By John Roberts
We have lived in Central New Jersey for about two years. Our home is just 45 minutes from Philadelphia, a city rich with restaurants, museums, history and more. Yet, we hadn't properly explored this gem until recently.
Needing a well-rounded tour, we searched online for possibilities. We found "Free Tours by Foot Philadelphia."
Ummm, do I see the word free in there? On foot, too? Fantastic. That always is the most fun way to get around.
The program gets great reviews on TripAdvisor, so I knew we'd be in for some fun. Plus, we had almost nothing to lose because of the price. The idea is that you tip your guide what you think the tour was worth at the end.
We saw plenty of off-the-beaten path sights during our six miles and five-plus hours of wandering on a gorgeously sunny day in the City of Brotherly Love. Our guide, Jenn, led a group of 19 of us on the "Real Philadelphia" tour exploring historic cemeteries, churches and buildings as well as neighborhoods distinguished by their architecture, designs or planning by city engineers hundreds of years ago.
All that and much more!
We have lived in Central New Jersey for about two years. Our home is just 45 minutes from Philadelphia, a city rich with restaurants, museums, history and more. Yet, we hadn't properly explored this gem until recently.
Needing a well-rounded tour, we searched online for possibilities. We found "Free Tours by Foot Philadelphia."
Ummm, do I see the word free in there? On foot, too? Fantastic. That always is the most fun way to get around.
The program gets great reviews on TripAdvisor, so I knew we'd be in for some fun. Plus, we had almost nothing to lose because of the price. The idea is that you tip your guide what you think the tour was worth at the end.
We saw plenty of off-the-beaten path sights during our six miles and five-plus hours of wandering on a gorgeously sunny day in the City of Brotherly Love. Our guide, Jenn, led a group of 19 of us on the "Real Philadelphia" tour exploring historic cemeteries, churches and buildings as well as neighborhoods distinguished by their architecture, designs or planning by city engineers hundreds of years ago.
All that and much more!
Our tour guide, Jenn, explains how the day will play out as we make our way around the city.
Pennsylvania Hospital was founded in 1751 as the nation's first hospital. It is a National Historic Landmark.
Political history is on display throughout the city.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington Square Park.
Art sculptures dot the city as part of a program to increase pride in the community.
Murals adorn many buildings in Philadelphia, as part of a public-service program to channel the talents of graffiti artists. Each mural tells a unique story. This one called "A Taste of Summer" is on the side of chef Marc Vetri’s restaurant on Spruce Street.
A South Street neighborhood has been rejuvenated by the work of mosaic mural artist Isaiah Zagar, whose works incorporate mirror, glass, tile and paint to decorate several buildings he owns or was commissioned to work on in the area.
This is the box pew where George Washington and his family would sit when they came to St. Peter's Church.
JFK Plaza, widely known as Love Park for the LOVE sculpture, is a hot spot for skate boarders and a constant hub for activity. The park was developed by former city planner Edmund Bacon, father of actor Kevin Bacon.
Bottom line: In The Loop Travel gives its enthusiastic recommendation of the Free Tours by Foot program.
As always, thanks for reading.
Travel fit. Travel happy.
JR
VIDEO: Visiting Philadelphia with Free Tours by Foot
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