A Complete Guide to Picking The Right Philadelphia Tour!
Philadelphia, PA has a lot of tours. Like, a lot. And that sounds great until you are staring at a giant list of walking tours, bus tours, food tours, ghost tours, private tours, boat cruises, pub crawls, trolley rides, and market tours, thinking, “Okay…but which one is actually right for me?”
That is why this is the only guide you need for the city of brotherly love.
This is not just another long list of walking tours that makes you do all the work. This is more like a “choose your own adventure” guide for finding the right Philly tour based on your travel style, your budget, your group, and how much walking you actually want to do. Some people want the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, or the Philadelphia Museum. Some people want a cheesesteak or a private tour.
You can also browse my full curated list of Philly tours and experiences here: Philly Tours and Experiences Shop.
How to Use This Philly Tour Guide
Instead of ranking every tour from “best” to “least best,” I organized this guide by what people are actually searching for.
So you can scroll to the section that sounds most like you and skip everything else.
Here is the basic flow:
First time in Philly? Start with a classic history or Old City tour.
Short on time? Fun fact in under two hours.
Traveling with kids or a mixed-age group? Choose something easy, fun, and not too long.
Want to eat? Go straight to a food tour or Reading Terminal Market tour.
Want something memorable? Look at the ghost tours, magic walk, murals, pub crawl, or BYOB trolley.
Hate logistics? Book a bus, trolley, private driving tour, or boat cruise.
Start Here If It Is Your First Time in Philadelphia
If this is your first time visiting Philadelphia, I would keep it classic.
You probably want to see the big historic places first: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Old City, Elfreth’s Alley, Congress Hall, and all the spots that make Philly feel like Philly.
A great first-time choice is Philadelphia Must-See Private Walking Tour With A Guide. It is one of those straightforward, easy-to-understand tours that gives you a strong overview of the historic district without needing to commit your whole day.
Another strong option is the Philadelphia City Historic Walking Tour with 10+ Top Sites. This is the kind of tour I would recommend if someone says, “I want the main history, but I do not want to plan every stop myself.”
The tour guides with Revolution and the Founders will treat you to a great tour! Especially if you like tours that feel more story-driven and less like someone is just reading facts from a textbook.
Best For First-Timers
Choose a classic history tour if you want:
The Ben Franklin Iconic Liberty Bell
Independence Hall
Founding Fathers history - American History Classic
Carpenters Hall
Rocky Steps
If you are only doing one tour on your first trip, this is the category I would start with.
Best Philly Tours for $30 or Less
Philadelphia has some really solid budget-friendly tour options, especially if you are open to shorter tours, walking tours, ghost tours, or self-guided audio-style experiences.
The "cheapest" walking tour in Philadelphia is only $9/per person! However, you will not have a live guide. This history tour is self-guided. One of the best places to start is the Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia, which is often one of the more affordable guided options compared to food tours, private tours, or cruises.
Meet at the Philadelphia Welcome Center to join a classic Philly Walking Tour. You will visit the Declaration House (Graff House), Congress Hall, and many other attractions for a rich history lesson on Philadelphia.
Best Philly Tours Under 2 Hours
Short tours are perfect if you want to add something fun to your day without making your whole schedule revolve around it. Check out sites with public art, Northern Liberties, and other hidden gems.
This is especially helpful if you want to explore Philly for a weekend, come in for the day, or try to fit in a tour before dinner, and you want a live tour guide.
Some good under-two-hour options include Electric Cart Tour, Philadelphia Movie and Television Sites Walking Tour, and Philadelphia Murals and Street Art Tour with Magic Gardens.
Best If You Are Short on Time
Pick a short tour if you:
Only have one day in Philadelphia
Are you traveling with people who get tired easily
Want a low-commitment activity
Need something before or after a meal
Want a quick overview before exploring alone
I love the idea of a short tour because it gives you structure without taking over your whole trip.
You can do a morning history tour and still have time for lunch. You can do a quick market tour and then wander on your own. You can do a night bus tour and still go out afterward.
Best Bus and Trolley Tours in Philadelphia
If you want to see a lot of historic Philadelphia without walking everywhere, this is your section.
Sightseeing Tours via Double Decker Bus and trolleys are great for first-time visitors, families, later-stage-of-life travelers, big groups, and anyone who wants a simple overview of the city without managing every stop.
The most highly reviewed Double Decker Bus is the Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Philadelphia. You get a sightseeing hop aboard adventure to major attractions, and iconic landmarks.
Learn about world-changing events on the Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus, which is another good option if you want a more flexible sightseeing pass.
For evening views, the Philly By Night Double Decker Bus Tour is a fun pick to explore the city's past. It gives you that “city lights” experience without having to figure out where to go after dark.
And if you want something for adults only try the BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia, which is exactly what it sounds like: 9th street, comedy, and a BYOB trolley ride.
Best For Big Groups/ Private Excursions
Bus and trolley tours are smart for groups to visit numerous sites with minimal confusion.
Nobody has to agree on every stop. Just ride together and explore the city of brotherly love.
Also consider:
Philly Passto explore the city at your own pace.
The bigger the group, the more I would lean toward something seated, structured, and easy to find.
Best Food and History Tours in Philadelphia
Now we are getting to one of my favorite categories.
Explore the food scene with an unforgettable food tour! These are such a good way to experience a city because you are not just learning about the place. You are tasting it. Food sustainability allows you to spend less and eat more!
The Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market is a great option if you want food, history, and a walk through the heart of the city.
Want an immersive journey? Flavors of Philly Food Tour is another strong choice, especially if you want iconic Philly foods like cheesesteaks, tomato pie, soft pretzels, and sweets.
There is also the Delicious Donuts of Philadelphia: A Sweet Treat Walking Tour, which will show you the time of your life if you have a sweet tooth! Join a group of other foodies as you savor the city's donuts, ice cream hidden gems, and more!
Best For Food Lovers
Book a food tour if you want:
A meal and activity in one
Historic Old City Charm
Society Hill or Craft Hall
A fun group experience
A break from traditional sightseeing
Food tours are also a great option if you are traveling with someone who says they are “not really into tours.” Put food in the plan, and suddenly people become much more interested.
Best South Philly Experiences
South Street in Philly has a totally different feel than Old City.
Think fewer museums, more neighborhood-based, food-centered vibe. Ideal for the younger, more energetic crowd. But less kid-friendly after dark. Here you will find quirky shops and bars lining both sides of 9th street.
Explore deeper in the Philadelphia area during the Sips of Fishtown Philadelphia Cocktail and Beer Tour. This is a strong choice if you want a great tour with craft drinks and neighborhood history together.
You can also look at the Philly Chef-Led Italian Market Food Tour if you want something more focused on the market experience.
Another fun night option is the 3-Hour Private Favorite & Secret Bars Walking Tour in Philadelphia. That one is especially good if you want a mix of hidden sites, neighborhood personality, and classic Philly energy.
Best For Hidden Gems
Pick a South Philly tour if you want:
Italian Market
Cheesesteaks
Neighborhood stories
Local food culture
Less traditional sightseeing
A break from the historic district
Unique, Odd, and Not-Basic Philly Tours
Some people do not want the standard city tour, as a professional tour guide I am with you there.
If you want a Philadelphia tour that is memorable, here are some good options. Something weird. Something funny. Something creative. Something they will actually talk about later.
For that kind of traveler, I would look at The Great Comedy Magic Walk. A comedic story telling adventure you won't soon forget. It combines Old City sightseeing with comedy and magic, which makes it a fun option for families, couples, friend groups, or anyone who wants history without the serious classroom energy.
Another unique option is the Philadelphia Murals and Street Art Tour with Magic Gardens. This is a good pick if you are more interested in art, neighborhoods, and creativity than traditional historic landmarks.
If you wanna get hands-on near Center City, check out the Classic Candle Making Experience Waxery in Philadelphia.
Best Black History Tours in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has deep Black history, and you will appreciate the city's history even more with a diverse perspective. This worth including in your trip planning.
Join The Black Journey: An African-American History Walking Tour of Philadelphia for only $36. This tour focuses on African-Americans in Philly while still connecting to major events in the historic district.
Another option to explore is the Philadelphia Africatown Walking Food Tour, which gives you a different neighborhood-based experience with food and culture included.
I would choose this category if you want a more complete view of Philadelphia’s history beyond the standard Founding Fathers storyline.
Best Private Tours in Philadelphia
You might want some privacy on your walking tour. If you are traveling with family, hosting guests, planning a special occasion, or just do not want to deal with group-tour energy, a private tour can be worth it.
Join a tour that is customized to your liking. Be that the Betsy Ross house, Benjamin Franklin's President's house, public art, or the American Revolution.
The See My Philadelphia: Private, Customized Tour is exactly what it sounds like! You choose what you want to see in Philly. Famous attractions include the Rocky Steps, local museums, cheesesteak lunch, and night tours.
Experience Philadelphia on the Philadelphia Must-See Private Walking Tour With A Guide, which is a better fit if your main focus is the historic district. Their tour guides are extremely knowledgeable.
Kid-Friendly Activities and Tours in Philly
When you are traveling with kids, the best tour is not always the most educational one.
It is the one everyone can actually enjoy.
For families, I would consider a classic Victorian trolley or other driving tours. Take it from someone who has taken their child on many walking tours. They get tired easily - even if they are having fun.
The Reading Terminal Market OFFICIAL Tour can also work well because it is short, food-centered, and not a huge commitment
Family Tour Tip
For kids, I would prioritize:
Shorter duration
Easy meeting point
Bathroom and food nearby
Not too much walking
A fun theme
A two-hour walking tour can be amazing for adults and still feel like forever to a tired kid.
Don't Forget the Italian Market
Visit Philly Italian Market is one of those places that gives you a totally different side of the city. It is historic, colorful, loud in the best way, and packed with the kind of food stories people actually remember. A highly recommended way to experience Philadelphia.
While you are in the Philadelphia area, choose one of these to explore the Italian Market:
Philadelphia City Italian Market Food Tour
Philadelphia City Italian Market Walking Tour- not the same as the one above
The low-cost audio Italian Market Experience - No tour guides, move at your own speed.
Parking Guide for Philly Tours
Don't let the parking in Philly freak you out. If you are driving into Philadelphia for a tour, my biggest advice is this: do not build your whole plan around finding easy street parking.
For Old City and museums, look for parking near Independence Visitor Center, National Constitution Center, or the 6th and Market area. A lot of classic history tours start within a walkable radius of this zone. Or ride the Amtrak to get to your attractions and events.
For Reading Market and other iconic landmarks, look for parking near the Convention Center or Market East. This is usually the most convenient area if your tour involves the market, Center City, or a nearby hotel meeting point.
For boat cruises or driving tours, pay close attention to the departure location and parking instructions on the tour page. Many waterfront cruises depart from the Penn’s Landing area.
FAQ: Philadelphia Tours
Are Philly walking tours worth it?
Yes, especially in Old City.
So many American history and major historic sites are close together that a walking tour can help you understand what you are seeing instead of just taking quick photos and moving on.
Is Reading Terminal Market worth a tour?
Yes, especially if you like food, history, or markets.
The Market can be overwhelming if you just walk in hungry with no plan. A short tour can help you understand the layout, learn vendor stories, and decide where you want to eat afterward.
