Philadelphia: Donut Tour & Reading Terminal Market

Walking Through Philadelphia's Donut Shops & 130-Year-Old Market

You walk through Philadelphia's food history with a local guide, starting at Dottie's Donuts and moving through the city center to Reading Terminal Market, where you grab a pretzel and learn about the German and Amish traditions that shaped the region. Two stops at different donut shops (Mochinut and Beiler's) bookend the morning, with the historic market as the centerpiece. The guide handles the route and the stories. You just show up and walk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Philadelphia sweet treats and city tour

• Start at Dottie’s Donuts
• Walk around City Center area
• Try mochi style donuts at Mochinut
• Visit historic Reading Terminal Market
• Finish at Beiler’s Donuts

The experience

You're moving through Philadelphia's center on foot, stopping first at Dottie's Donuts where the guide hands you a plate of handcrafted donuts still warm from the kitchen. The conversation starts there: about how the city's food scene grew, which neighborhoods shaped it, and why donuts matter to the people who live here. It's not just tasting. It's the walking and talking that makes the morning feel like you're actually learning something instead of just hitting checkpoints.

The route takes you through the city center, past landmarks and streets with stories attached to them. Your guide points out the immigrant neighborhoods that built Philadelphia's food culture: German and Amish heritage shows up in a warm pretzel you'll eat at Reading Terminal Market, the landmark that's been operating since 1893. That market is the real anchor of the tour. It's crowded, it smells like fresh bread and roasted meat, and it's where locals actually shop, not just tourists passing through. You stand in it and understand why it matters.

Mochinut comes next: Japanese-style mochi donuts, which are denser and richer than what you had at Dottie's. Then Beiler's Donuts closes out the tour, and by that point you've walked enough to have earned the appetite. The whole thing runs about two hours, which is long enough to feel like a real outing but short enough that you're not exhausted by the end. A local guide leads the group, keeps it under control, and answers questions about the neighborhoods you're passing through.

What’s included

• Your morning includes samples at three donut shops (Dottie's Donuts to start, Mochinut in the middle, and Beiler's Donuts to finish) plus a warm pretzel at Reading Terminal Market.
• A local guide leads you through Philadelphia's city center, sharing stories about the immigrant neighborhoods and cultural traditions that shaped the city's food scene and American history.
• You'll walk past iconic landmarks and historic streets, hear insider recommendations for other local spots, and get a sense of how the neighborhoods actually work, not just how they look in photos.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day, 5 start times, from US$ 70 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Saturday: 09:00, 11:00 and 14:00Sunday: 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (under 11)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Underground Donut Tour

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste Philadelphia's donut culture without planning four separate stops yourself. The guide handles the route, the timing, and the context, which is what makes a morning of eating feel like learning instead of just wandering.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 11).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Philadelphia donut tour?

About two hours of walking and tasting at multiple stops.

What's included in the tour?

Samples at Dottie's Donuts, Mochinut, and Beiler's Donuts; a pretzel at Reading Terminal Market; and a local guide who shares stories about Philadelphia's food history and neighborhoods.

Is Reading Terminal Market included?

Yes, it's a main stop on the tour. You'll visit the historic market, which has been operating since 1893, and sample a pretzel there.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

It's a walking tour through the city center, so comfortable shoes help. The pace is moderate and suitable for most fitness levels.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. Strollers are also welcome for infants and small children.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.

What should I wear?

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the tour covers several blocks through Philadelphia's center.

Are there public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the tour route.

Can I take photos during the tour?

Yes, you're encouraged to capture photos of historic sites and vibrant streets throughout the tour.