Suggested Itineraries For Visits To
Historic Philadelphia
Below we’ve compiled some itineraries with suggestions for “Things To Do” while visiting Historic Philadelphia, in combination with taking The Constitutional Walking Tour which provides a primary overview of Independence National Historical Park:
- 1 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY (Short Stay: 10:00AM – 2:00PM)
- 1 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY (Extended Stay: 10:00AM – 4:00PM)
- 2 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY
In light of the current economic conditions, we’ve also put together a list of the many FREE sites treasures that your group can experience in addition to The Constitutional Walking Tour. Plus, we will also provide free trip planning services and advice.
FREE SITES:
- The Liberty Bell
- Independence Hall (timed tickets required from the National Park Service1)
- Carpenters’ Hall
- Franklin Court Underground Museum & B. Free Franklin Post Office & Printing Office
(Note: The museum is closed for renovations. The Courtyard, Printing Office and Post Office remain open.) - Second Bank of the United States and Portrait Gallery
- Free Quaker Meeting House
- US Mint - free 45 minute self guided tour (Note: The public tour at the US Mint is CLOSED for renovations, and is expected to reopen in the summer of 2012.)
- Federal Reserve Bank (Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more. For more information, call 866-574-3727.)
- Reading Terminal Market
- Elfreth’s Alley
1 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY (Short Stay: 10:00AM – 2:00PM)
10:00AM - 11:15AM
The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia*
11:30AM - 12:15PM
Visit the Liberty Bell Center (free) or Franklin Court (free) or US Mint (free) - free time on your own
12:15PM - 1:00PM
Lunch at The Bourse Building Food Court or Cosi Restaurant - cost of lunch not included
1:00PM - 2:00PM
Visit inside Independence Hall (free timed tickets required) or Second Bank of the United States and Portrait Gallery (free) or Betsy Ross House (additional fee required) - free time on your own
2:00PM
Departure
*75 minute guided tour, fees apply
1 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY (Extended Stay: 10:00AM – 4:00PM)
10:00AM - 11:15AM
The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia*
11:30AM - 12:15PM
Visit the Liberty Bell Center (free) or Franklin Court (free) or US Mint (free) - free time on your own
12:15PM - 1:00PM
Lunch at The Bourse Building Food Court or Cosi Restaurant - cost of lunch not included
1:00PM - 2:30PM
Visit 2 additional sites, including inside Independence Hall (free timed tickets required) or Second Bank of the United States and Portrait Gallery (free) or Betsy Ross House (additional fee required) - free time on your own
2:30PM – 4:00PM
Philly By Bus - City Tour (on your motorcoach) to see the city’s highlights, including Chinatown, City Hall, Avenue of the Arts, Penn's Landing, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Antique Row, etc.**
4:00PM
Departure
*75 minute guided tour, fees apply
** 60-90 minute guided tour, fees apply
2 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1
10:00AM - 11:15AM
The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia*
11:30AM - 12:15PM
Visit the Liberty Bell Center (free) or Franklin Court (free) or US Mint (free) - free time on your own
12:15PM - 1:00PM
Lunch at The Bourse Building Food Court or Cosi Restaurant - cost of lunch not included
1:00PM - 2:30PM
Visit 2 additional sites, including inside Independence Hall (free timed tickets required) or Second Bank of the United States and Portrait Gallery (free) or Betsy Ross House (additional fee required) - free time on your own
2:30PM – 4:00PM
Philly By Bus - City Tour (on your motorcoach) to see the city’s highlights, including Chinatown, City Hall, Avenue of the Arts, Penn's Landing, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Antique Row, etc.**
4:00PM – 5:30PM
Break at hotel
5:30PM - 7:30PM
Dinner (i.e., City Tavern, Dave & Buster's, Hard Rock Cafe, Spaghetti Warehouse, etc.) - cost of dinner not included
7:30PM - 8:45PM
Spirits of ’76 Ghost Tour of Philadelphia*
Day 2
9:30AM - 11:30AM
Visit to Museum (African American Museum, The Franklin, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia Zoo, National Liberty Museum, Battleship New Jersey, etc.) - free time on your own
12:00PM - 1:30PM
Lunch at Reading Terminal Market - cost of lunch not included
1:30PM - 4:00PM
Visit LOVE Park, walk to Comcast Center to watch the Comcast Experience HD Video Wall and then walk to Rittenhouse Square - free time on your own
4:00PM
Departure
*75 minute guided tour, fees apply
** 60-90 minute guided tour, fees apply
1Free timed tickets may be available on the day of your visit from the National Park Service, but tickets are not guaranteed to be available at all, or in the quantities or time that you need to accommodate your group’s visit. That said, The Constitutional Walking Tour includes a visit to the outside of Independence Hall with an overview as to the key historical and present day events that have occurred. If you are still interested in going inside of Independence Hall, we suggest that you consider reserving free timed tickets (which you can use either before or after taking The Constitutional Walking Tour) for a small processing fee per ticket ($1.50 per ticket through the National Park Service). If you would like to select this option, please contact the National Park Service at 800.967.2283 or log onto http://www.recreation.gov/. Alternatively The Constitutional can help assist you in obtaining Independence Hall tickets, but there is an incremental processing fee involved on a per ticket basis (total of $3.00 per ticket which includes the National Park Service fee of $1.50 per ticket).
