Colonial City – Philadelphia Walking Tour

To join the Colonial City – Philadelphia Walking Tour, make your way to the City Tavern, one of Philadelphia's most historic restaurants, located at 138 South 2nd Street (corner of Walnut). Your guide will be waiting for you in front of the restaurant.

This fascinating tour led by a tour guide charts the rise of Philadelphia from its origins in the 17th century to its glory days in the 18th century when it was the most important city in America.

Your tour began where the city began, along the wharves, and with a discussion of the critical figure of William Penn, founding father of the colony of Pennsylvania and architect - in a very real sense - of the city of Philadelphia. As you make your way through the well-preserved historic core of the city, past buildings that still stand after more than 200 years, we'll look at some of the key themes that defined Philadelphia in those early years including Quakerism and religious tolerance and unfettered trade.

The walk will take you into several historic houses and house museums along streets dating to the 18th century, and into some of the churches that played a role in the founding of the U.S.As you walk you move forward through history to discuss how the city evolved social, architecturally, and politically through the colonial period until the dawn of the revolution.When you reach Independence Mall your tour guide will put into context the ground-breaking developments of the 1770s and 1780s that took place here.

Although Independence Hall, which is only accessible on a National Park Service tour, is not included, you will spend time dealing with the building from the outside and looking at some of the recent archaeological discoveries on the mall and elements of various structures, including the West Wing and the so-called "President’s House”.

The tour ends in the vicinity of Independence Hall and you are then free to make your way back to your accommodation or onward to your next destination.