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Most Charming Colonial Walking Tour: Society Hill + Old City

New To The Site! Philadelphia, USA

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1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
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Instant confirmation

Overview

*new tour for America250 with exclusive access points*

Join a 90-minute walking tour that begins at Philadelphia’s oldest remaining tavern, winds through Colonial Philadelphia's most picturesque cobblestone streets in Society Hill, and concludes within Independence National Park in Olde City. Learn how artisans, merchants, printers, clergy, and other locals shaped public opinion in the struggle between Patriots and Loyalists from 1754 to 1776.

Owned, operated, and guided by a local.

What's Included

  • Government Fees
  • Alcoholic beverages Tour begins next to Man Full of Trouble - Philadelphia's oldest tavern. Visit www.joinordietour.com to purchase drink + tour package.
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

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

End point

South Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

Our tour ends where America's declaration for Independence began ... in Independence Square near Commodore Barry's statue next to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

What To Expect

A Man Full of Trouble

We begin at Philadelphia’s oldest surviving tavern, a 1700s watering hole once a lively stop for sailors and dock workers from Dock Street. Arrive a little early to enjoy an ale and get into the colonial spirit before the tour sets off.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Headhouse/Shambles

Walk beneath the Shambles, the oldest open-air market structure still standing in Philadelphia.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

St, Peter's Church, Philadelphia

Built between 1758–1761 in Society Hill, this elegant Georgian church was attended by early US leaders and stands almost unchanged since the 18th century.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hill-Physick House

Admire the stately Federal-style mansion once owned by wealthy merchant Henry Hill and later by Dr. Philip Physick, the “Father of American Surgery.” You’ll see one of Society Hill’s best-preserved 18th-century façades and its charming garden setting, a reminder of the neighborhood’s early elite.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

James Madison's House (Pass By)

Pause outside the elegant Society Hill residence where James Madison lived while serving in the Continental Congress.
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Powel House (Pass By)

See the grand Georgian mansion of Samuel Powel, Philadelphia’s last colonial mayor and a trusted host to Washington, Adams, and Franklin.
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John Penn and Benjamin Chew Home

Stand before the refined Society Hill home once connected to Governor John Penn and statesman Benjamin Chew. Its dignified façade hints at the wealth, influence, and political tension that surrounded Philadelphia’s Loyalist leadership during the 1760s and 1770s.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

City Tavern (Museum)

Stand at the site of Philadelphia’s most influential colonial tavern, once a bustling hub for delegates of the First Continental Congress. Imagine the clatter of tankards, heated debates, and late-night strategy sessions that shaped the Revolution.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Benjamin Rush Garden

Stroll through this peaceful garden honoring Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration and a leading Patriot voice in Philadelphia. From here you can view the Bicentennial Bell, gifted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976, a fitting reminder of how far the city had come since the Revolution Rush helped inspire.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Carpenters' Hall

See the historic hall where the First Continental Congress met and the colonies first coordinated their response to British rule.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Second Bank of the United States Portrait Gallery (Pass By)

Admire the monumental Greek Revival building that once housed the nation’s central bank.
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Independence Square

Stand in the landscaped square where Philadelphians gathered to hear the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Most Charming Colonial Walking Tour: Society Hill + Old City?

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 (EST).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

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-5618512P1


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What's Included

Activity name

  • Government Fees
  • Alcoholic beveragesTour begins next to Man Full of Trouble - Philadelphia's oldest tavern. Visit www.joinordietour.com to purchase drink + tour package.

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

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Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

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 (EST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • 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.

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