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Museum of the American Revolution

Museum of the American Revolution: Our most recommended tours and activities

Philadelphia: Double-Decker Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

1. Philadelphia: Double-Decker Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

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

Philadelphia: History, Highlights & Revolution Walking Tour

2. Philadelphia: History, Highlights & Revolution Walking Tour

Immerse yourself in the vibrant and varied past of Philadelphia, one of the US' most historically significant cities, on this walking tour. Learn more about America's former capital and how it helped to shape the United States of America. Take a guided stroll through Independence National Park, along the cobblestone streets of Old City, past buildings, statues, and monuments, and through the history you think you know. Be amazed by Philadelphia’s remarkable past as your local guide separates the fact from the fiction. Get the chance to give back with a donation to a local non-profit included in the cost of your tour. You will also visit the Museum of the American Revolution and enjoy a live demonstration about George Washington’s war tent and the important role it played during the Revolution.

Philadelphia: Museum of the American Revolution Entry

3. Philadelphia: Museum of the American Revolution Entry

Discover the dramatic story of the American Revolution at one of Philadelphia’s lead attractions. Step into the Museum of the American Revolution, then watch an introductory movie before making your own way through the exhibitions. Marvel at the museum’s vast collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art that bring history back to life. Learn about this fascinating period of time as you explore immersive galleries, engage in powerful theater experiences, and take part in interactive features. Located just steps from the famous Independence Hall, the museum serves as a portal to the region’s Revolutionary history, which sparks interest, provides context, and encourages exploration. Printed museum guides are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin and Japanese, to elevate your learning experience.

Philadelphia: Historic Self-Guided Tour with GPS & Audio

4. Philadelphia: Historic Self-Guided Tour with GPS & Audio

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. Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app that will function as your personal guide, audio tour, and map all in one.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.

Museum of the American Revolution: Early Access Guided Tour

5. Museum of the American Revolution: Early Access Guided Tour

This early access tour offers visitors a unique opportunity to see the Museum of the American Revolution’s exhibits before they’re open to the public. Learn about the museum’s artifacts alongside museum experts with room to explore. Skip the crowds and distractions. The American Revolution was dramatic, gritty, and full of uncertainty. It was an era of unparalleled political and social upheaval, even by today’s standards. Explore this era as your guide enhances your experience with additional insight into the artifacts and exhibits and behind-the-scenes details of the museum’s creation. Get inspired to dig deeper into the stories behind objects on display. At the end of the guided tour, choose to explore the galleries further on your own.

Philadelphia: In-App Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour

6. Philadelphia: In-App Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour

Embark on an exciting and informative walking tour of Philadelphia's most important historic sites using an app. Get a feel for the history of this important city while looking for clues and answering questions on the game. Your scavenger hunt-led audio tour will begin just east of Philly’s beautiful City Hall. As you walk, the app will prompt you with plenty of fun trivia questions to see how much you really know about America’s revolutionary history. From City Hall, head east and hear about the lead-up to the American Revolution, why it happened, and what led to key moments of escalation like the Boston Tea Party. Arrive at the historic Washington Square Park, home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After that, continue to Independence Hall, where the very first Continental Congress gathered back in 1774. Then it’s on to an impressive statue of George Washington, where you’ll learn about the man behind all the legends. Up next is one of the most important attractions along your route: the Liberty Bell. You’ll have a chance to see this iconic artifact up close and find out what exactly makes it so special. Then head to the open-air Benjamin Franklin Museum and the very first White House. Next is the historic Graff House, where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. Past that is the African American Museum, revealing a different side of the revolutionary story. Next, you’ll see Franklin Park and the famous Bolt of Lightning sculpture, both of which offer a perfect opportunity to discover more about perhaps the wildest of the Founding Fathers: Benjamin Franklin. After passing the National Constitution Center and the United States Mint, you’ll also have an opportunity to visit Franklin’s grave. Continuing on, pass the Betsy Ross House, home to the woman who created America’s official flag. Then you’ll get to visit Elfreth’s Alley, which has been perfectly preserved as it appeared in the 1700s. Finally, you’ll reach the Museum of the American Revolution, offering the chance to dig even deeper into this fascinating period of American history. Your adventure will conclude here.

Other Sightseeing Options in Museum of the American Revolution

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What people are saying about Museum of the American Revolution

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 188 reviews

Best hop on hop off tour we have ever taken! This was our second time taking it… several years apart. Both times we had a live tour guide and both times the guide was awesome! Philadelphia has so many visually interesting landmarks and iconic areas to visit. The tour gets up close to all areas, buildings and statues. We found most everything to be within a quick few minutes walk of the stops. If you’ll be in town several days it would be worthwhile to get a 2 day pass.

The tour was well-paced, with a real breadth of content, delivered in an engaging way. I learned so much (without feeling mentally drained), and the balance of exhibits mixed in with the walking made for a really enjoyable couple of hours. I’d highly recommend this tour to anybody looking to explore Philadelphia and learn some cool history at the same time!

Very nice tour with a local guide. You get a lot of information in the context of then and now. Highly recommended. Our your was only in English, which wasn't a problem for us but maybe good to know if you don't speak the language very well

When you stay for a few days in a big city and you don’t have much time, the hop on-hop off is the best means to visit the place. Very practical since your ticket can be used for a whole day.

It does what it says on the side of the bus, a great way to see all the city has to offer very enjoyable