Houston Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: Explore History

Embark on a self-guided driving audio tour of Houston and explore its rich history, from historic districts to iconic landmarks like the Space Center. Book now!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Buffalo Bayou Park - Next, we’ll arrive at the Buffalo Bayou Park, where we’ll get a chance to see the enormous cisterns the once quenched the thirst of the entire city! We’ll also learn how the city transformed and found new uses for these cisterns once they weren’t needed for drinking water any longer.

NOTE: This 39+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Houston in 2-3 hours.

  • Sam Houston Park - Our drive takes us past Sam Houston Park next, where a row of preserved historic homes display how Houstonians from all walks of life lived, from freed slaves building new lives for themselves to affluent merchants.
  • Houston City Hall - We’ll park at City Hall and hear about the challenges of building it during the Great Depression. We’ll also get a good look at the statues of Houston’s founders which stand before the hall, and learn about how those statues had to wait over 80 years to be built!
  • Pennzoil Place - We’ll keep driving until we see Pennzoil Place, a pair of huge black towers looming over Houston. Here, we’ll pick up some facts about the imposing buildings and the innovative architect behind them.
  • Market Square Park - Our route takes us next through Houston’s Historic District, chock full of gorgeous old buildings. We’ll also hear about the multiple fires which swept across the old City Hall, and the celebrities like Johnny Carson who have partied in this very district!
  • JPMorgan Chase Tower - The next sight we’ll see is the Chase Tower, the tallest building in all of Texas. Here, we’ll uncover some secrets of its construction, like how the original design was hazardous to air traffic and it sports a helipad that’s never been used!
  • Christ Church Cathedral - Next, we’ll park at the Christ Church Cathedral, Houston’s very first religious congregation which dates back to 1859. We’ll also hear about the generous stranger who’s responsible for a steer’s head being part of the church seal.
  • Minute Maid Park - Our route then passes Minute Maid Park, the famous baseball stadium designed to imitate the Golden Age of baseball.
  • Emancipation Park - Next, we’ll see Emancipation Park, a lovely recreational space with a rich history. We’ll hear about emancipation, Juneteenth in Texas, and how this park became an epicenter for the Black community in Houston. Then, we’ll get the real facts on some of Houston’s most notorious urban legends.
  • Houston Museum District - As we drive, we’ll enter Houston’s Museum District, home to fascinating museums covering everything from Black history to natural science to fine arts and beyond. If you want a really deep dive into the city of Houston, this is the place to be.
  • Hermann Park - Next, we’ll pass Hermann Park, home to plenty of attractions for the little ones, including an entire zoo featuring cheetahs, chimps, and more!
  • Rice University Campus - Our route brings us through the Rice University campus next, where we’ll get some insight into the founder and hear about a baffling–and very ambitious–senior prank conducted by an alum known only as “The Mastermind.”
  • William Marsh Rice Statue - Next, we’ll see the subject of the prank itself: the William Marsh Rice Statue, and learn about how the pranksters banded together to protect one of their own from repercussions.
  • James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyscape - As we continue through the Rice campus, we’ll see the strange, pyramid-shaped building known as Skyspace. Here, we’ll get a quick rundown of what this odd building is for, and how you can experience its beautiful sky viewings for yourself.
  • MacGregor Park - We’ll keep driving past MacGregor Park and listen to the story of how he revolutionized Houston’s transit system by replacing the donkeys it relied on for far too long.
  • MacGregor Park MLK - At the end of the boulevard, look to the right. You should be able to spot the bronze statue of Dr. King. For a full picture of his life and achievements, check out the African American Culture Museum in Midtown.
  • Old Spanish Trail - As we drive, we’ll end up on the Old Spanish Trail. Once upon a time, it spanned the entirety of the country! This trail stretched over 2,750 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. Next, we’ll look down get the inside scoop on the importance of oil and gas in Texas’s development, and look up at the stars to hear about NASA, the infamous Apollo 13 mission, and world-famous astronomer Carl Sagan.
  • San Jacinto Street - The San Jacinto Monument is a 567.31-foot-high column located on the Houston Ship Channel in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, near the city of Houston. The monument is topped with a 220-ton star that commemorates the site of the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution.
  • Discovery Green - Discovery Green is an 11.78-acre public urban park in Downtown Houston, Texas, bounded by La Branch Street to the west, McKinney Street to the north, Avenida de las Americas to the east, and Lamar Street to the south.
  • Houston Graffiti Building - Grouping of industrial structures featuring rotating displays of colorful street art & murals.
  • Holocaust Museum Houston - The Holocaust Museum Houston is located in Houston’s Museum District, in the U.S. state of Texas. The Holocaust memorial museum is the fourth largest in the U.S., and opened in 1996. A major commitment of the Holocaust Museum Houston is education.
  • The Houston Museum of Natural Science - The Houston Museum of Natural Science is a natural history museum located on the northern border of Hermann Park.
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, located in the Houston Museum District, Houston, is one of the largest museums in the United States. The permanent collection of the museum spans more than 6,000 years of history with approximately 70,000 works from six continents.
  • Children’s Museum Houston - Bustling family museum with a wealth of hands-on activities such as a Bubble Lab & a Tot Spot.
  • James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyscape - Built in 2012, the pyramidal structure accommodates 120 people between two levels. Twilight Epiphany is acoustically engineered to host musical performances and to act as a laboratory for Shepherd School of Music students. Constructed of grass, concrete, stone and composite steel, the structure is equipped with an LED light sequence that projects onto the ceiling and through an aperture in the 72-foot square knife-edge roof during sunrise and at sunset. Turrell’s composition of light complements the natural light present at twilight, and transforms the Skyspace into a locale for experiencing beauty and reflecting on the surrounding campus and the natural world.
  • The Health Museum - The John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, or The Health Museum in short, is a museum in the Museum District of Houston, Texas. The museum is a member institution of the Texas Medical Center.
What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

Discover why Houston is considered the most dynamic city in Texas with this self-guided driving tour! As you journey through the city, you’ll encounter everything that sets Houston apart, from its historic neighborhoods to its beautiful parks and the renowned Space Center! Relive historic battles along the Bayou, visit Emancipation Park, a key site in Black history, marvel at Houston’s tallest skyscrapers, and delve into the essence of this quintessential Texan city!

Purchase one tour per vehicle, not per individual. Everyone can listen together!

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require a reliable internet/Wi-Fi connection. Then, simply follow the audio instructions and the designated route.

New extended validity — now available for a full year! Use it multiple times across different trips!

Please note, this is not an entrance ticket. Verify opening hours before your visit.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
  • For the tour guide app to function as intended, iPhones must be iOS 13 or above and Androids must be version 9 or above.
Location
Lamar St @ La Branch St
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.3
(39 Ratings)
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1 star
Mary_l
May 20, 2024
Enjoyable - Easy to use and follow with interesting commentary. Liked that it took is to the space center for the last stop!
Review provided by Viator
566vickiew
Aug 25, 2023
It’s worth the price - This was an easily, navigated app. I’m looking forward to using it to sightsee my next trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the parks, history and visit
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erick_p
Mar 12, 2023
Awesome! - Great tour! Pretty thorough view of the city! Covered lots of ground, ending up at the Johnson Space Center.
Review provided by Viator
Myndee_c
Jan 4, 2023
Educational - We are from Austin TX and this was first time visiting Houston. Was so interesting, we had no idea how much history was in Houston
Review provided by Viator
Monid475
Apr 12, 2023
Quite nice - We had a good experience. The audio is very clear and offers very interesting information. The only reason I don’t give it five stars is that the app stopped working a couple of times. Nothing long-lasting and we were able to get back on track before losing our way, but still a glitch that can cause you to veer in an unwanted direction. I would do it again at a different location.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shannon
Jan 3, 2023
Informative but quick turns - The self guided tour was informative and entertaining but you better go when there isn’t any traffic at all and make sure you look at the directions before you go. You need to be somewhat familiar with your route. The prompts to turn are immediate. We did get off path due to construction and it took an hour to get back on path. The end destination was worth it. Go ahead and purchase tickets to the space center ahead of time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kirk_p
May 5, 2023
Terrible maps, directions - when we came to the 10-14 trip notice, there was a cistern stop, which we tried to locate but could not....then could not get back on the right track, we kept getting looped around the parkway next to Sam Houston's....after three attempts we broke it off and moved to a different spot in the map. The information and narrative was very dull and the navigation map was a mess. We've used other programs which where much better in HI and Yellowstone ...GYPsy far superior.
Review provided by Viator
Jillhr
Jun 28, 2024
HORRIBLE- Do not buy!! - If you do not heed my advice to NOT buy this tour, you might try using a map app to get you to stop 16 or 17, and join the tour there. There is construction in the Houston area and this app knows nothing about it - you have to get off of the blue line, because the way it wants you to go is completely blocked. The automated guide does not have very much to say about any of the locations, and I noticed we drove right past what might have been Sam Houston’s house with not a peep from the guide. Also, you drive a very long way to the Space Museum (the end of the tour) with very little audio on the way there- maybe there’s not a lot to see in Houston or no stories to be told? Go ahead and spring for a guided tour— you will majorly regret purchasing this self-guided one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Salina_h
Jul 16, 2023
SKIP this one!! It was NOT a good experience at all! - DON'T waste your time & money!! This Houston TX tour... AWFUL! NOT user-friendly AT ALL!! NO WAY anyone can honestly give this one 5 stars. It's just impossible. Roads we were supposed to turn on had closures 3 times & wasted us 5-10 mins each time detouring to figure out how to get back on the tour route. It was HORRIBLE & frustrating! At least twice it said to turn & the turns weren't allowed. Another 3-4 times stories were going on & on and we were supposed to turn but no instructions were given... and we were driving slow! It would be better if this app did like regular GPS & automatically re-route you to get back on tour when u miss turns. This tour is a good "idea" but needs A LOT of work & not ready to be sold!!! We were basically cheated... Save yourself the headache & just don't do this one!
Review provided by Viator
Carmen_z
Oct 31, 2022
A complete waste if money - I was extremely confusing to use. It force to use goggle maps, the app would not synchronized with the map. We keep driving around the same loop for ever. No other languages besides English were avilable
Review provided by Viator
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