Beyond the [Liberty] Bell History Walking Tour
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Beyond the [Liberty] Bell History Walking Tour
By Beyond the Bell Tours
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-100, max of 30 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Local guide
- Start:
- 210 W Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USAMeet in the center of Washington Square by the fountain!
End:- Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
- Wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 115692P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 115692P1
From
£49.36
per adult
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Itinerary
- 210 W Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USAMeet in the center of Washington Square by the fountain!
- 1
- 2
- 3Pass byElfreth's AlleyBetsy Ross House
- 4
- 239 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- jaimesY1238WH0 contributionsMust go! Must see! Must hear!The tour was fantastic and highly inspiring! You get a great history of LGBTQ+ rights, some women's history, black history, and activism amongst all three marginalized groups. The walk is a nice stroll and not difficult at all to navigate. Would highly recommend to all!Written 14 November 2024
- TrailBlazer453980 contributionsBravo to Joey and the Badass Women he taught us about!As part of an informal company outing, we took the Badass Women's History Tour and it was truly enlightening, inspirational and just fun! Couldn't have asked for a better guide than Joey, who was charming, warm and so knowledgeable! Since I live in the Gayborhood and have learned a decent amount, esp. about our local murals, I think I'll be back at some point to try that tour. Thank you, Joey, for the wonderful experience!Written 8 November 2024
- 889kathrynd0 contributionsThis is a tour worth taking.Totally enjoyable tour. Joey was our group tour guide and did an excellent job. He was substantive on the history of the "badass" women and delivered his knowledge with energy and wit. We all had a fun time learning with him.Written 17 October 2024
- judykV2864WR0 contributionsGreat private tour with history you’ve never heard beforeSean did a great job with our small group. The sites and stories of women, enslaved peoples, and LGBT+ activists lost to ‘history’ was very well organized and provided such an interesting alternative to the standard founding-of-the-country agenda. Highly recommend.Written 5 October 2024
- abbyc77000 contributionsPerfect Bachelorette daytime activityThanks to Joey and team for designing a truly WONDERFUL tour experience in Philly. Our group did a private group tour (about 10 of us) for my BACHELORETTE weekend. We figured what better way to celebrate women??? We had terrible cold and rainy weather and his storytelling was so engaging we barely noticed. Not only is he so clearly passionate about the stories he is telling, it is clear he truly knows and loves Philly. He had great recommendations for the rest of our day including lunch and coffee spots as well as bars. I can't recommend this tour enough for any group, you will not be disappointed by your experience and you'll feel glad you're supporting this group!Written 2 August 2024
- efK4079MS0 contributionsIncredible experience, I hope to go again soon!This tour was phenomenal, I learned SO much and our tour guide was fantastic. I walked away wanting to go on the tour again to try and soak up as much of the history, stories, and facts as possible. This is a MUST activity for locals and tourists!Written 20 July 2024
- Scenic2609130 contributionsBook this tour now!10/10, would recommend! Joey is the perfect guide. So much knowledge of the city, really great sense of humor. You can tell from the get-go, there’s a deep love of sharing information and showing off what the city stood and stands for. Much appreciation for the amount of shade you could keep us in on this sunny summer day! Thank you very much for your time! I learned so much about the incredible, badass women in our history!Written 14 July 2024
- Boden B0 contributionsThe Gayborhood’s Finest AttractionWe had an absolutely wonderful time with Rebecca. She gave us the scoop on all the things that slay in the Gayborhood. This is a must for any traveler wishing to brush up on their gay knowledge. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!Written 5 July 2024
- 577scarletth0 contributionsA must do in PhiladelphiaWe had Rebecca, and she was one of the best tour guides that any of us, a group of ten, had seen. The tour was both educational and informational, but also interactive and fun. Loved Giovanni’s room, a great welcoming space for LGBTQ+ folks. And the murals across the ‘Gayborhood” were amazing to see, and Rebecca gave us a great history of the art.Written 5 July 2024
- O1453UHjt0 contributionsGet Your Gay History Here!Did the tour with Joey today and had a wonderful time! Even as a Philadelphia native, I learned so much about the Gayborhood and LGBTQ+ history that has surrounded me my whole life. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Philadelphia for the first time or the lifelong local curious about those who paved the Queer way before us.Written 20 April 2024
- kalynneliza0 contributionsSo Much Fun!I was in Philly for a bachelorette party and my group took the Badass Women’s History Tour. The forecast said it was going to rain and did it ever! Joey, our tour guide, was so accommodating and did his best to keep us under shelter or inside during the tour. He was informative and made the tour fun and engaging. This was my first time in Philly and I was amazed by the diverse group of women that made this town what it is today. Thank you Joey for being a great tour guide and humoring our group by wearing your matching “Vote For Women” sash!!Written 27 March 2024
- Roving216522989870 contributionsYou Will Not Be Disappointed!This was such a fun and amazing tour. A women's network group (NAWBO) went for International Women's Day which was perfect for this kind of tour. Co-Founder Joey Leroux was knowledgeable about Women Historians in Philadelphia, and his sense of humor did not disappoint. You can tell that he truly enjoys what he does, and btw I still think he looks like he's 21. He took his time, explained everything, and made sure that we had enough time for Q&A. I would book with him again! Kudos great job!Written 9 March 2024
- scottieb8850 contributionsRebecca is the BEST!!!This tour was fantastic! Learned so much cool queer history and had a ton of fun along the way. Rebecca is such an engaging and knowledgeable guide and she really made sure it was an awesome experience! We’ll be back for more tours with her for sure!Written 5 February 2024
- lizwM1016XN0 contributionsEngaging & fun tour from a knowledgable localWe had a wonderful experience on our walking tour from this woman/LGBTQ owned biz. Our group was small and we had lots of time to ask questions of our knowledgeable & very funny guide - Beyond the Bell was a great way to learn more about the city’s impressive LGBTQ history in a fun and engaging way. Highly recommend!!Written 4 February 2024
- 2pekes0 contributionsHighly recommend - Outstanding TourJoey was our guide for this outstanding tour. He was very personable and provided a lot of historical information. The tour is very accurately described and I would highly recommend it.Written 17 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
63 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Sam Smith
1 contribution
Feb 2020
Joey was a kind, extremely knowledgeable tour guide who highlighted so many important parts of the city that often go unnoticed. I learned a lot about the history of Philadelphia while also challenging many of my previous misconceptions. I highly recommend this tour for new visitors to the city, and long-time residents. Lots to learn for everyone!
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much exploring the city with us and leaving your kind words. I am glad the tour and our mission resonated with you! We hope to see you on another tour soon!
Written 11 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Clara B
1 contribution
Oct 2021
Rebecca and Joey have struck upon a creative, comprehensive, and essential form of tourism in their Beyond the Bell tour, using their platform as guides to educate visitors not only on the true story and significance behind the Liberty Bell, but on the phenomenon of tourism itself. Rebecca was direct and clear in her descriptions of the Bell’s history, and highlighted its symbolic impact on civil rights movements throughout American history. She made sure to point out the numerous shortcomings of the designed tourist experience at the site, specifically of the monument to enslaved people, which, while incredibly groundbreaking, failed to capture the attention of tourists.
The tour’s strongest aspect was its encouragement of the group to observe for ourselves and to interact with the tourist site and the fellow tourists coming to witness the Liberty Bell. We began the tour by taking time to note how others were engaging with the site: Where did people gather? Were they taking pictures or reading plaques? And we asked those waiting to get an up close glimpse of the Bell what they were hoping to get out of their visit and why they came to see the site. This anthropological field work added an incredibly fascinating and unique layer to the Beyond the Bell experience.
I highly recommend the Beyond the Bell tour to those who want to dive deeper and get more than just a taste of Philadelphia’s history!
The tour’s strongest aspect was its encouragement of the group to observe for ourselves and to interact with the tourist site and the fellow tourists coming to witness the Liberty Bell. We began the tour by taking time to note how others were engaging with the site: Where did people gather? Were they taking pictures or reading plaques? And we asked those waiting to get an up close glimpse of the Bell what they were hoping to get out of their visit and why they came to see the site. This anthropological field work added an incredibly fascinating and unique layer to the Beyond the Bell experience.
I highly recommend the Beyond the Bell tour to those who want to dive deeper and get more than just a taste of Philadelphia’s history!
Written 21 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ahw! Thank you for your thoughtful review! I am so glad you enjoyed the tour and our mission resonated with you. Stay in touch.
Written 22 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nanced21
Toronto, Canada14 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
I came to Philadelphia not knowing much about the city or even its place in US history (I’m not American). In just two hours with Joey, I learned so much and was left inspired to learn so much more. He has used an inclusive lens to thoughtfully curate this tour, and to inspire a shift in perspective on how we consume dominant historical narratives. Joey was a wealth of knowledge, and his approach was generous and relatable. I’m thrilled I chose Philadelphia for this trip, and the Beyond the Bell tour as my intro. I would recommend this tour to anyone.
Written 12 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much exploring the city with us and leaving your kind words. I am glad you enjoyed the
tour & hope to see you again soon!
Written 13 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mervmeister
New York City77 contributions
Feb 2020
Just completed a private tour of the old city AND beyond with Joey. He is an incredible guide. He gave us the history behind the history, fascinating anecdotes, and some unique insights into Philadelphia and American history. The tour was great fun and very informative. Having a private tour enabled us to have his undivided attention and the ability to get to get know him well. He is a genuinely warm and caring person, a great companion to stroll the city neighborhoods with and learn so much about our history. Joey and Rebecca also were very accommodating by letting us take our dog on the walking tour. Add me to the long list of their clients who highly recommend them!
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is so kind! Thank you for engaging with the history behind the history and helping us put people back into the Philadelphia story. I loved getting to know you both & your pup! Hope to see you again in the future!
Written 27 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Berry S
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Family
We had a fabulous experience on the Philly Classic Tour! We walked all over the place and learned about historic figures we never knew about. Our tour guide was informative, thoughtful, and fun to spend time with. My 10-year old and 8-year old said they couldn’t have imagined a better experience!
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your feedback and kind words. I am very glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with Rebecca! Hope to see you on another tour soon!!
Written 13 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah B
1 contribution
Oct 2021
Rebecca and Joey of Beyond the Bell Tours were both extraordinarily friendly and extremely knowledgable about Philadelphia’s history. I thought they did a fantastic job of conveying the real and complex history of the Liberty Bell in a nontraditional way. Instead of having us go in to see the Liberty Bell, for example, they encouraged us to observe the setup of the area, notice where people were congregating and what they were paying attention to, and talk to folks in line about their reasons for visiting the site. It was striking how many people were keen to see a supposedly “important moment in history” without knowing the true background of the Liberty Bell. Overall, I was impressed with their ability to readily and thoughtfully answer any questions, their deep analysis of the Liberty Bell in relation to local abolitionist and Black history, and the way in which they enabled us to think deeply about accessibility and visual coding of aspects of the monument. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone who would like to visit the Liberty Bell-- after all, it is an iconic symbol— but who would also like to come away with a much deeper understanding of its local history and context. Fun, engaging, insightful, and extremely important— an absolute must when you’re visiting Philadelphia!
Written 22 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your thoughtful and engaging review! So glad you enjoyed the tour. Stay in touch!
Written 23 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
752alisont
Philadelphia, PA2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Amazing tour that we (husband and me, ~20 year Phila residents) enjoyed as much as our out-of-town guest did. Our guide, Joey, was so personable and knowledgeable, and was very good at communicating complicated stories in ways that made for deep emotional connections. He was very considerate and asked on several occasions how we were doing - like if we wanted to wander on our own or stay with him (we all wanted to stay with him and hear his stories!), or skip the last site since we were running long (all of us wanted to see the last site!). He was great at bringing out the layers of history and connections across different times and places in the city, and especially at highlighting the stories that mainstream tours overlook. As a historian, I wasn't sure before the tour how much of what he shared would be new to me, but I learned so much, including a lot that I'm excited to share with my students next year. It's clear that Joey loves history and Philadelphia and is eager to share his knowledge. We will definitely return to Beyond the Bell for more tours in the future, and will recommend it to anyone visiting Philly.
Written 12 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review - I'm so glad the tour resonated with you. Hope to see you on another tour soon!
Written 29 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aby I
1 contribution
Oct 2021
After going on the Beyond the Bell tour, I would definitely take another one of Rebecca and Joey’s tours. Rebecca and Joey took us through the Liberty Tour attraction and opened our eyes up to see the true history behind the liberty bell and its connection to both the abolitionist movement and lgbtq+ rights movement. They showed us how this history is minimized and is not as spotlighted as the claim of its supposed connection to American independence. During our tour, we were told to come up to strangers and ask for their reasoning behind going to see the liberty bell. It was interesting to hear their reasoning and even more interesting to hear Rebecca’s insightful dissection of it. It was also particularly compelling when Rebecca challenged the visibility and authenticity of the structure built to honor enslaved peoples and whether it was an accessible or effective means to tell their story. Overall, the tour pushed me to consider how typical tours are designed to neglect certain parts of history and encouraged me to seek tours in the future that explore those important pieces. Thank you Rebecca and Joey!
Written 23 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your thoughtful and engaging review! So glad you enjoyed the tour. Stay in touch!
Written 24 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Raquel M
1 contribution
Oct 2021
My experience on the Beyond the Bell tour was unlike any other touristic experience I have had in Philly. The tour, faithful to its name, went beyond the plaques and told us the frequently untold history behind the bell. Rebecca and Joey were excellent tour guides, and their insight changed my perspective on the monument and the motivations behind its construction. Rebecca allowed us to make our own observations, but enhanced our knowledge with her own.
To those who want an unabridged understanding of the Liberty Bell and what it represents, I couldn’t more highly recommend the Beyond the Bell tour.
To those who want an unabridged understanding of the Liberty Bell and what it represents, I couldn’t more highly recommend the Beyond the Bell tour.
Written 22 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your thoughtful and engaging review! So glad you enjoyed the tour. Stay in touch!
Written 23 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mjk66
Reading, MA3 contributions
Jan 2023
Rebecca led us, a group of four college friends reuniting, on an excellent tour of the city. We all enjoyed hearing the history of Philly, exploring some of the quirky and obscure neighborhood lore, and gazing at some of our nation's most revered landmarks. Rebecca invited questions of all sorts about the city, and was patient when a few in the group asked for a rest stop. Rebecca was well prepared and familiar with variations of stories passed down which made the walk not only informative but very interesting. We were on tour a full two hours, and covered plenty of ground. We would take another tour offered by Beyond the Bell again. Very well done!
Written 1 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your very kind words. We hope to see you on another tour soon!
Written 13 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi can I request a private afternoon tour for a family of 7 for tommorrow?
Written 30 March 2021
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.