Best Local Tour Guides in Minneapolis

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.