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  • Explore Philadelphia
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  • Outside Philadelphia

Sesame Place

Liberty Bell

Independence Hall

The Rocky Statue

Eastern State Penitentiary

Museum of Illusions, Philadelphia

Philadelphia City Hall

Philadelphia Zoo

Adventure Aquarium

Geno's Steaks

Barnes Foundation

Citizens Bank Park

Museums & exhibitions

Multi-day trips

Day trips

Nearby destinations

Lancaster, Pennsylvania tours

Atlantic City tours

Nearby sights

Amish ExperienceAttraction in Leacock Township, United States

Battleship New JerseyAttraction in Camden, New Jersey, United States

LEGOLAND Discovery Center PhiladelphiaAttraction in Plymouth Meeting, United States

Lancaster County Convention CenterAttraction in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

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Dinner & lunch cruises

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Dinner shows

Baseball tickets & stadium tours

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Explore more things to do in Philadelphia

Sightseeing

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Explore more things to do in Philadelphia

Philadelphia: Grim, Dark, and Twisted History Tour

Top rated
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7
206 reviews
Activity provider:
Grim Philly Twilight Tours
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Philadelphia: Grim, Dark, and Twisted History Tour
Top rated
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7
206 reviews

Experience the grim side of Philadelphia's colonial history. Hear dark tales of death and disease, risque romps, and sadistic torture. Visit the Liberty Bell, as well as prison, execution, and mass grave sites on this 2 hour tour.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 2 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

5
5 out of 5 stars
D
Dragosh – United States

Christa was very informative and entertaining/relatable! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time

5
5 out of 5 stars
I
Ipsita – United States

Loved the tour. Learnt a lot ranging from prostitution to tuberculosis. We had Christa as our guide. She had a wonderful storytelling style and kept us engaged the whole time. Highly recommend the tour if you are into history but want something different from the run of the mill.

Select participants and date

Participants

Highlights

  • Take part in an alternative history tour voted the best in Philadelphia
  • Obtain unique insight into the darker and seedier aspects of Philadelphia's history
  • Visit burial grounds and the site of the first bank robbery in the US
  • Enjoy a tour created by university professor Joe Wojie who spent 1 year researching the facts
  • Learn about vampires, pirates, and ghosts, ingrained in the roots of Philadelphia's history

Full description

Experience the grim history of Philadelphia on this urban adventure beginning at the sites where the seeds of political change were sown. Descend into the sites of former brothels, mass burial grounds, and polluted prisons, stepping on salvaged streets where pirates roamed freely with the founding fathers.

Historian and professor Joe Wojie or one of his expert guides will lead you on a tour that explores the grim realities of colonial America and the legends and traditions they inspired.

From the home of Dolly Madison to the sights of Helltown - murder, mayhem, and madness are in the roots of this city. This tour was researched and designed by university professor Joe Wojie to stand apart from every other day or night tour offered in Philadelphia with its originality and dark flavor. The 8 PM tour is geared more towards an adult audience, while families and children can enjoy a fun way to learn about Philly's secret past during the earlier tour departures.

Includes

  • 2 hour tour
  • Gratuities

Meeting point

Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Street Philadelphia just outside the front doors.

Open in Google Maps

Important information

Know before you go

  • The 8 PM tour is more suitable for an adult audience

From $44 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5
4.7 out of 5 stars

based on 206 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.8/5
  • Value for money
    4.6/5

Customer photos

+5
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5
5 out of 5 stars
D
Dragosh – United StatesApril 3, 2025 – Verified booking
Christa was very informative and entertaining/relatable! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time
5
5 out of 5 stars
I
Ipsita – United StatesMarch 15, 2025 – Verified booking
Loved the tour. Learnt a lot ranging from prostitution to tuberculosis. We had Christa as our guide. She had a wonderful storytelling style and kept us engaged the whole time. Highly recommend the tour if you are into history but want something different from the run of the mill.
5
5 out of 5 stars
N
Naomi – BelgiumNovember 24, 2024 – Verified booking
This is a great tour if you are into these kind of stories. Our guide Britney explained everything very clearly and with passion. It was very interesting and we learned a lot of facts.

Product ID: 21790

Activity provider:
Grim Philly Twilight Tours
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