The Walking Tour's Ascension

As a result of COVID-19, travel came to a near-complete halt in early 2020, as Americans hunkered down. Many tourists are eager to break free from the confines of travel prohibitions that have been in place for months. The desire to travel has never been greater. However, with no end in sight to COVID-19, many tourists are reconsidering their family vacation traditions. Begin your walking tour. While some walking tours are conducted in groups, more cities are offering variants on these tours, such as investing in technology for self-guided tours, to meet the needs of visitors who are interested in learning about a city but want to avoid congested public places.

The countrywide lockdown began just as spring began to peep around the horizon and spring break trip arrangements were being arranged. Hotels, vacation rentals, resorts, and state parks around the country abruptly closed or decreased their capacity. Travel arrangements were canceled, and some chose to stay at home. Travelers were ready to go after a month and a half of confinement. Over Memorial Day weekend, several beach destinations in Texas and Florida saw a recovery in hotel occupancy (as well as packed beaches). Following the discovery of several cases of COVID-19 over the course of one weekend, visitors began to reconsider their vacation plans, opting for experiences that provided more personal space, such as a walking tour.

Hiking in the nation's gorgeous parks comes to mind when thinking about more conventional outdoor pursuits. The national parks were closed during the epidemic. Many are just now starting to reopen in a gradual manner. However, in addition to stunning vistas of the natural scenery, several urban exploration excursions have arisen and have grown in popularity among visitors. Nashville Sites are an example of a unique tour. Nashville Landmarks are a series of self-guided themed excursions that take visitors around Music City's historic sites. The free (and ad-free) excursions are ideal for parties or individuals. They are also suitable for families and pets. 

“The beauty of these excursions is that they allow tourists to have the experience they want,” Mary Ellen Pethel, executive director of Nashville Sites, adds. “Guests may explore at their own speed, pause and re-listen to a tour to fully absorb the information, and even take a break at some of the sites to soak up the history. The excursions strike a good mix between immersion and historical and contemporary content.” During the lockdown, Nashville Sites saw an increase in visits because they rapidly adjusted their model and produced a virtual tour that could be viewed from the comfort of a guest's own home. Women's Suffering, Music Row, and the Food Tour are among the most popular excursions (a collection of historic restaurants and their significance in Nashville). On the issue of food, several cities provide culinary tours led by local eateries, which allow visitors to support small businesses by visiting locally owned restaurants and pubs. For years, the famous Walk, Eat Nashville tour has supported locally owned eateries, introducing new tours as new restaurants open. Despite being impacted by COVID-19, the excursions will reopen on June 24 and have already generated a lot of interest. This tour is accessible as a public tour, but they have also altered their strategy to offer private excursions for individuals who want a smaller group.