The Reading Viaduct is an abandoned evaluated railroad track. When operational, it was used for…read morefreight and public transportation. And its railroad tracks once expanded to a train shed that was later converted into the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Inspired by the Highline in New York City, there are plans to turn the viaduct into a city park. If a public park were created, it would offer visitors amazing views of the city with the novel setting of a 150 year railroad structure. This would also speed up the revitalization of the surrounding area.

Had SUCH an amazing experience with FFs trolley. We booked for my graduation from vet school and…read moreNorm and Nick made it so special it was such an awesome night. We booked for 3hours with 2 stops, with scenic views all over the city (love park, art museum, old city, south street, stadiums). Norm was our gracious driver and safely got us all over the city, was so funny and nice, and helped everyone on/off at every stop. He even pulled over near the stadiums and gave us an INCREDIBLE solo performance, it was such a vibe. Nick was our MC for the night and did literally everything to make the night a success. Our group had stops planned and we were a little indecisive about timing but he was so gracious and assured us that it was our time and they would do whatever we wanted to do! He was great with the kids, had every karaoke song we wanted (including the deep cuts), and made sure everyone was having a great time (Which we were). We made 2 stops (Cira green and cherry st pier) for views and pictures (And as bathroom stops), and one impromptu quick stop at the rocky steps for pics (we had not planned that, but they said it was no problem to park for a bit for pictures!). As our night was wrapping up they actually allowed us to extend the ride for an hour for a small fee which we GLADLY accepted bc everyone was having a blast, and we were so grateful. Genuinely the best party I've ever had in my life, big thanks to Nick and Norm for making it amazing!

We went on the holly jolly founding footsteps tour. This was by far the best tour I have ever been…read moreon. It was an absolute blast if you like to party. We did this as a girls night now and can't wait until next year. We stopped at amazing places and tour guide and musician were great! Shoutout to Warren and John.

These buses are great for seeing all kinds of areas of Philadelphia and learning about what to do…read morefor next time! While it is a hop on hop off experience, we noticed that when we hopped off it took about an hour to find another bus, so we decided to just stay on and plan on visiting the spots on our own next time. We had Nick on our bus as the guide and he was great! He explained a lot about the history of the city and was also very funny!

It was a cold and drizzly day. Bus was unheated. Guide did not hold microphone close to mouth so…read morecouldn't be heard ( even though we told him we couldn't hear). Bus interior was run down and dirty. Driver was good, professional and patient.

This hotel was perfect in every way…read more We stayed in the Matilde room on the first floor for one night. This room is spacious and has a kitchenette. During my stay I did not see anyone else in the building at all, which is a bit strange, but I actually loved it. The "invisible service" was actually very diligent and good at keeping everything tidy. The entire place was super clean. Starting with the best things first: The bed gave me the most comfortable night's sleep I've ever had. And the shower and bathroom provided the best hotel shower I've ever had. Aside from that, my favorite things were the many special details. Some of those include the baked snacks left in our room (coffee cake & lemon coconut bar), the filtered and sparkling water available on tap in the lobby, the text message concierge, the extra towels in the bathroom (6), and the period authentic decor. When I booked our stay it wasn't super clear about what's included in the kitchenette. Ours had a very roomy mini fridge with wine rack, electric tea kettle, coffee maker, microwave, plates, bowls, glasses, utensils, mixing bowls, cutting board, and other things.

Stepping through the front door of Guild House Hotel put us in another world...beautiful, calm,…read moreclassic and steps away from the bustle of Locust St. in an absolutely perfect location in downtown Philadelphia for shopping, sightseeing, theater-going, excellent dining. I could wax poetic about this historical city but will stick to the Guild House. This very old building has been gently, carefully restored and updated then decorated with period furniture and antique decor when possible. The bed was the most comfortable one we have ever slept in. The spacious rooms simply invite you in. How many hotels provide delicate china tea cups? Special snacks? A choice of French press coffee or drip? All the amenities are from women-owned companies! Please treat yourself to a lovely, unusual hotel experience. On a more practical level..something we always want to know is, can you do all this without a car? Absolutely. Train from Philadelphia airport, public transportation or on foot to almost all the important sights. We are mid-70s to mid-80s years old.

The visitor center was full of info, alot of things to wander thru to see. Its located in the heart…read moreof Independence park, across from the Liberty bell entrance. They had a few staff members that you could more info in needed, free maps available. Clean restrooms, gift shop and a place to sit and enjoy your snacks. I recommend to park in a parking deck and walk or take the bus around the city. Great place to just take a break from your day of touring, we enjoyed!

Lots of good information on both the city and the National Park run sites in the immediate area…read more The Rangers at the NP desk were helpful answering questions and giving advice. There are some exhibits on the Liberty Bell and the Independence Hall. There is a movie but it is more about Philadelphia tourism not the NP. There are bathrooms and if course a large gift shop.

A museum focused on a woman in the historical area is a fun place to explore! The museum has a…read moreshaded courtyard in the front. It is a nice place to rest. You can grab a drink at Starbucks across the street or one of the many cafes in the area. Check out the "Little Rebel" heart by Ambrella in the courtyard. Stand next to it for a uniquely Philly photo! The museum entrance is the gift shop. The shop has some unique items and fun souvenirs. The museum is small so 1-2 hours is good. You actually walk through the house to look through the rooms. Each room has information related to that room. It also tells the story of Betsy Ross and the flag. It was cool to see all the period furniture and household stuff.

One of those historical Philly institutions that I'm kind of surprised that I forgot to review…read moresooner. But leave it to the Simpsons' 800th episode to provide a good easter egg reminder! At its core, it's the home of the woman who created the first American flag (Which might not be the full true story: https://historicphiladelphia.org/stories/did-she-or-didnt-she/ ). So its definitely worth at least a walk into its eclectic outdoor courtyard if you're looking to complete your Historic Philadelphia journey. However, when it comes to a tour experience, it can curve on being geared more towards the young historian while also being on the smaller side. For that experience, I would scale it toward three stars, but I give it four for the outdoor events I've enjoyed over the years. They put on several good outdoor film screenings throughout the summer and fall, with emphasis on classic horror during the Halloween spooky season. During First Fridays, I've also enjoyed outdoor workshops curated by the Ministry of Awe and other nearby galleries. Toss in things like a Triple Bottom Brewing pop-up and live music, and music performances, and they really do make the most of their courtyard. Bonus points for their kitten fountain!

I'll be honest, I pretty much only come here on First Fridays when it's free, but I always have a…read moregood time. It's a very small museum, but that's part of the charm. The museum itself is basically just the first floor, so you can get through it pretty quickly, but you really come here for the experience of seeing the historic homes and the street itself. Elfreth's Alley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the country, and standing there actually gives you a much better sense of what Philadelphia looked like hundreds of years ago. They also have old-timey clothes that you can dress up in for pictures, which is honestly one of my favorite parts. I try to come up with a different outfit every time because there are always so many people around taking pictures. The staff are always nice and will even help take your photos, which I really appreciate. The little back garden is especially cute when you get there early. It's small, quaint, and ridiculously aesthetic. During events, though, that garden gets PACKED, and honestly, getting into Elfreth's Alley during popular events can be almost impossible because of how crowded it gets. I really like being able to step inside the homes and see what these historic houses actually looked like rather than just reading about them on a plaque. It makes the history feel much more tangible. It's a small place, but I think that's exactly why it's worth keeping around. Elfreth's Alley feels like one of those little pieces of Philadelphia that could easily disappear if nobody cared for it, and I'm glad they're keeping it alive. Even if I'm mostly here for the free First Friday admission and the cute pictures, I always leave appreciating the history a little more.

This 18th century cobblestone street lined with narrow houses, punctuated by colorful doors,…read moreshutters and planters--fast-forwards history to the present and paints a picture of a life in Philadelphia 300 years ago. As a stop on the Constitutional Walking Trail, this alley incorporates plaques and signs speaking to its history, with two buildings strictly dedicated as museum use. Open Friday to Sunday 12-4pm, you can enter (tickets $3 adult / $2 child) and observe the rooms setup as how occupants from the 1700s may have lived. I just missed this time frame when I visited though would suggest taking this glimpse if you're there during these hours! Otherwise it's still a treat to walk down the street for a few photos; the houses are well maintained and most are privately owned with caveat that certain exterior and interior architectural features must be preserved. There is currently a property for sale on this street if you want to own a piece of history! As others have mentioned, no bathrooms available, (it's mostly an outdoor area after all), and street parking is available though can be difficult to find. Very walkable from other key sights like Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Reading Terminal.

This is a great servlce to work with rather than deal with paperwork issues at the Post Office…read more l dealt with them and they were professional and clearly knowledgeable on what was required. Quick, easy and well worth the fees. l highly recommend them.