Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now
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- Reading Terminal Market
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Recommendations
Overview
This Walking Tour will also take you by and into some of Philadelphia's most prominent buildings. The buildings in this area are mostly from the mid-1800's through the present. Styles range from Beaux Arts, to Chicago and International style. We also wil see the newest and tallest buildings in Center City.
Description
Stop At: Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
One of the last old time food halls in the US. Created in the 1890's, Reading Terminal Market has undergone many changes over the years but remains a remarkable example of shopping from an earlier era.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
First International Style Building in the U.S., PSFS was created during the depression as a collaborative design between a local architect and a Swiss one using principles developed by the Bauhaus and European architects.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118 N Broad St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
The oldest art school in the US and a magnificent example of Frank Furness' architecture, this is one of his remaining High Victorian Gothic masterpieces. It opened just in time for the Centennial Exposition of 1876.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Masonic Temple, 1 N Broad St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
View the exterior of this magnificent structure created just after the end of the Civil War in Romanesque or Norman Castle style. If you have time, reserve a tour of the interior rooms which are spectacular.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: City Hall Visitor Center, 1 Penn Square, Room 121, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
Walk around this great 2nd Empire Baroque Building, the largest municipal building in the U.S. It is the tallest masonry bearing wall building in the world, and the statue of William Penn on the tower is the tallest on any building in the world.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Macy's Philadelphia, 1300 Market St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
View the Market Street National Bank's Art Deco facade across the Street and then enter the John Wanamaker Building. We will see the Grand Court and its grand organ.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, 10 Ave Of The Arts, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
See the former Girard Bank Building then the Land Title Building across Chestnut Street. The Bank was originally designed by Frank Furness in his High Victorian Gothic style, but that was rejected. The Land Title building is the first in the city by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham who said:"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men`s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work..."
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: The Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
Great early example of 2nd empire baroque style and one of the only structures built in Philadelphia during the Civil War. The club was created to support the Union troops.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: The Bellevue Hotel - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, 200 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
Once the grandest hotel in America designed by George Hewitt, once a partner with Frank Furness. It is Beaux Arts stylistically with a French chateau look at the top.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Academy of Music, 232 S Broad St # 46, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
Original home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Academy of Music is based on La Scala in Milan and was originally an opera house. The Italianate façade was to be in marble, but brick and brownstone were substituted to save on the cost.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: The Drexel Building, The Drexel Building, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
Great copy of the Strozzi Palace in Florence. Designed originally for Anthony Drexel's financial company, the exterior retains all the trimmings of Renaissance palazzos.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Two towers that broke the 548' height barrier. There had been a gentleman's agreement to build no higher than the City Hall statue of William Penn, but that changed in the 1980's with these two buildings, opening the way for a more modern skyline.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Comcast Center, 1701 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
1st and 2nd tallest buildings in Philadelphia. Comcast Center is a sleek combination of mirror and clear glass rising in a tapered form while the Comcast Innovation Center has 3 story groupings with a zig-zag pattern on the outside and a 10 story hotel at the top.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Penn Center/Suburban Station, 1600 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Art Deco headquarters of the Pennsylvania Railroad, this building was created in the 1930's to replace Frank Furness' High Victorian Gothic terminal across from City Hall. The style was intended to represent the sleekness and speed of modern trains.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Love Park, John F. Kennedy Blvd and North 15th St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
Tour ends at the Love sculpture in what is referred to as Love Park. This park has now been redesigned several times and offers a variety of activities depending on the time of year, as well as a grand view up the Ben Franklin Parkway to the Art Museum.
Duration: 5 minutes
Schedule
- Reservations are REQUIRED for all bookings
- Book Your Package On-Line and Receive Your Confirmation
- Departure point: Detailed check-in instructions - including the address and parking information if applicable - will be included in your final confirmation email.
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (Approx.)
- Return Details:
LinkPHL, 1515 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
What's Included
- Live guided tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
What To Bring
- Confirmation Voucher (printed or mobile)
- Any required or suggested items listed on your confirmation email.
- A Smile!
Additional Info
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Minimum age is 16 years
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Philadelphia and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
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Things To Do in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours
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- Philadelphia Day Trips & Excursions
- Philadelphia Food, Wine & Nightlife
- Philadelphia Holiday & Seasonal Tours
- Philadelphia Kid Friendly
- Philadelphia Luxury & Special Occasions
- Philadelphia Multi-day & Extended Tours
- Philadelphia Outdoor Activities
- Philadelphia Private & Custom Tours
- Philadelphia Shopping & Fashion
- Philadelphia Sightseeing Tickets & Passes
- Philadelphia Theme Parks
- Philadelphia Tours & Sightseeing
- Philadelphia Transfers & Ground Transport
- Philadelphia Unique Experiences
- Philadelphia Walking & Biking Tours
- Philadelphia Weddings & Honeymoons
- View all Things To Do in Philadelphia
Popular Philadelphia Attractions
- Liberty Bell Center
- Betsy Ross House
- Christ Church
- Elfreth's Alley
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- National Constitution Center
- President's House
- Love Park
- Reading Terminal Market
- Carpenters' Hall
- Penn's Landing
- Philadelphia City Hall
- First Bank of the United States
- The Franklin Institute Science Museum
- Eastern State Penitentiary
- Rodin Museum
- South Street
- Second Bank of the United States
- Rocky Statue
- Benjamin Franklin’s Grave
Philadelphia Calendar
- Good Friday in Philadelphia
- MLK Day in Philadelphia
- New Year’s Day long weekend in Philadelphia
- Christmas Eve in Philadelphia
- Juneteenth in Philadelphia
- Labor Day in Philadelphia
- 4th of July in Philadelphia
- Memorial Day Weekend in Philadelphia
- New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia
- Hanukkah in Philadelphia
- Christmas activities in Philadelphia
- Thanksgiving in Philadelphia
- Veteran's Day in Philadelphia
- Halloween in Philadelphia
- Cinco De Mayo in Philadelphia
- Easter in Philadelphia
- St. Patrick's Day in Philadelphia
- President's Day in Philadelphia
- Valentine's Day in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Guides
- Senior-friendly tours, activities and things to do in Philadelphia
- The best tours and activities for culture lovers in Philadelphia
- Top Day Trips from Philadelphia
- Things to do in Philadelphia this summer
- Rainy day activities in Philadelphia
- Best food & culinary tours in Philadelphia
- Family-friendly things to do in Philadelphia.
- The Top 10 Philadelphia Tours and Activities of 2024
Free cancellation
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.