Philly's Best Self-Guided Driving Tour: History, Art & Iconic Landmarks
Places: 22 POIs
Distance: 7 mi
Duration: 50m
GPS-guided narration through
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Tour #2722
About this English self-guided 50m driving tour in Philadelphia
Welcome to Philadelphia—one of the most historic cities in the United States and the place where the country itself was born.
On this tour, you’ll drive through the very streets where independence was declared and the Constitution was written, guided by voices like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, who helped shape a new nation right here in the late 1700s.
As we move through the city, you’ll experience more than just history. You’ll pass vibrant neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and local institutions that give Philadelphia its unique character—from colonial-era streets to lively modern districts filled with food, art, and energy.
This is a GPS-guided driving tour, so just sit back, follow the route, and we’ll guide you along the way. We’ll point out what to look for, share stories behind the places you’re passing, and help you connect the past with what you see today.
Take your time, enjoy the ride, and let Philadelphia unfold around you—one block at a time.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Historic Site (Recommended selfie spot).
177 N Independence Mall W, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
National Constitution Center - Birthplace of a Nation
You’re driving along 6th Street, and just to your left is Independence Mall—the historic area where, in 1787, the Constitution was debated and signed at nearby Independence Hall.
This building is much newer—it opened in 2003—but it sits here intentionally, right next to where the country’s framework was created. The Constitution itself was shaped by leaders like James Madison, George Washington, and Philadelphia’s own Benjamin Franklin.
Think of this as the modern companion to those historic sites. While Independence Hall is where it all happened, this is where the story is explained, debated, and brought into today.
This building is much newer—it opened in 2003—but it sits here intentionally, right next to where the country’s framework was created. The Constitution itself was shaped by leaders like James Madison, George Washington, and Philadelphia’s own Benjamin Franklin.
Think of this as the modern companion to those historic sites. While Independence Hall is where it all happened, this is where the story is explained, debated, and brought into today.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.27mi
, Attraction : Historic Monument (Recommended selfie spot).
1 S 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
Symbol of Freedom
Just off to your left is where you’ll find the Liberty Bell.
You won’t actually see it from the road—it’s housed inside a modern glass pavilion—but this is the spot.
The bell was originally cast in 1752 for what’s now Independence Hall, and over time it became a symbol of freedom and independence. Its famous crack only added to that identity, especially as abolitionists in the 1800s embraced it as a symbol in the fight against slavery.
So while it may be a bit hidden from view here, you’re passing right by one of the most important icons in American history.
You won’t actually see it from the road—it’s housed inside a modern glass pavilion—but this is the spot.
The bell was originally cast in 1752 for what’s now Independence Hall, and over time it became a symbol of freedom and independence. Its famous crack only added to that identity, especially as abolitionists in the 1800s embraced it as a symbol in the fight against slavery.
So while it may be a bit hidden from view here, you’re passing right by one of the most important icons in American history.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
National Constitution Center - Birthplace of a Nation
Place 2
Symbol of Freedom
Place 3
Independence Hall
Place 4
Christ Church Burial Ground
Place 5
Oldest Residential Street
Place 6
Betsy Ross House - Home of the Flagmaker
Place 7
Christ Church - Colonial Church Landmark
Place 8
South 2nd Street - From Trade Route to Nightlife Hub
Place 9
Merchants’ Exchange Building – Where Deals Shaped a City
Place 10
Independence Square & Washington Square – Ground Zero of a Nation
Place 11
Chinatown Friendship Arch – Gateway to Chinatown
Place 12
Reading Terminal Market – Philadelphia Institution
Place 13
Philadelphia City Hall – The Center of It All
Place 14
LOVE Park – Philadelphia’s Iconic Square
Place 15
Logan Square – One of Penn’s Original Squares
Place 16
The Franklin Institute – Science in Action
Place 17
The Rodin Museum – Home of The Thinker
Place 18
Historic Prison Museum
Place 19
Philadelphia Museum of Art & Rocky Steps – A Philly Icon
Place 20
Farewell – Until Next Time, Philadelphia
Click below for full access to this tour
Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 0.5 to 1 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 22 stops, covering top attractions such as National Constitution Center - Birthplace of a Nation, Symbol of Freedom, Independence Hall, Christ Church Burial Ground, Oldest Residential Street.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at National Constitution Center - Birthplace of a Nation (Address: 177 N Independence Mall W, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!