As America marks its 250th anniversary, Philadelphia offers meeting and event planners an opportunity to build the nation’s history into group itineraries.
Named the Most Walkable City to Visit in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the fourth consecutive year, the city makes it easy for attendees to explore historic landmarks on foot, while bus tours and other transportation options accommodate larger groups.
From the award-winning Founding Footsteps tour to after-hours true-crime and folklore walks, Philadelphia offers experiences for a variety of interests. Many tours also highlight the contributions of Black leaders, LGBTQ+ pioneers and women, giving groups a broader perspective on the city’s history.
Audio and Self-Guided Tours
Take a step back in time to the Colonial era and explore the life of Betsy Ross at your own pace with this insightful self-guided audio tour.
Start with a self-guided tour of Carpenters’ Hall, the largest rental space in the city, solidifying its key role in the Revolutionary War.
Philadelphia Historic Architecture Tour
Known as “PHAT” for short, Philadelphia Historic Architecture Tours are an engaging guide through the captivating buildings that played a role in American history.
The National Park Service’s Independence National Historical Park
The National Park Service’s free official app offers a complete guide to what’s been dubbed the most historic square mile in the United States.
Bus and Alternative Transportation
City Sightseeing: Hop-on Hop-off
Starting at the Bourse Building, right across from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, groups discover America’s origins with breathtaking views of historic landmarks, including Christ Church Burial Grounds, Elfreth’s Alley and the Betsy Ross House.
See Philadelphia through a different lens aboard a modern electric vehicle. Guests can relax and take in sweeping views of the city while exploring some of its most popular attractions, with tour options ranging from a 15-minute overview to a comprehensive 90-minute journey through Old City’s historic streets and landmarks.
Grab a bike and pedal your way through the city streets, covering about 10 miles of hidden gems, neighborhood stories and local history. Iconic stops include the Rocky Steps, the Liberty Bell and Rittenhouse Square.
Philadelphia Trolley Works operates this double-decker ride, with daily 27 hop-on, hop-off stops where visitors can enjoy everything from the Rocky Steps and historic Old City to South Street’s independent shops and the nation’s first zoo.
Haunted/Dark History Tours
Opened in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was once one of the most influential prisons in the world, pioneering a controversial system of incarceration centered on solitary confinement and reflection.
As night falls, explore the eerie side of Philadelphia’s history on a candlelit ghost tour through Old City, Society Hill and Independence National Historical Park.
Grim Philly Tours
Named a Best of the Best experience by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, Grim Philly invites guests to uncover the city’s hidden side through immersive walking tours packed with folklore, history and intrigue.
This spooky stroll is for the real thrill seekers; the outdoor adventure uncovers the ghosts of Independence Hall, the dancing statue of Benjamin Franklin and paranormal Pine Street Church & Cemetery. Includes tales of long-time Philly residents like Edgar Allen Poe and Leo Callahan (allegedly the only person to escape Eastern State Penitentiary.
Neighborhood Tours
This free citywide tour series celebrates the culture, creativity and small businesses that make Philadelphia’s neighborhoods unique. The series features 20 hyper-local experiences curated with community partners, inviting visitors to explore neighborhood stories through food, art, history, local leaders and cultural traditions.
Preservation Alliance: Neighborhood Walking Tours
Led by expert volunteer guides, more than 40 tour options showcase distinct areas of the city—including Society Hill, Fishtown, Rittenhouse Square and Chestnut Hill—while themed experiences such as Art Deco Philadelphia, Skyscrapers Old and New and Ben Franklin’s Philadelphia offer deeper dives into the stories that shaped the region
Walking Tours
America’s Founding Fathers weren’t the only ones who made this nation possible. Inclusive walking tours highlight the women, LGBTQ+ pioneers and local heroes whose contributions helped shape the nation.
From food and BYOB-friendly drink experiences to walking and trolley tours, Founding Footsteps has earned its place among USA Today’s 10Best tours.
This walking tour of Old City explores the people and places that shaped Philadelphia and the nation. Highlights include Benjamin Franklin’s legacy; the influence of the Quakers at Arch Street Meeting House; the role of women in colonial America at Betsy Ross House; and Christ Church and Elfreth’s Alley, the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street.
Mural Arts: Icons of Independence
This specialty tour follows a trail of historic symbols that appear in iconic Philadelphia murals. Tour guests will discover how the past meets the present through depictions of Liberty Bells, American flags, famous figures and notable architecture.
Philadelphia Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
Discover more than 285 years of Jewish history in Philadelphia with one of three unique heritage tours.
Bring your binoculars and take a sneak peek into the secret lives of pigeons on a birding walking tour.
That Messy History of the Revolution
History comes alive on this entertaining guided walking tour that blends Philadelphia’s rich past with humor, candid storytelling and a dose of local gossip.
Journey through Philadelphia’s Black history on this engaging 2-hour tour that shines a light on stories too often left out of the history books.
For more history and city tour information, check out Visit Philly’s web guide.
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