Located at 239 Arch Street, what is now known as the Betsy Ross house was built circa 1740. It has housed a number of different families and tradespeople over the years before being converted into a museum to honour its most famous inhabitant. Betsy Ross (then Betsy Griscom Ross Ashburn Claypoole) is believed to have lived and worked in the house during the 1770s, around the time the American Revolution was unfolding. A skilled upholsterer and seamstress, she ran her fledgling upholstery and flag-making business from the home. According to legend, she was commissioned by George Washington and others to create the first American flag with 13 stars arranged in a circle (representing the 13 colonies). While this story is debated by historians, it remains a key part of American folklore.
After falling into disrepair towards the end of the 19th Century, the building was restored in 1937 as part of a patriotic revival during the run-up to World War II. The current museum pays homage to a woman whose story is woven into the story of the nation, exploring the rest of her life beyond sewing the first flag. It also provides a glimpse into working-class life of colonial and 19th-century Philadelphia.
As the Birthplace of the United States of America and the iconic Stars & Stripes flag, Philadelphia boasts monuments to some of the nation’s earliest significant moments. On this private walking tour, bring the stories back to life while seeing the places where history was made and follow the footsteps of 4 of the founding fathers of Philadelphia: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and John Adams.
On your private tour, you will:
During the American Revolution, Philadelphia was the site of the First and the Second Continental Congresses. After the Revolution, the city was chosen to be the temporary capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800.
Though federal and state governments left Philadelphia at the beginning of the 19th century, the city continued for some years to be the nation’s cultural and financial hub.
This tour will take you to the Independence Mall, the National Constitution Center, and the Liberty Bell on a stroll to the presidential home of George Washington and John Adams.
On this walking tour of the storied Historic District, you will explore Philadelphia’s historic district and learn not only its oft-told narrative but also the complexities of the nation.
Hear about Philadelphia’s role in the slave trade, its colonial past, and the development of trade links to claim its rightful place as one of the nation’s most important centres of trade.
Your tour ends at the entrance to the Independence Hall, the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Enjoy a private tour of Philadelphia’s highlights, where you will explore the best of the city of Brotherly Love with your professional guide by car, making several stops along the way to make the most of your visit to one of the oldest cities in America.
On your private driving tour, you will:
Your private tour begins with an easy hotel pick-up in a private vehicle, for those staying in centrally located Philadelphia hotels.
Enjoy an easy drop-off at the first site, where your guide will take you on a poignant journey around the historic sites of the American Revolution, where the seeds of independence were taking root long before a musket shot was fired.
As you walk around Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross’s homes, along with the homes of numerous other founders, your guide will colour in the missing details of life in Philadelphia during the period: about the political climate of the time, about the tension and excitement around the city.
You will have the opportunity to see several of the city’s other highlights and recognizable sites, like the LOVE statue, Reading Terminal Market, Rodin’s "The Thinker" and numerous other public sculptures outside the Rodin Museum.
You will also visit Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens with tickets included, which is an immersive mixed-media art environment that is completely covered with mosaics. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, used handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors, and international folk art to chronicle his life and influences.
At the end of your tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel or drop you off somewhere central in the city.
Discover Philadelphia, one of America's oldest cities, which played a significant role in American history, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the birth of the US Constitution. Philadelphia is a pedestrian-friendly city and exploring it on a walking tour, it's the best way to visit its most popular sites.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
Originally founded as a haven for religious freedom by William Penn, Pennsylvania was colonised by French Huguenots, Mennonites, and most famously in the state - Quakers and Amish. The capital city was formed in 1682 and has served as the seat of government ever since.
Throughout the centuries, Philadelphia has gone through revivals and slumps - prosperous then seasons of economic free fall. During the American Revolution, Philadelphia was the site of the First and the Second Continental Congresses. After the Revolution, the city was chosen to be the temporary capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800.
Though federal and state governments left Philadelphia at the beginning of the 19th century, the city continued for some years to be the nation’s cultural and financial hub.
To see the remnants of these boom-and-busts of the city, nothing is better than a privately guided walk of it. From its role in inventing the United States to the modern ways in which Philadelphia continues to reinvent itself today, your guide will take you through the highlights and spots off the beaten track to give you a feel of the entire city –not just the highlights seen by most.
On your tour, you will not only check off the highlights of the historic district but also fall in love with the city's unique combination of grit and charm.
Philadelphia is a fascinating city that played a pivotal role in shaping the USA as we know it. Serving as the first ever US capital, its historic buildings tell a wealth of stories about the early years of the Land of Liberty, and it has since become a diverse and modern city that continues to evolve and make a significant impact on American life. For travellers eager to make the most of their time in Philly, our 2-hour private driving tour in a comfortable electric cart offers an immersive and engaging journey through the most iconic sights in the company of a passionate local guide who can tailor the route to your interests.
On this 2-hour electric cart tour, you will:
Discover the heart of Philadelphia on a private two-hour driving tour that brings the city’s most iconic landmarks to life from the comfort of an electric cart. With convenient hotel pick-up in central Philly, this personalised experience offers the perfect crash course for first-time visitors who want to see the sights, hear the stories, and soak in the unique atmosphere, and is also a great option for returning travellers who wish to experience the best the city has to offer.
Your local guide will craft a route tailored to your interests as you explore everything from the colonial charm of Old City to the dynamic pulse of Centre City. Along the way, you’ll pass by the birthplace of American democracy at Independence Hall and catch a glimpse of the famed Liberty Bell, an enduring symbol of freedom and one of America’s most treasured artefacts. You can make your way past the well-preserved historic homes on Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest residential street in the country, and hear tales of revolution and resilience near the Betsy Ross House and Benjamin Franklin’s final resting place.
The tour continues through Philadelphia’s diverse neighbourhoods, including a lively ride through Chinatown and a look at Reading Terminal Market, a foodie favourite with a profound impact on Philadelphia’s celebrated culinary heritage. At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you will hop out for a quick photo op at the top of the “Rocky Steps,” with the spectacular city skyline behind you. Throughout the ride, you’ll spot some of Philadelphia’s renowned public art, from the colourful mosaics of the Magic Gardens to the iconic LOVE sculpture and the distinctive Friendship Arch.
Whether you're here for history, culture, or just a fun and easy introduction to the City of Brotherly Love, this engaging electric cart tour is your perfect jumping off point. Your guide will be more than happy to recommend plenty of great spots to eat, drink and explore before dropping you off at your hotel or another location of your choosing within the city centre.
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