Walking Tours
Our most popular tours are offered as public tours most months. Check out the Calendar for scheduled dates or review the types under Book a Tour. If you would like to schedule a private tour on another date, have a large group or have questions about including themes such as famous restaurants or other topics, please inquire below. We are looking forward to taking a walk with you!
Our Most Popular Tours
Ponce City Market and the Beltline:
Exploring Atlanta History
In 1926, Atlantans were stunned by the largest building most had ever seen. Sears had come to their city, bringing with it retail, status and a sense of a brighter future. Along the Beltline and in the old Sears building we share stories about how Atlantans have worked and played over the years as the city has grown. Great vistas from the bridges of the Beltline offer glimpses of the past. Ponce City Market offers a wide variety of choices for a bite to eat before or after the walk.
The Old Fourth Ward and the Beltline: Work, Homes and Civil Rights Roots
Today the Beltline is a destination for walkers headed for a nice meal, but walkers in 1900 were typically headed for jobs. We’ll walk through Dr. King's childhood neighborhood and learn about the neighbors who helped shape him. The story of this community is the story of the Civil Rights Movement. We will talk about how railroads spurred housing nearby and the way new technology drove out established businesses. We’ll see where MLK’s father went to school, learn about the import of the concrete water tower that rises above the area and about the modern art that adorns it today. Discover why workers called “spidermen” were essential to the cotton industry. Think about what “affordable housing” looked like in 1900 and how residential areas transitioned from “salt and pepper” segregation to rigid segregation. As we end, you’ll be close to many great restaurants to pause for a bite to eat.
Midtown: the 20th Century Transformation of Atlanta
Join us to explore lively Midtown, sharing the stories of Atlanta’s 20th century growth. Our walk will take us down Peachtree street from Ponce de Leon Avenue to 10th street and include a side trip to see the victorian homes that once filled the neighborhood. Hear about the changing lives of the women and men of Atlanta as we share stories of movie stars, writers and activists.
Tours by Special Arrangement
A Transportation City:
Atlanta and Aviation
What’s wealthy, self-sustaining and the economic engine of the Southeast? If you guessed Hartsfield Jackson International Airport you would be correct. Meet the people and aircraft who made air travel possible in a tour of the Delta Flight Museum. Learn about the outrageous things early aviators did as they experimented with flight and the ever-present drive to make money with this new technology. We will find out who Atlanta’s “Father of Aviation” is and what he did to earn that title. We will talk about the planes themselves and how new designs and technology brought air travel to a larger audience. And you will come inside to see the interior of the B747 and a B767.
Seeing the 20th Century:
Grand Spaces and Atlanta in Post Civil Rights
Focusing on the years after 1968, we’ll consider the changes that followed the Civil Rights movement. Downtown from Peachtree Street to “sky bridges” and in great public spaces, we will also explore how hospitality shaped our city and see the changing ways we have welcomed visitors. A revolution in hotel design started in Atlanta in the 1960s. With striking atriums, lofty bridges, dramatic interiors and more, this is a fun way to explore downtown and is accessible in all kinds of weather. This is a downtown walk that offers opportunities for groups to gather after a walk for a meal or a drink.
Women in Downtown Atlanta:
Hearing Their Stories
The stories of a century of women working and leading are not often told. We’ll explore key locales that shaped their lives and introduce you to these important change-makers. Meet the black women who were caring for their families and communities while contributing to the civil rights movement. Learn about the kind of jobs white women found to help support their families or to fulfill their ambitions. And how women made a place for themselves in politics before they could even vote.
Tour Details
Cost?
Tours are $30 per person and are recommended for people 18 and over. For guests with a disability, caregivers and support professionals are welcome to join at no cost.
Distance and what to wear?
Walks last 1 to 2 hours, depending on the location. Most walks are city walks, so please wear comfortable shoes. We won’t be walking fast and will cover only a little more than a mile.
Weather policy?
Tours proceed rain or shine so please come ready for a walk and the weather. If rain is possible, bring an umbrella or rain coat. If sunny, you may want to bring water or a hat. When possible, we will find shady spots to stop and chat but you are in the Sunny South!
Accessibility needs?
All our tours can accommodate wheelchairs and other accessibility needs. Please let us know of needs in your group. We want to welcome everyone for a great experience.
Cancellation policy?
Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Click here to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.