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Things to do in Old City, Philadelphia

Our most recommended things to do in Old City, Philadelphia

Philadelphia: Museum of Illusions Timed Entrance Ticket

1. Philadelphia: Museum of Illusions Timed Entrance Ticket

Experience the impossible with an entry ticket to the Museum of Illusions Philadelphia. Immerse yourself in a world where your eyes will be in a constant battle with your brain. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, this brain-boggling museum is a one-of-a-kind destination for optical illusions.  Challenge yourself in more than 60 visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms designed to tease the senses and trick the mind. Defy gravity, grow and shrink, walk on the ceiling, experience infinite space, and much more. Spend some time in the Smart Playroom with games that will stimulate and challenge your mind. Enjoy some friendly competition with friends and family while simultaneously improving your cognition, problem-solving skills, and memory.  Have fun while learning the mechanics behind each and every illusion you experience. And don't forget your camera or smartphone when you visit as there are eye-fooling photo-ops around every corner.

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

2. 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: 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.

From New York City: 4-Day Tour w/Niagara Falls & US Capitol

4. From New York City: 4-Day Tour w/Niagara Falls & US Capitol

Visit the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls. Stop at an outlet mall for shopping, continue to the historic city of Brotherly love in Philadelphia and see the famous Liberty Bell and Independence Hall Square. You will also visit Washington DC, the US Capitol and visit the US Mint. Continue to Lancaster to learn about the Amish community. Day 1: New York - Finger Lakes - Niagara Falls Your morning departure from the Big Apple takes you north where you will pass the beautiful Delaware Gap to Watkins Glen State Park in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Walk through Watkins Glen Canyon to visit the beautiful waterfalls and then continue to Niagara Falls passing Seneca Lake, arriving in the late afternoon (Winter itinerary goes to Montour Falls instead of Watkins Glen State Park). Tour the American and Canadian sides of the Falls including the American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Goat Island, and Sister Island. At night tour Niagara Falls where you will marvel at the colorful lighting of the waters. Overnight: Niagara Falls - Wyndham Super 8 Day 2: Niagara Falls - New Jersey As you depart the hotel, hear the thundering water of Niagara Falls. See the falls up close from Horseshoe Falls and experience the power of the current aboard the Maid of the Mist (May-October). From November through April you will tour the Power Vista Hydro-electric Station, and the Cave of the Winds. At noon depart south to New York State. On the way to New York, enjoy a shopping excursion at one of the large outlet malls along the way, where you can hunt for bargains at their brand name stores. Overnight New Jersey - La Quinta Inns & Suites  Day 3: New Jersey - Philadelphia - Washington DC Depart New Jersey to Pennsylvania and to the city of brotherly love Philadelphia. Arriving in the Historic area of Philadelphia you will visit the famous Liberty Bell, and Constitution square and Constitution Hall, one of the symbols of freedom in America. Stroll Elfreth’s Alley (the oldest inhabited street in America) then continue on a panoramic tour of Philadelphia that includes the financial district, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Historic Philadelphia and more. Departing Philadelphia, see the famous “Rocky Steps” and then continue north to Lancaster county home of the Amish people. Ride on an authentic Amish Buggy, visit an Amish market place of handmade arts and crafts and learn what it's like to live without the benefit of modern technology, electricity, running water or telephone service. Overnight at: Wyndham Garden, Washington DC. Day 4: Washington DC - New York  Start the day with a visit to Thomas Jefferson Memorial, by the Tidal Basin, surrounded with famous Japanese cherry blossom trees. Visit the Arlington National Cemetery, the changing of the guards and the Kennedy family gravesite.  Next stop is Capitol Hill. See the US Capitol and the White House to understand the core of the US government. Continue to the Air and Space Museum before visiting the Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Korea and Vietnam Memorials.  In the late afternoon, depart north for an evening arrival in New York.

Philadelphia: Revolutionary Walk Through Historic Old City

5. Philadelphia: Revolutionary Walk Through Historic Old City

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.

Philadelphia: Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus Tour

6. Philadelphia: Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus Tour

Climb aboard the double-decker hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus and discover the sights of Philadelphia at your own pace. Benefit from the services on an onboard guide and avail of frequent departures every day of the week. Learn the history of the city and its cultural attractions, and hear where the best places to eat and shop are along the way. Follow in the footsteps of "Rocky" and climb the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Enjoy an authentic cheesesteak or retrace the steps of the founding fathers and see where they signed the Declaration of Independence. Sit back and enjoy the 90-minute ride around Philly seeing almost 30 points of interest along the way. Sights you will see: • Independence Visitor Center (northeast corner of 5th and Market Streets) • Betsy Ross House  • U.S. Mint and Ben Franklin’s Grave  • National Constitution Center  • Chinatown (northeast corner of Arch Street at 10th Street) • Reading Terminal Market/Convention Center  • City Hall and Love Park • Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul/Sister Cities  • Barnes Foundation (21st Street and Ben Franklin Parkway)  • Rodin Museum • Eastern State Penitentiary • Perelman Building of the Philadelphia Museum of Art • Philadelphia Zoo  • Please Touch Museum/Memorial Hall/Fairmount Park • Rocky Steps • Philadelphia Museum of Art • Franklin Institute/Logan Circle • The Bellevue/Rittenhouse Square • Academy of Music/Broad Street • Antiques Row (10th and Pine Street) • South Street/Headhouse Square • Vietnam Veterans Memorial • Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing/Columbus Boulevard • Penn's Landing/Waterfront • Old City/Christ Church • Museum of American Jewish History

Philadelphia: History, Highlights & Revolution Walking Tour

7. 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: Segway Adventure Tour

8. Philadelphia: Segway Adventure Tour

Take a Segway tour of Philadelphia to see the main city sights and get an informative commentary on the history of the city at the forefront of the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence. Your guide will give you a 30-minute training session before you set off on the self-balancing vehicles. Then, traveling in groups of up to 6 people, head down to Penn's Landing for views across to New Jersey and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Glide through the Historic District, passing Elfreth's Alley and the Betsy Ross House. Admire Independence Hall en route to Society Hill, where you can marvel at the stately homes while catching the aroma of fresh coffee at quaint cafés. Pass over Avenue of the Arts to Rittenhouse Square, before winding through the Fitler Square neighborhood to Schuylkill River. The scenery changes here, as you work your way along the paths of the Schuylkill Banks, joined by runners and bikers en route to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Admire the statue of Rocky Balboa at the bottom of the famous steps he ran up in the 1976 blockbuster movie, before moving on to Benjamin Franklin Parkway to see Rodin’s “Thinker” statue in the outdoor sculpture garden.  Take back streets that will lead you to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, from where you can loop through Chinatown and the end of your tour.

Philadelphia: Revolution and The Founders History Tour

9. Philadelphia: Revolution and The Founders History Tour

Walk around Philadelphia with a historian and learn about the American Revolution. Visit important sites like the home of George Washington, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall. Meet your guide at Independence Hall to begin the tour. Stroll the historic streets of Philadelphia and learn about the events of the American Revolution. Continue on to other sites connected to important revolutionary figures like George Washington, Paul Revere, and James Madison. Learn about America's founders from your guide. See the Liberty Bell and the homes of Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington. Feel free to ask your guide any questions you have about this fascinating historical period. Visit the site of the Continental Congress and learn about other major figures such as Thomas Paine, James Madison, and Patrick Henry.

Philly Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

10. Philly Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Delve into the dark and sinister history of colonial America on this walking tour of Philadelphia’s most haunted pubs and historic locations. Hear tales of bloody duels, curses, and ghostly scares dating as far back as the 18th century. Beer-in-hand, discover the spooky past of Independence Hall, where the ghosts of Benjamin Franklin and Benedict Arnold still roam the grounds. Get a behind-the-scenes look at a bank robbery, a daring escape from Eastern State Penitentiary, and a last-ditch effort to break a 20-year-old curse over the 'City of Brotherly Love'. Grab a whiskey at the 250-year-old City Tavern, where members of the Constitutional Convention dreamed up a new nation. After the tour, head home with a new insight into the spooky side of Philadelphia's history.

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What people are saying about Old City, Philadelphia

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,290 reviews

We had an unforgettable and wonderful experience. ..Tehila was an excellent guide in Spanish, she gave us a lot of varied and relevant information about sites, dates and places on the tour. All the itinerary was fulfilled. We loved the walk at every moment. Although time is short for all that Wsahington has to offer.

Had a great time. Segways were easy to use. Our guide, Cijonie, knows Philadelphia and has a heart for this town.

It was great! Went with my four grandchildren and we all had a fantastic time. Highly recommend!!

Our guide CC was great. Very kind, patient and knowledgeable. I learned a lot and had fun.

Guide was informed and answered all my questions about this historic city!