2 Walking Tours in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Historic District
Along the Parkway (Museum Row)
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Tour Descriptions
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Walking Tour: Philadelphia Historic District
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Philadelphia played an instrumental role during the time of the American Revolution including events such as the First Continental Congress in 1774, the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 at the Second Continental Congress, and the creation of the US Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The city served as the United States capital for 10 years (1779-1790) while Washington DC was under construction.
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This tour starts at the Independence Visitor Center and then proceeds to the following locations: the President's House Site, the Liberty Bell Center, Declaration (Graff) House, Congress Hall, Independence Hall, Old City Hall, Philosophical Hall the American Philosophical Society Museum, Washington Square & the Walnut Street Prison, Second Bank of the United States, Carpenters' Hall, the First Bank of the United States, Museum of the American Revolution, Franklin Court, the Benjamin Franklin Museum and the Franklin Court Printing Office, Christ Church, the Betsy Ross House, Christ Church Burial Ground (Benjamin Franklin’s Grave). The tour moves in a large loop and ends back almost where it started at the National Constitution Center.
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If walked directly point to point this walking tour would take about 40 minutes over a 2 mile path.
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A more detailed description of these sites can be found here: Historic Philadelphia's sites
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Start Philadelphia Historic District Tour
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Walking Tour: Along the Parkway (Museum Row)
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The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, modeled after the Champs Elysees in Paris, stretches from City Hall to the north-west terminating at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Some of the city’s most famous and important museums are located on along the way including the Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and the Rodin Museum. A number of parks and green spaces follow along providing a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities.
This 2.2 mile long walk starts at City Hall and visits the various museums, and other cultural institutions along the parkway until our walk ends at the Schukyill River and the Philadelphia Water Works. We will visit Philadelphia City Hall, Dilworth Park, Love Park, Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Logan Square, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, The Franklin Institute & the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, Parkway Central Library, The Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art & the Rocky Steps and ending at the Fairmount Water Works & Fairmount Dam.
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If walked directly from point to point this walking tour would take about 40 minutes over a 2.2 mile path.
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A more detailed description of these sites can be found here: Along the Parkway's sites
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About Philadelphia
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Philadelphia was founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker, to serve as capital of the Pennsylvania Colony. By the 1750s it has surpassed Boston to become the 13 colonies’ largest city and busiest port. Philadelphia played an instrumental role during the time of the American Revolution including events such as the First Continental Congress in 1774, the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 at the Second Continental Congress, and the creation of the US Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The city served as the United States capital for 10 years (1779-1790) while Washington DC was under construction.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Philadelphia became a major industrial center and a railroad hub and the population grew substantially through waves of immigration. In 2019 the city was the 6th largest in the US with a population of 1.58 million.