For anyone keen to see as many of Philadelphia’s main attractions as they can fit in to their schedule, a sightseeing bus tour is the best bet.
(Photo: Big Bug Tours)
Run by global tour agency Big Bus Tours, Philadelphia’s open-top sightseeing bus tours allow tourists to get the absolute maximum out of their time in the city. You can hop on and hop off at any of the 28 designated stops that are located along the official route, with a live guide aboard each bus offering entertaining facts, insights and stories about the sites you pass along the way and about the rich history of the city as a whole. Check out our short review below.
Times
If you choose to complete the entire tour in one go without hopping off, the full route has a duration time of around 75 minutes.
Buses operate between 9.30am to 4pm every day of the week, except for Saturdays when the last departure is at 4.30pm. During operating hours, buses are scheduled to arrive at each stop every 20–25 minutes,
Philadelphia’s Chinatown (Photo: bobistraveling via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Route
Tours operate on a central route called the ‘Blue Route’, with stops near all the most popular Philadelphia landmarks and attractions. In total there are 21 stops along the route – and we’ve picked out 10 of the best below:
United States Mint: One of four active coin-producing mints in the US – along with those in Denver, San Francisco, and West Point – the United States Mint in Philadelphia is located in the city centre, close to Franklin Square. Dating back to 1972, the historic building can be enjoyed from the outside, or by joining one of the public tours that run throughout the day from Monday through Friday. Tours guests can watch the coin-making operations from up high and behind protective glass, and there are also interactive displays, early mint and coining equipment and rare and historic coins to explore.
Chinatown: Your bus tour won’t venture any further into Philadelphia’s Chinatown than the gilt-painted Friendship Gate that marks the entry point to the district, but those who chose to hop off at this stop and explore will discover one of the city’s most vibrant and colourful neighbourhoods. The streets are dotted with restaurants, bars and eclectic shops selling goods hailing from China and other parts of Asia, while eye-catching works of art and seasonal street festivals add to the atmosphere.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul: This 18th-century cathedral close to Logan Square lays claim to being the largest Catholic church anywhere in Pennsylvania. Inspired by the Lombard Church of St. Charles in Rome, it boasts a distinctive Roman-Corinthian architectural style complete with vast stone columns and an attention-grabbing great dome that makes the landmark instantly recognisable from all around. Head inside and you’ll discover an assortment of shrines, altars, statues and art.
Rodin Museum: One of Philadelphia’s most prestigious cultural venues, the Rodin Museum is home to over 140 bronzes, marbles, and plasters created by iconic French sculptor François Auguste René Rodin. Situated on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the elegant Beaux-Arts–style building is a delight to look around from both outside and in, with the museum grounds featuring a pristinely landscaped garden sprinkled with impressive sculptures.
Philadelphia Museum of Art: Another eminent cultural institution, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has also become etched in the public consciousness thanks to its role in a silver screen classic. Leading up to the museum’s east entrance are the 72 steps that featured in the 1976 Sylvster Stallone movie Rocky, along with a statue of the fictional boxer. As a result, the steps have become a popular photo stop for tourists. As for the museum itself, it contains works spanning 2,000 years, including pieces from the ancient world, medieval times, the Renaissance, the Impressionist movement and modern day.
Philadelphia Zoo: Set amid a picturesque Victorian garden with tree-lined walks, shrubbery and animal-themed sculptures, Philadelphia Zoo is among the city’s most popular family attractions. Opened in 1874, the zoo was the first to be established anywhere in the US and is today home to more than 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered, including a vast collection of primates and big cats. As well as its animal residents, the zoo is also known for its historic architecture and extensive botanical collections.
Franklin Institute: Philadelphia’s most famous son, Benjamin Franklin, was the inspiration behind the Franklin Institute, a nationally acclaimed interactive science and technology museum. The institute began in 1824 and today’s audience ranges from academics attending lectures and symposia to school-aged kids enamoured with live science demonstrations and play-to-learn exhibits. Seasonal activities and regularly updated displays keep the museum fresh and exciting.
Eastern State Penitentiary: Built in 1829, what was once one of America’s most infamous prisons is now a relic toured by thrill seekers and history buffs alike. Guided by a self-paced audio tour, visitors walk in the footsteps of past prisoners like the legendary gangster Al Capone as they explore the eerie confines of the Eastern State Penitentiary. The audio tour lasts about 40 minutes and covers 10 stops, while those keen to delve even deeper will find can hit additional areas of interest, including a rotating line-up of temporary exhibits.
Pine Street: Spanning some 12.4 miles, this is Philadelphia’s longest street. It is also one that perpetually hums with bustling activity throughout the day and night thanks to the melting pot of distinctive groups and individuals who assemble here. The area is particularly popular with artists and counter-cultural types keen to showcase their sense of self-expression among like-minded folk.
Museum of American Jewish History: Situated on Independence Mall, this immersive museum is dedicated to preserving, interpreting and celebrating the American Jewish experience. Established in 1976, the museum makes use of evocative objects and state-of-the-art interactive displays to chronicle the stories of the many Jewish immigrants who became Jewish Americans after the tumultuous Great Wars – and encourages visitors from all backgrounds to share their own unique histories, too.
An exterior view of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Photo: Andrew Parlette via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Tickets & pricing
Tickets can be purchased as valid for either 1, 2 or 3 days. All of the tours are fully flexible, allowing you to change the date that you embark on the tour for free and up to the last minute. The 1-day ticket starts at £36, the 2-day ticket at $55 and the 3-day ticket at $74.
When you book, you will need to select the date you’d like to start the bus tour. If you’re touring for more than one day, your ticket must be used across consecutive days, and the date you select at the time of booking should be the first day of your tour.
You can purchase tickets at the official website of Big Bus Tours