Philadelphia's Old City

Sponsored by TravelStorysGPS

• Location: Pennsylvania
• Travel Type: Walking
• Tour Duration: 1 hour
• Language:

About This Tour
In 1776, delegates from the thirteen American colonies met in Philadelphia to sign one of the most pivotal documents in world history: the Declaration of Independence. On this tour, we return to that and other key moments in America’s earliest infancy, looking at them in a new light from our 21st-century perspective.

As you walk in the footsteps of this country’s founders, you’ll hear about their dramatic efforts to establish the new United States. This tour’s vivid narration brings to life the events surrounding American independence, including:

●     The drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the anti-slavery passage that it almost included
●     The brave story of Oney Judge, one of the enslaved people who worked for President George Washington while Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital
●     The story of how the Liberty Bell got its name
●     The evolution of the cheesesteak (Spoiler alert: It didn’t originally include cheese!)

Also exploring the young nation’s complicated history involving the institution of slavery, this tour highlights the stark contradictions of leaders who called for liberty while simultaneously enslaving people themselves. And it shares the stories of enslaved African Americans who sought their own freedom, as well as the abolitionists who supported them.
 
Tour Highlights Include:
●     The Declaration House — where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence
●     Independence Hall — where the Declaration of Independence was debated, revised, and signed, and where the U.S. Constitution was ratified
●     President’s House Monument — the precursor to the White House
●     The Liberty Bell
●     Library Hall — where Benjamin Franklin’s club sparked a self-education revolution
●     The First Bank of the United States — spearheaded by America’s first Treasury secretary: Alexander Hamilton
●     The Betsy Ross House — home of the flag-maker historians find surprisingly controversial
●     Sonny’s Famous Steaks — an iconic spot for enjoying classic Philadelphia cheesesteaks
●     Elfreth’s Alley — the oldest continuously inhabited street in the nation
●     Ben Franklin’s grave
 
Tour Sponsor
This tour is brought to you by TravelStorysGPS, a mission-driven company dedicated to connecting people to places.

Find More Tours Near You
If you are interested in more audio tours about Philadelphia and the story of American independence, check out our British Evacuation of Philadelphia, Skirmish at Cooper’s Ferry, and Battle of Gloucester tours. (You can listen to most TravelStorys tours both on-site and remotely!) To find more tours wherever your travels take you, visit TravelStorys.com. Every place has a story.