Philadelphia Electric Cart Tour: Independence Hall to Rocky Steps

Ride an electric cart from Independence Hall to the Rocky Steps, uncovering Philly’s hidden history along the way

A 2-hour guided electric cart tour of Philadelphia covers Old City, Center City and South Street, with stops at Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Rocky Steps and the Magic Gardens mosaic. A local guide narrates the history and landmarks as the cart moves through each neighborhood. Groups of up to five ride together, and larger parties are split across multiple carts.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Philadelphia landmarks by electric cart

• Tour Independence Hall area
• Pass Liberty Bell
• Drive by Betsy Ross House
• See Benjamin Franklin’s Grave
• Glide past Elfreth's Alley
• Drive by United States Mint
• Pass Arch Street Meeting House
• Drive through South Street Magic Gardens
• Pass Rodin Museum
• Stop at Philadelphia Museum of Art
• View LOVE Statue
• Pass The Franklin Institute
• Drive around City Hall
• Pass Rittenhouse Square
• See Washington Square Park
• Explore Society Hill
• Drive through Chinatown
• Pass Reading Terminal Market
• Drive by Philadelphia Convention Center

The experience

The tour starts in Old City, where your guide walks you through the significance of Independence Hall: the birthplace of the United States, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. You'll pass the Liberty Bell, learn about Betsy Ross and the first American flag, and hear stories of Benjamin Franklin's legacy as you glide past his gravesite. Elfreth's Alley, America's oldest continuously residential street, shows the colonial-era homes and cobblestone paths of early settlers. The United States Mint and Arch Street Meeting House round out Old City's founding-era landmarks.

From there the cart moves into Center City, where you'll see Philadelphia City Hall's ornate 19th-century architecture dominating the skyline, the LOVE Statue, and Rittenhouse Square with its Victorian mansions and restaurants. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the centerpiece of this stretch. You'll hop out and climb the Rocky Steps, the iconic stairs from the Rocky films, and take in the view of the city. On the way back, you'll pass the Rodin Museum and The Franklin Institute, then head to South Street to see the Magic Gardens, an intricate labyrinth of mosaic tile and mirror that has become one of Philadelphia's most popular stops. The route also takes you through Society Hill's charming colonial architecture and Washington Square Park, a green space with a memorial to George Washington and the American Revolution.

Each electric cart holds up to five guests, so you'll ride in a small, comfortable group. If your party is larger, you'll be split into separate carts. The whole tour runs two hours, and a local English-speaking guide narrates the history and stories of each neighborhood and landmark as you move through the city.

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide.
• guided electric cart tour through Old City, Center City, South Street and Society Hill.
• stop at the Rocky Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art where you can climb and take photos.

Options for this experience

2 options

Public 2-hour cart tourGuide in English · 10:00 and 13:00

Private 2-hour cart tourGuide in English · 10:00 and 13:00Private tour

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 13:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by WeVenture Philly

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if your group wants the cart to yourselves and a guide focused on your questions. Pick the public tour to meet other travelers and keep the cost lower. Either way, you're seeing the same landmarks and neighborhoods. The difference is who else is riding along.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Liberty Bell and why does the guide stop there?

The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American freedom that sits across from Independence Hall. Your guide will share stories about the bell's role in American culture and its significance to the nation's history as you pass by it in the cart.

Do I have to walk up the Rocky Steps or can I stay in the cart?

You hop out of the cart at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and climb the Rocky Steps yourself. That's the one place on the tour where you leave the cart to take photos and enjoy the view of the city from the top.

What is the Magic Gardens and how long do we spend there?

The Magic Gardens is an intricate mosaic wonderland of tile and mirror on South Street that has become one of Philadelphia's most popular tourist destinations. The cart drives past it so you can see the artwork from the street as part of the tour route.

Will I be in a cart alone or with other people?

Each electric cart holds up to five guests. If you book a public tour, you'll share the cart with other travelers. If you book a private tour, your group will have its own cart (or carts, if your group is larger than five).

How much history does the guide actually cover, or is it mostly just pointing out buildings?

Your local guide narrates the history and stories of each landmark and neighborhood throughout the tour, from the founding of the United States at Independence Hall to the role of the Quakers in Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin's achievements, and the cultural heritage of neighborhoods like Society Hill and Chinatown.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not in great shape or have mobility issues?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You'll spend most of the time seated in the electric cart. The main exception is the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where you'll climb out and walk up the stairs if you choose to.