarkable late-career pop album. The other was This Is Me … Now: A Love Story , a loosely biographical, somewhat egomaniacal adaptation of the album into a blockbuster musical full of astrological melodrama, flashy choreography, and celebrity cameos. Finally, a couple of weeks later, Lopez released The Greatest Love Story Never Told , a behind-the-scenes documentary that’s chiefly about the making of This Is Me … Now: A Love Story but is more notable for its awkwardly invasive glimpses into J.Lo’s famed romance with a dutifully supportive but quite visibly mortified Ben Affleck.

The Ringer ’s Streaming Guide

There’s a lot of TV out there. We want to help: Every week, we’ll tell you the best and most urgent shows to stream so you can stay on top of the ever-expanding heap of Peak TV.

This is all, taken together, as overproduced and exasperating as it sounds. Each project has been met with mixed-to-bad reviews and general mockery on social media. J.Lo herself admitted to Variety that she made and self-financed the musical, to the tune of $20 million, even though everyone in her creative orbit, including coproducer Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and castmate Jane Fonda, warned her about the risk of further overexposure of her relationship with Affleck. But J.Lo persisted, and the result is a roundly uncanny production that’s distressingly reminiscent of Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All by Myself but also James Cameron’s Avatar and also Paul Hunter’s music video for “Wild Wild West.” Fat Joe plays J.Lo’s therapist, and Jane Fonda plays Sagittarius, in the most cringeworthy release involving either Lopez or Affleck since—too fittingly, really— Gigli. Ticket sales for the tour to promote This Is Me … Now have been exceptionally weak; J.Lo has hastily rebranded the concert series as a greatest hits tour.

The overexposure of pop stars, to a fault, is routine. We know perhaps a bit too much about J.Lo’s pop contemporaries, too, and look: It’s not like Mariah Carey and Justin Timberlake haven’t also pushed their own post-peak vanity projects to weak receptions in recent years. But J.Lo has, for much of her career, been a curiously unsympathetic figure, a stone-cold climber whose missteps draw a great deal of schadenfreude and now something of a backlash.

Lopez has long been a more divisive figure than meets the eye. This was the crux of the drama a couple of months ago on Saturday Night Live , concerning host Ayo Edebiri, costar of The Bear , and musical guest Lopez, as the latter was promoting her aforementioned projects a couple of weeks before their release dates. A day before the taping in New York, TMZ resurfaced some old footage of Edebiri, as a guest on Laci Mosley’s podcast, Scam Goddess , saying Lopez “can’t sing” and describing her musical career as “one long scam.” These were jokes , in one sense—a comedic actor skewering a pop star in a harmlessly petty conversation on a podcast brought to you by Team Coco—but then, yes, actually, this has always been the shadow discourse about J.Lo. She can’t sing, and not in the normal way that a lot of pop stars slathered in Auto-Tune can’t sing; J.Lo goes so far as to hide behind uncredited vocals from other singers, from Ashanti (“I’m Real,” “Ain’t It Funny”) to Meghan Trainor (“Ain’t Your Mama”) . These criticisms are common enough that Lopez, commenting on the footage of Edebiri, told Variety that she’s indeed “heard similar things said about me throughout my career.” While Lopez would publicly insist that Edebiri’s comments were water under the bridge, Edebiri led off her SNL appearance with a sketch referencing her criticism of Lopez , in a half-kidding ritual self-humiliation. This was Lorne Michaels making the most of an awkward situation, sure, but also it felt like Lopez putting Edebiri in her place, even if she wasn’t directly responsible for the sketch’s development. Lopez also made a point of telling Variety that Edebiri apologized to her “with tears in her eyes.”

Such is the role Lopez never sought but has played on and off for decades now: J.Lo as pop villain—or, if not quite villain, a sort of hapless foil. Her famous feud with Mariah Carey in the early 2000s gave us the iconic quote from Carey after she was asked about J.Lo: “I don’t know her.” This was a rivalry born out of Carey’s divorce from her label boss, Tommy Mottola at Sony, who reportedly led the label to aggressively promote Lopez and scornfully sabotage the career of his ex-wife. Mottola and the tabloids pitted these two women against each other, and while the rivalry never escalated into any direct confrontation or explicit denunciation, J.Lo has always come across as the loser—a woman out of her depth.

J.Lo got her start as a Fly Girl on In Living Color and as the breakout star of Gregory Nava’s charming biopic Selena. This was the 1990s. These were, in retrospect, the only years when Lopez was so uncontroversially beloved, before her disastrous involvement with Puff Daddy, before her cold war with Mariah, and before her multimedia reach, far exceeding her grasp, could culminate in something as unwieldy and off-putting as This Is Me … Now: A Love Story. Much of the cynicism about J.Lo over the years, up to its latest climax, concerns her particular proportion of fame and talent. There’s the sense that even the heights of her own career don’t quite compare to those of her contemporaries or earn her the same sort of everlasting goodwill. Mariah Carey was arguably the most formidable female pop singer of her generation, with a fearsome command of five octaves, while Jennifer Lopez was a great dancer with a relatively weak singing voice, evident to anyone who has ever intently listened to the chorus of “Waiting for Tonight.” This contrast was always a bit damning, even if the underlying rivalry was false and, in any case, wasn’t J.Lo’s fault or problem. But J.Lo is a talented entertainer, undeniably, even as she struggles to narrow her ambitions in response to that pesky, inevitable question: talented at what, exactly?

This Is Me … Now: A Love Story possibly would’ve worked better as a back-to-basics dance showcase for Lopez, a savvy capitalization on the goodwill from her impressive performance alongside Shakira at Super Bowl LIV. But, of course, it had to be an overwrought showcase for J.Lo as an actor, singer, writer, producer, and lover, too. “Bennifer” is a tabloid romance for the ages, sure, but also the most consistently overexposed aspect of J.Lo’s legacy and one that’s dramatically at odds with her posturing as “Jenny from the block,” when she is, at this point, so clearly and thoroughly a creature of Hollywood, subject of so much resentment, exactly as Fonda warned her.

Next Up In Pop Culture

‘survivor’ season 46, episode 7, the friendships of ‘grey’s anatomy’, ‘joker: folie à deux’ trailer, ‘x-men ’97,’ and ‘shogun’.

• Directorial Debut With J.J. Abrams (Eps. 113-115)
• The Profitability of Being Hated With Jacques Peterson
• With ‘Civil War,’ A24 Joins the Blockbuster Front Lines

Sign up for the The Ringer Newsletter

Thanks for signing up.

Check your inbox for a welcome email.

Oops. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again.

Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt joins Tyson and Riley this week to talk about the secret sauce of the show

To celebrate the 20th season, Erika is joined by Rae Witte and Denise Warner to look at the defining friendships of the beloved series

Draft Needs for Every NFC Team

Danny, Craig, Danny, and Ben run through the major team needs for every squad in the NFC

All-NBA Picks (Also in Pencil)

The guys also start out by talking about the UConn Huskies’ victory

Team Makeovers | Dual Threat

Some teams need help navigating the draft and free agency

The Midnight Boys get together to share their thoughts on the maddening trailer for ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Holmes Chapel, English village of Harry Styles' youth, needs fans to be tour guides

Many tourists visit sites such as a bakery where Styles once worked and a Chinese restaurant where he once dined with Taylor Swift. Tourism has been great for local businesses.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep.

Holmes Chapel, the English village of Harry Styles' youth, is looking for superfans to work as tour guides. The village gets a lot of tourists, Harries visiting sites like a bakery where Styles once worked and a Chinese restaurant where he once dined with Taylor Swift. The not-for-profit calling for tour guides says tourism has been great for local business, and now it wants to elevate its offerings.

(Singing) Why don't we leave it at that?

It's MORNING EDITION.

Copyright © 2024 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

Millions of people are traveling to see the total eclipse. Hotels, motels, and skydiving operators are making bank on it.

• Millions of tourists are expected to boost economies in Texas and New York during the eclipse.
• Hotels, an eyeglasses manufacturer, and even skydiving companies are preparing for increased business.
• One study predicted that the eclipse could benefit the US economy with nearly $1.6 billion.

As millions of Americans get ready to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday — an event NASA has described as rare and "spectacular" — the phenomenon stands to lift local economies.

Various industries are poised to benefit from the millions of tourists flocking to cities in Texas, Ohio, and New York , which are on the eclipse's "path of totality" and offer the best views of the ring around the sun.

According to NASA, this year's eclipse is set to last three to four minutes, longer than the last solar eclipse , in 2017. People who miss this one will not be able to see another in the contiguous US until 2044 or 2045, the agency said.

Up to 3.7 million people are set to travel to the path of the eclipse, joining the 31 million people already living along the stretch, according to predictions by the eclipse-tracking website Great American Eclipse .

Visitors are expected to spend big: They'll shell out up to $1.6 billion on lodging, activities, food, and gas, the Texas economic consultancy Perryman Group estimated .

Here are some of the industries seeing big boosts from Monday's eclipse.

Hotels and Airbnbs book out

The budget hotel chain Super 8 has over 300 locations within the path of totality, per The New York Times. About 100 of these hotels are sold out for Sunday or Monday, according to the chain's website.

One two-star Super 8 branch in Grayville, Illinois, is advertising rooms for between $765 and $950 from Sunday through Tuesday. On most days, the rooms typically cost $80, the Super 8 website shows.

Higher-end hotels are seeing similar spikes. A JW Marriott in Dallas listed a standard room for $1,039 for Sunday night. It typically costs between $355 and $482, the website said.

Related stories

Visitors are flocking to Airbnbs, too. As of March 25, occupancy rates for April 7 soared to 88% across 110,000 active listings on the path of totality, according to the vacation-rental-data company AirDNA.

The biggest glasses manufacturer has sold out

People can permanently damage their eyesight by looking straight into the sun during an eclipse, so NASA recommends specific solar-filtering glasses .

The eye-protection guidelines translated into huge sales for some glasses manufacturers.

Tennessee's American Paper Optics, the country's largest producer of protective eclipse eyeglasses, has seen a big jump in sales compared with the total eclipse in 2017.

The company started taking eclipse orders two years in advance, John Jerit, the company's founder, told NPR on Friday. The glasses sold for $1.50 to $2 apiece.

"We've shipped already about 70 million glasses, and I suspect I'm going to approach right at 75 million by the time next week comes," Jerit said.

American Paper Optics sold out of glasses this year after producing about 30 million more glasses than it did for the total solar eclipse in 2017, according to a sales figure on the company's site .

Eclipse skydiving attracts thrill seekers

Some adrenaline junkies seeking a novel vantage point are planning to jump during totality to enjoy the darkness from the sky.

A group of 30 skydivers plans to jump in northern New York on Monday, Fox News reported . Tickets for the dive, hosted by the local company Skydive the Falls, sold out in seven minutes after they went live in January.

"We're going to jump one minute prior to totality, so we can enjoy totality in full under our parachutes," Jason Berger, a co-owner of Skydive the Falls, told Fox News.

A similar event in Dallas sold out of its $250 eclipse skydive tickets, too.

For sun observers on the ground, restaurants are making the most of the celestial phenomenon with eclipse menus and specials. Establishments like Smoothie King, Applebee's, and Sonic are offering special eclipse-themed smoothies and margaritas, as well as "blackout" drinks to mark the occasion.

Watch: A small Australian town was treated to a rare hybrid solar eclipse

• Main content

Tommy Fleetwood working with former Augusta National caddie master

Fleetwood’s veteran caddie ian finnis sidelined at masters due to illness.

Change Text Size

Tommy Fleetwood won’t have his longtime caddie alongside him at this week’s Masters, but he’ll be privy to local knowledge as he eyes his first major title.

With his caddie Ian Finnis sidelined due to illness, Fleetwood will employ former Augusta National caddie master Gray Moore for this week’s competition. Moore has since retired from that role, per the Augusta Chronicle, to work as a regular caddie at the club.

This marks just the second time in eight years that Finnis won’t caddie for Fleetwood at a major, Fleetwood said Wednesday at Augusta National. Fleetwood’s dad caddied at the 2018 U.S. Open – the week after Finnis’ son was born. “Other than that, he’s done every tournament with me,” Fleetwood said Wednesday.

“He’s not been well all year,” Fleetwood continued. “At the moment he's at home trying to recover and get the right treatment … We just wish him all the best. The sooner he can get better, the better for all of us. Everybody has been asking about him, which has been great. I know he'll be desperate to come back out here as soon as possible.”

Fleetwood has previously spent time with Moore at Augusta National, comparing notes in advance of prior Masters Tournaments. Fleetwood, 33, has knocked on the door in several major championships to date – he has compiled six top-five finishes – but has yet to break through for his first major title. He has made six cuts in seven prior Masters starts, his best result coming in 2022 (T14).

“The first two or three years that I came here, I always had Gray in practice and would always sit and speak to him,” Fleetwood said of Moore. “So I've known him well for the last few years and I just asked if he could do it this week.”

Finnis was also sidelined for last week’s Valero Texas Open, in which Fleetwood finished T7 with Adrian Rietveld on the bag – a senior manager at TaylorMade who works closely with Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler on equipment issues.

Tommy Fleetwood finishes with birdie on No. 18 at Valero

Fleetwood was hopeful at the time that Finnis would feel healthy enough for the Masters, but that, unfortunately, proved not the case.

Some little things are different without Finnis by his side. Fleetwood doesn’t normally look at the weather forecast, he said, but this week he has ensured to keep tabs himself.

The most important thing, of course, is that Finnis returns to full health soon. In the meantime, Fleetwood is in good hands for his eighth Masters.

“It’s definitely very, very different,” Fleetwood said of competing without Finnis. “Last week was weird just going out there and doing I guess so many things that he would … There is definitely a comfort, huge comfort level when he's out on the course with me.

“It’s just a bit weird really. But I'm far more bothered about him getting better and his health being right. He's definitely in the right place at the moment … I look forward to when he does get back out.”

Kevin Prise is an associate editor for the PGA TOUR. He is on a lifelong quest to break 80 on a course that exceeds 6,000 yards and to see the Buffalo Bills win a Super Bowl. Follow Kevin Prise on Twitter .