Right this way

Architours

This L.A. architectural tour company is launching three new projects this summer. Walk In and Lay Down Architecture (a.k.a. WILD Architecture) features famous films, e.g. “The Fountainhead,” projected onto famous buildings, e.g. the Hollyhock House. Weekends: in L.A. are overnight packages in neighborhoods with a concentration of art, architecture and pedestrian-oriented life. The ArchiTrolley (a double-decker bus) visits L.A. highlights.

When: Times vary

Cost: $25

Info: (323) 294-5821,

www.architours.com

Dearly Departed Tours

“Director of undertakings” Scott Michaels travels by minivan, displaying his encyclopedic knowledge of dead celebs on a three-hour tour of nearly 100 sites, including the home where gangster Bugsy Siegel was gunned down. Coming this summer: A new Helter Skelter tour is devoted to the Manson family murders.

When: 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays

Cost: $35 per person

Info: (323) 466-3696,

www.dearlydepartedtours.com

Disneyland Tour of

Downtown L.A.

L.A. aficionado-historian-entertainer Charles Phoenix leads a tour of downtown reimagined as the O.C. theme park.

When: noon to 6 p.m. May 28

Cost: $65 per person

Info: (866) 754-3374, www.charlesphoenix.com

Downtown Housing

Bus Tour

Funded by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, this bimonthly three-hour bus tour offers prospective downtown residents a peek at some of the 3,000-plus residential units under construction.

When: 9 a.m. to noon May 20, June 17, July 8 and July 22

Cost: Free

Info: (213) 624-2146, www.downtownla.com/lh_bus_tour.asp

Hollywood Aviators

Operating out of Van Nuys Airport, this flight school offers a chance to “flight-see” with three tours. Take the Controls! gives views of Hollywood, L.A. and Santa Monica as sightseers fly the plane. The same tour is available with a pilot in the pilot’s seat, as is the Sunset Romance tour, which can include dinner just off the runway at the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant.

When: Times vary

Cost: $95 to $99 per passenger, with two-passenger minimum

Info: (818) 994-2004,

www.hollywoodaviators.com

L.A. Today

custom tours

Elinor Oswald, 85, has led tours of places as diverse as Venice’s gardens and La Canada Flintridge’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for more than 30 years. Upcoming tours include a Banning home and L.A. Harbor cruise.

When: Banning Home and Harbor Cruise, Aug. 17

Cost: $35 per person

Info: (310) 454-5730

Los Angeles Conservancy

The historic preservation organization offers walking tours exploring different areas and architectural aspects -- including Angelino Heights, the Biltmore Hotel, Broadway theaters, City Hall, Little Tokyo, San Pedro, Highland Park and Union Station. The group’s Modern Committee also offers tours.

When: Times and dates vary

Cost: $10 for nonmembers, $5 for members

Info: (213) 623-2489, www.laconservancy.org, www.modcom.org

Los Angeles Helicopters

Despite the name, Los Angeles Helicopters actually operates from Long Beach, offering a variety of helicopter tours -- of Long Beach, Los Angeles and the coast. Wine tasting, dinner and custom tours are available.

When: Times vary

Cost: $135 to $262 per person, two-person minimum

Info: (562) 377-0396,

www.lahelicopters.com

Metro Rail Art Tours

The MTA rail system isn’t just a way to get around. It’s also a way to see mosaics, kinetic sculptures and other art on the Red, Blue and Green lines.

When: 10 a.m. to noon first Saturday and Sunday of the month

Cost: Free

Info: (213) 922-2738, www.metro.net/metroart

Museum of Neon Art

The Museum of Neon Art employs a double-decker, open-top bus to check out some of the city’s most spectacular neon signs in two cruises. New this spring is the Poet’s Beat Neon Cruise, featuring music, poetry and various bar stops too.

When: Poet’s Beat Neon Cruise, 8 to 10:30 p.m. May 20; regular Neon Cruise, 6:45 to 10:30 p.m. every Saturday, June to October

Cost: Poet’s Beat, $25 for nonmembers, $20 for members; regular cruise, $45 for nonmembers, $35 for members

Info: (213) 489-9918,

www.neonmona.org

Nightmares of

Bunker Hill

This five-hour bus tour of long-forgotten and unusual downtown L.A. history is by the same folks behind the more chronologically defined 1947Project. Next month, the duo will launch a similar tour of Pasadena called Pasadena Confidential.

When: noon to 5 p.m. June 10

Cost: $47

Info: www.1947project.com

Segwow Inc.

Celebrity homes, downtown Los Angeles and San Vicente Mountain Park are among the 15 tours via Segway. Each two-hour tour includes instruction on how to operate the two-wheeled “human transporter” and a guided ride. Half the tours are available at night.

When: Times vary

Cost: $59 to $89 per person

Info: (310) 358-5900,

www.segwow.com

Special Events Services

This 30-year-old L.A. company is a full-service event planner as well as a tour operator. Its five-hour Haunted Mystery bus tour of supposedly ghost-infested Hollywood hotspots can also include a scavenger hunt.

When: Times vary

Cost: $89 per person, with a 20-person minimum

Info: (800) 738-6739,

www.specialeventsservices.com

Take My Mother, Please

Arkansas transplant Anne Block leads Angelenos’ mothers -- and other visitors -- on customized tours of the city in her gold Caddy or, if the group is large enough, a chartered coach.

When: Times vary

Cost: $300, half-day, and $475, full day (up to three people). Additional passengers extra.

Info: (323) 737-2200,

www.takemymotherplease.com

Undiscovered

Chinatown Tour

Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antiques stores and other shops on this guided walking tour of L.A.’s Chinatown.

When: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first Saturday of every month (note: July tour is July 8)

Cost: $20 per person

Info: (213) 680-0243, [email protected]

Urban Shopping

Adventures

Christine Silvestri leads intrepid fashionistas by foot, mini shuttle, bus or limo on three-hour guided shopping sprees of Melrose Heights and L.A.’s daunting 90-block fashion district.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays

Cost: $36 per person walking; $50 per person via mini shuttle (14-person minimum, 24-person maximum).

Info: (213) 683-9715, www.urbanshoppingadventures.com

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-- Susan Carpenter