Top 10 Reasons to Walk Historic Philly

Walking tours are the ideal way to see the sights of many cities for first time visitors.  They provide a quick overview of the interesting sights and provide a familiar reference of the city’s layout setting the stage for further exploration on one’s own.  But some cities are much better suited for this activity than others.  Philadelphia, particularly its historic area, is an ideal location for a walking tour.  Here’s why.

1. The city is basically flat. This lack of hills means it is ideal for people of all ages and physical conditions to explore the entire tour route.

2. Closeness of interesting sites. There are many things of interest within a very short walking distance.  For example, the SelfTour Audio Adventures App walking tour of Historic Philadelphia includes Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Constitution Center, 18^th Century homes of legendary founders of America, Carpenters’ Hall, Betsy Ross house, Ben Franklin’s grave and many more fascinating sights all within a stone throw of each other.

3. The area has a single theme. In this case the theme is the founding of the United States of America and each site along the tour route augments the theme and reinforces the tour’s worthiness.

4. The area is safe. At least as much as it can be these days, and security is adequate over the entire area.

5. Many options for taking a break. Along the tour route are both quick food and quality restaurants to stop at and enjoy food and beverages to refresh ones self for the rest of the tour.  Also there are interesting and quality retail shops to explore, not just souvenir vendors hounding you to buy something that will end up in your next garage sale.

6. End where you began. The setting is ideal for a complete circle of the interesting sites.  This means a stranger to the city doesn’t end up someplace far from where you started and have to find your way back.  The SelfTour Audio Adventures App is designed not only to make a complete circle but it also allows the user to join the tour at any location and yet get the complete tour.  If a person’s hotel is close to any one of the tour locations just start there and eliminate the need to walk to and from a central location starting point.

7. Close to hotels. Philadelphia’s historic area hosts many hotels at different levels of cost.

8. A Wow factor. In the case of Philadelphia there are several wow factors along the tour route.  For example, seeing the Liberty Bell, reading the inscription of “Liberty” written along it crown, and knowing it hung above the founders as they debated declaring independence, and then ringing the news of a new country formed is definitely a breathtaking viewing experience.  Definitely a WOW factor!  On the SelfTour Audio Adventure App you can hear an exclusive recreation of the sound of the bell before it cracked in 1846 and was never rung again.

9. Long temperate periods. Philadelphia can be very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter but the city does have long periods of very temperate climate, making these periods ideal for a walking tour.

10. A learning experience. Philadelphia’s historic area is a wonderful learning experience for children, immigrants, visitors to the United States and every American!