Whirl around in a circle on a Segway, pedal your way to the next pub, or learn with your taste buds on some of Philadelphia’s most original city tours. Though most everyone is familiar with Philadelphia’s significant history, you might not know about the zany fun your group can have on a tour of the City of Brotherly Love.
On these tours, your group won’t just learn about Philadelphia’s incredible past; they will also make lasting memories trying out a Segway, pedaling together on a 15-passenger bike or seeing the city landmarks in a new light at night.
Philly by Segway
When Jack Ferguson, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, began running through the list of attractions you can encounter on a Philly by Segway tour, the quality and quantity seemed staggering. He especially impressed me with the city’s extensive museum district, which includes the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art, among many others.
“All of these places I’m talking about are within a mile of each other,” said Ferguson. “The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the most-visited sites in the city, especially because everybody loves the movie ‘Rocky.’ It has become a symbol of Philadelphia.”
Groups can see the museum staircase where Sylvester Stallone filmed a famous training scene for “Rocky,” as well as more of Philadelphia’s crowning attractions, on a one- or two-hour Segway adventure. The open-air Segways allow groups to see Philadelphia from all angles while effortlessly moving across the city.
Classic sites such as Penn’s Landing, the city’s Historic District, South Philly and the Italian Market introduce participants to the city. Entertaining guides explain the historic significance of the sites as participants glide through the city.
The two-hour tour reveals some of Philadelphia’s green spaces with a route that covers both the Schuylkill River Walk and the famous Delaware River.
Before taking off, groups will undergo training to ensure that everyone feels comfortable maneuvering their Segway vehicles.
Big Red Pedal Tours
Instead of straining to pedal to the top of the hill by yourself, you can share the effort with others on a Big Red Pedal Tour. The company’s 15-passenger pedicycles allow groups to work together to explore Philadelphia on one giant bike.
Cyclists can enjoy city views in the open-air, roofed cycle by only casually pedaling in unison. Guides steer the pedicycles past historic sites during the day and popular pubs at night.
The day ride passes 10 historic sites in two hours with time to jump off and explore several in more detail. Stops include Benjamin Franklin’s House, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
At night, groups follow a pub crawl route to sample food and beverages from four to five bars in two hours.
“You can have a lot of laughs on this tour,” said Ferguson. “People always get the hang of pedaling together. They realize ‘the faster we pedal, the faster we get to the next beer stop.’”
Even on the pub crawl ride, participants pedal through Philadelphia’s historic district. The tour starts at Silence Dogood’s Tavern, an authentic neighborhood pub.
Groups can also participate in the nightlife at Second Story Brewing Company, the Irish Pub and McGillin’s Olde Ale House, which opened the year Lincoln was elected president.
