Our Independence Mall tour is a two and half-hour tour that takes you through the cradle of American Democracy, entertaining you and revealing hidden secrets, fun trivia, and light-hearted anecdotes.
We focus on interesting and fun stories of the men and women who defined Philadelphia so many years ago.
Use our Guide to Visiting Independence Mall for directions and more information on the area.
Join Tours by Foot on this two and half-hour, family-friendly adventure as we walk through historic Philadelphia and chronicle the early history of America's first city.
This tour includes many famous names, including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton, as well as the sights where they made history.
It's the best US history lesson you will ever have, and we aim to keep you laughing the whole time.
Sights we cover on the tour: Most sights are covered from the outside. We enter if time permits. We do not enter sights that require tickets or security checkpoints (except Christ Church and the Burial Grounds on the premium ticketed tour)
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Discover America's Birthplace with Our Historic Philadelphia Tour
Step back in time and explore the rich history of America's founding with our comprehensive Historic Philadelphia Tour. This engaging tour is perfect for history buffs, American history enthusiasts, and family tourists eager to walk the same paths the nation's Founding Fathers tread.
On our premium ticketed walking tour, we include entrance into Christ Church, where you will explore the church with your guide. We end with tickets for a self-guided tour of the Burial grounds, Benjamin Franklin's final resting place! We do not enter any sites on the name your own price tour.
Tour Highlights:
- Betsy Ross House (exterior view only): Delve into the legend of the seamstress who sewed the first American flag.
- President's House Site: Visit the location of the president's original home before Washington, D.C., was established as the nation's capital.
- Liberty Bell: (exterior view only) Marvel at this iconic symbol of American independence and democracy.
- Independence Hall (exterior view only): Stand where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted.
- Congress Hall: (exterior view only) See this historic site, where the U.S. Congress met from 1790 to 1800.
- 1st and 2nd Banks of the United States: Witness the early financial institutions that supported the burgeoning nation.
- Christ Church: Explore the historic church attended by many Founding Fathers.
- Elfreth's Alley: Stroll along America's oldest continuously inhabited residential street.
- Franklin Court: Visit the site of Benjamin Franklin's home and learn about his contributions to society.
- Carpenter's Hall: Learn about the First Continental Congress and its significant role in American history.
- Old City Hall: Discover the former home of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Christ Church Burial Grounds: Pay respects at the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and other notable figures.
Join us for a captivating exploration of the landmarks that shaped the nation. Whether you're deeply passionate about history or simply curious about America's past, our tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the birthplace of American democracy firsthand. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture these historical gems!
Entry into Independence Hall requires a timed-ticket from the National Park Services. YOU DO NOT NEED INDEPENDENCE HALL TICKETS TO TAKE OUR TOUR, WE DO NOT ENTER WHILE ON TOUR.
We suggest visiting the Independence Hall before or after our tour since we cannot enter while on tour. If you plan to enter before our tour, give yourself at least one hour to enjoy the building without rushing. If booking after our tour, give yourself a minimum of 45 minutes to use the restroom before entering the security checkpoint line since there are none inside the building.
The National Park Service requires visitors to Independence Hall to arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled appointments.
It is also recommended that you reserve your tickets in advance from March through September. For more information, please visit Independence Hall.
Tour information
Tour Start: Tour begins from the OUTSIDE at 239 Arch St. on the sidewalk in front of Betsy Ross House
Tour End: Ben Franklin Burial Site, located at the Southeast Corner of 5th and Arch Street, across from the Mint and National Constitution Center (MAP) We include tickets to tour the burial grounds after the tour on your own if you're joining our premium ticketed tour.
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours. Tour distance is approximately 1.5 miles (2K).
This tour runs on a ticketed basis with ticket prices from $19.00 - $39.00 with Adult and Child rates.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Tours are rain or shine. In the event of adverse weather, we will email and text with alternative options or offer a refund.
If you need to cancel, please reply to your confirmation email. We hope you don't have to but if you cannot attend the tour, we can only offer a refund with 24 hours' notice before the start of the tour. After that time frame, we are unable to refund. Guests who booked via a third party ticketing site must cancel via the platform they booked on.
We offer a flexible rescheduling option and are often able to accommodate you on another tour with even short notice if a comparable tour is running during your visit!