# Backyard Explorer — Walking Tours & Local History > Audio walking tours that automatically narrate local history and stories. (iPhone/iPad app by KELLY LEUNG.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backyard-explorer/id6789675904 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [KELLY LEUNG](https://appshunter.io/developer/6789675906) - Category: Travel, Education - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings - Age rating: 9+ - Requires: iOS 15.1 · 62 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-09-09 - Data updated: 2026-10-09 - Monetization: freemium ## What is Backyard Explorer? Backyard turns any walk into a story. Wherever you are, a talking tree guide narrates real, fact-checked history and hidden stories about the exact block you're standing on, triggered automatically as you walk. No planning, no searching, no tapping through a list of stops. Just walk, and listen. SAME STREETS, FIVE DIFFERENT WALKS Pick a mood before you start, and hear the same city told a completely different way: Time Machine: what this spot looked like decades ago Hidden City: secrets hiding in plain sight Dark Side: unsolved mysteries and dark history Behind the Scenes: film locations and celebrity history Unfiltered: raw, funny, opinionated, like walking with a local friend who knows everything A MAP YOU HAVE TO EARN The map starts completely dark. Nothing shows, not a street, not a pin, until you've actually walked there. Every step you take reveals it for good. Other explorers' published routes stay invisible too, until you've personally discovered that exact spot yourself, so your map becomes a real record of your own exploration. REAL-WORLD EVENTS, NARRATED LIVE Backyard Events ties narration to real runs, parades, and festivals happening right now. Walk into an event's zone and the story shifts to be about what's actually happening around you, not just the block's usual history. MUSEUM TOURS GPS doesn't work indoors, so museum collections get their own kind of tour: fixed, narrated stops through a real museum's own collection, starting with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, advanced with a tap whenever you're ready for the next piece. DISCOVER AND REPLAY Browse routes other explorers have published and walk them yourself, hearing their original narration play back as you retrace their steps. Publish your own walks for others to discover. YOUR OWN EXPLORATION LOG Every walk is saved: distance, duration, and the story behind every stop, so you can relive it anytime. Track tours completed, distance walked, cities visited, and badges earned along the way. BACKYARD EXPLORER (OPTIONAL) Unlock Dark Side, Behind the Scenes, and Unfiltered moods, Dramatic and Warm narration voices, a higher daily story limit, and the ability to ask a question out loud anywhere on your walk. Backyard is free to download and use. Backyard Explorer is an optional subscription (monthly or annual) for anyone who wants more. Every street has a story. Go find it. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://backyardexplorer.org/privacy ## Key features - Automatic GPS-triggered audio narration - Multiple themed walking tours - Interactive map that reveals as you explore - Live narration for real-world events - Museum collection tours - User-published and discoverable routes - Personal exploration log and achievements ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Backyard Explorer | $4.99 | per month | | Backyard Explorer Annual | $39.99 | per year | ## Is Backyard Explorer safe? Not enough ratings yet to assess Backyard Explorer. ## Is Backyard Explorer legit? Backyard Explorer has limited verification signals. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Backyard Explorer is 58 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data. ## Frequently asked questions about Backyard Explorer ### What is Backyard Explorer? Backyard Explorer is a free app that turns any walk into a narrated story, sharing fact-checked history and hidden local tales triggered by your GPS location. It offers different themed walks like 'Time Machine' and 'Hidden City'. ### Does Backyard Explorer have ads? Backyard Explorer is free to download and use and does not contain advertisements. Its premium features are available through an optional subscription. ### What are the subscription options for Backyard Explorer? Backyard Explorer offers an optional subscription for users who want access to additional content and features. This subscription is available on a monthly or annual basis. ### Can I use Backyard Explorer offline? The description does not specify offline functionality. However, GPS-triggered narration typically requires an active data connection to function correctly. ### What devices does Backyard Explorer support? Backyard Explorer is supported on iPhone and iPod devices, as indicated by the app's compatibility information. ### How often is Backyard Explorer updated? The app was last updated on October 6, 2026, with version 1.0.2. This suggests a recent update, but the frequency of future updates is not detailed. ### Is Backyard Explorer suitable for children? Backyard Explorer has an age rating of 9+, making it suitable for children aged 9 and above. Parents should review content to ensure it aligns with their child's maturity. ### How does the 'earned map' feature work in Backyard Explorer? The map in Backyard Explorer starts dark and only reveals streets and points of interest as you physically walk to those locations. This creates a personalized record of your exploration. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 1.0.2 — 2026-10-06 New: the map now starts dark and reveals itself as you actually walk it, real-world events (runs, parades, festivals) get their own live narration, and Museum Tours bring fixed, narrated stops to real museum collections, starting with The Met. Plus, smaller fixes and improvements. ### 1.0.1 — 2026-09-15 This update brings a smoother, more accurate route line on the map, a redesigned compass to guide you between stops, and the option to delete any walk from your journal. We've also added new sources of real history and culture, so your stories go even deeper. Small fixes throughout to make every walk feel better than the last. ### 1.0 — 2026-09-09 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Backyard Explorer | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Narrando - Audio Tour Guide](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/narrando-audio-tour-guide/id6754854930) | — | Free | Travel | | [BART Watch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bart-watch/id900583295) | 4.4 (2,797) | Free | Travel | | [WorldMobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/worldmobile/id1598606672) | 4.8 (39) | Free | Travel | | [AC Transit Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ac-transit-mobile/id1630430863) | 2.6 (11) | Free | Travel | | [BikeLink Bike Parking](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bikelink-bike-parking/id1501041932) | 2.4 (103) | Free | Travel | | [Last Minute – Cheap Flights](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/last-minute-cheap-flights/id952459926) | 4.0 (1,626) | Free | Travel | --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-10-09.*