Before America - The Making of Philadelphia - Walking Tour

Decode the DNA of America's first metropolis. Learn how hustle, ego, and grit combined with faith, power, and wealth to make Philly...Philly
About this Event

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. This the tale of how one man's holy experiment helped fuel the fires that led to the American Revolution.
  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 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+.
• 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.
• Distance: 3 Miles
• Location: Independence Visitors Center - 599 Market Street, Phila 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

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
• Contact [email protected] with questions or concerns

BREAKS/BATHROOMS

• Bathrooms available at the IVC or nearby businesses before/after tour.
• 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 on all smartphones and offers the best rates for garages in the area. You can book weeks in advance and select specific arrival/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

Agenda
Stop 1 - Christ Church Burial Ground

Info: How many famous people can get buried within the same quarter block plot of land?

Stop 4 - Elfreth's Alley

Info: What would daily life look like 300 years ago in colonial America?

Stop 7 - Dock Street

Info: Why is there a river running under the streets of Philadelphia?

Stop 10 - Washington Square Park

Info: Where can you buy a multi-million-dollar condo or rent a $10,000 a month apartment and spend your afternoon sipping your iced latte in a beautiful green space with 40,000 people buried six feet beneath you?