Private Tours

Can't make it to a public tour?  Or maybe you want a tour just for the people in your group?

I am happy to take you on a private tour if my schedule permits.  Private tours are generally offered Sunday through Friday.

Private tours are not always available on Saturdays!  My availability on Saturdays depends on whether or not I have a large public tour or tours on my schedule for the date you are interested in.  Please inquire for availability.  You may also want to consider joining me on one of the public tours that are offered on Saturdays throughout the year. 

Please email me at raleighwalkingtours@gmail.com with your preferred date and time for a private tour.  

You must submit your request at least 72 hours in advance for a private tour!  Because I have a second job that I work at, I absolutely cannot consider requests that provide fewer than 3 days advance notice.  Thank you for your understanding!

All initial inquiries for private tours must be made by email.  Making detailed arrangements by phone may occasionally be necessary for larger groups of 10 or more, but the initial inquiry must still be made by email.  Due to the nature of the tour business, please understand that it is difficult for me to receive or make phone calls during normal business hours. 

Unlike my public tours, I do charge an upfront fee for private tours.  The base price for groups consisting of 1 to 5 people is $100.  For groups of 6 people to 15 people, add an additional $20 per person.  So the price for 6 people is $120; for 7 people, the price is $140, etc. 

I accept CASH or VENMO only for smaller groups of 6 or less.  For groups of more than 6, we can arrange for payment by invoice or by credit card via Square if you prefer not to pay in cash or by Venmo.

If you can guarantee that your group will consist of more than 15 people, please contact me for special private tour pricing.  

Tips at the end of private tours are very much appreciated but not expected.  As much as I would like to offer all of my tours on a pay-what-you-want basis, I also need to support myself.  The balance that I have struck in order to make a living is to charge a specific fee for private tours.

All tours take place in the core of downtown Raleigh.  Here is a summary of the private tour routes that are currently being offered:

(1)   Historic Oakwood Tour:  The historic Oakwood neighborhood is just slightly north of the downtown.  This tour focuses on the diverse architectural styles of the private residences in the neighborhood and on the stories of the people who built the houses.  It’s definitely more interesting than it sounds in this short blurb! :)

(2)   Combo Tour:  This tour combines a little bit of the history of each of these three areas -- the historic Oakwood neighborhood; Blount St. (the Governor's Mansion and other historic homes); and the downtown (focusing mainly on the Capitol grounds).

(3)  Raleigh Iron Works Tour:  Step into the past while enjoying the present at the Raleigh Iron Works historical and mural walking tour.   Explore the transformed industrial landscape where steel once forged the city's future, now reimagined with vibrant murals that tell stories of our community's heritage.  Be sure to plan your tour time so that you can eat lunch or dinner afterwards at one of the amazing restaurants on the Iron Works property!  This is my shortest tour route in terms of walking distance, as the tour simply goes from one side of the Iron Works property to the other.

(4)  Fayetteville St. History & Public Art Tour:  The first half of this tour focuses mainly on Raleigh's "main" street in the heart of the downtown.  You will learn about the historic buildings on Fayetteville St. and the State Capitol building.  The second half of the tour focuses on Raleigh's vibrant public art scene. 

(5)   Haunted History Tour:  This downtown ghost tour is a perfect combination of haunts and history!  There are several stops on the route, including the Governor's Mansion, Haywood Hall, the Capitol building, and the Legislative Building/museum complex.  This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 14 due to the graphic nature of one of the stories. 

(6)  Sip n' Stroll Ghost Tour:  This tour is completely different from the Haunted History tour and also takes place entirely within the Sip n' Stroll district.  Participants can enjoy an alcoholic beverage on the tour as long as the requirements of the Sip n' Stroll program are adhered to; please ask for details.  This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 14 due to the adult nature of a couple of the stories. 

(7)   True Crime & Curious Tales Tour:  This tour will take you on a journey back in time to Raleigh’s most interesting true crime stories and other quirky tales!  The stories on the True Crime tour are historical stories that involve crimes, so they are meant to be unique and entertaining stories rather than stories involving crime solving or forensic science.  This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 14 due to the adult nature of a couple of the stories. 

(8)   Murals & Public Art Tours:  These downtown tours take you off the beaten path and show you some of Raleigh’s best and most vibrant large scale art works!  I have 3 different art tour routes that I run, and I can work with you to choose the option that would work best for your group!  

(9)   Love Stories & Broken Hearts Tour:  On this unique tour, you will hear some interesting local historic stories of true love and broken hearts!  This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 14 due to the adult nature of several of the stories. PLEASE NOTE: This tour is not always available!  If you are interested in this route, please ask me about availability.  

(10)  Women's History Tour:  This tour highlights some of the incredible women who have influenced the city of Raleigh over the years!  PLEASE NOTE: This tour is not always available!  If you are interested in this route, please ask me about availability.  

Walking tours generally last between 1 hour and 15 minutes and 1 hour 45 minutes depending on the exact route chosen and the speed of the group.  The tours are usually between .5 and 1 mile long, with the exception of the Iron Works tour, which is significantly shorter.

It is possible to reduce the time of some walking tours (mainly the murals and public art tours) down to 1 hour.   Please inquire if you have questions about a particular route.  If you choose an hour-long route, I will provide you with a discount on the price unless your group consists of 5 people or fewer.  My minimum private tour price is $100 regardless of the length of the tour. 

PLEASE NOTE that I am also available to give presentations on historic topics to senior communities, schools, church groups, and other organizations.  I am happy to discuss your ideas to see if I am able to tailor a specific talk to accommodate your interests!

NEW IN 2025!  I have started offering tours as a step-on guide!  I do not have my own vehicle, but if you are able to supply both a bus and a driver,  I am happy to offer the following routes to your group:

(1)  Downtown Raleigh History Tour:  Join us on a journey back in time through Raleigh's historic downtown.  On this tour, you will learn about the city's development, significant historical figures, and iconic landmarks.  Discover the history of the State Capitol, the Governor's Mansion, Haywood Hall, the Mordecai House, and other historic sites.  This tour is perfect for history buffs and anyone who wants to learn more about Raleigh's rich heritage.

(2)  Historic Oakwood Tour:  This route provides a captivating look at the architectural gems and personal stories from Raleigh's oldest historic neighborhood.

All bus tours are approximately 1 hour in length.  They may be slightly shorter or longer depending on how we hit the lights as we move around the downtown.  Please email me for more specific information regarding pricing, pick up and drop off spots, etc. 

I hope to see you on a tour soon!