I recently received a press release (posted below) that describes a very innovative way for people to tour a city they are visiting in what I think is a rather interesting, and inexpensive manner.

It seems a brilliant solution for those who seek out a way to enjoy tours independant of organized excursions. Those who are a bit more adventuresome, who enjoy exploring cities we’re visiting independantly, are often seen with guidebooks in hand, choosing routes and activities we’ve highlighted in those guidebooks. Today’s technology allows this new innovative approach while still supplying the information one might expect on a guided tour.

I’ve not personally experienced any of these tours, so I do not have the ability to recommend or vouch for the product.  But I was impressed enough by the concept that I thought I should post the press release. I certainly do intend to try one of these tours the next time one of the cities it’s available in is one of my ports of call.

New Orleans – October 21, 2011 – A new way
to explore the Big Easy has arrived with the launch of Stray Boots’
new New Orleans: The Game tour series.  A refreshing
alternative to traditional tours that rush you through the highlights with dull
commentary, New Orleans: The Game uses mobile technology
to immerse players in informative and enjoyable self-guided, interactive tours.
The tours combine the fun of a scavenger hunt with the sights, history and
insider knowledge of a top-notch tour.

New Orleans: The Game is easy to play and works by
text message, so customers can play using virtually any US mobile phone. Players
are guided with text messages that include riddles, puzzles, photo opportunities
and trivia questions as they tour the points of interest along the route. Each
response earns the urban explorer points, making it possible to compete between
groups of friends, family members, or pre-assigned teams. And since New
Orleans: The Game is a completely self-guided experience,
players can start when they want and set their own pace as they go. Each tour
takes about two to three hours to complete. For a video demonstration, click here.
offers two meticulously
researched tours designed to delight New Orleans locals and tourists alike with
intriguing facts and amusing activities.  For locals looking for something
different to do, it makes a great date, family outing, or just a day out on the
town with friends. New Orleans: The Game tours cover the
major city sights and attractions, but also include cool “insider” and
off-the-beaten-path gems:

New Orleans: The Game

• The French Quarter
  tour takes players on a unique tour of the freewheeling French
  Quarter with stops along boisterous Bourbon Street, visits to haunted hotels,
  St. Louis Cathedral and the legendary Café Du Monde
• The Garden District
  tour treats players to antebellum splendor with a decidedly
  N’awlins twist.  See historic houses, celebrity mansions, Commander’s Palace and
  Lafayette Cemetery #1 with a Confederate landmark or two thrown in along with
  riddles, trivia questions and photo ops.

New
Orleans: The Game is being offered at a special introductory price of
US$12 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.strayboots.com/locations/new-orleans/.

Stray Boots is also offering a special free ticket
promotion to the first 100 people who sign up to take the tour within the first
month. Free tickets can be acquired for a limited time by visiting http://neworleansthegame.eventbrite.com.
About Stray
Boots:
Called a “Game Changer” by Fastcompany.com, Stray Boots
was created to deliver the cure for the boring tour. Stray Boots’ interactive,
cell phone-based tours challenge users as they see the city, learn interesting
facts and have some fun along the way. Tourists and locals are giving Stray
Boot’s tours rave reviews in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York,
Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, San Diego Seattle and
Washington, DC. Many more cities are coming soon. Stray Boots is the proud
recipient of a TripAdvisor™ Certificate of Excellence. Stray Boots also offers
private tours for corporate team-building and special events like birthday and
bachelorette parties.  For more information, visit http://www.strayboots.com.

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