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Beyond the famous colonial-era sites that fill Old City, Philadelphia’s streets hold a wealth of stories and heritages to explore.
Various tour companies offer itineraries that give a chance to stroll through different neighborhoods — Chinatown, South Street, North Broad, sections of West Philly or North Philly — while learning about the many different cultures that have shaped the city.
Some tours that focus on women leaders and artists. Others highlight the work of Black and African American residents of centuries past and present. There are tours specializing in the local contributions and cultures of Jewish, Chinese, and South Asian immigrants and their descendants. The options abound.
Here’s a sampling of walking tours that explore Philadelphia’s diverse communities and their contributions to the city.
Badass Women’s History Walking Tour
The tour: Hear the stories of brave, talented, and esteemed Philadelphia women across three centuries, starting with one of the city’s founders, Hannah Callowhill Penn. Other stars of the narrative are Ona Judge, an enslaved woman who escaped from George Washington’s household; lesbian pioneer Barbara Gittings and other LGBTQ leaders; the Red Rose Girls, an early 20th century group of artists; and local women who have worked in medicine.
Length: 1.5 miles, 2 hours
Schedule: 11 a.m. daily
Cost: $59
More info here
The Black Journey: African-American History Walking Tour of Philadelphia
The tour: A walk around central Philadelphia takes you to places of major significance in African-American history as you hear the stories of prominent early Black Americans. Destinations include Congo Square, a historic gathering place for enslaved and free Africans (now called Washington Square), the unmarked graves of yellow fever victims, the site where the Fugitive Slave Act was passed, Independence Hall, and the President’s House memorial to people held in slavery by George Washington. Other offerings include a tour of the Seventh Ward, once home to the largest Black population in the city, and the 1838 Black Metropolis Walking Tour, an exploration of the pre-Civil War Free Black population.
Length: 1.5 hours
Schedule: 2 p.m. Saturdays and holidays
Cost: $21-$37
More info here
Morals + Murals Hood Tour
The tour: Participants walk and take public transit on an eight-mile route, visiting Black cultural sites and murals of figures like Kenny Gamble, Patti LaBelle, Malcolm X, and Will Smith. Told through immersive storytelling, the tour includes discussions of growing up Black, ownership and wealth, and challenging the narrative of what is considered the “hood.” Philly snacks and an all-day bus pass are included.
Length: 3 hours
Schedule: 1 p.m. Saturdays
Cost: $20-$59, 5 and under free
More info here
Neighborhood Jawnts
The tour: As part of the Philadelphia 250 celebrations, the Philadelphia Visitor Center is offering free bus/walking tours of 20 neighborhoods from May through October 2026. They include tours of Africatown in Southwest Philly and of Chinatown, and tours focusing on Black artists, jazz history, and civil rights history in North Philly. Each tour runs five times over one weekend.
Length: 3 hours
Schedule: Friday 2 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Cost: Free. Advanced registration required.
More info here
Philadelphia Jewish History Tours
The tour: Educator Michael Schatz, who is also school principal at Har Zion Temple, offers several tours, including a walk through the city’s old Jewish Quarter, with visits to synagogues, banks, bakeries, and schools. “The City Grows North” walking or vehicle tour focuses on the Broad Street of the Gilded Age, Rodeph Shalom, the former Mikveh Israel, and the Frank Synagogue. Other tours go to Strawberry Mansion, Wynnefield, Logan, West Oak Lane, and other areas.
Length: 2 hours
Schedule: By appointment
Cost: Starts at $350 for up to 9 participants
More info here
Philly Gayborhood Tour: Telling LGBTQ Stories with Pride
The tour: Promising to “get under the skin of queer Philly” and spill “historical tea,” this walk focuses on the Gayborhood’s controversies and hidden stories. The guide covers topics like the evolution of Pride and racism in the neighborhood, and offers profiles of notables like LGBTQ pioneer Barbara Gittings, HIV/AIDS activist Kiyoshi Kuromiya, and civil rights leader Gloria Casarez.
Length: 1 mile, 1.5 hours
Schedule: 3 p.m. daily
Cost: $59
More info here
Revolution Remix
The tour: The stories of South Asians in Philadelphia from the 1780s to the present day are the focus of walks organized by SAADA, the South Asian American Digital Archive. They begin at the Liberty Bell and end at Race Street Pier, and are accompanied by a specially commissioned soundtrack featuring original compositions by Seti X, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Anju, Zain Alam, and Grammy-award winner Arooj Aftab.
Length: 1.5 miles, 2.5 hours
Schedule: Contact SAADA for upcoming tour dates
Cost: $25-$50
More info here
Preservation Alliance – Chinatown
The tour: A stroll through Chinatown uncovers the neighborhood’s history, reviews the impacts of Philadelphia’s development, and discusses the community’s struggles as its members “carved their place into Philadelphia.”
Length: 2 hours
Schedule: Check website or call for tour dates
Cost: $10-$15
More info here
Preservation Alliance – Jewish Immigrant Philadelphia
The tour: At the turn of the 20th century, many Jewish immigrants settled around 5th and Bainbridge in South Philadelphia. You’ll see several synagogues, the birthplace of the Three Stooges’ Larry Fine, and numerous Isaiah Zagar murals, and hear a wild story about a former bathhouse. The Preservation Alliance also offers a Jewish Philadelphia in Colonial Times tour, focusing on Jewish connections to the Liberty Bell, Christ Church and other historic structures.
Length: 2 hours
Schedule: May 24 and June 24, 2026 at 6 p.m.; check website or call for additional dates
Cost: $18
More info here
Editor’s note: The article was updated and expanded in May 2026.
