Reel Excursions

When Advertising Executive and native Bostonian James Ryan, 52, got the itch to revisit his city's historic sights, he shrank from the prospect of whizzing past them on a crowded tour bus. Solution: he popped a prerecorded tape into his personal cassette player, consulted a small map that came with the tape, and set off by himself on foot.

While the tape used such sound effects as chanting crowds and pealing bells to dramatize pre-Revolutionary War events, a relaxed narrator guided Ryan along Boston's Freedom Trail, even anticipating his questions about the locations of telephones and restrooms. Ryan rated the tour "first class." Said he: "It's fun to have your memory awakened."

Produced by a local firm called the November Co., "Boston Walkabouts" sell for $10.95 in hotels, airport gift shops and bookstores. Similar guides to five New York City neighborhoods are being offered by Pathfinder Productions. Another New York company, Acoustiguide, produces taped tours of such smaller cities as Savannah, Ga., and Galveston, Texas, designed to be rented for $3 to $7.

Taped tours have become more practical now that cumbersome recorders have been replaced by lightweight personal stereos. Says Pathfinder President Herman Eckrich: "Business has all of a sudden caught fire." This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.