Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia

2,257 Reviews |

Recommended by 97% of reviewers

Badge of Excellence | Philadelphia, USA

Book online or call us

Chat now

2 hours (approx.)

Mobile ticket

Instant confirmation

Overview

This tour visits The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton's homes, and sites of numerous Founding Fathers including Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Monroe, and others. Every guide has a history degree.

What's Included

Runs every morning and every afternoon rain or shine
Short 2-hour introduction to historic Philadelphia with a historian to walk with and orient you
Essential tour of Revolutionary Philadelphia historic sites and highlights
Liberty Bell, Franklin; Sightseeing- best of Phila for first-time-visitors
Every Guide Has a History Degree

Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)
Gratuities
Independence Hall Timed Tickets (2hrs/free of charge)
Interior of Liberty Bell Pavilion (1 hr/free of charge)

See 3 more See 4 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

South 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

Tour ends just behind City Tavern and Merchants Exchange where The Continental Congress met every Saturday just aside Alexander Hamilton's Philadelphia home.

What To Expect

Liberty Bell Center (Pass By)

Come with us as we visit The Liberty Bell, perhaps the most famous symbol of American Liberty in the National Historic Park. Peak tourist season can often see lines of destination seekers stretched well around the corner for this monumental icon of American Independence taking close to one hour to traverse. Our historians give to you all of the essentials of The Liberty Bell’s creation and formation in to an icon of liberty from the exterior of the Liberty Bell pavilion, with clear and detailed directions to enter the interior should you choose to invest the additional hour on return.Commissioned in 1752 the bell cracked on its initial test ring and was re-casted two years later by local workman John Pass and John Stow with the lettering, "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof," a quote from the King James Bible referring to the jubilee when enslaved persons were freed and debts forgiven every fifty years.

Independence Hall (Pass By)

We will visit Independence Hall: the building where both the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted. An essential icon of American democracy and founding of These United States the Independence Hall complex is a bastion of tourism and requires (free) timed entry passes and a recommended two hours additional time for exploration of the center of the complex’s interior chambers. We keep your tour moving quickly, to give you the best, most important essential highlights and significant points of the structure including clear and simple instruction on traversing the complex further on return should you choose. Subject to crowds and closures we pit-stop quickly inside of the East Wing of the Independence Hall Complex: the very oldest and most historic part of the structure: which served as The Supreme Court Chambers while Philadelphia was our nation’s capital.

The President's House (Pass By)

We will visit America's first "White House" where President's George Washington and John Adams both served tenure when Philadelphia was capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800. Foreign dignitaries and members of congress and senate frequented The President House for official and unofficial business. Benedict Arnold lived also in the structure as Military Governor in Philadelphia after the British evacuation of the city during the American War for Independence.

Congress Hall (Pass By)

We will visit Congress Hall, a historic structure which hosted two presidential inaugurations (Washington and Adams) and was the home of U.S. Congress from 1790 to 1800, when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States.

Franklin Court (Pass By)

We will visit Franklin Court, a complex of museums, structures, and historic sites within Independence National Historical Park, and home to Benjamin Franklin during his tenure in the Constitutional Convention. We will discuss there the life and times of one of America's most prolific individual's and statesman (Benjamin Franklin) who when contemplating revolution against the British crown said, "Gentleman we must hang together, or surely we will all hang separately."

New Hall Military Museum (Pass By)

We will visit the location of America's first Pentagon, where American military strategy and intelligence was formulated during the American Revolution.

Benjamin Franklin Museum (Pass By)

We will discuss the life and times of American Patriot Benjamin Franklin, from his electrical experiments, printing and publishing activities, to his life as a statesman.

B. Free Franklin Post Office (Pass By)

We will visit the Benjamin Franklin Post Office & Museum, the only Colonial-themed post office operated by the United States Postal Service. It is a living portrayal of a bygone Colonial lifestyle, and it is the only active post office in the United States that does not fly the American flag (because there was not yet one in 1775 when Benjamin Franklin was appointed Postmaster General). The postmark "B. Free Franklin" is still used to cancel stamps. The museum on the second floor features displays of postal history and memorabilia.

Carpenters' Hall (Pass By)

We will visit Carpenters' Hall, the site of the First Continental Congress in 1774, where on three nights in December 1775 Benjamin Franklin meet in secret meetings with John Jay, Fancis Daymon, and the French spy Julien Achard de Bonvouloir. The meetings eventually led to negotiations for French support of the colonists. The colonies likely would not have been able to win the Revolutionary War without French aid. Over the winter of 1777 British forces occupying the American capital during the War for Independence and occupied this building.

First Bank of the United States (Pass By)

We will visit the First Bank of the United States. Championed by Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury, the First Bank of the United States was founded in 1797 and is significant for its architectural design.

Second Bank of the United States (Pass By)

Modeled on Alexander Hamilton's First Bank, the Second Bank of the United States was chartered by President James Madison in 1816 and lost its charter under Andrew Jackson's presidency in 1834. We will discuss here Alexander Hamilton and Andrew Jackson: and famous duels fought by both men among other things.

American Philosophical Society Museum (Pass By)

The American Philosophical Society was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin two years after the University of Pennsylvania, with which it remains closely tied. Early members included George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Paine, David Rittenhouse, Nicholas and Owen Biddle, Benjamin Rush, James Madison, and others. We will discuss here as we walk by, Franklin, University of Pennsylvania, and America's first surgical center adjacent to the structure here.

Library Company of Philadelphia (Pass By)

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731, the Library Company is the first institution in the world to lend materials to members of the public. We will discuss, as we walk by, the history of the site and historic location...and early statesman frequenting the location.

Todd House (Pass By)

We will see the home of future First Lady Dolley Madison, where she lived with her first husband, John Todd, from 1791-93.Built in 1775, the Dolley Todd House site reflects the lifestyle of the middle class in 18th century Philadelphia which we will get a glimpse in to.

Independence Visitor Center (Pass By)

Check-in and revolutionary history introduction at the beginning of our historic walking tour.

Grim Philly Twilight Tours (Pass By)

Every guide has a history degree. Most are history teachers and American History Professors.

Show 14 more stops

Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Children must be accompanied by an adult
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025