Philadelphia History Tours

Philadelphia Featured Attractions

Betsy Ross House where the Colonial seamstress stitched the first American Flag in 1777. The restored home is furnished in the working-class manner of the period.

Christ Church was the house of worship of 15 signers of the declaration of Independence. Brass plaques mark the pews once occupied by George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross. Organized in 1695, the 1727 structure typifies early Georgian architecture.

City Hall was planned to be the tallest structure in the world when construction began in 1871. However, it was surpassed in height by the Washington Monument and the Eiffel Tower before its completion in 1901. A 37 foot statue of William Penn tops the City Hall tower. The charter in Penn’s left hand has the actual words of the charter inscribed upon it.

Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site contains a visitor center, which has exhibits, and audiovisual program and library, and the house where Poe lived 1843-44.

Franklin Institute Science Museum Hands-on exhibits and demonstrations relate to science and industry, computers, physics, astronomy, geography, oceanography, meteorology, mathematics, communications, and history. The museum is the national monument to Benjamin Franklin and contains many of Franklin’s personal effects.

Fels Planetarium opened in 1933, is among the country’s oldest. Computer generated images are projected onto the 65 foot wide planetarium dome.
Tuttleman Omniverse Theatre projects films of science and adventure onto a four story, 79 foot wide domed screen.

Independence National Historic Park includes buildings in Independence Square and others throughout the city that are closely associated with the Colonial period, the founding of the nation, and Philadelphia’s early role as the nation’s capitol. The visitor’s center for Independence National Historic Park presents the 30 minute John Huston film, “Independence” throughout the day. In this park, you will find Congress Hall, Declaration House, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Pavaillion, and the National Constitution Center.

The National Constitution Center is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of, and appreciation for, the Constitution, its history, and its contemporary relevance, through an interactive, interpretive facility within Independence National Historical Park and a program of national outreach, so that We the People may better secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.

Congress Hall was occupied by the US Congress 1790-1800.

Declaration House is a reconstruction of the dwelling in which Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in June 1776.

Independence Hall In this graceful 1732 brick building, the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution were signed. It was here in 1775 that the 2nd Continental Congress decided to resist England, and George Washington accepted the role of Commander in Chief of the Colonial Armies.

Liberty Bell Pavilion is a glass structure that forms a permanent home for the Liberty Bell, which was moved from Independence Hall on January 1, 1976.

Penn’s Landing along the Delaware River, marks the site where William Penn landed in 1682. The 37 acre area, which has several historic ships maintained by the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild and a sculpture garden, features concerts, festivals and special exhibitions throughout the year.

United States Mint offers self-guiding audiotape tours that take about 45 minutes.

Enjoy Your Philadelphia History Tour