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Touring Historic Philadelphia Visitors Can Explore Philly From Day Into Night With A Variety Of Tour Options

Press Release

TOURING HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA
Visitors Can Explore Philly From Day Into Night With A Variety Of Tour Options

PHILADELPHIA, April 3, 2008 - Visitors to Historic Philadelphia can choose from an assortment of options to explore the area, including those of the automotive, audio, self-guided and water-based varieties. And the sightseeing fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Those who come out at night can join tours that feature high-tech storytelling, behind-the-scenes action and even spirits from beyond.

Mural Arts Tour

Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

Best of all, visitors to the city can be assured that they’re hearing accurate accounts of the nation’s history thanks to an intensive three-week training course for storytellers and Colonial interpreters. Each one of the 80 people employed by Once Upon A Nation, the group responsible for staffing many of Historic Philadelphia’s storytelling benches, tours and other daily programs, are required to attend The Benstitute, a program that includes 100 hours of training so that ambassadors of the city’s history can provide the most interactive, memorable, accurate and engaging experience possible for visitors. Here’s a look at the many different ways to tour Historic Philadelphia:

Sunlight Sightseeing:

Once Upon A Nation – From Memorial Day through Labor Day, visitors can grab a map at the Independence Visitor Center and head off to find 13 storytelling benches placed at key sites throughout Historic Philadelphia. At each stop, they’ll hear funny, sad and inspirational stories about the people of Colonial Philadelphia. Those who collect a star at each bench receive a special storytelling certificate and coupon book. 6^th & Market Streets, (215) 629-4026, www.historicphiladelphia.org
AudioWalk & Tour – At the Independence Visitor Center, visitors can pick up a portable CD player, a CD-ROM and map before embarking on a tour of 20 historic sites. 6^th & Market Streets, (215) 965-7676, www.independencevisitorcenter.com
The Big Bus Tours – Riders can see the sights from an outdoor seat atop these double-decker buses or ride in the open-air bottom. 5^th & Market Streets, (215) 389-TOUR, www.phillytour.com
Colonial Kids’ Quest – When the Declaration of Independence goes missing, kids get to play detective as they follow this kid- and stroller-friendly walking tour to historical sites. Independence Living History Center, 3^rd & Chestnut Streets, (215) 629-4026, www.historicphiladelphia.org
The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia – Maps for this free, self-guided walking tour of more than 30 historic sites are available at area attractions and online. Guided, audio, group and cell phone tours are also available. 6^th & Market Streets, (215) 525-1776, www.theconstitutional.com
Mural Arts Tours – Aboard an open-air trolley, guides give the back story of each mural on this two-hour tour on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Independence Visitor Center, 6^th & Market Streets, (215) 685-0754, www.muralarts.org
National Park Service Tours – Walking tours led by Independence National Historical Park rangers include “Franklin’s Footsteps.” Independence Visitor Center, 6^th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676, www.nps.gov/inde
Philadelphia Trolley Works – This Victorian-style trolley allows riders to hop on and off while visiting popular attractions throughout the nation’s most historic area. 5^th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 389-TOUR, www.phillytour.com
Quest for Freedom – Visitors can download the self-guided tour and explore the sites and discover the drama of the Underground Railroad. www.gophila.com/questforfreedom
Ride the Ducks – Passengers get a duck’s eye view of Historic Philadelphia on this amphibious vehicle that splashes into the Delaware River. 6^th & Market Streets, (877) 88-QUACK, www.phillyducks.com
Turmoil and Treason: The Path to Independence – Visitors side with Colonial rebels or the King’s loyalists during this walking tour during which 18^th-century townspeople debate both sides of the issues. Independence Living History Center, 3^rd & Chestnut Streets (215) 629-4026, www.historicphiladelphia.org

Twilight Tours:

Tippler’s Tour – The over-21 set can sing along to 18^th-century drinking songs, enjoy stories of the drinking traditions of Colonial times and sample a few beverages as they ramble through Historic Philadelphia. This year, tipplers will stop at Society Hill Restaurant, Triumph Brewing Company, Old Original Bookbinders and City Tavern. Independence Living History Center, 3^rd & Chestnut Streets, (215) 629-4026, www.historicphiladelphia.org
Lights of Liberty Show – Some of the nation’s most important historic sites take center stage—literally—during this moonlight journey through the past. As larger-than-life images flash onto Independence Hall, Carpenter’s Hall, Franklin Court and other landmarks, visitors don high-tech headsets and hear top Hollywood stars narrate key events from the nation’s history. 6^th & Chestnut Streets, (877) GO-2-1776, www.lightsofliberty.org
Independence After Hours – After a feast at City Tavern, guests follow their guide to Independence Hall, where they meet the Founding Fathers in person and eavesdrop on their late-night debates. Then, it’s off to the Lights of Liberty Show. Independence Living History Center, 3^rd & Chestnut Streets, (215) 629-4026, www.historicphiladelphia.org
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia – Do spectral spirits really inhabit Independence Hall, St. Peter’s Cemetery and other historic landmarks? Visitors can find out during this guided walking tour—just spooky enough to be entertaining. 5^th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 413-1997, www.ghosttour.com

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery.

CONTACT:

Cara Schneider, GPTMC
(215) 599-0789, cara@gptmc.com

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