Philadelphia Tours
Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia
5

Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia

By Grim Philly Twilight Tours
Recommended by 98% of travelers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 24 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best
2024

  • Every Guide Has a History Degree
  • Liberty Bell, Franklin; Sightseeing- best of Phila for first-time-visitors
  • Essential tour of Revolutionary Philadelphia historic sites and highlights
  • Short 2-hour introduction to historic Philadelphia with a historian to walk with and orient you
  • Runs every morning and every afternoon rain or shine
What's not included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)
  • Gratuities
  • Independence Hall Timed Tickets (2hrs/free of charge)
  • Interior of Liberty Bell Pavilion (1 hr/free of charge)


Start:
  • Grim Philly Twilight Tours, 523 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
    We'll meet you directly "outside" the Market Street doors of the Independence Visitor Center, one block to the north of Independence Hall and across the street from The Liberty Bell and President's House in the heart of historic Philadelphia.
End:
  • Merchant Exchange Building, 143 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
    Tour ends just behind City Tavern and Merchants Exchange where The Continental Congress met every Saturday just aside Alexander Hamilton's Philadelphia home.

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6263P7

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6263P7

From
$29.00
per adult
Select date and travelers

Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • 523 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
    We'll meet you directly "outside" the Market Street doors of the Independence Visitor Center, one block to the north of Independence Hall and across the street from The Liberty Bell and President's House in the heart of historic Philadelphia.
  • Pass by
    Liberty Bell Center
    Independence Hall
    The President's House
    Congress Hall
    Franklin Court
    New Hall Military Museum
    Benjamin Franklin Museum
    B. Free Franklin Post Office
    Carpenters' Hall
    First Bank of the United States
    Second Bank of the United States
    American Philosophical Society Museum
    Library Company of Philadelphia
    Todd House
    Philadelphia Visitor Center
    Grim Philly Twilight Tours
  • 143 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
    Tour ends just behind City Tavern and Merchants Exchange where The Continental Congress met every Saturday just aside Alexander Hamilton's Philadelphia home.
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • Grim Philly Twilight Tours
    5,809
    United States
    Joined in September 2011
  • Riki G
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Funny guide great time.
    Our guide was awesome, very informative, and funny. It was enjoyable to learn about some of the darker history. If you have a darker sense of humor and aren't offended easily this is a great option. Got to see some of the important monuments at night time without all the crowds.
    Written October 7, 2024
  • henrybR3966LW
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sarah is the an angel
    I loved sarah. I learned about sex for the first time and she was nice and gentle with the whole situation. It was. Beautiful. In all seriousness she was fantastic.
    Written October 7, 2024
  • GrandTour18777937484
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sara is hilarious!
    Or tour guide Sara was hilarious, knowledgeable, and friendly. I learned a lot of cool history facts and where to get the best cheese steak. A must do when in Philly and definitely recommend!
    Written October 6, 2024
  • U2892DKjadeb
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Loved it
    The tour was a walking tour through the city but we didn't have to walk far. Each stop was just a block or 2 apart. Our tour guide Lance was very well educated and gave us a lot of neat information, cool stories and great jokes. I learned so much more on this tour than I could have reading all the posted signs and plaques through our the city. Shout out to our guide for walking us back to our car across town afterwards. Would highly recommend.
    Written October 5, 2024
  • robertjones24601
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Experience!
    Excellent tour! Joseph was a great storyteller and expanded my knowledge of the Know Nothings and notorious serial killer HH Holmes. Definitely would recommend!
    Written October 5, 2024
  • rebecca m
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    engaging!
    We were fortunate to have a humorous, engaging tour guide despite the larger size of the group. I was surprised with how close everything together was, that made it easier to keep up with the walking and easier to get back to the meeting point after the tour was done. If I visit Philly again, I’d look into other tours they offer as well!
    Written October 5, 2024
  • ricardov279
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour to learn about the “untold parts” of Philly’s history!
    Our tour with Sara was great! She was funny, super knowledgeable, and even had thoughtful responses for random and specific questions from the group. Would definitely recommend!
    Written October 4, 2024
  • manihinil
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sara the gem 🤍
    I had Sara as a guide for the tour and the only thing I can say is that the woman is an absolute delight. She knows what she talks about (duh, she has 2 master’s degrees lol), she knows how to tell stories so that the audience is captivated by the story. I never experienced anything such as this tour and I wish there were tours like that in every city of the world! Every city deserves its Sara to tell ghosts stories, vampires stories and tell history itself. I wish I could listen to her on a podcast like every day to laugh while learning new stuff!!!! Sara you’re a gem and you made the tour FANTASTIC!
    Written October 4, 2024
  • kimberlybG4264FI
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Book now!
    Adam gave us a great experience and was able to make us laugh while also imparting some of his vast historical knowledge. This is a must book tour!
    Written October 4, 2024
  • 986kristinz
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Philly dark history tour
    Ted was an amazing tour guide. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. 10 out of 10 would recommend to anyone who is interested in some seriously messed up history
    Written October 4, 2024
  • P5315DWbillh
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Ted is the man!!
    Ted was an awesome guide! Lots of fun, raw stories, and great history! Highly recommend this tour after a day time version, to get the underbelly version of Philly history!
    Written October 3, 2024
  • Susan B
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun and informative and not for kids, covering ghosts but also the seedier side and harsh realities of life in the 1700s
    The tour was interesting and fun. It covered ghosts but also some of the seedier, streamier and harsher sides of life in the 1700s not covered in history class. The guide was knowledgeable and personable. The city at night was beautiful.
    Written October 3, 2024
  • ElleTravels21
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent Learning Tour with a Dark Twist :)
    Excellent! Christa is very entertaining and explained a lot of history. Never knew about Bram Stoker staying here and also how gross Washington's teeth really were. lol! Good info on the various creepy facts about diseases, park ghosts and grave robbers. This so perfect for Halloween season if you want something on the darker side that is more educational than a ghost tour. Perfect balance.
    Written October 2, 2024
  • D3029YYstephanies
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun and informative
    I have been on this tour twice now and learned something new each time. It is very informative and interesting. It is heavy on the history, which I enjoyed
    Written October 2, 2024
  • kylecP3062FK
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Dark Parts of American History
    It’s an amazing tour. Adam is incredible. If you want a very wayward history of Philly and the founding fathers. This is it.
    Written October 2, 2024
See all 5,809 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles1,287 reviews
Excellent
1,213
Very good
57
Average
7
Poor
7
Terrible
3

Richard C
Fort Mitchell, KY2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
Joseph our guide was knowledgeable about Philadelphia's role in the years leading to to the American Revolution. He shared his expertise in an amusing way. He made sure the physical needs of the group were met. This tour is an enjoyable, educational 2 hours. I recommend that you take the tour early in your visit to Philadelphia because there are many sites you will need to revisit to get inside the historic sites that you pass by on the tour. This tour is included in the go city pass which makes it quite affordable.
Written September 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ubaldo JF
3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Family
We searched for a tour of the historic sites in the downtown area and Grim Philly turned up. Prior reviews were good so we decided to book with them. The cost of the two hour tour was not too expensive for our group of 6 people which was another reason we booked with Grim Philly.
We had some difficulty locating the area we were supposed to meet but Bill reached out to check in on us and we were able to find the meeting spot. He gave a few extra minutes for any late comers before beginning the tour.
Bill was a great tour guide and he was quite knowledgeable on the historic sites and the Philadelphia area. Bill challenged your imagination when describing in detail the historic areas we visited. He channeled his inner teacher and encouraged the members of our group to answer questions.
My only issue with the booking was not having received a confirmation email explaining where to meet and at what time.
Overall, it was a great historic tour given by a knowledgeable local who clearly enjoys his job and who can jam pack all that information in a 2 hour period. Great presentation Bill!
Written April 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sydney N
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • Couples
We had a blast on this tour! It was super interesting learning about the history that lives within Philadelphia. The tour guide was super engaging and was extremely knowledgeable. In addition to the tour, the guide gave us some tips on places to visit after the tour which allowed us to go see the inside of Independence Hall - I would definitely recommend. Also - This is a walking tour, so wear comfortable shoes!
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Susan
2 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
I recommend this tour only if you have already entered into all of the historical sites and are looking for something extra to do. First do all of the “must sees”. We made the mistake of booking this tour on the only day we had in Philadelphia, so we missed going to many of the sites we really wanted to see. This tour only goes to the outside, not the inside of the stops listed. The things talked about on the tour are interesting, but they are not the main points.of history . .the things that made our founding fathers great. The guide talked about the behind the scenes details of the founding fathers lives, not what they are famous for. My Argentine husband and 11 year old daughter really needed to know the important points of history, not the behind the scenes details.

The park rangers seem to be the ones to get the actual important points of history from. You can hear their talks by making appointments and entering into the different historic sites. That is my recommendation, but this tour is good if you have extra time after that.
Written July 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amy R
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Kyle was extremely knowledgeable on this subject. It was 95 degrees during our walking tour but he never complained, although I was melting. Kyle loves to act out the quotes from the founding fathers and asks for audience participation. It was an enjoyable, informative experience! I recommend it, especially when there isn't a heat emergency!
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lynne D
1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Very informative. The description was misleading, however, so despite the knowledge of the guide, it was disappointing overall bc we expected a different experience based on the tour’s description. The description led us to believe we would be actually visiting former president homes, not just “seeing the excavated remains”, visiting inside independence hall, not just “seeing the independence hall building” only from the outside. It wasn’t technically inaccurate, just misleading. Had that been clear, at the onset of scheduling the tour I would have ensured that I ALSO bought tickets to tour the actual inside of Independence Hall. Lesson learned is - great tour and knowledgeable guide, but know that if you want to tour the inside of independence hall, you have to buy additional tickets separately.
Written June 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elizabeth Brad K
Crystal River, FL16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A well knowledgeable Tour.
It was worth my time. The cost for the experience was very inexpensive for the amount of information.
Loved the walking and get a first hand of site from the streets of Philadelphia.
Ted was very excellent with his commentary on his knowledge on the history of the Founding Fathers and historical buildings.
Very humorous and informative with the realism of that time period. Thank You for my inspiration for my Country United States of America.
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Krystina J
2 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Solo
I enjoyed seeing B. Franklin's printing press. I really wanted to see Independence Hall, but couldn't. By the time I found out reservations had to be made, it was too late and all the time slots were filled.
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Erin B
Ada, MI1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Family
This is a great tour to see many of the historic highlights of Philadelphia. Sara was our tour guide and she was full of great nuggets of history that made the tour interesting and kept our attention. I highly recommend her as a guide and this tour for those who want to learn about the cities rich history without being too long and tiring on your feet. Thank you Sara!
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul S
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • Couples
Excellent 2+hr tour of the Central historical area of Philadelphia. You could wander around and see all these places on your own for free but Kyle brought it all to life with detailed background and humour and tied the history together in an understandable and real life manner. His recitation of keynote speeches helped considerably. You don't go in to the various historical buildings but this you can do on your own time afterwards. Kyle provided details on how best to achieve this. He was a font of period background and only time limited his ability to impart his knowledge. Very happy with the tour.
Written December 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia provided by Grim Philly Twilight Tours

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