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

Mon 07 Jul

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $59.00

Make a reservation

Mon 07 Jul

Starting at $59.00

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

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)

yitianc2021

Oct 2021

Beyond the Bell tour dedicates to showing multiple perspectives of the history beyond the liberty bell. This tour is not only simply a sightseeing experience but an educational opportunity and we are able to do some interactive activities with other visitors who want to visit the liberty bell. Rebecca and Joey draw from both personal experiences and academic articles to illustrate the actual history of liberty bell's symbolic influences and mainstream false impression of the liberty bell. They are also more than happy to answer any question we have. The whole tour is very engaging and enlightening. Highly recommend!

Response from Host

Oct 2021

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

rstern2

Oct 2021

This experience is fantastic, and I recommend it to anyone who finds themselves with a few free hours in Philadelphia. Rebecca and Joey curated a tour that simultaneously challenged and deepened what I thought I knew about the history of Philadelphia and how we recount it. While it can be intimidating at first, Rebecca challenged us to talk to strangers waiting in line to see the Liberty Bell and ask why they had chosen to come see the Bell. After allowing us to share some of what we heard, she pushed back against the rationale of many of those visitors. She allowed us to make observations, but then deepened those observations with historical analysis and relevant context. She encouraged us to ask questions, and she was able to answer every one group had to offer. What I loved most about this tour was the way it left me curious and itching for more. For hours after the tour disbanded, I couldn’t stop going over and over in my head how what I had been taught about that metal heap on Market Street was not necessarily inaccurate, but grossly misleading. If you are in Philadelphia, you shouldn’t feel bad for wanting to see the Liberty Bell, but do yourself a favor and have Beyond the Bell help guide you.

Response from Host

Oct 2021

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

alicecF1821PL

Oct 2021

I really enjoyed the tour we took with Rebecca. She was very good at providing the context behind the real history of the liberty bell, and that made me think more deeply about the history and context behind tourist sites. I enjoyed the focus on the parts of the tourist destination that are more often overlooked but have a more significant and important history than the Liberty Bell itself. I would highly recommend taking a tour with Rebecca and checking out other Beyond the Bell tours!

Response from Host

Oct 2021

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