Private Tour

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Catskills Scenic Byway

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Download the GuideAlong self-guided audio tour and you'll discover more on your Catskill Mountains road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips and directions play automatically, all based on your location.

You'll be guided to all of the area's famous highlights as well as lessor known gems including the world's largest kaleidoscope, a scenic gondola ride that offers fantastic panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains, and a large reservoir known for its beautiful panorama and recreational opportunities.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you.

- Stories, tips and directions play automatically based on your location

- Travel at your own pace

- Tour offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed

- Suggested itineraries for half, full or multi day use

- Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates

- Like having a tour guide along for the drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.

Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.

Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.

Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.

Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.

Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.

Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.

Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.

Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.

Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.

Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Support: Toll free phone, chat and email

Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline

Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay

Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates

Trip Planners: In-app and web

GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 72 Points

Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own

Admission to the Belleayre Mountain Gondola: $20 adults, $10 children (2024)

Admission to the Emerson Kaleidoscope: $5 for ages 12 and above (2024)

What To Expect

As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule.

8 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Ashokan Rail Trail

Running along the northern shore of the Ashokan Reservoir, the Ashokan Rail Trail offers picturesque views of the reservoir and the Catskill Mountains from multiple vantage points. This crushed gravel trail is accessible to most bikes, and is also great for walking and trail running.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Catskills Scenic Byway

Reviews

4.29

7 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Wouldn’t do again
Inspire39901057226,
Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
It was a waste of money - we’ve done a few driving tours and have enjoyed them, but this one was lackluster to say the least.
Wonderful!
Karen G,
Oct 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Loved the history and specifics about the area. Great directions and suggestions for stops. Timing was really good too. Liked that it picked up wherever you started/stopped.
Perfect way to see the Catskills--guiding yourself.
kathykB9855JL,
Sep 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great narrator even for people with hearing loss. Bluetooth to your car by downloading everything before you leave your wifi. We stopped at most of the places and found great shops, bridges and lakes, a fantastic hike a great bread and pastry place and a cute local library. It is worth every penny and you can go back to review words or segments you missed. In spite of a rainy day, it was a fun activity.
C above
Excursion555659,
Aug 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Some directions not clear Pleasant relaxing ride once we g it the app to work Must start from an end Unable to leave a shorter review
Nice tour
Maun F,
Aug 12, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00
Worked in any direction . We started at the other end and it worked great. Nice day. There was an electric outage so many things were closed but we had fun
Delightful surprise
Kathy K,
Aug 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We are not super tech- savvy. As long as you follow the easy instructions, it works perfectly! DON’T forget to download everything before you leave WiFi. The speaker’s voice was clear and easy to understand even with my mild hearing loss. His descriptions timed perfectly with where we were on the tour. We did many of the stops he suggested and enjoyed every one immensely. It was a rainy day and this was still a great activity for the rain except for hiking. By the time the trip was almost over, the rain stopped long enough to do the hike at the Palmer lookout. Just couldn’t see much because of the mist. Very worthwhile activity and would love it more on a sunny day!! Worth every penny and did so many things we wouldn’t have known about! We will try this guide again in another setting!
Scenic Byway (rt 28/30) in NY between Andes and Kingston (Catskills)
Mary B,
Jul 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was the first time we have used an audio trip guide. Not knowing what to expect ... our expectations were not overly high. SURPRISE! The audio guide was highly accurate to locations to the area as the vehicle was moving - almost like having the guide in our car! The guide provided visual cues to upcoming attractions and/or turns in a timely manner. The guide had an appealing humor. It truly did not matter where you joined the tour. Even passing through the same places, the guide was still interesting. We would purchase another of the audio tours - 100% would purchase another tour.