Oo on one of these exciting Philadelphia tours to get an insider's view of the city. From scenic cruises, movie-inspired itineraries and historical tours to photography, food and bike tours, there are many great options.
The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia
Take a mile and a quarter leisurely stroll through the Independence National Historical Park area and enjoy the journey through the past of the birthplace of America. Visit the places where the Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence were drafted. The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia invites you to take a 75-minutes Guided Tour and see about 20 of the most significant historic sites in Philadelphia.
If you are the independent type, purchase an Audio Tour that you can listen to on your iPod and enjoy the tour at your own pace, listening to the entertaining narrative with sound effects and appropriate music. Specialized walking tours are also available for school or corporate groups, or you can take a private VIP tour and get the full attention of your guide.
Spirit Cruises
Spirit of Philadelphia provides one of the best opportunities in the city for visitors to dine, dance, sightsee, and experience Philly straight from the waters. Spirit cruises offer lunch, dinner, moonlight, and holiday cruises, plus dozens of specialty cruises for visitors to enjoy. Some of the specialty cruises include the Philadelphia Eat, Drink, and B. Mary Lunch/ Brunch Cruise, a Gospel Lunch Cruise, and an Old School Moonlight Cruise that lets visitors dance the night away.
Visitors can look forward to great dining and dancing in the cruise ship, which is fitted with modern LED lighting, plasma TVs, renovated décor, three climate-controlled interior decks with panoramic windows, a floating rooftop lounge, and an interactive dance floor with a live DJ.
Philly Bike Tour Co.
Let the breeze sweep through your hair and cool your body while you pedal through the most exciting sites of Philadelphia. Philly Bike Tour Co. will provide you with a comfortable 21 speed hybrid bike with wide tires, a helmet, a bottle of water, and a knowledgeable and fun guide who will take you through the city markets, hidden alleys, shady parks, and unique neighborhoods.
Go for a four-hour Classic City Tour to see the Rocky Steps and Liberty Bell, the three-hour Fairmount Park Historical Tour that will take you to the Philadelphia Zoo, Boathouse Row, and the Japanese Tea House, the two-hour River Loop Tour along the Schuylkill River, or the three-hour Art is All Around Us Tour of the city’s Art Museum District, many free sculptures and streets covered in murals, and so much more. Fairmount Park tour is moderately difficult, while all others are easy and relaxed.
Urban Adventures Philadelphia
Philadelphia is more than just a compilation of historic sites linked to the birth of the nation and the city’s colonial glory. It is a vibrant modern city that Urban Adventures Philadelphia wants to introduce to visitors one tour at a time. You will get the feel of the city by strolling through the colorful neighborhoods and lively markets, exploring public art and street music, visiting some great pubs and restaurants, and learning about the magnificent city architecture.
Your guides will be friendly Philadelphians with passion for their city and for sharing trivia, important facts, and folklore with visitors. The Essence of South Philly will show you the city’s bohemian side while the 9th Street Italian Market tour will let you taste, smell and touch the foods in the city’s oldest market. History buffs should not miss a full day Philadelphia River to River tour. Whatever tour you choose, you are sure to come out of it with more knowledge, appreciation, and affection for the “city of brotherly love.”
Free Tours by Foot Philadelphia
Free Tours by Foot Philadelphia is a free tour of Philadelphia’s most iconic sites. Free means that the local, highly knowledgeable guides are not paid for sharing their love for the city with you, so you do not have to pay anything in advance. It does not mean that you should not give a generous tip if you find the tour was a very pleasant and valuable learning experience.
You name the price, depending on the value you got. And you can expect high value from these enthusiastic Philadelphians who will take you on a walking tour of Philly’s most important spots. Independence Mall Tour is the best for first time city visitors, and it explores Philadelphia’s and America’s most important historic district. Foodies will love exploring the Italian Market and Chinatown in the Philadelphia food tours. If you are fond of the macabre, you will enjoy crawling through the city’s cobblestoned streets at night during the Philadelphia Ghost Tour.
City Food Tours Philadelphia
Who has not heard of Philly cheesesteaks? Or soft pretzels? Philadelphia is known for its riches of culinary offerings, but sometimes we like to go off the beaten tourist path and sneak into the narrow alleys to discover hidden gems only the locals are familiar with. City Food Tours Philadelphia offer a range of tours that are guided by Philly residents who are not only passionate foodies but also great storytellers and entertainers. For trendsetters, they have Highlights of East Passyunk Tour of the hottest spots in the city.
For first-timers, Flavors of Philly Tour visits all the most iconic eateries. Beer aficionados should not miss Craft Beer & Artisanal Cheese Tasting. Ethnic Eats Tour will show you the rich diversity of cultures in the city through a range of ethnic restaurants and markets. And for those who want only the best, there is the Decadent Gourmet Tour.
Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours
The Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours and Transportation Inc. is a family owned business that delivers safe, accurate, and entertaining tours of the city. Visitors can choose from a number of tours on double-decker buses or trolleys. The tour company also has fun night tours perfect for night owls or for those wanting to get to know Philly after hours.
The Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours include some of Philadelphia’s most iconic destinations such as Independence Hall, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter, and of course, the Liberty Bell. Popular spots such as the Mutter Museum, the Penn Museum, the National Constitution Center, and the Eastern State Penitentiary are also on the itineraries.
Armond Scavo Photography
Armond Scavo Photography offers two and a half hour photography adventures that visitors can personalize. They are able to pick the sites they want to visit, whether it be cityscapes, people, or architecture. Some popular locations include the Eastern State Penitentiary, Rittenhouse Square, Historic Philadelphia, Penn’s Landing, and the Convention Center District.
The photographer/ tour guide personalizes the tour to include the sites chosen, all while giving helpful photography tips on composition, lighting, and camera options to take better, more precise, photographs. An opportunity to experience the City of Brotherly Love from a local’s point of view, Armond Scavo Photography will give visitors exactly what they need to capture Philly’s beauty in an image.
Big Bus Tours Philadelphia
Experience Philadelphia from the top of an authentic London double-decker bus as it cruises through the city on perfectly laid out streets that were established when the city was founded in 1682. Visitors get an understanding of Philly’s unique history from our fully trained guides with fascinating facts and fun stories.
Big Bus Tours Philadelphia stops at 27 different stops, and visitors can tour Philly at their own pace by hopping on and off at any of the points; this makes it easy for visits to the Liberty Bell, City Hall, Elfreth’s Alley, the ‘LOVE’ sculpture, Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and Carpenters’ Hall, among others.
City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program
The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program offers visitors one of the world’s largest collections of outdoor public art. It was created with the intention of “transforming places, individuals, communities, and institutions by empowering artists to be change agents.”
Visitors can see the beautiful displays by various means such as walking, biking, Segway, train, trolley, self-guided tour, or in a group. All tours take visitors through the artistic process, giving details about the murals, the artists behind them, and the history of the diverse community that houses this art form. (City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Phone: 215-925-3633)
Patriot Harbor Lines
The Patriot Harbor Lines offers a number of cruises down the Delaware River or the Schuylkill River, allowing visitors to experience stunning panoramic views of Philly’s beauty. There’s something for everyone as they make the experience even more unique with themes such as the Booze and Party Cruise, Sunset Cruise, Ghost Ship Terror Cruise, or Cocktail Cruise.
Visitors will also see many historic sights on the river such as the historic vessels of Penn’s Landing, the Ben Franklin Bridge, Campbell’s Field, and the S.S. United States, the largest ocean liner constructed in the United States. (Patriot Harbor Lines, Phone: 267-908-3076)
Big Red Pedal Tours
Big Red Pedal Tours offers Philly visitors just that: a tour on a 15-passenger bike with big red pedals. The pedicycle is an open-air type “bus” that has two rows of seats for riders to work together and pedal around Philly.
Big Red Pedal Tours stops at many historic sites during its day tour and immerses visitors in Philly’s vibrant nightlife with a night tour that stops at popular pubs around the city. The knowledgeable guides, who double as drivers by steering the pedicycle, ensure that visitors have a great time while getting a little exercise. (Phone: 215-625-2509)
