Discover Philadelphia: A Self-Guided Tour

8 h 30 min Free cancellation Private tour

Discover Philadelphia: A Self-Guided Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover Philadelphia's extraordinary revolutionary heritage and vibrant urban culture with the self-guided tour, allowing you to explore America's birthplace at your own pace. Stand inside Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitution was drafted, then visit the Liberty Bell that cracked its way into legend. Walk the cobblestoned streets of Old City past Elfreth's Alley — America's oldest street since 1702 — and Christ Church where Washington and Franklin worshipped. Climb the 72 Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for views, then explore the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation, and the Franklin Institute. Wander the haunting cellblocks of Eastern State Penitentiary where Al Capone served time. Browse Reading Terminal Market's 80 vendors beneath a Victorian train shed. Discover 4,000 murals making Philadelphia America's largest outdoor art gallery, and explore Fishtown's craft brewery and art scene.

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At a glance

Duration: 8 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: CloudGuide S.L

Ages: Adults (15–65 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Digital Maps
Included: Self-guided walking tour (app)
Included: Access to the audio guide for 45+ Philadelphia stories and hidden spots.
Included: NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)

Not included

Not included: Private transportation
Not included: Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals

Itinerary

Independence Hall

45 min

The UNESCO World Heritage Site where American democracy was born — the Declaration of Independence signed in 1776 and the Constitution drafted in 1787 in the same Assembly Room. Stand where Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, and Washington shaped a nation, beneath the restored original ceiling and the chair with the rising sun that Franklin famously remarked upon.
Liberty Bell Center

30 min

America's most iconic symbol of freedom — the 2,080-pound bell that cracked in 1846 and became a rallying symbol for abolitionists, suffragists, and civil rights movements. The exhibit traces its journey from London foundry to international icon, with Independence Hall framed perfectly through the glass wall behind it.
Elfreth's Alley

45 min

America's oldest continuously inhabited residential street since 1702 — 32 Georgian and Federal houses on a narrow cobblestoned lane where artisans, craftsmen, and sea captains once lived. The surrounding Old City neighborhood preserves colonial-era architecture alongside contemporary art galleries and the First Friday gallery walk scene.
Christ Church

one hour

The 'Nation's Church' where George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Betsy Ross all worshipped — a stunning Georgian masterpiece from 1744. The burial ground holds Franklin's grave where visitors still toss pennies for luck, along with five other signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Philadelphia Museum of Art

Passing by

One of America's largest art museums with 240,000 works spanning 2,000 years — medieval armor halls, Impressionist galleries, a complete Japanese tea house, and reconstructed temple interiors. Run the 72 steps immortalized by Sylvester Stallone and pose with the bronze Rocky statue at the base for the classic Philadelphia photo.
Reading Terminal Market

one hour

America's oldest continuously operating farmers' market since 1893 — over 80 vendors beneath a spectacular Victorian train shed selling Amish baked goods, DiNic's legendary roast pork sandwiches, Beiler's doughnuts, Middle Eastern spreads, Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels, and fresh produce. A living institution where Philadelphians actually shop.
Eastern State Penitentiary

Passing by

The world's first true penitentiary (1829) — a Gothic fortress whose revolutionary design influenced over 300 prisons worldwide. Walk the crumbling cellblocks where Al Capone served time in surprising luxury, explore the haunting ruins reclaimed by nature, and confront the powerful exhibits on America's mass incarceration crisis.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway

one hour

Philadelphia's grand cultural boulevard modeled on the Champs-Élysées — lined with international flags, fountains, and museums. The Rodin Museum holds the largest collection of Auguste Rodin's works outside Paris, including The Thinker, The Gates of Hell, and The Burghers of Calais in a Beaux-Arts building with formal gardens.
City Hall Visitor Center

30 min

The largest municipal building in the United States — a Second Empire masterpiece crowned by the 37-foot bronze statue of William Penn at 548 feet. Take the elevator to the observation deck beneath Penn's feet for 360-degree views of the city grid that Penn himself designed. Over 250 sculptures adorn the building's exterior.
Rittenhouse Square

one hour

Philadelphia's most elegant public square — shaded by centuries-old trees and surrounded by fine dining restaurants, boutique shops, and brownstone residences. One of five original squares laid out in William Penn's 1682 city plan, now the heart of the city's most prestigious neighborhood and a perfect spot for people-watching.
Italian Market

30 min

America's oldest outdoor market — ten blocks of South 9th Street lined with open-air stalls selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and Italian specialties since 1884. The surrounding neighborhood is home to the legendary Pat's and Geno's cheesesteak rivalry at 9th and Passyunk, where neon-lit stands face off 24 hours a day.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

This is a self-guided app-based tour with no in-person guide or fixed meeting point. Travelers are free to start at the suggested location below or choose any stop on the route as their starting point, and explore in the order that suits them best.

End point

This is a self-guided app-based tour with no in-person guide or fixed meeting point. Travelers are free to start at the suggested location below or choose any stop on the route as their starting point, and explore in the order that suits them best.

Using your ticket

INSTRUCTIONS

1 – Download the CloudGuide App

The first step is to install the CloudGuide app. The app can be found under the name CloudGuide in the app stores (iOS and Android). You can also get our app here: cloudguide.me/get. Review how to use: cloudguide.me/l/howtouse_en_web.

2 – Get the guide

Once downloaded, open the app. Click "I HAVE A CODE". Type using the keyboard or paste the code that can be found above your ticket on the left, just below the barcode (a 12-digit number starting with “A”, one code per visitor).

Click "START TOUR". You can pre-download or use your guide in streaming. Once activated on your phone, the guide grants access to content for the following 30 days.

3 - Go to the starting point

When you're ready to start the guide, head to the suggested starting point (or feel free to customize the order of your tour).

4 - Need help?

If you have any issues with access codes or in-app purchases, please contact us at [email protected]. We have also prepared a list of the most common issues and the ways to solve them: cloudguide.me/l/issues.

5 – Didn’t receive your code?

If you haven’t received your access code (a 12-digit number starting with “A” — one code per visitor), please contact us at [email protected]. Be sure to include your booking number and the name of the tour, and we’ll assist you as soon as possible.

TIP: Having troubles? Apps and phones aren’t perfect. Sometimes they freeze or crash. If this happens, simply close the app (don’t just minimise it!) and reopen it. In most cases that should help.

All stops, routes, and points of interest in this app are recommendations only. Conditions can change — please check local weather, road conditions, and official sources (such as national parks, tourism boards, visitor centers, and municipal websites) before and during your trip. CloudGuide and its publisher are not liable for any loss, injury, inconvenience, or damages resulting from use of this information or decisions based on it.