Beyond the [Liberty] Bell History Walking Tour

Overview

Description:
Hit all the main sites in historic Old City and Independence Park, but hear it all from the perspectives often left out of mainstream tourism. Explore the cobblestone streets of America’s historic capital. Walk by Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth’s Alley, and more historic sites in Old City. Uncover incredible women, indigenous people, people of color, and LGBTQ folks who have made America what it is today.

City: Philadelphia

Tue 24 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $49.00

Make a reservation

Tue 24 Dec

Starting at $49.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Local guide

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

What To Expect

Liberty Bell Center

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

Welcome Park

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

Betsy Ross House

Hear about the women that have formed Philadelphia

Elfreth's Alley

The oldest continuously lived in street in America!

Show 1 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (57)

569narenr

Oct 2021

Rebecca and Joey gave a wonderful tour; it both and engaging and informative. I think it's so crucial to offer alternative tour options that stop, pause and question the very manner in which touring of high-traffic popular "history rich" sights is done in the first place? How is the touristic infrastructure set up? Why are folks so excited about "seeing a piece of history" that is really not historically significant in the ways they are taught with the dominant historical narratives. After all, history itself is told through subjective lenses. Asking those on the tour a series of questions and having a conversation with us made it engaging for sure. I would have perhaps appreciated a little more discussion time/refelction on the positionally of all of those of us taking the tour and the notion of guiding the tour in the first place. Would definitely recommend their services!

Response from Host

Oct 2021

Thank you for your thoughtful and engaging review! Stay in touch!

G272OCclarab

Oct 2021

Rebecca and Joey have struck upon a creative, comprehensive, and essential form of tourism in their Beyond the Bell tour, using their platform as guides to educate visitors not only on the true story and significance behind the Liberty Bell, but on the phenomenon of tourism itself. Rebecca was direct and clear in her descriptions of the Bell’s history, and highlighted its symbolic impact on civil rights movements throughout American history. She made sure to point out the numerous shortcomings of the designed tourist experience at the site, specifically of the monument to enslaved people, which, while incredibly groundbreaking, failed to capture the attention of tourists. The tour’s strongest aspect was its encouragement of the group to observe for ourselves and to interact with the tourist site and the fellow tourists coming to witness the Liberty Bell. We began the tour by taking time to note how others were engaging with the site: Where did people gather? Were they taking pictures or reading plaques? And we asked those waiting to get an up close glimpse of the Bell what they were hoping to get out of their visit and why they came to see the site. This anthropological field work added an incredibly fascinating and unique layer to the Beyond the Bell experience. I highly recommend the Beyond the Bell tour to those who want to dive deeper and get more than just a taste of Philadelphia’s history!

Response from Host

Oct 2021

Ahw! Thank you for your thoughtful review! I am so glad you enjoyed the tour and our mission resonated with you. Stay in touch.

Seaside29089185785

Sep 2021

Joey was an awesome tour guide. I loved the content of the tour and I appreciate that he personalized it to what we were interested in. I would definitely check out another one of his tours.

Response from Host

Sep 2021

Thank you! Glad you felt the tour was personal and engaging! That's what we strive for. : )