Philadelphia Walking Tour: True Crime & Serial Killer Tales

Two and a half hours through Old Philadelphia: founding sites, colonial streets, and the darker chapters history textbooks skip

A 2.5-hour walking tour of Philadelphia's historic Old City district combines visits to the Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Elfreth's Alley, Benjamin Franklin's Grave, and the President's House with stories of Philadelphia's most notorious serial killers: the Corpse Collector, Frankfort Slasher, and H.H. Holmes. Led by college professors or history teachers in English, the tour covers ground most Liberty Bell tours avoid. Children from age 6 are welcome, though Saturdays are adults only due to the content. The tour ends with a complimentary beverage.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each6 stops

1. Betsy Ross House15m
2. Benjamin Franklin’s Grave20m
3. Liberty Bell Centerpassing by
4. Elfreth's Alley15m
5. Christ Church15m
6. President's Housepassing by

Philadelphia true crime and history tour

• Visit Betsy Ross House
• See Christ Church
• Walk through Elfreth's Alley
• Explore Arch Street Meeting House
• View Benjamin Franklin’s Grave
• Visit tombs of Declaration signers
• Pass by Liberty Bell Center
• Pass by President's House
• Hear tales of serial killers
• Enjoy complimentary beverage

The experience

A 2.5-hour walking tour takes you through Old Philadelphia's narrow streets and colonial landmarks, but not the way standard sightseeing does. You'll stand in front of the Betsy Ross House where the first American flag was sewn, walk Elfreth's Alley (the oldest continuously occupied residential street in the country), and visit Christ Church, where both Benjamin Franklin and George Washington worshipped. Benjamin Franklin's Grave, the President's House where Washington and Adams lived while serving, and the Arch Street Meeting House round out the founding-era stops. But the guide weaves in the city's criminal history alongside the patriotic one: tales of the Corpse Collector, the Frankfort Slasher, and H.H. Holmes, whose murder castle operated in the 1890s. It's the kind of layering that makes Philadelphia's past feel less like a museum display and more like a city with real stories, some of them dark.

Your guide is a college professor or history teacher, not a performer reading from a script. That changes the pace and the depth. You get the reasoning behind why these buildings mattered, not just the dates they were built. The route stays on foot through Old City, so you're moving at a walking pace through streets narrow enough that you can picture how they looked three centuries ago. The Liberty Bell Center is on the itinerary, but it's one stop among many, not the centerpiece. By the end of 2.5 hours, you've covered the Arch Street Meeting House, Independence Hall, and the tombs of signers of the Declaration and Constitution. The tour wraps with a complimentary drink, which gives you a moment to sit with what you've heard.

Saturdays run adults only because of the content: the serial killer stories aren't sanitized. Weekday tours welcome children from age 6 if they're accompanied by an adult, though parents should know the darker material is part of the experience. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all surfaces and areas are navigable. If you're traveling with an infant, strollers are fine, and specialized infant seats are available. Public transit stops are nearby if you need them, and transportation options in the area are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• The tour includes visits to the Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Elfreth's Alley, Benjamin Franklin's Grave, the President's House, the Arch Street Meeting House, and Independence Hall.
• a 2.5-hour guided walk led by a college professor or history teacher.
• stories of Philadelphia's serial killers alongside the founding history.
• and a complimentary beverage at the end.

Information

Lasts 2h 30m, runs Saturday at 14:00, from US$ 44 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 14:00Another day? ›

GroupUp to 30

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 toStart time

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Grim Philly Twilight Tours

Is this one for you?This tour suits anyone who wants Philadelphia's history without the standard Liberty Bell script. The guide is a teacher, not a performer, and the route mixes founding-era sites with the city's darker criminal past. Book a weekday departure if you're bringing children from age 6. Saturdays are adults only because the serial killer content isn't softened for younger ears.

Traveler reviews

4.92★★★★★★★★★★

434 verified traveler reviews

5 ★412

4 ★17

3 ★2

2 ★0

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What exactly is Elfreth's Alley and why is it on this tour?

Elfreth's Alley is the oldest continuously occupied residential street in the United States, lined with colonial-era townhouses that still function as homes. The tour includes it because it's one of the few places in Old Philadelphia where you can walk a street that looks and feels much as it did in the 1700s, giving you a sense of scale and daily life that Independence Hall alone doesn't convey.

Is this tour different from the standard Liberty Bell and Independence Hall tours?

Yes. The Liberty Bell Center is one stop, but the tour focuses on the streets, houses, and graves of Old Philadelphia (Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Elfreth's Alley, Benjamin Franklin's Grave, and the President's House), and pairs that with Philadelphia's criminal history. The guide is a college professor or history teacher, not a standard tour operator, so the depth and angle are different from the typical Liberty Bell tour.

How much walking is involved over 2.5 hours?

The entire tour is on foot through Old City's colonial district, covering multiple stops across the neighborhood. The pace is steady but not rushed. You're stopping at each site to hear the history and stories. The route is wheelchair accessible, and all surfaces are navigable, so the walking is manageable for most fitness levels.

What's included at the end of the tour?

The tour ends with a complimentary beverage, giving you a chance to decompress after 2.5 hours of walking and stories before you head out on your own.

Do I need to book a specific time, or can I just show up?

You'll need to book in advance to secure your spot. The tour runs on a set schedule, and your booking confirms your place and the departure time.