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Beyond the [Liberty] Bell History Walking Tour

5 (69)
Philadelphia, US
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Beyond the [Liberty] Bell History Walking Tour

5 (69)
Philadelphia, US
Share
Join us on the Beyond the Liberty Bell History Walking Tour in Philadelphia and discover the hidden stories of America's past. This tour is for the curious travelers and inquisitive locals who want to delve deeper into the city's history. Explore historic Old City and Independence Park, but with a fresh perspective that goes beyond mainstream tourism. Walk by iconic sites such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth's Alley, and more, as you uncover the incredible contributions of women, indigenous people, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals who have made America what it is today. From William Penn's vision for Philadelphia to Hannah Callowhill Penn, forgotten female founder, to the controversy surrounding the President's House and Ona Judge's escape from George Washington, this tour will leave you enlightened and inspired. Don't miss out on this immersive experience!

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 2 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Explore the historic sites in Old City
  • Hear fresh perspectives often minimized in mainstream tourism
  • Uncover incredible stories of women, indigenous people, people of color, and LGBTQ folks
  • Learn about the controversy of the President's House
  • Discover the oldest continuously lived in street in America
  • Local guide

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Beyond the Liberty Bell History Walking Tour invites curious travelers and inquisitive locals to uncover the hidden stories of Philadelphia. This tour offers a fresh take on the historic Old City and Independence Park, going beyond the mainstream narratives typically associated with these iconic sites.

What to Expect?

Embark on a journey through time as you explore the main attractions of Old City and Independence Park. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you can anticipate a captivating narrative that delves deeper into the city's history, shedding light on perspectives often overlooked by traditional tourism. Prepare to be amazed by the remarkable stories of incredible women, indigenous people, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals who have shaped America's rich tapestry.

Who is This For?

This tour is designed for anyone with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to experience Philadelphia in a more comprehensive and inclusive way. Whether you're a curious traveler eager to learn about the lesser-known aspects of American history or a nosy local seeking to uncover hidden gems in your own city, this experience is tailored for you. Everyone is welcome to join and gain a deeper understanding of Philadelphia's diverse heritage.

Why Book This?

Beyond the Liberty Bell History Walking Tour stands out from conventional tours by offering a refreshing perspective on Philadelphia's past. By highlighting the contributions of marginalized communities, this tour provides a more comprehensive and accurate portrayal of American history. This unique approach allows visitors to appreciate the city's heritage from a fresh and inclusive standpoint, making it an enriching experience for all.

Good to Know

During the tour, you will visit renowned landmarks such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Elfreth's Alley, while also discovering lesser-known historic sites in Old City. Your local guide will share fascinating insights and stories, providing a deeper understanding of Philadelphia's cultural significance. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, as this walking tour will cover a significant distance.

Reviews

Previous participants have praised Beyond the Liberty Bell History Walking Tour for its eye-opening and thought-provoking content. Travelers have commended the tour for its inclusivity and for shedding light on the often marginalized stories of diverse communities. Many have expressed their gratitude for the knowledgeable and passionate guides who bring history to life in a captivating manner. Overall, visitors have left with a newfound appreciation for Philadelphia's rich heritage and a desire to explore more of its hidden stories.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Washington Square

Hear about William Penn's vision for Philadelphia and our forgotten female founder, Hannah Callowhill Penn.

Liberty Bell Center

Hear our take on the Liberty Bell and what makes is such an iconic symbol in America.

The President's House

Learn about the Controversy of the President's House and hear about Ona Judge's escape from George Washington.

Elfreth's Alley

(Pass by)

The oldest continuously lived in street in America!

Betsy Ross House

(Pass by)

Hear about the women that have formed Philadelphia

Welcome Park

Hear about William Penn's relationship with the local Indigenous community: the Lenape.

Reviews

(69)

5 (69)

Kristin_K

Matthew is the most wonderful tour guide. He is incredibly knowledgeable! Don’t miss a chance to spend the day with him.

ANDRUS_G

A lot of great history. The guide was very informative and knowledgeable. I would reccomend this tour for anyone visiting the area.

expatwoman2015

Pro: your money supports this unique small-, woman-owned business that is competing against all the other established tour operators in town. They answered the phone. When a problem arose, the owner did come out to handle it herself. Area for improvement: they didn’t seem to have a system set up to ensure their guides actually turn up. Maybe they can fix that for practical and safety (for the guides) reasons. Our guide never came so we waited in the intense sun and heat in Washington Square, unsure what was going on. It wasn’t until we called after the tour was supposed to have started, that we found out there is no system of accountability (check-ins) for the guides. The tour was therefore a half hour late to start and then, for the rest of the time, it felt rushed to end on time since those on the tour had other pre-planned afternoon tours. I had hoped that we would get a bit more “untold stories” history but only about three such longer-form histories were relayed. The rest was: “Here is the Liberty Bell. This is Independence Hall. There is the original Wall Street. Here is so-and-so” without much detail as to the significant contributions from blacks/(former) slaves, POCs or members of the LGBT+ community that were likely critical components of the success (or failure) of those sites. The tour does not even point out that there were trials at Independence Hall for captured slaves, so the fact that the ideal of US independence was signed there that afforded this for some—not all— would have been a terrifically educational and powerful point to make in front of Independence Hall. One stop was more theoretical than grounded in fact. Some NPS bashing happened which sometimes seemed unnecessary. In the end, they refunded half the ticket price for the late start but only after I later inquired if they were willing to take greater responsibility for what happened. Increased proactiveness to make it right with guests would have been appreciated. Overall: the potential for excellence exists and hopefully this was a learning experience for the company.

752alisont

Amazing tour that we (husband and me, ~20 year Phila residents) enjoyed as much as our out-of-town guest did. Our guide, Joey, was so personable and knowledgeable, and was very good at communicating complicated stories in ways that made for deep emotional connections. He was very considerate and asked on several occasions how we were doing - like if we wanted to wander on our own or stay with him (we all wanted to stay with him and hear his stories!), or skip the last site since we were running long (all of us wanted to see the last site!). He was great at bringing out the layers of history and connections across different times and places in the city, and especially at highlighting the stories that mainstream tours overlook. As a historian, I wasn't sure before the tour how much of what he shared would be new to me, but I learned so much, including a lot that I'm excited to share with my students next year. It's clear that Joey loves history and Philadelphia and is eager to share his knowledge. We will definitely return to Beyond the Bell for more tours in the future, and will recommend it to anyone visiting Philly.

Lee_E

Our Tour Guide Joey was fantastic! We picked this particular tour because of its inclusive nature and we were thrilled to learn new and exciting things about Philadelphia.

258rachaelr

This was such a great tour. Matthew was a fantastic tour guide and we really appreciated learning about perspectives and history that gets skipped over when we talk about the founding of our country. My sister and I thought the locations we stopped at were perfect and the things we learned gave us a greater perspective on the people who often get overlooked but who were just as important as Ben Franklin, George Washington and so on.

I7351ZLclarec

Couldn't have had a better experience on this tour! Great information, beautiful murals, and the BEST tour guide! Shoutout Joey for doing these badass women in history justice! Couldn't recommend it more.

C2610MKkatiek

Joey was an excellent tour guide. We learned so much about the people who shaped Philadelphia but aren’t memorialized in most history classes. And so much about the lengths we still need to go for liberty for all. Truly a marvelous tour.

Sirkka_K

Our tour guide Joey did an amazing job by providing very informative tour in downtown Philly. We got lots of information on Philly history and buildings and particularly enjoyed hearing stories of inspiring Philly women, black history and other less publicized figures. Philly is full of fascinating history and Joey was very personable and responsive to our many questions.

X2206UXamandar

We went on a school tour with Beyond the Bell! The tour was engaging for our middle school students and the teachers learned a lot too!
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-25 01:05
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