Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now worth booking?
Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now is a 2.5-hour experience in Philadelphia, United States, from $45 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $45 per person
This Walking Tour will also take you by and into some of Philadelphia's most prominent buildings. The buildings in this area are mostly from the mid-1800's through the present. Styles range from Beaux Arts, to Chicago and International style. We also wil see the newest and tallest buildings in Center City. We do not enter any of the buildings listed on the tour. We will be outside them while I tell you about them.
What you get
About this experience
This Walking Tour will also take you by and into some of Philadelphia's most prominent buildings. The buildings in this area are mostly from the mid-1800's through the present. Styles range from Beaux Arts, to Chicago and International style. We also wil see the newest and tallest buildings in Center City. We do not enter any of the buildings listed on the tour. We will be outside them while I tell you about them.
What's included
Included
- Live guided tour
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Reading Terminal Market
One of the last old time food halls in the US. Created in the 1890's, Reading Terminal Market has undergone many changes over the years but remains a remarkable example of shopping from an earlier era.
Pass by without stopping
First International Style Building in the U.S., PSFS was created during the depression as a collaborative design between a local architect and a Swiss one using principles developed by the Bauhaus and European architects.
Pass by without stopping
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
The oldest art school in the US and a magnificent example of Frank Furness' architecture, this is one of his remaining High Victorian Gothic masterpieces. It opened just in time for the Centennial Exposition of 1876.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Masonic Temple Library & Museum
View the exterior of this magnificent structure created just after the end of the Civil War in Romanesque or Norman Castle style. If you have time, reserve a tour of the interior rooms which are spectacular.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
City Hall Visitor Center
Walk around this great 2nd Empire Baroque Building, the largest municipal building in the U.S. It is the tallest masonry bearing wall building in the world, and the statue of William Penn on the tower is the tallest on any building in the world.
10 minutes here
Macy's Philadelphia
View the Market Street National Bank's Art Deco facade across the Street and then enter the John Wanamaker Building. We will see the Grand Court and its grand organ.
Pass by without stopping
See the former Girard Bank Building then the Land Title Building across Chestnut Street. The Bank was originally designed by Frank Furness in his High Victorian Gothic style, but that was rejected. The Land Title building is the first in the city by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham who said:"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men`s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work..."
Pass by without stopping
Great early example of 2nd empire baroque style and one of the only structures built in Philadelphia during the Civil War. The club was created to support the Union troops.
Pass by without stopping
Once the grandest hotel in America designed by George Hewitt, once a partner with Frank Furness. It is Beaux Arts stylistically with a French chateau look at the top.
Pass by without stopping
Academy of Music
Original home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Academy of Music is based on La Scala in Milan and was originally an opera house. The Italianate façade was to be in marble, but brick and brownstone were substituted to save on the cost.
Pass by without stopping
Great copy of the Strozzi Palace in Florence. Designed originally for Anthony Drexel's financial company, the exterior retains all the trimmings of Renaissance palazzos.
Pass by without stopping
Shops at Liberty Place
Two towers that broke the 548' height barrier. There had been a gentleman's agreement to build no higher than the City Hall statue of William Penn, but that changed in the 1980's with these two buildings, opening the way for a more modern skyline.
Pass by without stopping
Comcast Center
1st and 2nd tallest buildings in Philadelphia. Comcast Center is a sleek combination of mirror and clear glass rising in a tapered form while the Comcast Innovation Center has 3 story groupings with a zig-zag pattern on the outside and a 10 story hotel at the top.
10 minutes here
Penn Center/Suburban Station
Art Deco headquarters of the Pennsylvania Railroad, this building was created in the 1930's to replace Frank Furness' High Victorian Gothic terminal across from City Hall. The style was intended to represent the sleekness and speed of modern trains.
5 minutes here
Love Park
Tour ends at the Love sculpture in what is referred to as Love Park. This park has now been redesigned several times and offers a variety of activities depending on the time of year, as well as a grand view up the Ben Franklin Parkway to the Art Museum.
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Philadelphia
I will be standing on 12th street at the outside entrance of the Home2 Suites Hotel just south of Arch Street.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Love Park
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- phillyPHAT
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Minimum age is 16 years
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Engaging Way to Get to Know Philly
This is a great tour! Reid is full of interesting stories and insights. Definitely a great way to get to know Philadelphia!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the positive review. I'm so glad you enjoyed your time with me!
via Viator
Highly Recommended - Not the Typical History Tour of Philly.
Reid did a great job of sharing his knowledge of the history and architecture of Philly beyond Independence Hall. This tour focused on the buildings and history of Reading Terminal and north downtown. It was educational without being stuffy. We appreciated him conducting the tour even though there was just two of us. We learned quite a bit.
Response from the operator: I'm very glad you enjoyed the tour. I tried to make it interesting as well as fun.
via Viator
Philly Architecture tour
This tour was informative. Tour guide answered every question and had a depth of knowledge about the city history and the buildings.
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the kind review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the tour!
via Viator
This was a very...
This was a very interesting tour with a knowledgeable, expert guide. We live in Philadelphia and learned a lot about buildings we walk past nearly every day.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the tour and learned a bit more about the buildings around you. Philly is a fascinating city architecturally with an over 300 year history.
via Viator
Highly recommended tour
Wonderful tour. I highly recommend this if you are interested in Philadelphia’s amazing buildings. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and happy to answer questions about the history of the city and how that related to the buildings we saw. He was also genuinely enthusiastic about the city. Great tour!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the tour and your time with me this week.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by phillyPHAT, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 51.5.
See everything phillyPHAT runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Philadelphia.
How much does Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now cost?
+
Prices start at $45 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Philadelphia usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now take?
+
Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Philadelphia is not rushed.
Is Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Philadelphia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now?
+
Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Philadelphia can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Philadelphia and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Philadelphia within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Philadelphia?
+
Philadelphia's core is walkable: Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell need timed entry, the mural arts programme runs the largest public art collection in the country, and the Reading Terminal and Italian Market food walks fill the middle of the day. Outty Ranking favours operators who secure Independence Hall tickets rather than sending you to the visitor centre queue. On Outty we rank every Philadelphia experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Revolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia, Dark Philly Adult Night Tour, Philadelphia Old City Historic Walking Tour with 10+ Top Sites. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Philadelphia?
+
April to June and September to October, mild weather and open patios. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Philadelphia?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now?
+
Included: Live guided tour. Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now?
+
I will be standing on 12th street at the outside entrance of the Home2 Suites Hotel just south of Arch Street. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now offered in?
+
It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now if the weather is bad?
+
This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now?
+
Across 5 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now.
Pick your date
