Literary, Art & Music Tours in USA

Experience Harlem's gospel music and culture with a 4-hour walking tour through the historic New York City neighborhood. Listen to the distinctive harmonies of a Harlem gospel choir in a local church, and hear how that music has transformed American culture. Explore Harlem's vibrant streets with an experienced guide as you learn about the neighborhood's art, literature and political history, follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, then see the celebrated Apollo Theater, where some of America's most iconic artists ignited the Harlem renaissance.

Shake, rattle and roll through Memphis on this guided, 90-minute musical bus tour around the home of the blues. Local musicians lead the way on a fun-loving ride through musical Memphis, complete with live music and tambourines, shakers and bongos for all to enjoy. Visit historic Beale Street, one of the most iconic streets in America, plus Stax Studio, the Lorraine Motel and much more. Upgrade to include admission to Sun Studio, the birthplace of rock and roll and the most famous recording studio in the world.

Hip-hop music began in New York City. There's no better way to explore the genre of music than by taking this entertaining and informative tour with one of rap's Grandmasters. The unique experience offers an interactive tour through Manhattan, Harlem and the Bronx, showing the origins and evolution of hip-hop and rap music.

See more of Nashville than just the music sights on this 1.5-hour street art tour by private golf cart. With a guide, you'll cruise along city streets, stopping at murals for photo ops. Select a morning, afternoon, or evening departure time when booking.

See the homes of Nashville's biggest stars on this narrated, 3.5-hour sightseeing bus tour. Climb aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned motor coach and drive through some of Nashville's most scenic, upscale, and secluded areas and neighborhoods to see the homes (both past and present) of superstar names like Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Reese Witherspoon, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood and many more. Also, pass by the Second Avenue National Register Historic District, the State Capitol building, Fort Nashborough and the famous Ryman Auditorium. A hotel pickup and drop-off are also included with your tour.

Watch Harlem come alive after dark with a 3.5-hour evening tour to historic churches, landmarks and one of the neighborhood's best jazz spots. Walk with your guide along vibrant Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, and learn about the cultural heritage of Harlem's night clubs and gospel churches. Spot some of New York City's distinctive brownstone architecture as you walk, then finish your evening at a live jazz club, where some of today's best artists play tunes by Harlem's music greats.

Encounter the word-wise 'spirits' who left their mark on New Orleans during an evening jaunt through the French Quarter's most literary locales. See the former homes and haunts of writers like Tennessee Williams, Mark Twain, and Walt Whitman while hearing tales of how their time in the Big Easy shaped famous works. With a publishing pro as a guide and a stop at a legendary watering hole, its a tour that bookworms will heartily toast.

Experience the rich cultural legacy of Harlem and the soul-stilling rhythms of gospel on an immersive Sunday morning tour. Travel through the northern Manhattan neighborhood with a guide while learning about the history of the area and its landmarks like the Apollo Theater, Sugar Hill and Columbia University. Then, join a local Baptist congregation for a Sunday service featuring the exuberant vocals of a live gospel choir. 

Explore Miami's burgeoning arts scene on this guided, 4-hour tour. Visit Midtown Miami, the Miami Design District and the Wynwood Art District, stopping at several major galleries and museums to peruse the collections of modern and contemporary art. See everything from photography and sculpture to graffiti and street art and more. Learn about Miami's arts culture and history from an expert art curator guide, then enjoy a 3-course gourmet lunch or dinner at a local celebrity chef restaurant. Entrance fees, 3-course meal, and shuttle transportation included.

Discover the three genres of music that helped form rock culture in New York City's East Village on this guided, 2-hour rock walk. Rock, punk and glam helped introduce new music, rock 'n' roll fashion and a way of life to the world. See where bands like the Ramones, the New York Dolls, the Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin, Iggy Pop and others wrote music and played gigs. Soak up the rich musical history and get to know the East Village rock scene on the Original Rock 'n' Roll Walking Tour.

If you've ever wanted to try your hand at street art, this is the outing for you. Led by a local working artist, the class takes place at a studio in Little Haiti, and participants are welcome to bring wine or beer to get the creative juices flowing. Set up shop at your personal easel and prepare to learn the tricks of the trade: spray tips, blending colors, types of lines, drawing letters, and more. Your instructor offers tips on technique, how to make your work pop, and how to add your own unique flourishes. You'll be ready for Wynwood in no time.

Spend an afternoon discovering the historic Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem on a guided, 4-hour tour. From Dutch farming community to the capital of 'Black America,' visit popular locations like Sugar Hill, Morningside Heights, the Apollo Theater, Sylvan Terrace, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and more. See where President Bill Clinton's office is located. Then attend a true gospel mass at local Covenant Avenue Baptist Church. Choose from English and German or Italian and Spanish language.

Experience Harlem's gospel heritage on a 4-hour private tour that explores the vibrant New York City neighborhood's music, art and culture. Attend a local church service to hear an extraordinary morning of prayer and singing, then spot area landmarks and architectural gems as you take a walking tour of Harlem's local markets. Finish your morning with a visit to the iconic Apollo Theatre, the world-famous venue that was at the heart of the Harlem Renaissance.

This San Francisco tour would be a unique way to explore the city filled with art and thrift shopping!

Feast Your Eyes Tour blends a love of food, drink and culture on a guided private tour through The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Carefully crafted by art historians and food scholars, this fresh offering details a visual banquet presented through more than twenty-five paintings, sculptures, and objets d'art peppered throughout the galleries. The artwork spans six different cultures ranging from ancient to modern. Presented in ART SMART's signature of-the-moment style, the Feast Your Eyes Tour conversation is inspired by dining rituals, popular culture, and contemporary food and drink trends. This Met tour supports ART SMART's mission to provide tours that speak to the unique interests and experiences of individuals while helping clients navigate the vast art resources of New York City and beyond in exceptional ways - this time with a foodie twist.

Experience Los Angeles's thriving Arts District on a private walking tour with a local guide. Explore downtown LA's exciting street art scene, fashionable boutiques, intriguing galleries, and stylish restaurants and bars. Get an overview of the neighborhood's fascinating past and learn about the colorful murals that splash across the walls of historic downtown structures. Opt for the optional upgrade and expand the tour to include neighboring Little Tokyo.

Check out the Library of Congress on this two-hour guided tour. You'll start outside by getting an up-close look at the iconic fountain and the sculptures that adorn the building. Then head inside and up to the top floor of the Jefferson Building to view the Mezzanine Gallery, the Minerva Mosaic, the Great Reading Room and Thomas Jefferson's Library.  On the second floor, you'll get a rare glimpse of the Gutenbergand Mainz bibles in the Bible Gallery. Pass by the ornate Great Hall and see the classical architecture and paintings by over 50 famous American artists. Then head back to the ground floor to visit the Bob Hope Gallery, the Gershwin Room, and Library Shop. You'll be able to view some of Bob Hope's personal papers, his famous joke file, and other memorabilia donated by one of the most famous entertainers in American history. See the first room dedicated to musicians in the Gershwin Room, where you'll George's grand piano and Ira's typewriter.

Country Music Hall of Fame star Barbara Mandrell filled Fontanel Mansion with country memorabilia, and her former home is the only Nashville celebrity home that's open to the public. Explore the 33,000 square foot (3066 sq. mt.) log cabin on a 1-hour guided tour for an inside look at Nashville style.

Explore Harlem's history and culture with a 3-hour walking tour and an unforgettable afternoon jazz performance. Follow your experienced guide through the heart of this vibrant neighborhood, see Harlem's celebrated landmarks and architecture, then head to a local Presbyterian church for a live concert. Watch local artists bring jazz's immortal tunes to vivid life as they pay tribute to Harlem's greatest performers.

Explore a former warehouse district that's been transformed by street art and galleries on a 1.5-hour walking tour of Wynwood, one of greater Miami's most creative destinations. Get an insider's view of the art scene at three cutting-edge galleries, and discover vibrant outdoor installations by established artists and up-and-coming local talent. Learn the techniques and stories behind Wynwood's vivid murals and experience Miami at its most vibrant and artistic.