
Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour worth booking?
Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour is a 1-hour experience in Birmingham, United States, from $25 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 47 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Now that the USCG has selected Birmingham as the site if a major training base, learn what makes them uniquely special. A member of the Coast Guard Historical Society will use visual displays to explore their exploits fr
What you get
About this experience
Now that the USCG has selected Birmingham as the site if a major training base, learn what makes them uniquely special. A member of the Coast Guard Historical Society will use visual displays to explore their exploits from past-to-present with a special focus on their role in the American Civil War. After learning about this unique service, continue walking with a colorful look at Birmingham's ghostly past while viewing the exterior of two historic hotels. Continue walking two more blocks to the site of Birmingham's historic version of Jack the Ripper. Along the way, hear about a famous mob shootout involving Birmingham's own hard boiled detective, A.C. McGuire.
What's included
Included
- Admission fees
What you'll see and do
Linn Park
CUTTHROATS, CONFEDERATES AND COAST GUARD CUTTERS Downtown Walking Tour (NO BASE ACCESS) With the addition of the Coast Guard Training Center, learn about the nation’s oldest continuous military service from a USCG veteran. Uncover how its early Revenue Cutters enforced the young nation’s laws and played a critical role in the American Civil War and other conflicts. . Learn about the Coast Guard's various roles across the globe . Decode the meaning behind vessel colors: white black or red. . Learn about which Hollywood stars were Coasties (hint one was on Gilligan's Island). . Discover how a Coast Guardsman’s journey begins in bootcamp. The tour ends by learning about Birmingham's colorful past during a short three block stroll to view the outside of Birmingham's historic Tutwiler and Redmont Hotels. Then learn about ghostly residents and Birmingham's real life version of Jack the Ripper. This is a DOWNTOWN walking tour only, there is NO VIEWING OR ACCESS TO THE COAST GUARD BASE
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Birmingham
We meet at the center of the park by the center water fountain.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We meet at the center of the park by the center water fountain.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Walking Tour Center
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos




Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The First Coast Guard Past and Present Tour
Led by our knowledgeable docent, Shawn Shallow, he guided us through a most memorable, educational and historical journey of the Coastguards history past and present. Shawn provided a very welcoming experience for us as we learnt about the new Birmingham Coastguard training facility due to be opened later this year. A tour is a must for all new recruit parents visiting Birmingham Coastguard training facility this year. We attended the first USCG/Ghost Tour Shawn completed and as such he presented us with 2 copies of his book Rescue at the Top of the World. As Coastie parents we were able to provide a lot of additional information that I believe Shawn my incorporate in future tours.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 47
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Birmingham.
How much does Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour cost?
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Prices start at $25 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Birmingham usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Birmingham is not rushed.
Is Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Birmingham, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Birmingham can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Birmingham and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Coast Guard Past to Present Guided Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Birmingham within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Birmingham?
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Birmingham, AL packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Birmingham by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Birmingham experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Birmingham Civil Rights Tour- Riding & Walking, Birmingham Escape Game at The Summit, Birmingham Civil Rights Walk of Freedom Smartphone Audio App Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Birmingham?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Birmingham, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Birmingham?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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