Before America - The Making of Philadelphia

DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the metropolis that built America before it was even a country. Join us for an insightful, raw, and story-driven walking tour of historic Old City to decode the DNA of Philadelphia’s first hundred years. We will move beyond the myths to see how the collision of faith, power, and wealth fueled a startup city that outgrew its own boundaries through pure ambition and grit. We’ll trace the city's trajectory from its European origins through its explosive growth as a global power player, uncovering the unscripted events and accidental ego that gave Philly its unique look, feel, and attitude. On this journey, we will SEEK to understand the complex ideas and accidents that shaped this urban experiment, EXPLORE the iconic locations where colonial power was brokered and the future was forged, and WANDER through the cobblestone streets and hidden alleyways to discover the famous and forgotten landmarks that prove how this accidental masterpiece truly became Philly.

Stops (external) include Christ Church, Elfreth's Alley (oldest inhabited street in America), Franklin Square, Arch Street (Quaker) Meeting House, Franklin Court, Carpenter's Hall, City Tavern, Washington Square, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell.

Put on those walking shoes, grab a bottle of water, and bring a friend or two!

Designed for ages 10+. We love families, but keep in mind this is a narrative-heavy history tour; younger children are welcome but may find the 2-hour duration challenging.

Approximately 3 miles worth of walking

BASIC INFORMATION

• Start Times: Please see our event calendar for specific dates and times
• End Times: Approximately two hours after the start time. Please check our event calendar for specific dates and times
• Distance: 3 Miles
• Meeting Location:
  Independence Visitors Center - 599 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
• Meeting Note: Your guide will meet and greet you on Market Street out front of the Independence Visitor's Center. Look for a tall 6-1 guy with a blue backpack with a flagpole sticking out.

WHAT TO BRING (GEAR)

• Solid, comfortable walking shoes. We advise not wearing flip-flops or high heels
• A bottle or two of water
• A bag or other means of carrying personal items
• Cameras & cellphones (for pictures) welcome! Make sure they're fully charged!
• Snacks as needed (something portable like trail mix, candy bars, fruit, etc.)
• Appropriate clothing based on the forecasted weather conditions - temperature, precipitation, etc. Contact [email protected] with questions or concerns

BREAKS/BATHROOMS

• There will be one short five-to-ten-minute bathroom break on our tour.
• Bathrooms available at the Independence Visitors Center or nearby businesses
• Other needs/stops will be up to participants to find, use, and rejoin the group

PARKING & PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

• For those driving into the city we highly recommend, and personally use, the SpotHero app. It’s free to download on all smartphones and offers you the best rates for garages in the area. You can book days, weeks in advance, and select specific arrival and departure times.
• If using SEPTA or PATCO the meeting point is conveniently located just two blocks away from Jefferson Station, which services the Market-Frankford El, SEPTA Regional Rail Lines, and PATCO to/from South Jersey.

TICKETING & PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

• Eventbrite is our preferred ticketing and payment platform.
• For alternative payment options, reach out to us at [email protected]

NO-SHOWS & LATE ARRIVALS

• No-shows and late arrivals forfeit their ticket; please arrive 15 minutes early
• Everyone that completes an order will receive a confirmation email with reminders

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS

• You may cancel up to 24 Hours before the listed start time of this tour and receive a full refund. If you purchase via credit card, you may not receive the transaction fee back. Allow 3-5 business days (Monday to Friday) for all refunds to be processed.
• If you cancel after the deadline you will not receive a refund. No exceptions.
• The company does not cancel events for weather such as light rain, cold or hot temperatures, etc. We cancel events for conditions that we consider dangerous to participants either during the event or getting to/from. If the company decides conditions warrant cancellation, participants receive a refund, minus processing fees

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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