Visitors to Philadelphia can choose from an assortment of options to explore the region, including those of the air, automotive, audio, culinary, self-guided and water-based varieties. And the sightseeing fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Those who come out at night can join tours that feature behind-the-scenes action and even spirits from beyond. Here’s a selection of tours available throughout the region:
History Lessons By Day & Night:
The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia – Visitors get an up-close look at historic sites such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall during this 75-minute walking tour. It runs daily from April through November and meets at the National Constitution Center. Private/group tours are available year-round with advance reservations. 525 Arch Street, (215) 525-1776
History of Valley Forge Trolley Tour – This 90-minute guided trolley tour of Valley Forge National Historical Park highlights some of the key stories of the 1777-1778 winter encampment. It’s offered June through September. Route 23 & N. Gulph Road, Valley Forge, (610) 783-1074
Horse-Drawn Carriages – Guides recount Historic Philadelphia’s past as visitors sit back in a quaint horse-drawn carriage. Tickets are available at the Independence Visitor Center.
6th & Market Streets, (215) 923-8516
Independence After Hours – This evening walking tour visits historic landmarks and meets up with Colonial characters. The experience begins with a three-course meal at City Tavern. The Colonial host then “sneaks” everyone into the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall), where Founding Fathers are discussing the Declaration of Independence. The tour runs select days, late May through October, and departs from the Historic Philadelphia Center. 6th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 629-4026
National Park Service Tours – Rangers lead themed walking tours around Independence National Historical Park. Tour times and starting locations vary by season and are available at the Independence Visitor Center. Visitors can also “ring up history” with the Independence Cell Phone Tour or download the mobile app tour on the website. 6th & Market Streets,
(800) 537-7676
New Americans Tour – Developed by VISIT PHILADELPHIA in partnership with the Mayor’s Office for Immigrants and Multicultural Affairs, the self-guided New Americans Tour celebrates the people, places and events that shaped our country. To make a game of it, participants can use the Philly-based mobile app Scavify to solve a scavenger hunt based on the walking tour.
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia Architectural Walking Tours – The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia offers 90-minute walking tours that interpret the past, present and future of the Philadelphia region as expressed through architecture, urban design and social history. The guided tours are available May through October; self-guided itineraries are available year-round by emailing tours@preservationalliance.com. 1616 Walnut Street, (215) 546-1146
Tippler’s Tour – From May through December, the over-21 set can sing along to 18th-century drinking songs, enjoy stories of the drinking traditions of Colonial times and sample a few drinks and snacks as they ramble through Historic Philadelphia with a Colonial guide. Tipplers stop at local watering holes such as National Mechanics, historic City Tavern, Salon 401 at the Omni Hotel and Victoria Freehouse. Along the way, they learn important information, such as Benjamin Franklin’s names for a drunk person (“nimptopsical” and “tipsicum grave”). Historic Philadelphia Center, 6th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 629-4026
Twilight Tours – From mid-June through Labor Day, free guided walking tours show off Independence National Historical Park every evening starting at 6:00 p.m. Groups meet at the Park Ranger Desk at the Independence Visitor Center. 6th & Market Streets, (215) 861-4971
Food & Film Circuit:
Chew Philly Food Tours – This 2.5-hour tour treats guests to eight tastings of savory and sweet foods and includes bits of history and culture along the way. (800) 656-0713
City Food Tours – Themed tours of the region’s culinary delights include a Decadent Gourmet Tour, Ethnic Eats of South Philly, Prohibition Cocktails, and Craft Beer Artisanal Cheese. (800) 979-3370
South 9th Street Italian Market Walk – A seasoned merchant leads visitors through one of Philadelphia’s most famous places—the South 9th Street Italian Market. Stops include both newer and iconic businesses.
Junk Food Tour – This five-hour motor coach tour celebrates the city’s iconic cuisine. From Manayunk to South Philadelphia and everywhere in between, guests fill up on full portions of sweet sausages with roasted peppers and onions, roast pork, hoagies, stromboli, cheesesteaks, pretzels and water ice. (610) 584-8687
Philadelphia Movie Sites Tour – In about the same time it takes to watch a movie, tourgoers visit 30 sites where films—such as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Marley & Me, The Sixth Sense (“I see dead people”), National Treasure, Trading Places, Law Abiding Citizen, Rocky and 20 others—were shot. Along the way, guests enjoy 70 movie clips aboard a movie theater bus. Tours run on select Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. from June through October and depart from the Independence Visitor Center. 6th & Market Streets, (215) 625-7980
Tastings & Tours’ Winery & Brewery Tours – Those who appreciate a good drink can enjoy a carefree day at some of the area’s finest wineries, breweries and brewpubs, all while taking in beautiful scenery. The guided, all-inclusive, private tastings are offered in Bucks, Montgomery and Berks counties, as well as Cape May, New Jersey. (484) 695-6465
Wok ’n Walk Tours – Chef Joseph Poon’s tours of Chinatown make for unforgettable vacation stories. The jaunts include visits to the fortune cookie factory, an Asian grocery, a Chinese bakery and a Chinese place of worship, among other stops, and end with a meal at one of Chef Poon’s favorite Chinatown restaurants. (215) 928-9333
Ghostly Offerings:
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia – Do spectral spirits really inhabit Independence Hall, St. Peter’s Cemetery and other historic landmarks? Visitors find out when they hear the true ghost stories and visit real haunted houses during this candlelight walking tour of Independence National Historical Park, Society Hill and Old City. Indoor Mansion and Battleship Ghost tours are also available. Signers’ Garden, 5th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 413-1997
Ghost Tours of New Hope – From June through November, lantern-lit tours of New Hope feature stories about the town’s spine-chilling hauntings. Private tours can be arranged year-round. Main & Ferry Streets, New Hope, (215) 343-5564
Grim Philly Twilight Tours – In this adults-only tour, historian Joe Wojie guides adventurers through different sites while telling traditional stories from the Founding Fathers. Then he moves on to the sites of whipping posts, gallows, red-light districts and mass burials. 599 Market Street, (856) 829-3100
Spirits of ’76 Ghost Tour – The paranormal stories on this ghost tour are “one part history, two parts haunt.” Guests who dare to take this 75-minute outdoor walking journey see 20 of Philly’s frights, including haunted historic homes and graveyards. Public tours run April through November; private/group tours and VIP ghost hunts available year-round. Tours meet at Mrs. K’s Koffee Shop. 325 Chestnut Street, (215) 525-1776
Aesthetic Outings:
85 Years of Neon Signs – Offered four times a year, this Philadelphia Center for Architecture tour highlights the city’s neon signs. Len Davidson, author of Vintage Neon and one of North America’s leading experts on restoration and preservation of classic neon signs, introduces participants to neon history and technology while examining some of Philadelphia’s most spectacular and notable signs. (215) 569-3186
Brandywine River Museum of Art Historic Property Tours – The Wyeths and the Brandywine Valley go hand-in-hand. Art lovers can choose from tours of the Andrew Wyeth Studio, the N.C. Wyeth House and Studio and the Kuerner Farm. Ticket prices include same-day and next-day admission to the museum. (610) 388-2700,
City Hall Tours – Covering more than 14.5 acres, Philadelphia’s City Hall is the largest municipal building in the United States and one of the most elaborate. The exterior features sculptures representing the seasons and continents, as well as allegorical figures—all of which were designed by Alexander Milne Calder. The most notable sculpture is the one at the very top: a 37-foot, 27-ton statue of city founder William Penn. Two-hour tours of the building and 15-minute tower tours are offered every weekday, and both include a view from the observation deck. Broad & Market Streets, Room 121, (215) 686-2840
Covered Bridge Driving Tour – Covered bridges serve as beautiful and historic landmarks for scenic Bucks County. Visit Bucks County offers turn-by-turn driving instructions for a self-guided tour of the county’s dozen quaint bridges. (215) 639-0300
Emergence of a Modern Metropolis Tour – Run by the Philadelphia Center for Architecture, this year-round, two-hour tour explores the transformation of Philadelphia from an engine of industry to a 21st-century capital of business and culture. It features the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Wanamaker building and the Comcast Center, among other landmarks. (215) 569-3186
Hidden City Tours – Visitors and locals who want to discover lesser-known landmarks and stories choose Hidden City Tours. Itineraries include Life & Death at Mount Moriah Cemetery, David Lynch’s Eraserhead, Forgotten Broad Street and Philly Jazz Walking Tour. Schedules and meeting spots are determined tour-by-tour, and most sell out in advance.
Love Letter Tour – Lovers and dreamers—and street art appreciators—take the Market-Frankford Line train (called “the el” for its elevated portion) to West Philadelphia to view a series of 50 rooftop murals and street-level signs by internationally acclaimed artist Stephen Powers. A guide from the Mural Arts Program provides riders with intimate details of the Love Letter project along the way. Tours run every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. January through May and September through December. Reservations recommended. Departs from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. 128 N. Broad Street, (215) 925-3633
Mural Arts Trolley and Walking Tours – Aboard an open-air trolley, guides relay the stories behind a selection of Philadelphia’s 3,600 murals during two-hour tours, running select days April through November. Those who prefer to view the works on foot can sign up for 90-minute walking tours, also offered on select days April through November. Reservations recommended. Departs from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. 128 N. Broad Street, (215) 925-3633
Mural Mile – With a map and phone or MP3 player, art fans can move at their own pace—and for free. Those who opt for the mural tour go from commercial districts to residential blocks while exploring the compelling stories behind 12 works. The full, unabridged tour covers 2.5 miles and takes between one and two hours. The map and podcast are available online, and the cellphone tour can be accessed by dialing (215) 525-1577. Guided tours of the Mural Mile are also offered. (215) 925-3633
Museum Without Walls™: AUDIO – This tour gives people an engaging and fun way to experience 65 outdoor sculptures along Kelly Drive and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, around City Hall, in Rittenhouse Square and throughout West Fairmount Park. Both art enthusiasts and recreational passersby can use their phones, a free mobile app, audio downloads or the website to hear three-minute interpretive segments. More than 150 authentic voices—people connected to the works—reveal the untold stories of the art. (215) 399-9000
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens – Beginning at the artist’s sculptural masterpiece, this one-hour walking tour highlights Isaiah Zagar’s whimsical mosaics along South and Bainbridge Streets, between 7th and 10th streets. Neighborhood walking tours run on weekends from April through October, and weekend and bank holiday site tours through the mosaic installation take place November through March. 1020 South Street, (215) 733-0390
By Air, Water, Bike & Segway:
Big Red Pedal Tours – Aboard Big Red Pedal Tours, participants explore Philly by day or by night aboard a 15-passenger pedicycle. Together, the group propels the open-air “tour bus” to a series of stops around town. The daytime tour includes historic sites such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Betsy Ross House. After dark, it’s a pub-crawl-on-wheels, stopping at three or four bars in roughly two hours. (215) 625-2509
Biplane Rides Over Philadelphia – High-flyers can choose from 30-, 50- or 75-minute open-cockpit rides that include flying over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Penn’s Landing, staring eye-to-eye with William Penn or catching an aerial view of the Main Line and New Hope. Sunrise and sunset tours are also available. (800) 247-2371
Patriot Harbor Lines – Up to 35 guests board a reproduction of a classic 1920s commuter yacht for tours of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. Options include the Boat to Bartram’s Garden Cruise, Hidden History Cruise, Grim Philly Twilight Tour, Secrets of the Schuylkill Tour, Delaware River Harbor Tour, Pinot Boutique Sunset Wine Cruise, Walnut to Walnut Cruise and Philly By Boat Cruise. Schuylkill tours depart from the Walnut Street Dock, and Delaware tours leave from the Independence Seaport Museum. (800) 979-3370
Philadelphia Segway Tours by Wheel Fun – After video and hands-on training, people take off on motorized Segways. On the three-hour Full City Tour, guests see 30 popular attractions, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Schuylkill River, Chinatown, Boathouse Row and Love Park. The 1.5-hour Old City Historic Tour provides historical background of 20 sites. Both tours leave from the Independence Visitor Center. 6th & Market Streets, (215) 523-5827
Philly Bike Tour Co. – These guided bike tours feature routes through different sections of Philadelphia, including the Classic City Tour, covering main attractions such as the Liberty Bell and Rittenhouse Square; the Art is All Around Us Tour; and the Fairmount Park Tour. All include a bicycle, helmet and water. 2015 Fairmount Avenue, (267) 521-2150
Ride The Ducks – After a lively tour riding through Historic Philadelphia and South Street, the amphibious vehicle splashes down into the Delaware River. Participants receive the signature “quacker” as a souvenir of their 70-minute land-and-sea look at the city. Tickets are available at the Independence Visitor Center. 6th & Market Streets, (877) 887-8225
Schuylkill Banks Kayak Tours – Visitors receive 30 minutes of kayaking instruction before heading out on the Schuylkill River for one-hour excursions, which run most weekends and select Thursday evenings during the summer. Specialty experiences, including moonlight tours and private group tours, are also available. Departs from the Walnut Street Dock. Schuylkill Banks at Walnut Street, (215) 222-6030, ext. 103
Wheel Fun Rentals – At the Independence Visitor Center, those who prefer to tour on two wheels can rent a bike and everything else they need for a self-guided tour—route map, helmet and lock. Wheel Fun also offers guided Segway tours for those explorers who prefer a less strenuous mode of transportation. 6th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676
A Bit Of Everything:
Awfully Nice Tours – On these intimate driving tours, visitors can customize their city or regional experience based on their specific areas of interest, or they can choose from pre-designed options with themes such as countryside, winery, church, neighborhood and Rocky. Tours range from two-hour to full-day outings and include a personal driver/guide and pick-up and drop-off service from hotels. (215) 280-3746
Big Bus Company – Riders can see the sights from an outdoor seat atop these double-decker buses, or they can ride in the bottom. Passes are good for up to three days, and passengers can hop on and off at the 27 stops throughout the city. Tickets are available online, on the bus or at the Independence Visitor Center. 6th & Market Streets, (215) 389-TOUR (8687)
Philadelphia Trolley Works – This Victorian-style trolley allows riders to hop on and off while visiting popular attractions throughout the nation’s most historic area and beyond. Passes are good for up to 72 hours, and passengers can explore from 27 stops throughout the city. Tickets are available online, on the trolley or at the Independence Visitor Center. 6th & Market Streets, (215) 389-TOUR (8687)
Philadelphia Urban Adventures – A more off-the-beaten-path approach to touring, this organization offers options such as the Food for Thought food truck jaunt through the University City neighborhood; the Italian Market Immersion tour, during which visitors meet vendors and sample their goods; Markets, Mosaics & Magic, which includes Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens; the two-hour Philly On Tap, complete with local beers during happy hour; and the two-hour History in HD, combining history and refreshments. Additional options, such as the Center City Holiday Tour, are offered seasonally. (215) 280-3746
Philly By Segway – One- and two-hour rides give an overview of the city, while the cheesesteak tour includes tastes of five different sandwiches so guests can pick their favorite. The experience includes 30 minutes of training. Guides take photos along the way and upload them for free so people can fully enjoy the outing. 229 Arch Street, (215) 280-3746
PHLASH Downtown Loop – The PHLASH is the quick, easy and inexpensive connection to key historic attractions and cultural institutions. Making 22 stops, the purple bus is just $2 per ride or $5 for an all-day pass. Passes can be purchased online, at all Independence Visitor Center locations or on the bus (exact change required). It runs every 15 minutes from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., April through Labor Day and from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. From Labor Day through Thanksgiving, it operates on the weekend only. (484) 881-3574
Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts – Even Philadelphia experts are sure to learn something new during a Watson Adventures scavenger hunt. Topics range from the family-friendly Wizard School Scavenger Hunt at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the adults-only Haunted Philadelphia and Munch Around the Market. The winning team gets free passes for future hunts. (877) 9-GO-HUNT
Visitor Centers:
Historic Philadelphia Center – Inside the Historic Philadelphia Center, visitors to the area can find information and purchase tickets for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s tours and attractions, such as Franklin Square and the Tippler’s Tour. Plus, they can catch the Liberty 360 3D show, which uses the most modern technology of its kind to spotlight the most treasured American value—liberty. 6th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 629-4026
Independence Visitor Center – The Independence Visitor Center is the gateway to the city and the region. Visitors can find information, get tickets to popular attractions or take a snack break. Each of the five Visitor Center locations serves guests with expert concierge staff offering tips and insider information. The Independence Mall location features a desk for National Park Service desk, where people can pick up free timed tickets to Independence Hall. Independence Visitor Center, 6th & Market Streets, (215) 965-7676; Sister Cities Park Visitor Center, 18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (267) 514-4760; Fairmount Park Welcome Center, 16th Street & John F. Kennedy Boulevard (Love Park), (267) 514-4761; City Hall Visitor Center, Broad & Market Streets, Room 121, (215) 686-2840; Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, (800) 537-7676
Philly Tour Hub – People from local neighborhoods and around the world can enhance their Philadelphia experience at this meeting space, which is dedicated to the traveler experience. Here, visitors can sign up for tours, engage with other travelers and local experts, get basic information, use free Wi-Fi, sip fresh-ground coffee or just relax between activities. 229 Arch Street, (215) 280-3746
VISIT PHILADELPHIA® makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.
On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.
Source:- Visit Philly
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