Liberty Bell Walking Tours

The Revolution and Founders History Tour

Philadelphia: Revolution and The Founders History Tour meets “outside the Market Street doors of the Independence Visitor Center”, at 6th and Market Streets. The listing summarises it as a walk “around Philadelphia with a historian” to learn about the American Revolution, and its description names these sights:

• the Liberty Bell, which the listing says visitors will “see”
• Independence Hall
• the homes of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin
• the site of the Continental Congress

According to the listing, the booking includes the walking tour, the guide, a free podcast, Independence Hall timed tickets and the “interiors of NPS federal structures”. It takes place rain or shine and is listed as wheelchair accessible. The listing says the tour will “see” the Liberty Bell; it does not say whether the group goes inside the Liberty Bell Center, which is free to enter in any case. The founders tour close-up has more.

The History, Highlights & Revolution walk

Philadelphia: History, Highlights & Revolution Walking Tour meets at the Signer statue in Signer’s Garden. Its listed route, in order:

• Signer’s Garden
• Independence Mall and Independence National Historical Park
• Independence Hall and Congress Hall
• Old City
• the Liberty Bell, listed as a photo stop with guided sightseeing
• Carpenters’ Hall
• the Museum of the American Revolution, entered for a live demonstration
• Elfreth’s Alley
• the Betsy Ross House
• Benjamin Franklin’s grave
• the finish at N 6th St & Market St

The highlights also mention the US Mint, seen along the way. The listing includes a local guide, the demonstration at the museum, “discounted admission” into the Museum of the American Revolution and a donation to a local community organization. It is listed as wheelchair accessible, and it advises allowing extra time to find parking for anyone driving. The listing does not state entry into Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell Center. The highlights walk close-up covers the route.

The Ghost Tour by Candlelight

Philadelphia Ghost Tour by Candlelight lasts about 90 minutes in the evening, with a costumed guide, by candlelight. It meets at Signers Garden, 5th & Chestnut Streets, and the listing asks guests to arrive 5 minutes early. The route passes through Independence National Historical Park, Old City and Society Hill, with tales about Independence Hall, Washington Square and City Tavern, stories “based on the book Ghost Stories of Philadelphia” and the Old Pine Street cemetery. The listing describes it as “appropriate for all ages” and wheelchair accessible. It does not mention the Liberty Bell. The bell stays visible through the Chestnut Street windows after the Center closes at 5 pm, so a look at it can be added before or after the walk. The ghost tour close-up has the details.

What each walk goes inside

The three walks differ most in the buildings they enter. The founders tour is the one whose listing includes Independence Hall timed tickets, which otherwise have to be reserved separately on recreation.gov for any tour after the morning open house. The highlights walk goes into the Museum of the American Revolution for a demonstration, and its listing mentions discounted admission to the museum. The ghost walk’s listing does not mention entering a building.

The three walks in one table

Length and pace

The listed durations run from about 90 minutes for the ghost walk to 2.5 hours for the highlights walk. The highlights listing gives a route from Independence Mall east to Elfreth’s Alley and back to 6th and Market, with the museum demonstration inside that time. The founders tour stays with its historian guide for 2 hours. Anyone planning to visit the Liberty Bell Center as well should add the NPS figure of 15 to 55 minutes plus the wait, since the Center has its own line and screening.

What reviewers mention

On the founders tour, Candice from the US mentions a guide passionate about history and stories told well, and Dawn from the UK also mentions a passionate guide. On the highlights walk, Kayla from the US mentions a knowledgeable guide and new information, and Michelle from the US calls it fun, informative and a good start to the trip. On the ghost walk, Scott from the US mentions the stories, and another Michelle from the US describes a knowledgeable, theatrical guide.

Check dates for the founders tour

Two hours with a historian guide from the Independence Visitor Center, Independence Hall timed tickets included per the listing.

Check dates for the highlights walk

Two and a half hours through Old City from Signer’s Garden, with the museum demonstration.

Frequently asked questions