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Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now

1200 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
Duration

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

8 people

Languages

English

Overview

Discover many of Center City’s best-known architectural highlights and historic landmarks’and learn insider stories about the city’s buildings’on this small-group walking tour. Meet your guide in the morning at Reading Terminal Market, and set off on foot: you’ll see Philly icons like City Hall, the Ritz-Carlton, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and Love Park, all while your guide brings the stories behind the sights to life.

  • This tour is perfect for architecture and history lovers
  • Soak up the city’s ambiance when you explore on foot
  • See many of Philadelphia’s top landmarks, all in a single tour
  • This small-group tour is capped at eight to keep things personal

What To Expect

Expand All

Reading Terminal Market



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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Loews Philadelphia Hotel



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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts



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.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Masonic Temple



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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

City Hall Visitor Center



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.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Macy’s Philadelphia



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.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia



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…”

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Union League of Philadelphia



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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Bellevue Hotel – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt



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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Academy of Music



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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Drexel Building



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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Shops at Liberty Place



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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Comcast Center



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.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Penn Center/Suburban Station



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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Love Park



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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Highlights

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Near public transportation
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Minimum age is 16 years
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Included/Excluded

  • Live guided tour
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Durations

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Tour's Location

1200 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
from 45 $

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