I took a step back in time with Historic Philadelphia last week, and it was SO much fun! Through interpretation, interaction, and education, Historic Philadelphia, Inc. provides a destination to experience American history like no other. They have successfully created a program that no other city in the U.S. has done, and by the end of my city tour – I was longing for more of America’s historic cities to follow suit.
I joined a group of bloggers, along with staff from the Betsy Ross House and American Heritage Chocolate on this amazing historic city tour.
Must Visit Locations in Historic Philadelphia
Once you arrive in Philadelphia – there’s no better way to get acquainted with this up and coming foodie city, than with a Tippler’s Tour! From the brewing of the first American Porter to the tavern traditions of days gone by, learn the history behind Philadelphia’s storied beer drinking past on the famous Tippler’s Tour Colonial Pub Crawl!
Inspired by Benjamin Franklin, Tippler’s Tour includes 3 seasonal options:
Ben’s Kites & Flights, Ghosts & Toasts, and Yuletide Cheers & Beers
Visit 3 modern-day watering holes for drinks and snacks every Thursday from May-December. Your History Maker takes you along for a fun adventure while sharing tales about the historic locations and historians who visited them.
Independence Hall After Hours
Enjoy an exclusive, unforgettable experience with a realistic journey back to 1776! After an 18th-century-inspired dinner at historic City Tavern, and a visit by Thomas Jefferson, the group sneaks into Independence Hall where they eavesdrop on Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin discussing the Declaration of Independence.
Your group doesn’t have to fight the crowds! Enjoy the Independence Hall with ease and snap pictures of the Court Room and Pennsylvania Room, where Benjamin Franklin and other historians discussed the Declaration, among other things. Did you know there are several copies of the Declaration? A few are located in the city itself!
Get an up close look at a reenactment of the John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin – it’s outstanding!! I won’t elaborate so that you are pleasantly surprised. 🙂
Franklin Square
Stop by Franklin Square, just steps away from The Liberty Bell. This family friendly park features Philly Mini Golf, a renovated vintage marble fountain (It is thought to be the oldest surviving fountain in William Penn’s original squares), playgrounds, and the Parx Liberty Carousel. You and your family will work up an appetite after all the fun, so be sure to order a delicious Tasty Cake Shake! Special free events are happening throughout the seasons at Franklin Square, so be sure to pick up a copy of the Historic Philadelphia Gazette for the latest news!
The Liberty Bell
You can’t miss a visit to the Liberty Bell Center. Find out about the state house bell, and its recognizable crack. Don’t forget to snap a picture before you go!
The Betsy Ross House
Dedicated to preserving the story of Betsy Ross, and her life as an upholsterer and flag maker, the house is one of the most popular historic attractions. The House is furnished with period antiques and some reproduction furniture. Highlights include several objects known to have belonged to Betsy Ross. Visit Betsy Ross in the country’s only interactive colonial upholstery shop and get an up close look at the parlor, where she famously received the Flag Committee, and her bedroom where the first flag was secretly stitched.
And of course meet Betsy Ross herself, well maybe not the real Betsy Ross, but she’s the perfect History Maker to resemble her. She’s the kindest woman, and even offered a few of us a sewing lesson of the flag’s stars and stripes! I really love the History Makers included with the Historic Philadelphia, Inc. tours – there’s no better way to see Philadelphia than to be immersed in it with authentic historians!
Historic Chocolate Making Lesson by American Heritage Chocolate
More about American Heritage Chocolate:
While chocolate was primarily a drink in colonial America, the modern-day applications of our historic recipe are limitless. American Heritage Chocolate can be enjoyed as a hot beverage, baked into your favorite sweet treat, incorporated into savory recipes and used in candy making. American Heritage is as authentic as it gets – its products are developed from 1750’s, and is reminiscent of what Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Ben Franklin would have enjoyed, combining all natural ingredients and exotic spices!
American Heritage Chocolate is made with all-natural ingredients and no preservatives. Additionally, their chocolate is Kosher-certified, made without dairy, wheat, peanuts, or tree nuts, and is made in a facility that does not contain peanuts and tree nuts.
City Tavern
Dine like our forefathers and enjoy a taste of history in this authentic restaurant. I recommend ordering a classic favorite, Turkey Pot Pie, it’s amazing! Seriously, the best I’ve ever had. We also dined on a special dessert, made with American Heritage Chocolate, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie. Yum!
Oh and we had a special visit from Benjamin Franklin himself while we dined. What a fun adventure!
Must visit spots around Philadelphia that are FREE!
Colonial Kids’ Quest Puppet Show – Kids of all ages will help animal puppets search for a missing copy of the Declaration of Independence in this fun outdoor activity. Saturday’s at 11:30am and 1pm.
Visitor’s Tip: Make sure you have good walking shoes on! If not, you can fancy a horse and buggy while in the historic district.
I highly recommend visiting historic Philadelphia, and using Historic Philadelphia, Inc. for your tour needs. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience for you and your family!
