Beyond the [Liberty] Bell History Walking Tour

Overview

Calling all curious travelers and nosey locals looking to delve deeper into the city. Are you ready to get into the nitty gritty of our fair and storied city of Philadelphia? Hit all the main sites in historic Old City and Independence Park, but hear it all from the perspectives often minimized by mainstream tourism. Spend an afternoon with us and come hear this fresh take on an Old City Tour of Philadelphia! 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

Thu 03 Jul

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $59.00

Make a reservation

Thu 03 Jul

Starting at $59.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (175) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (252) Entry Tickets (96) Sporting Events (4) Good for Small Groups (27) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (113) Walking Tours (705) Outdoor Activities (48) Limitied Availability Tours (29) LGBT Friendly Tours (9) Family-friendly Activities (8) Wildlife Activities (6) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (96) Travelers recommend (174) Good for Groups (32) Top Activities (75) Guided Audio Tours (10) Art, Culture & History (406) Attractions to explore (43) Sustainable Tours (1) Limousine Transfers (5) Donut Walking Tour (2) Virtual Experiences (1) Additional fees (7) DSA non-compliant (17)

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

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

The oldest continuously lived in street in America!

Betsy Ross House

Hear about the women that have formed Philadelphia

Welcome Park

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

Show 3 more stops

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (70)

skbrodnax

Oct 2021

Rebecca and Joey of Beyond the Bell Tours were both extraordinarily friendly and extremely knowledgable about Philadelphia’s history. I thought they did a fantastic job of conveying the real and complex history of the Liberty Bell in a nontraditional way. Instead of having us go in to see the Liberty Bell, for example, they encouraged us to observe the setup of the area, notice where people were congregating and what they were paying attention to, and talk to folks in line about their reasons for visiting the site. It was striking how many people were keen to see a supposedly “important moment in history” without knowing the true background of the Liberty Bell. Overall, I was impressed with their ability to readily and thoughtfully answer any questions, their deep analysis of the Liberty Bell in relation to local abolitionist and Black history, and the way in which they enabled us to think deeply about accessibility and visual coding of aspects of the monument. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone who would like to visit the Liberty Bell-- after all, it is an iconic symbol— but who would also like to come away with a much deeper understanding of its local history and context. Fun, engaging, insightful, and extremely important— an absolute must when you’re visiting Philadelphia!

Response from Host

Oct 2021

Thank you for your thoughtful and engaging review! So glad you enjoyed the tour. Stay in touch!

303elizabethz

Oct 2021

I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Liberty Bell in Philly. Rebecca and Joey were really knowledgeable and engaging tour guides. Our discussions about monuments and the history of the Liberty Bell encouraged me to think more about the built environment and education in historical monument sites. I also enjoyed the discussion on LGBT history. Overall the tour was very hands-on, educational, and thought-provoking. I did a shortened version of the tour but I would love to experience the full tour sometime!

Response from Host

Oct 2021

Thank you for your thoughtful and engaging review! So glad you enjoyed the tour. Stay in touch!

tarynbarrett

Oct 2021

This tour was really amazing! I was born and raised in Philadelphia and passes by the liberty bell often but never really took the time to visit it. The tour was informative and engaging. Rebecca challenged us to look past just seeing the bell and think about why it is important and what it may or may not represent in the US. The tour definitely left me with a desire to learn more about the bell and dive deeper into the monuments that I see everyday.

Response from Host

Oct 2021

Thank you for your thoughtful and engaging review! So glad you enjoyed the tour. Stay in touch!