Philadelphia Old City: History Pub Crawl & 4 Iconic Bars
Four bars, one guide, the history they didn't teach you
You'll visit four historic bars in Old City Philadelphia with an expert local guide who shares the untold stories of the Revolution, the Founding Fathers, and the spies behind American independence. Drinks are included at each stop. The whole experience takes 2 hours and 15 minutes, so you're done before dinner but have plenty to think about afterward.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Philadelphia Old City bars
- Meet expert local guide
- Visit multiple historic bars
- Hear unknown Philadelphia stories
- Learn about Founding Mother and Ben Franklin
- Discover American Revolution spies
- Enjoy drinks with fellow travelers
The experience
"Most people think they know Philadelphia," our guide said, settling onto a barstool at the first stop, "but they've got the sanitized version." That's the whole point of this pub crawl through Old City. You're not getting the textbook version of the American Revolution or the Founding Fathers. Instead, you're hearing the messy, sometimes ridiculous stories that got left out of 8th grade social studies: the spies, the scandals, the stuff that actually happened between the speeches. The tour runs 2 hours and 15 minutes, moving through four iconic Philadelphia bars, and it feels less like a lecture and more like sitting with someone who actually knows the city.
The bars themselves matter. These aren't tourist traps. They're places that have been pouring drinks in Old City for decades, some of them since before the Revolution itself. Your guide stops at each one and orders you a drink, that's included, while laying out the real history. You'll hear about Ben Franklin's less-than-honorable side, about a Founding Mother whose name got erased, about the network of spies who actually helped win the war. The pacing is loose enough that you can breathe between stops, ask questions, and actually talk to the other people on the tour. Groups stay small, which means you're not herding through a crowd.
The whole thing works because the guide is local and knows how to tell a story without making it feel like homework. You're standing in a bar where people have been standing for 200 years, holding a drink, hearing something that changes how you see the city. By the end, Philadelphia stops being a field trip destination and starts being a place where actual people did actual things: some of them noble, some of them not.
What’s included
Your experience includes the 2 hour and 15 minute guided tour through historic Old City Philadelphia, stops at four iconic bars with drinks included at each one, and an expert local guide who shares the untold stories of the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers, and the spies behind independence.
Information
Lasts 2h 15m, runs every day at 16:00 and 19:00, from US$ 45 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 14 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by Philly Crawling
Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants the real history of Philadelphia without the textbook tone: the small-group format and included drinks at each bar mean you're actually sitting and listening, not rushing through a lecture.
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Top questions
What's included in the pub crawl price?
The tour includes stops at four iconic Philadelphia bars with drinks at each one, plus the expert local guide's commentary on the hidden history of Old City.
How long is the tour?
The pub crawl runs 2 hours and 15 minutes total.
How many bars do you visit?
You'll stop at four iconic Philadelphia bars throughout Old City.
Do I need to be fit to do this tour?
No, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You're walking between bars at a relaxed pace with breaks to sit and listen to stories.
Can I bring a service animal?
Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.
Is there public transportation nearby?
Yes, public transportation options are available near the tour route in Old City.
What kind of history will I learn?
You'll hear stories about the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers (including lesser-known tales), spies who helped win the war, and a Founding Mother whose history was largely forgotten.
What if I don't drink alcohol?
The tour includes drinks at each bar, but you can ask your guide about non-alcoholic options at the venues.
Philadelphia Old City: History Pub Crawl & 4 Iconic Bars
2h 15m · EN
from US$ 45 per person