Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now Discount Tickets

5.0
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 5 reviews |
location pin icon 1400 John F Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
location pin icon Philadelphia
5.0 /5
5 reviews
View all Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now photos
View all Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now photos

Get your discount tickets for the Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now, save up to 12% !

Select your ticket

12% OFF Refundable
Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now
FROM

$39.43

REG. $45.00

Overview

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.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

I will be standing on 12th street at the outside entrance of the Home2 Suites Hotel just south of Arch Street.

End Point

End point

Love Park

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. 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.
2. Loews Philadelphia Hotel
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.
3. 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.
Duration: 10 mins
4. 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.
Duration: 5 mins
5. 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.
Duration: 10 mins
6. 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.
7. The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia
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..."
8. The Union League of Philadelphia
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.
9. The Bellevue Hotel - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
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.
10. 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.
11. 1435 Walnut St
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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
Duration: 10 mins
14. 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.
Duration: 5 mins
15. 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.
Duration: 5 mins

Inclusion

Live guided tour

Exclusion

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Gratuities

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

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

Supplied by phillyPHAT

Reviews

5.0

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 5 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars
5
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 stars
0

Explore other options

Rome Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Vatican Ticket

Rome Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Vatican Ticket

Save up to 16%
3-Hours Artisanal Shopping Tour in Rome

3-Hours Artisanal Shopping Tour in Rome

Save up to 14%
Borghese Gallery Hosted Entry Ticket with Audio Guide

Borghese Gallery Hosted Entry Ticket with Audio Guide

Save up to 9%
Unlock Vatican: Private Guided Tour of Museums & Sistine Chapel

Unlock Vatican: Private Guided Tour of Museums & Sistine Chapel

Save up to 16%
Rome Street GastronomicTour

Rome Street GastronomicTour

Save up to 14%
4 Days Tour to Discover the Molise Region

4 Days Tour to Discover the Molise Region

Save up to 16%
Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum with Guided Tour

Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum with Guided Tour

Save up to 16%
Colosseum Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Access in Rome

Colosseum Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Access in Rome

Save up to 9%
Half day private car or van with driver at disposal in Rome

Half day private car or van with driver at disposal in Rome

Save up to 12%
Tivoli and Hadrian's Villa Full day from Rome

Tivoli and Hadrian's Villa Full day from Rome

Save up to 16%