Best Philly Tours for Kids: Art Hunts, Food Tours, Ghost Tours, and More

You may think you've seen all that the city of Philadelphia has to offer, but there are so many amazing themed tours to check out! Whether you're just visiting, or you've lived here your whole life Philly has tours for everyone. From art tours, to food tours, ghost tours, and more, don't miss these fabulous new ways to explore!

Looking for more family-friendly tours? Check out these nearby Factory Tours to keep exploring.

Phildephia's Magic Gardens are covered by magical mosaics and found objects. Photo by Liz Baill @creativishmom

Art Tours

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

An immersive sculptural environment built by Philadelphia artist Isaiah Zagar, Philadelphia's Magic Garden will fascinate and delight all ages. Guests can jump on three different guided tours led by educators: the Morning Magic Tour (40 minutes long, before the site opens to the public); Guided Site Tours (75 minutes long, including outdoor and indoor areas and a fully-mosaicked basement); or a Self-Guided Walking Tour (with insights into the works).

Mural Arts Philadelphia

The Mural Arts program of Philadelphia has brightened the city for 40 years. Professionally trained guides lead a variety of walking tours as well as a trolley tour, hitting different neighborhoods. Learn about the history and process of some of Philly's most noticeable and unforgettable public art.

Streets Department Excursions

Each month, Streets Department Excursions leads curated walks around Philly, also known as the Mural Capital of the World. Each trip focuses on three themes: public and street art, public space and architecture, and independent art spaces. Past themes have included the Woodmere Art Museum, Bartram's Garden, Manayunk public art, the South Broad Street murals, and more.

The Liberty Bell is a classic must-see in Philly. Photo courtesy of Canva

History Tours

Official Historic Philly Walking Tour

Go back in time with a Historic Philadelphia History Maker on a loop through America's most historic mile. Tours last for one hour and include such sites as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the President's House and Franklin Court. Tour guides portray a real person from the Colonial era.

Philly's Vegetarian Pioneers Walking Tour

Did you know that some of Philadelphia's founders became vegetarian and vegan long before those eating practices went more mainstream? Tour guide and cartoonist Vance Lehmkuhl takes visitors on a 76-minute walking tour through sections of Old City to learn of the connection between vegetarian lifestyles and the abolitionist and women's rights movements. Expect a humorous, educational good time.

Real Philly History Tours

Tour guide and author Jim Murphy offers two-hour walking tours or step-on bus tours focusing in on mini-profiles of people and sites. For example, you can learn about Philly's Tough Women, covering three centuries of history makers, or check out the Penn and Ben tour, to learn more about top Philadelphia influencers William Penn and Benjamin Franklin.

Betsy Ross House is a step back into history. Photo by Meghan Rose

Franklin's Footsteps Walking Tour

Philadelphia Trolley Works gives visitors a chance to walk in the footsteps of historical Philadelphians like Benjamin Franklin. This tour takes people through the oldest streets of the city past the Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Franklin Court, and Independence Hall, led by a tour guide in colonial dress.

The Black Journey: An African-American History Walking Tour of Philadelphia

Follow the dynamic story of Philadelphia's African-American heritage, from the lives of enslaved people to the black pastor who founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The tour also covers historical sites such as the Liberty Bell and Congress Hall.

Grab a cheesesteak on a city food tour. Photo courtesy of Canva

Food Tours

Italian Market Food Tour

Sample some of the most delicious foods from shops and stops in the Italian Market. This tour, provided by Free Tours by Foot, doesn't have an up-front cost. Rather, bring some money to purchase samples at the businesses visited, and pay the tour guide what you want at the end. Free Tours by Foot also offers an Independence Mall tour which focuses on history.

City Food Tours

Future chefs and foodies will love the various options from City Food Tours, ranging from the Flavors of Philly to Old City, Reading Terminal Market, and Chinatown. While these tours are a little pricier, the top-notch guides and focused tours make it worthwhile. Children over age 5 are welcome to join.

Beyond the Italian Market

A walking tour of South Philly conducted by Tiny Table Tours, Beyond the Italian Market includes six bites of food, ranging from small to large. Participants will leave feeling full but not uncomfortable. Delicacies include a banh mi, tacos and a beverage, and a sweet treat in a 100-year-old bakery. A little pricier than some tours, but worth it for the future chef in the family.

Center City Philadelphia Food Tour

When it comes to figuring out where to eat, this tour takes out the guesswork. Bring the family to eat across the city, hitting the best foodie spots from Reading Terminal Market to Sansom Street. Enjoy six food samplings as you take in knowledge about the local foodie scene. 

Take in 300 years of history on Elfreth's Alley. Photo by Meghan Rose

Bus Tours

Big Bus Tours

Hopping aboard the Big Bus means the option of visiting many key landmarks and attractions in Philadelphia, along with a live tour guide. Join the tour at any of the stops, and get off and back on when you desire. Keep in mind, the tickets do not include the admission prices to the attractions. For those who want the easy transportation without the tour guide, try the Philly Phlash for a cheaper fare. 

City Sightseeing Philadelphia

These 90-minute hop-on-hop-off bus tours run once an hour and even include the Eastern State Penitentiary, which offers its own tours of the famous, reportedly haunted former prison. These bus tours offer multiple languages for the audio commentary and make a total of 28 stops.

Ghost Tours

Ghosts of Philly

Learn about the ghostly history of Old City with a guide who will tell tales at such places as the Betsy Ross House, City Tavern, the Bishop White House, and Independence Hall. Perfect for ghost lovers and those who are fascinated by the supernatural.

Ghost Tours of Philadelphia

Be ready for some spooky stories on this candlelit tour of Old City Philadelphia. Learn historical tales that date back to William Penn's time, up to current-day hauntings. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Spirits of '76 Ghost Tour

In this 75-minute tour, guides will relate stories of Edgar Allan Poe, who once lived in Philadelphia, as well as Leo Callahan, the only inmate to escape Eastern Penitentiary and never be recaptured. In addition to stories of hauntings, participants will hear about haunted folklore of historic Old City locations, and see some famous film locations, as well.

Don't forget to climb the Rocky Steps and the Philadelphia Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Canva

Other Tours

The Yo, Philly! Film Tour

Immerse yourself in the locations and lore from the making of the "Rocky" film franchise. Historian, film buff and Sylvester Stallone impersonator Mike Kunda shares his knowledge and enthusiasm on a three-hour tour endorsed by Stallone himself.

Schuylkill Banks Kayak Tours

For families with older children, especially those who may be more adventurous, the Schuylkill Banks Kayak Tours may fit the bill. Tours are for ages 12 and up and include instructions on how to paddle and safely operate the kayak, plus an hour on the river. Both daytime and moonlit tours show the river at different times of day.