Discover Philadelphia
Philadelphia Educational Tours
Affectionately known as Philly, the City of Philadelphia is considered the birthplace of freedom. History reigns supreme in this city where the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution took place. Walk in the footsteps of the founding fathers as you explore this exciting city.
Philadelphia Overview
An educational trip to Philly would be incomplete without two stops: Independence Hall, where the Declaration of the United States was signed and the Constitution was drafted, and the Liberty Bell Center, the home of an international symbol of freedom. This area of the city is densely packed with historical attractions such as The Museum of the American Revolution, the Liberty Museum, the Benjamin Franklin Museum and the Betsy Ross House (birthplace of the first American flag!).
The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a wide strip that stretches from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Along this broad and walker-friendly parkway are fountains, sculptures, beautiful green spaces and a world-class collection of museums and learning institutions! Artists in the making will enjoy The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Barnes Foundation, and The Rodin Museum; young scientists and engineers won’t want to miss the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and The Franklin Institute; and everyone will want to snag photos in front of the statue in Love Park and with Rocky Balboa at the Rocky Steps.
Sometimes brains need a break after all of that learning! When students start to get antsy, recapture their attention with some of Philadelphia’s more unusual features. Eastern State Penitentiary provides a fascinating window into the philosophy behind incarceration and criminal reform – on a tour students can learn about attempted prison breaks and “celebrity” inmates like Al Capone. At the Mutter Museum, medical oddities of various kinds are on public display, as well as medical diagrams, instruments, and other pieces of medical history that are part of the day-to-day study of physicians.
Visitors looking for a bite to eat will be able to find something tasty to accommodate just about anyone at the Reading Terminal Market, which makes it a great lunch or dinner option for group trips. This culinary smorgasbord opened in 1893 and is one of the oldest public markets in the country. Everything from traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food to classic Philly cheesesteaks to Asian and Middle Eastern dishes are available daily at the Reading Terminal Market. For those looking to try some classic Philadelphia fare, there are numerous restaurants around the city serving up fresh cheesesteaks, hoagies, and soft pretzels.
Independence Hall
Independence Hall is the site where the United States of American was founded in 1776. Later it was used at the meeting place where representatives from 12 states gathered to draft the Constitution. Guided tours of Independence Hall are free and open to the public year ’round.
The Liberty Bell
At the Liberty Bell Center, students can get a full 360 degree view of this international symbol of freedom. The center features a wealth of information about the bell itself – including x-rays of its inner workings – as well as examples of how the bell has been used to represent the idea of liberty in the U.S. and around the world. The Liberty Bell Center is free to the public and open year ’round.
Eastern State Penitentiary
“When Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829, spectators from around the world marveled at its grand architecture and radical philosophy. The experiment, to reform criminals through strict isolation other than daily visits from the warden and guards, soon became a model for prison design worldwide. Once built, it was the most expensive construction in the United States at the time. After 142 years in use, Eastern State finally closed its doors as a prison in 1971. It has since been named a National Historic Landmark.”
