The largest Quaker meetinghouse in the world, the Arch Street Meeting House has stood at the heart of Philadelphia since 1804. Here we explore the remarkable story of William Penn's Holy Experiment — a radical vision of religious tolerance that shaped Pennsylvania and laid the groundwork for American democracy. We'll also dive into one of the most harrowing chapters in American history: the yellow fever epidemic of 1793, which killed nearly 10% of Philadelphia's population and forever changed the city. (Tour outside only).
Tucked behind Christ Church on Arch Street lies one of the most visited graves in America — Benjamin Franklin, founding father, inventor, diplomat, writer, and arguably the most fascinating person who ever lived. We'll pause here to talk about the man behind the myth, his complicated legacy, and why Philadelphians have a uniquely personal relationship with their most famous resident. Guests are invited to toss a penny on the grave — a tradition with more history behind it than you might expect. (Tour outside only).
Home to the woman credited with sewing the first American flag, the Betsy Ross House is one of Old City's most iconic stops. But the real story of Betsy Ross is far more interesting than the legend — a three-time widow who ran her own upholstery business in colonial Philadelphia and defied the conventions of her era at every turn. We'll explore her remarkable life, the contested history of the flag story, and what her home tells us about everyday life in 18th-century Philadelphia. (Tour outside only).
Welcome to the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the United States, dating back to 1702. Elfreth's Alley is 32 cobblestone feet wide and feels like stepping directly into colonial America. We'll spend time here exploring the stories of the tradespeople, craftsmen, and families who called this alley home over three centuries — and occasionally we get a rare peek inside one of the historic homes from a resident who knows us well. There's nowhere else in America quite like it
Known as the Nation's Church, Christ Church has stood on this corner since 1695 and counts George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Betsy Ross among its congregation. Your guide knows this building intimately — having served as an official guide here — and will bring you inside the stories that most visitors never hear. The church also houses the original baptismal font brought from England in 1696 — the very font in which William Penn himself was baptized. (Tour outside only).
Built on the site of Benjamin Franklin's actual home, Franklin Court is one of the most thoughtfully designed historic sites in Philadelphia. The original house was demolished in 1812 but the National Park Service created a striking "ghost structure" — a steel frame outlining exactly where Franklin's home once stood. We'll explore the courtyard and peer into the actual excavations of Franklin's original foundation, giving you a rare glimpse into the physical remains of where he lived and worked. We also stop into the B. Free Franklin Post Office — the only post office in America that doesn't fly a flag and still uses hand cancellation stamps — a quirky and uniquely Philadelphian experience.
Standing at Third and Chestnut, the First Bank of the United States is the oldest bank building in the country and one of the most stunning examples of Federal architecture in Philadelphia. Built in 1797 under Alexander Hamilton's vision for a national financial system, this building was the center of fierce political debate between Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson over the very soul of the new republic. The argument they had over this bank essentially created the two party political system in America — a fight that feels remarkably familiar today. The building is no longer open to the public which makes seeing it on foot with a knowledgeable guide the best way to truly appreciate its significance. (Tour outside only).
Often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, Carpenters' Hall is one of the most significant buildings in American history. Built in 1770 by the Carpenters' Company — the oldest trade guild in America — this modest hall hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774, where delegates from twelve colonies met in secret to organize resistance against British rule. It was here, not Independence Hall, where the seeds of revolution were first planted. Admission is free and when time allows we encourage guests to step inside and experience this remarkable piece of history up close.
We conclude your tour at the most important building in American history — Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed. We'll take in the full scope of what happened here and what this building represents not just for Philadelphia but for the world. I'll point out the Liberty Bell pavilion across the street and make sure everyone knows where the bathrooms are — because that's what a good guide does. We cap things off with the remarkable story of the Marquis de Lafayette's return to Philadelphia in 1824, and how his visit inspired a complete restoration of Independence Hall. (Tour outside only).
Seamus is a great tour guide! Born and raised in this city he shared so much history with us, told lots of stories and had helpful recommendations about what to see in more depth. He was so engaging, funny and personable. We loved our time with him, the sights he showed us and highly recommend this experience. Thank you Seamus for a wonderful morning.
We LOVED this tour with Seamus, probably one of the best tour guides we have had. Seamus, was informative, extremely knowledgeable with a great presence and kept the group engaged. He patiently answered questions and had an amusing wit. Wish he had more city walking tours we could take. Highly recommend Seamus Walks Old City Philadelphia
Seamus was so great! We had a lot of fun and learned a lot. He kept it really interesting the whole way and the whole group had a good time. Thank you!!
Seamus is knowledgeable about the history and able to make recommendations of what to do next. We had a great time.
Seamus was an awesome tour guide of the old city for us. He is very knowledgeable, entertaining, and is eager to answer questions you may have. I would recommend this tour to anyone that wants to tour the city with a true local that knows most anything there is to know about the city and its history.
Seamus was super knowledgeable and made the tour very engaging! Had a great time exploring my neighborhood as a tourist- will never look at it the same way again. He was also very patient with my baby who was a distraction at times (I am sorry and thank you 🙏🙏). Highly recommend!
Seamus=amazing! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
Very knowledgeable tour guide. Great experience, way better than a self guided tour and very reasonable priced. Highly recommend.
Seamus gives a phenomenal walking tour of old city!! Highly recommend for a small group that’s looking for laughs, history, and a good time!
Seamus gave a great tour! My friends and I recently moved to Philadelphia, and this made us super excited about the city and its significance in America’s history! We learned a lot of cool facts that I will definitely brag about when people ask how I’m enjoying Philly.
Seamus was a great tour guide! Engaging, informative, very knowledgeable. He did a wonderful job, and made us want to come back and see more of Philadelphia.We had a great time!
Book a tour with Seamus if you want an extremely knowledgable guide with a pulse on the current culture of Philadelphia. Would recommend his tours to people of all ages & backgrounds.
Seamus gave a great tour! He is extremely knowledgeable, funny and Seamus was a wonderful tour guide. I learned so much about historical Old City. I was able to ask questions, which Seamus answered and when the tour was over, he passed out his cards for "Seamus Walks" which will be great when I share his site with others. I highly recommend "Seamus Walks". Thanks Seamus
Seamus was very knowledgeable, always worried about us w watching our steps due to uneven walkways, interested in any questions we have and great suggestions on how to see sites, where to eat w a 10% discount at a place called Campo’s ( which we used and was so yummy) plus sharing stories that increased our curiosity!!!! Highly recommend this walking tour and doing this tour w Seamus! So glad we did this tour and all we learned!!!
Seamus is so knowledgeable and clearly loves Philadelphia and American history. He’s an engaging story teller but has all the facts down along with the different perspectives & interpretations. We’ve lived in the area for a long time, but we learned a lot we didn’t know about Old City & its former inhabitants. Seamus is personable & friendly. When he’s not giving tours, he’s working at one of the prestigious history museums in the city or performing at our favorite comedy club.
Seamus, a Philly native and historian, provides an engaging and one of a kind tour experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our small group 90 minute stroll. He loves his city and loves what he does. Highly recommend.
Seamus is a fantastic tour guide! Born and raised in Philly, his knowledge of Old City is vast and insightful. Seamus was personable, funny and he fit so much in his tour without it feeling rushed. He answered questions with confidence and shared insider information that I don't think you'll get on other tours. I highly recommend Seamus Walks Old City Philadelphia!
We took Seamus' tour to show out of town guests our city. It was amazing how much we learned even though we are locals. Seamus answered all of our questions and made the time fly with his insights. We all highly recommend this tour to visitors and locals alike!
I am a repeat customer of Seamus' Old City Philadelphia walking tour and highly recommend it for Philly locals and visitors alike! Most recently, I booked a tour for family visiting from out of town. It was a fun way for us all to enjoy a nice day and learn about history together; the 90 minutes flew by. Seamus is an engaging and knowledgeable guide who brings local expertise and a sense of humor to the experience. He thoughtfully answers questions and always has memorable anecdotes or trivia to add, which makes each tour you take with him unique.
Seamus was very personable, positive, interesting, knowledgeable and uber dedicated to sharing his Vast knowledge about Philadelphia. Thank you Seamus!
I treated my 15 - year old cousin to a Seamus Walks Tour during her visit to Philly and it was one of the highlights of her trip! Seamus kept us laughing from start to finish, sharing cool stories about Philly's history in a way that was engaging and easy to follow. We both walked away having learned something new (& with some personalized recs). Highly recommend for all ages, tourists and Philly-natives alike.
We had a wonderful time touring with Seamus! Highly recommend!! We even had someone walk up and pay to join us after she listened at one stop.
Great tour, friendly and knowledgeable! all kinds of great stuff, including one bit at the end about one of the first great tours in Philadelphia
I was pleasantly surprised that the tour went ahead even though we were the only ones booked for the Saturday afternoon slot. From the moment Seamus met us at the meeting point, we knew we were in for a treat. As we explored Old City, Seamus brought the area to life with his deep knowledge of Phila history. He was incredibly thoughtful throughout the tour—offering us rain ponchos during a light drizzle, reminding us to watch our step on uneven surfaces, and answering all of our questions. I highly recommend the Seamus Walks Old City Philadelphia tour. It was informative, enjoyable, and an excellent value for the price.
My family of six visited Philly for the first time on a rainy weekend in May and lucked out with what turned into a private tour with Seamus. I guess nobody else wanted to brave the rain. But they missed out! Seamus was great with my four kids (ages 4-9; two boys, two girls), who loved the tour, and he had plenty of interesting historical tidbits to share with me and my wife as well. Highly recommend.
Very fun and informative. Just note you will not have access to some of the venues like going inside the Betsy Ross house.
We really enjoyed our walking tour. Very knowledgeable and friendly and entertaining. Boys all enjoyed and would advise for families.
This guy is a genius, knows everything there is to know and is funny.
Super fun time! Had a blast it wasn’t just a boring old walking tour like most of them are and being there by myself I felt super safe with the guide
I've lived in Philadelphia my whole life and never realized how little I knew about historic Philedelphia! Seamus' tour was funny, engaging, amd informative. I still dont consider myself a history person, but during this tour I found myself wanting to learn more!
If you’re looking for a historical tour in Philadelphia that’s both educational and entertaining, I highly recommend doing it with Seamus. Seamus has an incredible knowledge of Philadelphia’s history and brings the stories of the city to life in a way that’s engaging, memorable, and genuinely fun. What sets his tours apart is his ability to balance deep historical insight with a great sense of humor. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, you’ll walk away having learned something new while thoroughly enjoying yourself along the way. You can tell he’s passionate about history and loves sharing it with others. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Philadelphia’s rich history.
Not only was Seamus’ tour unbelievable informative- this dude was a laugh a minute! A real catch. I felt well informed and well cared for. I’ve never gushed for a tour guide as much as I did for Seamus! I’d go for another round anytime! I’ll come whenever he calls!!
Touring with Seamus was a lovely experience. He was knowledgeable and shared niche tidbits of info while we strolled around Old City. He managed to make us feel welcome all the while keeping us on a steady course. He's pretty funny and would be great for a group outing. He gave us some great food recommendations and pointed out some cute spots to grab drinks at later.
Seamus was great! Very knowledgeable well-spoken and fun. It was 90° out and he was attentive to our group's needs as well.
Seamus arrived early and since others had cancelled due to rainy weather, we got started a bit early. He was entertaining, knowledgeable and matched our middle-age pace perfectly. Seamus also gave us some great local recommendations for the rest of our stay! Great price, great value, great guy. Can’t go wrong booking this walking tour.
Seamus was an amazing tour guide and very knowledgeable. The tour had a relaxed, fun vibe and was the perfect length. Highly recommend!
We have lived in the Philly area our whole lives and both learned new information in this 90 min tour. We had a hot day and Seamus kept us in the shade, kept the tour so interesting we couldn’t believe how fast it went. Every stop tied into the next and it was a great way to experience Old City. Starting at the Market is awesome to grab some water and snacks for the walk. Everything felt accesible and friendly. Seamus made us feel comfortable to ask questions every step of the way. I can’t recommend this tour enough for first time tourists and lifetime Philadelphia alike.
We took the tour on a Saturday, and I’m so glad we booked with Seamus Walks. Seamus made learning about the history of Philly incredibly entertaining, engaging, and easy to follow. His passion for history really comes through, and he mixed fascinating historical facts with humor and great storytelling. Walking through Old City felt like stepping back in time, and Seamus pointed out so many hidden details and stories we never would have noticed on our own. The tour was the perfect mix of history, fun, and local insight. Whether you’re visiting Philadelphia for the first time or have lived nearby for years, this tour is absolutely worth it. Highly recommended!
What a wonderful Mother's Day treat, to go on a great Old City Historical Tour with Seamus! He shared a lot of history, allowed questions and did all this in a professional yet relaxed manner. Thanks Seamus. Next time I'll be bringing friends who will be visiting Philadelphia.
Seamus is a star! He’s incredibly knowledgable about the city and its history, and is a great presenter. He kept a great pace and was gracious with my 5 yo old son. Can’t recommend enough if you’re in the city!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time on this tour. Seamus was everything you could ask for in a tour guide: knowledgeable, passionate, funny, and easy to hear. I would recommend this tour as a great way to experience Philadelphia's historic Old City neighborhood.
I absolutely loved it! Seamus is very knowledgeable and personable, speaks very clearly. A lot of fun and I learned a lot! Highly recommend over those Big Box Tours. I'm gonna go again but bring my mom, i think she'll get a kick out of Seamus
Seamus is a fantastic guide, filled to the brim with some of the most interesting trivia about the area I never knew (after 34 years living here). Being a bigger guy, going in I was somewhat concerned about the mobility aspect. Seamus took time to pace himself accordingly, and the experience flew by. Laughs and jokes were had, and I’d recommend this experience to anyone visiting our city, and even those like me who might have never had the pleasure of a detailed walkthrough. 10/10, 5/5, and two thumbs up. Go Rams.
Awesome tour! Our guide was Informative and funny. We had a great time
Seamus is such a knowledgeable and funny guide to Philadelphia! I took my mom and brother on a walking tour and we learned so much. It was very easy to approach seamus with questions. My brother is a history buff and had very specific questions that seamus answered seamlessly! Thank you seamus!
Excellent tour from a very knowledgeable tour guide. I have been on a few walking tours in my time and Seamus is one of the top guides I've had. It’s particularly great for groups or anyone who wants to see the city’s landmarks without the stuffiness.
My first time visiting Philadelphia a friend took me on a Seamus Walks Tour. His personality and sense of humor made the tour memorable, other tour guides take notes!
I learned so much on Seamus’s tour. It was so informative and there was a good of humor sprinkled throughout. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to know more about Philadelphia
This tour was very educational AND fun! My friend was visiting from Alaska and had never been to Philadelphia. Seamus did a great job introducing him to all the history that makes Philadelphia an exciting place to visit. He also answered all of our questions about not only history but local eats and what else to do in the area. 10/10 I would recommend this tour!!
This was an excellent tour of the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia. A highlight of the tour was Elfreth's Alley, which has some of the oldest houses in Philadelphia. The tour guide Seamus was also outstanding. He has a very easy, approachable style. Quite knowledgeable about Philadelphia and he loves the city and it's history. He even gave us a tip for lunch that turned out to be a great cheese steak place. I highly recommend the tour.
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