🇺🇸 Tour Guides in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is not just another stop on the East Coast corridor. It is where the United States began. In the summer of 1776, delegates gathered inside Independence Hall to sign the Declaration of Independence, and eleven years later they returned to draft the Constitution. The Liberty Bell cracked while ringing for these very events. Walk through Old City today and you are literally retracing the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. No other city in the United States can claim that distinction. But Philadelphia has never been content to live in the past. The city that gave America its founding documents also gave the world the cheesesteak, the soft pretzel, and an art museum made famous not for its 240,000 masterworks but for the 72 stone steps that Sylvester Stallone sprinted up as Rocky Balboa. Reading Terminal Market has been feeding Philadelphians since 1893. Eastern State Penitentiary once held Al Capone behind its crumbling walls. And at LOVE Park, Robert Indiana's iconic sculpture has become one of the most photographed landmarks in the country. A knowledgeable local guide ties these threads together into a story that is uniquely, unapologetically Philly.

Philadelphia draws guides with deep expertise in American history, architecture, and culinary traditions. The city's compact walkability makes guided tours particularly rewarding. Here is how to find your ideal match:

• SEPTA transit — Philadelphia's subway, buses, and trolleys connect all major attractions, and a day pass costs just $6
• Walk Old City — The historic district between 2nd and 7th Streets is best explored on foot, with Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Betsy Ross House all within blocks of each other
• Tipping guides — Follow standard American tipping customs: $5-10 per person for group tours, 15-20% for private experiences
• Cheesesteak etiquette — Order "whiz wit" (Cheez Whiz with onions) or "provolone without" to sound like a local, and have your order ready before you reach the window
• Museum mile — The Benjamin Franklin Parkway connects LOVE Park to the Museum of Art with the Rodin Museum, Franklin Institute, and Barnes Foundation along the way
• Safety note — Center City, Old City, and the museum district are safe and well-patrolled, but as in any large city, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar neighborhoods