Tours & tickets

Franklin Court, Philadelphia

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!

“To believe all men honest is folly. To believe none is something worse.” - John Adams We all know George Washington didn’t really chop down a cherry tree, so why do we keep telling that story? Americans love telling stories about the Founding Fathers that make us feel proud to be a part of their legacies. Behind the grand stories of brilliance and triumph though, we find imperfect people who were only human. They were humans who were kind, cruel, funny, and very rarely chopping down trees. This tour doesn’t just show you America’s Most Historic Square Mile (though it does that too,) it is a journey through who the Founding Fathers were, who they were not, and who we wish they would have been. No axe wielding required. Our first stop will be Benjamin Franklin's grave before seeing the exteriors of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Then head to Washington Square Park, one of William Penn's five original parks, which contains both serene memorials and less serene stories. We will then continue through the colonial days with the Carpenters Hall, Benjamin Franklin's print shop, Betsy Ross' house, and lots of fun stops in between.

Explore the cradle of American democracy on a guided walking tour of Independence Mall. Learn about the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and more, and learn about the history of the United States. On our premium ticketed walking tour, we include entrance into Christ Church, where you will explore the church with your guide. We end with tickets for a self-guided tour of the Burial grounds, Benjamin Franklin's final resting place! Meet your guide and set off on a tour of the Independence Mall. Learn about the history of the United States and its founding fathers as you walk through the historic district. See the Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence and democracy. Pass by Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted. Visit the President's House Site, the location of the president's original home before Washington, D.C., was established as the nation's capital. See the 1st and 2nd Banks of the United States, the early financial institutions that supported the burgeoning nation. Pass by Congress Hall, where the U.S. Congress met from 1790 to 1800. Stroll along Elfreth's Alley, America's oldest continuously inhabited residential street. Visit the Betsy Ross House, the site of the legend of the seamstress who sewed the first American flag. See Christ Church, the historic church attended by many Founding Fathers. Stop at Franklin Court, the site of Benjamin Franklin's home, and learn about his contributions to society. See Carpenter's Hall, the site of the First Continental Congress and its significant role in American history. Pass by the Old City Hall, the former home of the U.S. Supreme Court. Finally, visit the Christ Church Burial Grounds, the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and other notable figures.

Discover buildings from the era of the founding fathers that still survive to this day. With your expert tour guide, see historic buildings that go back almost to the founding of the city in 1682. Admire a variety of architectural styles such as Georgian, Federal, and, Revival whilst learning about American history along the way. Beginning on Elfreth's Alley, learn about the origins of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. Then continue to Christ Church and its churchyard where Andrew Hamilton, Pierce Butler, and Robert Morris are buried. Next, you will see Ben Franklin's house and hear about his fascinating life story. From there, Carpenter's Hall is close by where the 1st Continental Congress met. See the First Bank of the United States, founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1791. This building is the first U.S. government building with a Greco-Roman facade. Pass by where Hamilton and his mistress lived, as well as the Dolly Todd House, before arriving at the Second Bank of the United States, the first all-marble facade in America. Finally discover Independence Hall, home of the 2nd Continental Congress. This important landmark is where both the Declaration of the United States and the Constitution were created and signed 11 years apart.