COLONIAL PHILADELPHIA
PRIVATE ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR
Openings
Half-day afternoon, 2.5 hours
Description
As the birthplace of American democracy, Philadelphia is rich in American history and plenty of telltale mementoes of a British colonial past. On your private historic architectural tour of Philadelphia, you will:
- Walk Philadelphia’s most storied sidewalks, delving into side alleys to discover the stories behind the numerous plaques and monuments.
- Stroll Philadelphia’s cobbled streets to discover handsome colonial era architecture with shuttered windows, trailing ivy and bloom-filled planters.
- Learn about the work of William Penn, an English-born Quaker and advocate of religious freedom, who oversaw the founding of the American Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- See where the Liberty Bell originally stood in the elegant Georgian environs of Independence Hall.
Philadelphia is richly endowed with quaint, cobblestone streets and historic houses packed with charm. Alluring Federalist and Greek Revival-style row homes line neatly curbed pavements and tree-hemmed paths. Straddling large corner plots are grand mansions in high-walled gardens; their elegant painted shutters and imposing street-facing, brass-knobbed doors in bold, baronial hues. As the birthplace of American democracy, Philadelphia is rich in American history and plenty of telltale mementoes of a British colonial past.
On the Colonial Era Streets and Historic Architecture Tour, you will learn the origin stories of several of the oldest buildings in Philadelphia. see Independence Hall - a beautifully proportioned building of perfect architectural balance and symmetry that is more evocative of a country house than urban structure. A similarly outstanding building is Powell House, built in 1765 and elaborately refurbished by its second owner Samuel Powel (1738–1793) and often described as "the finest Georgian row house in the city". George Washington, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin were frequent house guests in this grand pile and would attend Sunday morning services at St. Peter’s, a historic Episcopal church, and our next port of call.
At each turn on the route, your guide will share stories of the old buildings, the preservation efforts that went into keeping the structure, and the way the city is telling its' founding story.
Point of interest (2 hours)
Itinerary
1. Independence Hall
2. Independence Mall
3. Society Hill
4. Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
5. Powel House
6. Old Town Hall Museum
7. Welcome Park
What is included?
Guide
Venue
At the statue of William Penn in Welcome Park
Instructions
Client code: TMV16F // Meeting point: Sansom Walk,129 - 19106 // Meeting point instructions: At the statue of William Penn in Welcome Park. Please ensure you arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes prior to the tour start time // End point: Finish point will be close to public transport and taxi links in Philadelphia and the guide will assist with advising you on your journey // Duration: 2 Hours and 30 Minutes // Inclusions: Guide // Exclusions: Drinks. Meal. Transportation between sites. Hotel pick-up and drop-off // Mandatory instructions: Remember to bring the voucher and valid photo ID with you // Voucher type: Printed voucher or E-voucher. Print and bring the voucher or show the voucher on your mobile device to enjoy the activity. // Voucher validity: Date of Service // Recommendations: Please bring comfortable walking shoes. Please bring plenty of water. Please bring any medical requirements you need throughout the day
Starting points
A. United States
At the statue of William Penn in Welcome Park. Please ensure you arrive at the pick-up location at least 15 minutes in advance.
End point
· Close to public transport and taxi links
We suggest you wear comfortable clothes and shoes for the time of the year