The Best Guided Tours in Philadelphia

The city's classic history walk covers more than 20 landmarks across Independence National Historical Park with knowledgeable guides. It's the easiest way to take in founding-era Philadelphia on foot, and a great orientation on a first day in town.

Led by guides with graduate history degrees, Grim Philly blends documented true crime, colonial scandal and ghost lore into an adults-oriented evening walk. Vampire, ghost, and history-and-hauntings routes are all on offer.

One of the longest-running ghost walks in the country winds through Society Hill and Old City sharing the region's spookiest true tales by candlelight. It departs most evenings from Signers' Garden near Independence Hall.

The city's original culinary walking tour pairs generous tastings with neighborhood history, whether you choose the Reading Terminal Market route or a Center City progressive lunch. A local favorite that's collected awards for years.

Small-group tastings guided by hospitality veterans through South 9th Street's historic Italian Market, with stops for cheese, cannoli, roast pork and more. Groups stay small, so it feels like eating with a friend who knows everyone.

Philadelphia has more public murals than any other U.S. city, and Mural Arts is the nonprofit behind them. Their expert-led walking and private tours are the definitive way to see the work up close and hear the stories behind it.

A hassle-free way to sample Philadelphia's craft-beer scene: transportation, a dozen-plus pours across several breweries, a behind-the-scenes brewing look, and food pairings are all included. Public and private trips run year-round.

The open-top double-decker loops the city's major landmarks with live guides and hop-on, hop-off flexibility, so you can ride the full circuit or jump off wherever you like. One- and multi-day passes make it an easy first-day orientation.

Narrated trolley and bus loops through historic Philadelphia from a long-running local operator, with hop-on, hop-off stops at the big sights. Their seasonal Holiday Lights tours are a December favorite.

Easygoing, small-group rides cover far more ground than a walking tour, connecting Old City landmarks, mural-lined streets and the Schuylkill River Trail. Bikes, helmets and local storytelling are included.

After a quick training session you'll cruise past Independence Mall, the Parkway museums and Penn's Landing with almost no effort. It's a fun, ground-covering option for first-time visitors who'd rather roll than walk.

Lunch, dinner and party cruises sail the Delaware from Penn's Landing aboard a climate-controlled yacht, with meals, music and open-air decks for taking in the skyline. A relaxed way to see the city from the water.

If you'd rather have a tour built around your own interests, this association connects visitors with the city's certified, licensed guides for private walks, group step-on tours and specialty themes. Ideal for families, clubs and corporate groups.

Once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, Eastern State is now a preserved ruin you can explore by audio tour or guided program, including Al Capone's restored cell. Each fall it becomes one of the country's best haunted attractions.