PHOENIX (Stacker) – Travelers are rarely on the road and taking in some of the best attractions in the United States. More than 30,980 tour and travel guides are ready to show them the way.
Bounce examines employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find which metropolitan areas use the most tour and travel guides. In addition to the number of people employed in the industry, the data shows that the top 20 destinations that emerged from the study are near metropolitan areas and state and national parks — destinations that have gained popularity since the pandemic .
Annual salaries were determined using information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics — which showed a mean hourly wage of $15.96 — and multiplying that by 40 hours a week for 52 weeks per year. Some things that can be deduced from this information include the length of the tourism season for certain destinations and the intricacies of tours.
Although California, Florida and Colorado emerged as the states that employ the most tour guides, the top 20 tour destinations listed here include only one California destination. Read on to see the top 20 destinations and some of the attractions that await.
#20. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Located in the South Carolina Lowcountry, Hilton Head Island is known for its pristine beaches and lush natural habitats. Local insights on flora and fauna from naturalists and master birders at destinations like the Audubon Newhall Preserve and Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge enrich a visit.
Staff from organizations such as Sea Turtle Patrol and Turtle Trackers educate the public about loggerhead turtles that make their home on Hilton Head’s 12 miles of beach. Read also : Vacaville announces holiday with music. The place to learn more about the culture and history of the island is the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, which offers tours by reservation.
#19. Savannah, Georgia
Topping itineraries for many Savannah visitors – time to enjoy the city’s architecture and the centuries-old oaks dripping in Spanish moss. Read also : The least visited national parks in the United States. Just right for this pursuit is a 90-minute tour of the Historic Landmark District led by Architectural Tours of Savannah
While in the area, tour guides can take visitors through the popular Forsyth Park to take selfies at the 1858 vintage fountain, and for a docent-led stroll through the Fragrant Garden for the Blind. Performances are offered in the park’s amphitheater and Saturdays bring the weekly farmers market.
Just 20 minutes away is Tybee Island, where Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse – Tybee Island Light Station and Museum – benefits from the historical interpretations provided by members of the Tybee Island Historical Society.
#18. Monroe, Louisiana
For tour guides in Monroe, Coca-Cola brings fans from far and near. It was here that Joseph Biedenharn began bottling Coca-Cola back in 1913. Read also : Providing a sense of security: NATO’s USACE missions. Among the top tourist attractions in Monroe is Biedenharn’s house.
Visitors can take a look back at the soda’s original bottling process and view Coca-Cola memorabilia, including a Ford Model T Coca-Cola delivery truck. There is a tour of the Biedenharn home, exhibits from a Bible museum, and walled English gardens created by Biedenharn’s daughter, Emy-Lou.
Should the gardens inspire time in Monroe’s great outdoors, tour guides can take visitors to Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. A suggested way to appreciate the alligators, bald cypress trees, and blue herons is walking on the nature trail boardwalk, or by canoe. While there, learn more about Louisiana wildlife through the refuge’s interpretive programs.
#17. Staunton, Virginia
Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Staunton is the birthplace of President Woodrow Wilson. To pay tribute to the 28th President of the United States, tour guides take visitors to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum.
Here they can take in the house where Wilson was born, a World War I trench exhibit, the Pierce-Arrow Presidential Limousine, as well as the museum’s historic gardens. For a deeper dive, it is possible to book a private, behind-the-scenes tour. Shakespeare fans will want to go on a 45-minute tour of the American Shakespeare Center. Friday nights at 5 p.m. thespians, artists, and industry experts are on tap for lectures, workshops, and panels.
#16. Anchorage, Alaska
Seeing a destination through the eyes of the people who have lived there for centuries is priceless. Anchorage’s Alaskan Native Heritage Center has six authentic life-size villages that offer an insight into the indigenous cultures of the region. Even more special is starting a private tour with a cultural guide who can highlight the lifestyle and traditions of Alaska’s native people.
Another way to see Anchorage is from the sky. Flight-seeing tours that provide a unique view point for the beauty of glaciers and parklands such as Denali National Park and amp; Preserve, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Lake Clark National Park & amp; Preserve, and Katmai National Park.
#15. Virginia Beach, Virginia
As walks go, the 3-mile jaunt along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk is beautiful and fun. Along the way, there’s art to see (looking for the statue of King Neptune), live music performances to catch on four separate stages, and people-watching—skateboarders, rollerbladers, and cyclists abound.
Some favorite stops on the boardwalk include the Witt Cottage and Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum. The two go hand in hand, with the AWHM in the cottage built in 1895. Time a visit right to meet a carver and wildfowl artist and learn about their art.
#14. Logan, Utah
A big draw for visitors to Logan is its proximity to the Bear River Range, as well as Bear Lake, which is nicknamed the Rocky Mountain Caribbean. Such a setting calls for outdoor activities from mountain biking and hiking to horse riding and skiing. Want to dive into the Rocky Mountain Caribbean? Book a scuba diving expedition at Bear Lake State Park’s Cisco Beach.
A perfect place for birds is Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Switch things up from the great outdoors to the stage with a visit to the Utah Festival Opera & amp; Musical theater, where the season runs from July to August. In addition to a performance, this Logan-based venue offers puppetry classes as well as behind the scenes on various elements of productions, lectures and seminars.
#13. New Orleans, Louisiana
Étouffée, gumbo, beignets, po’boys – if you visit NOLA, enjoying its Cajun and Creole cuisine is a must. A great way to do that is through a culinary tour. Whether craving a Sazerac or jambalaya, a plethora of offerings appeal to a variety of tastes.
The New Orleans music scene is distinct in itself. Listen to some of the best on French Street in the Marigny. Impromptu live performances often happen on the street itself. Duck into a nightclub like The Spotted Cat Music Club, Blue Nile, and Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro. The combination of a love of music and cocktails is a mixology class at the Maison. Bring on those Hurricanes and Pimm’s Cups!
#12. San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo’s proximity to San Simeon calls for one of four guided tours of Hearst Castle. The former home of media mogul William Randolph Hearst’s vision of a European-style castle that could house his art collection led to a 28-year construction project that lasted from 1919 to 1947 between him and architect Julia Morgan. Although it was never fully completed, Hearst Castle was host to the rich and famous – including Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Cary Grant.
Another piece of history can be explored in Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Docent-led tours of Mission 1772 and the accompanying museum occur daily at 1:15 p.m. Next is the accompanying museum to see exhibits of Native Californian, Mission Era and American settlement artifacts.
#11. Bend, Oregon
Do you have a fantasy about fly fishing yet to be fulfilled? Go to Bend, Oregon. The right way to get your feet wet with a fly & amp; Feld Outfitters’ Walk & Wade trip. There are three rivers where these tours take place: Crooked River, Fall River, and the Upper Deschutes River. These guided adventures include all necessary equipment, lunch and lots of tips on keeping fish. Ready to upgrade your skills? Tours for all skill levels are available.
prefer to do some spelunking or caving? There are 400 lava tubes in central Oregon waiting to be discovered. Do so with a personalized lava tube cave tour offered by licensed naturalists. There are four available with different difficulty levels. One that sounds dreamy is the two-hour Starlight Cave Tour, where participants emerge to sit around a campfire and gaze at the stars.
#10. Kahului, Hawaii
A gateway to the island of Maui is the Kahului Airport. One of the closest attractions to Kahului is ʻĪao Valley State Monument, although it will be closed from August 1, 2022 to January 15, 2023 for a slope stabilization project. If you visit when the park is open, its botanical garden is ideal for enjoying tropical breezes. A paved trail leads to a Kuka’emoku, an outcrop more commonly known as the ‘Iao Needle.
Another worthwhile trip is to the summit of the House of the Rising Sun, home of Maui’s dormant volcano, Haleakalā, in Haleakalā National Park. Take advantage of park-led events that occur daily, including a sunrise orientation from dawn to 7 a.m., geology talk – twice daily for 30 minutes, or the hour-long Hosmer Hike. These are ideal ways to learn about the flora, fauna, culture and mythology of the islands.
#9. Bowling Green, Kentucky
Lovers of the Chevy Corvette, Bowling Green – the meeting place of this GM vehicle – is the vacation destination for you. Although tours of the GM plant are currently suspended, there are still ways to take in the evolution of the Corvette. For a true insider look, a guided tour of the National Corvette Museum is recommended.
The museum has several exhibits to see, including the Nostalgia Area to see how the Corvette has changed over the years. There is also a section dedicated to car racing, a restoration area, as well as one for design and engineering. Very unique is the sinkhole display in Skydome and Hall of Fame. A display that will be on display until September 25, 2022 will allow Hot Wheels fans to make their own races.
Do you prefer the taste of Bowling Green while outdoors? Visit Jackson’s Orchard & amp; Nursery where, depending on the time of year, it is possible to pick peaches, apples, sunflowers, pumpkins and more.
#8. Grants Pass, Oregon
A proclamation often made in Grants Pass: Go Rogue! This refers to the city’s Rogue River. Those willing to spend some time on a guided rafting tour have a few to choose from.
Trips vary from hours to days and at all skill levels. Families with children ages five and up can take the all-day, 14-mile Rogue River Hellgate Tour, which features rapids of varying intensities. There is time for lunch and swimming, too.
Another type of tour, but with just as much enthusiasm, can be done at the Glass Forge. In addition to watching the master glassblowers hard at their craft, there is a “Make Your Own Ornament” component led by the masters.
#7. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Touring Gettysburg on horseback or by horse-drawn carriage seems appropriate for this historic location. One that takes riders to Gettysburg National Military Park is Confederate Trails. The park is the site of a bloody three-day battle during the Civil War and served as the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
An alternative to soaking in Gettysburg’s history is its craft brews during an Adams County Pour Tour. There are nine routes you can choose from. Pair two days of wine and shopping with the Downtown Expedition, where the shops of Lincoln Square are checked out and spirits are drunk.
#6. St. George, Utah
As St. Where to go for this mission: 33 miles away to Zion National Park. An adventure that will benefit from a guide is canyoneering in the slot canyons of the park and rappelling down the red rocks. There are five options offered through the Thunderbird Resort. Two to consider are the four- to five-hour Coral Sands Canyon Tour, or the seven-hour Stone Hollow Canyon Tour.
Stand-up paddleboarding is a valuable alternative to hiking. Head to Sand Hollow State Park to rent a board and hit the lake.
#5. Rapid City, South Dakota
A must while in Rapid City is visiting the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The park offers several ranger tours that add to the excitement of seeing this iconic monument in person. Some to consider: the sculptor’s studio talk to learn what was involved in carving the mountain; Tour the Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota Heritage Village; and an evening program in the park’s amphitheater that ends with the night lighting of the monument.
See a new icon in the process of carving can be done with a visit Crazy Horse Memorial. The special face-to-face tour allows visitors to see the mountain crew at work, cutting Crazy Horse’s Left Hand into the Horse’s Mane.
#4. Asheville, North Carolina
As a backdrop, Asheville’s Blue Ridge Mountains and French Broad River are mesmerizing. But the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate is the attraction that attracts the most tourists. The property offers several routes, including one that is focused on the outdoors. Don’t worry, there’s a self-guided tour of the Grand Biltmore House on the schedule. Add time in Biltmore’s gardens, walk the area 20 miles of trails, and visit Antler Hill Village & winery. Guided tours are also available for this trek. One that promises to be unforgettable is the one-hour Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bath).
Downtown Asheville has a charming vibe all its own. This is the place to get in touch with the folk music of the region at the annual Shindig on the Green Festival, held every year in Pack Park from June to early September. Another art form can be discovered when you stroll through Asheville’s South Slope to see murals by local artists. Haven’t you gone down the French Broad River and met a mud puppy? Stay a while. There is so much more to enjoy in Asheville.
#3. Prescott, Arizona
Think of the old west and images of inconspicuous main streets lined with saloons come to mind. Welcome to Prescott’s Whiskey Row, so named as it once had as many as 40 working saloons. This is gold rush and cowboy country. Shootouts still happen here today, only these don’t involve real bullets or outlaws. Belly up to Arizona’s oldest bar by visiting the Palace Saloon established in 1864.
Modern cowboys can still be found in the saddle with a visit to the world’s oldest rodeo, held every summer at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. Bareback riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding – saddle, it’s that and more in store.
#2. Beckley, West Virginia
Hollywood may have given audiences a depiction of coal mine life through its movies, but visiting Beckley’s Coal Mine and Youth Museum exhibit puts one in touch with the real deal. Located in New River Park, the Recreated Coalfield Life is a window into the lives of coal miners and their families throughout history. Veteran miners lead tours, including one that traverses underground into the drift mine, bringing the attraction to life with their first-hand stories.
Where to soak up some sun – New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Set a course for Sandstone Falls, with hikes that lead to the falls themselves, or an overview. Easily traversable is the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk which crosses two bridges leading to observation decks.
#1. Flagstaff, Arizona
The Grand Canyon – as US destinations go, this is one of the most iconic. Flagstaff is an 80 mile drive from Grand Canyon National Park. Don’t make the mistake of just driving in, looking over the edge and walking away. There is a lot to experience on the South Rim alone.
It is possible to go back in time when the Fred Harvey Company – a hospitality chain of restaurants and hotels connected by railroad tracks – made its entrance into the area. A fun way to do that is to take the Railway Express Tour on the vintage route that runs from Williams, Arizona to the Grand Canyon Historic Village. Here, visit the El Tovar Hotel, opened in 1905, where “Harvey Girls” delivered food to the tables of the guests. Meals are still served, sans Harvey Girls, in the dining room today.
Where to spy the Grand Canyon from a distance – the gondola ride in the Arizona Snowbowl. Seen in sight, too, are a cinder cone volcanic field, in the red rocks of Sedona. What if a ride will inspire thoughts about winter? Skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing – there are endless pursuits that call for return visits.
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