Center City Holiday Tour
Philadelphia, USA
From USD 49.00
Office phone number: +1 215 280 3746
Center City Holiday Tour
Philadelphia, USA
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Experience the American festive season on this limited edition Philadelphia tour that celebrates all things Christmas. From outdoor yuletide villages, to holiday-themed light and sound shows, and the greatest window displays in town, it's enough to make the Grinch run and hide.
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Highlights
- Get into the holiday spirit in the heart of Philadelphia!
- Enjoy a festive light and sound show featuring the world’s largest pipe organ
- Learn all about Christmas traditions in Philadelphia from your local guide
- Delight in the lights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the holidays
- Experience some of Philly’s greatest holiday traditions
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Meeting point:
1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19102
We will meet at Center of the City Hall Courtyard (at the compass / map)
View on Google Maps
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 1.00 PM, 5.00 PM
- Ending point:
The Christmas Village at Love Park, 16th St. and JFK Blvd. (1599 John F Kennedy Blvd.)
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, a small snack.
Exclusions: Personal items, food and drink other than stipulated in inclusions, tips or gratuities for your guide.
Get into the festive spirit on this Christmas tour in Philadelphia that will have you Ho Ho Ho-ing all the way home! We'll have you feeling festive in no time — trust us!
Note that this full itinerary reflects the 1:00pm departure; our 5:00pm tour will visit all the same sites, but in a different order.
Your Philly tour begins at Philadelphia's City Hall, the cultural and geographic heart of Philadelphia's city centre. After you've met your guide, you’ll be introduced to Dilworth Park as you watch ice skaters with the iconic City Hall as the backdrop. We'll walk from there up to a historic railroad terminal and head downstairs to one of the country’s largest and most historic indoor markets (please note the market closes early on Sunday evenings, however if you choose a Sunday 5pm departure, we’ll make up for it by showing you lots of other great Philly finds!). Here, you’ll see a seriously impressive model train set displayed for the holidays, which is sure to take you right back to your childhood and fill you with that festive feeling of wonder.
Next, we arrive at a holiday light and sound show featuring the world’s largest pipe organ, a show that has delighted generations of Philadelphians during the holiday season.
From there, we enter one of Philly's biggest shopping and restaurant districts. This neighbourhood is always buzzing at this time of year, and as you stroll, you'll catch some views of the fantastic holiday window displays. The tour continues toward Rittenhouse Square, where you’ll see the beautiful Christmas tree and a view of the church where one of our favourite Christmas carols was written and first performed.
Your Philadelphia city tour continues to one of the newest attractions in Philly. You’ll be treated to a spectacular holiday show from one of the world’s largest LED TV screens inside one of Philly’s newest skyscrapers.
After the show, we walk toward the Ben Franklin Parkway with views of Logan Square, Sister Cities Park, and the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, a Christmas destination for many Catholics in the Philadelphia area.
The tour concludes at an iconic public park for one of Philly's fastest growing traditions. Here you’ll visit a traditional outdoor Christmas village, and have a chance to explore this winter wonderland (and be tempted by the many holiday food and drink choices!). (Please note that the Christmas village will be closed the week of December 26 to December 31; for tours departing those days, we will substitute an alternate but equally festive stop.) From our end point, you'll have a chance to continue eating, shopping, and exploring, basking in the holiday spirit of Philadelphia.
Need a place to stay?
Heading to Philly without a place to rest your head? Have no fear — the Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia Hotel is ready to welcome you to the City of Brotherly Love! As our preferred accommodation partner in Philadelphia, we recommend grabbing a room there if you haven't already booked any accommodation. Sleep tight!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, a small snack.
Exclusions: Personal items, food and drink other than stipulated in inclusions, tips or gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: A good pair of comfortable walking shoes is advisable. Make sure to check the weather report for rain!
Your Trip: This day tour in Philadephia is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12, but we can add another guide if the group exceeds this number.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Closure of sites: There are times when certain sites close and we can't visit. We will attempt to give you this information at the start of the tour where possible. Please note that the Christmas village will be closed the week of December 26 to December 31.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +1 215 280 3746
Email address: info@philadelphiaurbanadventures.com
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