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Downtown Providence Self-Driving Audio Tour

Providence, USA

2 to 3 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Whether you’re visiting Rhode Island on business or you and your family are making your way from the Roger Williams Park Zoo to the RISD Museum, this self-driving audio tour is a great way to learn more about the city. This flexible activity allows you to go at your own pace, stopping and restarting whenever is convenient for your visit.

Don't worry about service disruptions, this tour map works offline
Each story plays when you reach specific locations
Perfect for curious travelers who don't desire a group tour
Pass by Garibaldi Square, Barnaby Castle, and more

What's Included

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!
Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone

Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Convention Center, Providence, RI
Providence, RI 02903, USA
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.

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

7/20/2021 - 5/28/2025
Monday - Sunday : 06:00 AM - 09:00 PM

End point

1 Exchange Ter, Providence, RI 02903, USA

What To Expect

Rhode Island Convention Center

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Garibaldi Square

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Federal Hill Heritage Exhibit

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

De Pasquale Square

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Holy Ghost Church

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Luongo Square

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cranston Street Armory

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Dexter Training Ground

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Barnaby Castle

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Wedding Cake House

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

AS220

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Trinity Repertory Company

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Rhode Island State House

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Providence City Hall

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kennedy Plaza

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Waterplace Park

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Arcade Providence

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grace Episcopal Church

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Providence Performing Arts Center

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Providence Children's Museum

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

John Brown House Museum

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

First Unitarian Church of Providence

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Providence Athenaeum

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Stephen Hopkins House

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Memorial Park

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

RISD Museum

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Brown University

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Lippitt House Museum

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Providence Art Club

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Providence Preservation Society

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Swan Point Cemetery

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action's Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, 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: • Driving Tours: Save money by purchasing a single tour for the entire vehicle, avoiding individual fees per person like on a bus tour. Connect your phone to the car speakers to share the audio.

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.
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

3.0

21 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-8 of 21 reviews

Left Much to Be Desired

LYNNE_F, May 2024

My husband and I took this tour. We both agreed that the narrator and the narration were excellent. The problem with the tour is that the narration is triggered to begin when the car reaches the site. Unfortunately, by that time, we were often past the site. We were in the flow of traffic and there was no place to pull over. Sometimes the narrations between one site and another overlapped. The map was confusing. Sites were identified by number, not name. We got lost several times and never finished the tour. It would be helpful if the narration cued sites and turns in advance.

Response from Host, May 2024

Sounds like the tour route and timing need a tweak, Lynne! It's frustrating to miss essential info because you're already driving by. Numbered sites and a confusing map can lead to getting lost. We'll take your feedback into account to improve the experience for future explorers.

Interesting tour, needs better mapping

Larry_D, Nov 2023

Very interesting & enjoyable tour. Buildings were of interest and the commentary great. However directions did not work at all. We were only able to use by looking at google maps at same time as tour app. We pulled over at each point of interest & then found the next stop by manually advancing the map & then driving to what we assumed was the correct address. Very time consuming & difficult for the driver. We completed about half of the tour. The tour needs much better integration with mapping that would make it really good.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you for your feedback, Larry! I'm glad you found the Downtown Providence tour exciting and enjoyed the commentary on our beautiful buildings. If you're up for more adventures, explore my Action+ Tour Bundle, offering over 100 self-guided tours for your next journey.

Not a thrilling/memorable option but ok

Aquilla_C, Jun 2023

Not as engaging as an in-person tour would be, but I did appreciate how there were 40 points of interest. The navigation didn't work on my android google maps (there was no "go to" feature) but we tried to make due with the suggested route on the map anyways.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you for sharing your feedback! Your comments are greatly appreciated, and I apologize for any inconvenience caused by the navigation. I will take your suggestions into consideration and work on enhancing our service.

Solo traveler

Camille, Jun 2022

My time wasn't great bco some of the streets were blocked off and having to reroute to get back on track deterred me from finishing the tour. I think that this tour would be best on a motorcycle or scooter bco of convenience.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Thank you, Camille, for your feedback and for suggesting some tour vehicles. I'd like to know more about what kept you from finishing the tour. Please contact us with your booking receipt to receive a refund.

Dangerous Waste of Tme and Money

Garrett_V, Jun 2022

I'm moderately technologically savvy and I couldn't get the thing to work as described. Furthermore, it was difficult to use while navigating busy city streets. I have the distinct impression the app developer never actually used it.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Sorry for the inconvenience Garret, it appears that the route was difficult to traverse due to a GPS issue. We would be more than happy to issue a refund if you contact us using the information in my app.

Disappointing app

John_G, Apr 2022

It is a good concept, but issues with the app (no “go to” icon) and delayed GPS tracking left us without any real memorable moments, although we were able to find most of the stops.

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Thank you for your comments! Getting about Providence may be difficult, and our new audio instructions should assist. Due to work along the route, we had to temporarily rearrange the tour and instructions, but most of it is now back to normal.

Interesting but hard to follow at times

Schalane_N, Sep 2021

Trip was informative and interesting. Several times I was told to turn right after I had already passed the street. There happened to be a funeral on Knight St for a police officer so we were not able to make required turn. Also difficult to travel at 20 mph with traffic. These issues weren’t things that were controllable by the company.

Response from Host, Oct 2021

So glad you enjoyed the tour! It can be difficult to drive in Providence due to the traffic and construction, but many of those edits have been updated in the tour now. Thanks again!

A lot of stops along the way

Brandon_C, Aug 2021

This tour was a little more difficult to navigate than the other one that we purchased. There were no audible driving directions after each stop which made navigation a little difficult. Also there were so many stops, it almost felt too much. The quality of the narration was very good and the app easy to use. All in all, it wasn’t bad considering the cost.

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Thank you for your review! Providence is a bit different than our usual tours. Since there’s so much to see, we prefer to let the listener pick and choose what stops they’re most interested in, rather than following one specific route. We’re glad you appreciated the quality of the narration, and we hope you’ll continue using our tours in the future!