Christ Church Philadelphia

Explore the origins of America on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Philadelphia. Discover the city where America’s Founding Fathers first declared independence, and ratified the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of historic landmarks including the Christ Church Burial Grounds, Elfreth’s Alley, the Betsy Ross House, and Independence Hall.   Begin your tour at the Bourse Building, across from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Listen to the multilingual audio commentary as you enjoy the views from the open-top deck. See the Friendship Gate in Chinatown and be amazed by the architecture of Philadelphia’s City Hall.   Hop off to explore the various museums along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including the world's largest collection of post-impressionist art at the Barnes Foundation. Marvel at Philadelphia’s skyline and stop to enjoy a bird’s-eye view from the One Liberty Observation Deck. Pass through the charming neighborhood of Society Hill and end your tour with a drive along the banks of the Delaware River. Stops:  • The Bourse Building  • Betsy Ross House  • National Constitution Center  • Chinatown  • Reading Terminal Market  • Love Park  • Cathedral Basilica  • Logan Circle  • Rodin Museum  • Eastern State Penitentiary  • Special Events - The Perelman Building  • The Rocky Steps and Statue  • West Entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Boat House Row  • Civil War Memorial  • Please Touch Museum  • Philadelphia Zoo  • Franklin Institute  • Mutter Museum  • One Liberty Observation Deck  • Avenue of the Arts  • Society Hill, Antique Row  • Mother Bethel A.M.E Church  • Headhouse Square  • Vietnam & Korean War Memorials  • Penns Landing  • Museum of the American Revolution  • Christ Church  • The Liberty Bell

Start your journey through the Philadelphia Old City district at the Betsy Ross house, where the United States flag is said to have been first created. Learn more about America's Founding Fathers on a comprehensive tour led by an enthusiastic local guide. Make your way to all of the top attractions in Philadelphia. See Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Consitution of the United States were debated and adopted. Visit the Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence. Explore other notable locations which hold significance in America´s history including Elfreth's Alley, Christ Church, the B. Free Franklin Post Office, and Carpenter's Hall.

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Note: This 3+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Philadelphia in 1-2 hours. Journey back in time to historic Philadelphia to the days of George Washington. Follow this self-guided tour that has been developed by local guides and narrated by professional voice artists. Make stops along the tour to hike, visit historic homes, and marvel at waterfall views. Begin at the City Hall and make your way to the historic district while exploring the catalysts of the war. At the famous Independence Hall, dive into the Declaration of Independence’s drafting, debating, and signing. From there, explore George Washington’s legacy as a politician, general, and president. This leads to the iconic Liberty Bell and the history behind its famous crack and its status as an abolitionist symbol. Then explore the lives, museums, and homes of revolutionary figures like Ben Franklin, Benedict Arnold, Thomas Jefferson, and Crispus Attacus. Continue your journey past the famous African American Museum, Franklin Square, National Constitution Center, and the Mint.  At the historic Betsy Ross House, see the birthplace of the American flag, and in picturesque Elfreth’s Alley, step back into a quaint, cobblestoned era. Finally, pass George Washington’s church and finish at the Museum of American Revolution.

Betsy Ross, Elfreth's Ally, The Benjamin Franklin Cemetery, along with tales of true-crime and a history mix mark this unique walking tour of historic Philadelphia. Every Grim Philly guide has a Master's Degree in American History. And your journey back in time is peppered with chilling stories of the most infamous Philadelphia serial killers to have walked our alleys and streets. This Philadelphia Cemetery and Serial Killers Walking Tour is the perfect accompaniment to our Dark Philly Adult Night Tour. Listen to Grim Philly Podcast for more.

Feel the thrill of hearing Philadelphia's spookiest ghost tales on this macabre walking tour. Step back into the past as your guide regals you with creepy stories at sites like Alexander Hamilton's former home and the Christ Church burial ground. Meet your guide in the back garden of the old City Tavern. Stroll to sites like Alexander Hamilton's home and try to see if you can sense the presence of the spirit of this founding father. Make your way to the Christ Church burial ground where Benjamin Franklin is buried. Enjoy a tour that is suitable for the whole family. Combine a history lesson with exciting tales of local hauntings. 

Interested in touring Philly's Historic District? Great! Let us show you around. Be taken back in time as you are regaled about how the Liberty Bell worked (and cracked,) envision the founders debating inside Carpenters Hall and then Independence Hall as you learn about the issues they faced and gaze upon the building where Jefferson worked in solitude to write America's Declaration of Independence. We provide the history, you supply the imagination. In 90 minutes you will see 21 sites (the most of any walking tour) from a guide with a degree in History and a passion for Philadelphia. We are an owner-operated small business & the best choice for a walking tour in Philly. See you on the tour!

Explore the city of Philadelphia on a private driving tour, customized to suit your preferences, and available as either a half-day or full-day option. The former capital of the Pennsylvania Colony, Philadelphia is intimately connected to the history of Amercia. You will see all the highlights, including Elfreth’s Alley and the Liberty Bell. Go to Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was first debated. Pass Christ Church to see the birthplace of the American Episcopal Church, and Penn's Landing, where William Penn docked in 1682. Drive down the Avenue of the Arts and see Love Park (JFK Plaza), dominated by Robert Indiana's “Love” sculpture. Continue the arts theme at the Rodin Museum or Philadelphia Museum of Art, complete with Rocky’s statue and the steps used in the blockbuster movie. See where Al Capone was incarcerated at the Eastern State Penitentiary, admire the boat houses on the Schuylkill River, and visit Memorial Hall in Centennial Park. You’ll almost certainly get out to Belmont Plateau for a great view before coming back through Rittenhouse Square. There will be time to get out and take pictures or enjoy a short walk, perhaps down Elfreth’s Alley, or to the gazebo next to the boat houses on the Schuylkill. It’s your tour and your choice, but your guide will give some great suggestions. Take detours into Society Hill and out to the 9th Street Italian Market, home of the great Philly Cheese Steak. The full-day tour can be customized to include nearby neighborhoods or the beautifully situated Laurel Hill Cemetery and Historic Rittenhouse Town. Suggestions will also be given for lunch, whether you fancy a snack or full-blown meal.

Philadelphia may be the Cradle of Liberty, but it's also a city spooked by true ghastly stories of the town that inspired Edgar Allen Poe to write "The Murders of Rue Morgue" and "The Raven." A city frightening enough to contain Bram Stoker's research for "Dracula" and inspire David Lynch's "Eraserhead." Possible sightings include desecrating German Soldiers, the tragic Edgar Allen Poe, Bishop White's murderous cook, and maybe even a dancing Ben Franklin! Betsy Ross House: Our first stop is the Betsy Ross House, where the spirit of Betsy Ross herself is said to roam. Witnesses have reported seeing her ghostly figure stitching the first American flag in the dead of night. Independence Hall: Stop outside Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and adopted. But did you know that it's also a hotspot for paranormal activity? Many have reported hearing whispers of the Founding Fathers and the echo of footsteps in its historic halls. Christ Church: Meet Benjamin Franklin at his place of burial, where he is said to steal the pocket change of visitors and throw pennies at them! Carpenter's Hall: Carpenter's Hall was the meeting place of the First Continental Congress, but it’s also known for its paranormal occurrences. Walk through its hallowed halls and listen to stories of ghostly figures who still attend secret meetings. Pennsylvania Hospital: Founded in 1751, Pennsylvania Hospital is America's oldest hospital. Beyond its medical significance, it's a place of numerous ghost sightings and unexplained events. Discover the tales of restless spirits wandering its corridors, seeking eternal peace. Bishop White House: Stop at the Bishop White House, where the spirit of Bishop William White is said to dwell. From flickering lights to mysterious footsteps, this house offers many paranormal experiences that will leave you spellbound. Washington Square: This historic square is not just a serene park; it’s also a mass burial site with a spectral reputation. Learn about the ghostly apparitions and eerie sounds visitors and locals report. We will talk about but do not see: Dr. Physick's House: Known as the "Father of American Surgery," Dr. Physick’s house is a hub for ghostly activity. Hear the unsettling stories of phantom patients and eerie occurrences that make this home a ghost hunter's dream. Powell House: The Powell House is known for more than its Federal-era architecture. Reports of chilling apparitions and unexplained phenomena make this mansion a must-see for ghost enthusiasts. Eastern State Penitentiary: The Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania holds a reputation for being one of the most haunted places in America. Once an imposing and expensive prison, its abandoned halls now echo with eerie tales and ghostly encounters.

Immerse yourself in the world of Alexander Hamilton on this tour designed especially for Hamilton lovers. Discover the places where he had a direct impact on the shape and functions of the newly-formed United States of America and visit the real-life locations featured in the hit Broadway Musical. Enjoy short excerpts of music throughout the tour. Start your walking tour at the President's House where George Washington and John Adams spent most of their presidencies. From here, head to Independence Hall, where the U.S. Constitution was written. Next, head to the 2nd Bank of the United States, created by President James Madison, followed by a visit to Carpenter's Hall, home of the 1st Continental Congress. Visit the home of Alexander Hamilton's mistress Maria Reynolds and the 1st Bank of the U.S. building. Finally, arrive at Robert Morris' grave, your last stop. Your guide will be happy to point you in the direction of the nearest subway station or bus stop. Or feel free to ask them for local recommendations on great places to eat or drink nearby. 

Visit the birthplace of American democracy and the home of the American Revolution on this historical tour through Philadelphia. Admire the testimonies of American history in one of the most historic places in the United States. See the famous Liberty Bell and learn all about its role in the various liberation movements such as anti-slavery movement, women’s suffrage, and the civil rights movement. Learn about Independence Hall, the birthplace of the nation. Here began discussions on political and personal freedom, and here the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the constitution was written. Admire the impressive original document yourself in the West Wing. Stroll through the garden of the Betsy Ross House, which was built in 1740 and is named after the woman who is said to have sewn the first American flag. During the tour you learn a lot about the history of the United States and the city of Philadelphia as well as the colony of Pennsylvania and some of the most important historical figures of the 18th century – William Penn and Benjamin Franklin.