Delving into the captivating and often scandalous tales of Philadelphia’s founding fathers, the "Phantoms of the Founding Fathers Walking Tour" promises an immersive and spine-chilling experience for adults seeking to uncover the city’s eerie past. This 1.5-hour, wheelchair-accessible tour takes participants on a journey through the city’s historic landmarks, revealing the dark secrets and troubling origins of America’s healthcare system. With limited spots available for just nine participants, this unique offering delivers a level of intimacy and exclusivity that is sure to pique the interest of those seeking a truly captivating and elevated exploration of the City of Brotherly Love’s haunting history.

This experience made our list of the 20 Best Walking Tours In Philadelphia.

Key Points

Philadelphia: Phantoms of the Founding Fathers Walking Tour - Key Points

  • Spine-chilling ghost-themed tour explores Philadelphia’s dark past and scandalous affairs of the Founding Fathers.
  • Uncovers lesser-known historical narratives, including errors in America’s early healthcare system.
  • Captivating stories evoke chills and intrigue, providing thought-provoking insights into the complexities of America’s early days.
  • Limited group size ensures a personalized and immersive experience, with a live guide leading the tour.
  • Tour is adults-only, wheelchair accessible, and operates rain or shine, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

Philadelphia: Phantoms of the Founding Fathers Walking Tour - Tour Overview

The Philadelphia: Phantoms of the Founding Fathers Walking Tour offers an adults-only, ghost-themed exploration of the city’s dark past.

Priced at €31.34 per person, the 1.5-hour walking tour is limited to 9 participants and conducted in English. Accessible to wheelchair users, the tour departs from Washington Square Park Fountain, across from the Walnut Street Theatre.

Guests can reserve their spot without upfront payment and enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. The tour highlights spine-chilling tales about Philadelphia’s founding fathers, exploring scandalous affairs and the errors in America’s early healthcare system.

Comfortable shoes are recommended, and video recording isn’t permitted. The tour operates rain or shine and is suitable for ages 16 and above.

Booking Information

Philadelphia: Phantoms of the Founding Fathers Walking Tour - Booking Information

Guests can reserve their spot on the Philadelphia: Phantoms of the Founding Fathers Walking Tour without upfront payment. Plus, they can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour operates rain or shine and is suitable for ages 16 and above.

Booking Information
Reserve Now & Pay Later Free Cancellation Check Availability
Book your spot without upfront payment Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund Check starting times

The tour is limited to 9 participants and is wheelchair accessible, ensuring an intimate and inclusive experience for all guests.

Tour Highlights

Philadelphia: Phantoms of the Founding Fathers Walking Tour - Tour Highlights

Although the tour is adults-only, it promises a thrilling ghost-themed experience, regaling guests with spine-chilling tales about Philadelphia’s founding fathers’ scandalous affairs and the city’s dark past.

Visitors will explore lesser-known historical narratives not typically taught in schools, uncovering the errors in America’s early healthcare system.

Through this immersive walking tour, you will learn about the phantoms that haunt the streets of Philadelphia, delving into the spooky and intriguing stories that lurk beneath the surface of the city’s rich history.

Prepare to be captivated by these captivating tales that will send a chill down your spine.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Philadelphia: Phantoms of the Founding Fathers Walking Tour - Inclusions and Exclusions

Included in the tour price are the services of a live guide and the walking tour itself. However, the tour does not include hotel pickup and drop-off, food and drink, or tips. Plus, the tour is not suitable for children under 16 years of age.

Included Not Included
Live guide Hotel pickup and drop-off
Walking tour Food and drink
Tips
Children under 16 years
Video recording

The tour operates rain or shine and is suitable for ages 16 and above. Participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes.

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Important Information

Equipped with comfortable shoes, participants can embark on the tour rain or shine, as it operates regardless of the weather conditions.

The tour isn’t suitable for those under 16 years of age, ensuring an adults-only experience. Video recording isn’t allowed during the tour, preserving the intimate and immersive atmosphere.

The meeting point is the Washington Square Park Fountain, across from the Walnut Street Theatre, providing a convenient and easily accessible starting location.

With a limited group size of 9 participants, the tour ensures a personalized and engaging experience for all attendees.

Founding Fathers’ Scandalous Tales

Often, the tour delves into the scandalous affairs and personal lives of the founding fathers, shedding light on their lesser-known transgressions.

Participants learn about Benjamin Franklin’s numerous extramarital relationships, including his long-term mistress and illegitimate children.

The tour also explores Alexander Hamilton’s infamous duel with Aaron Burr, which was fueled by a complex web of political rivalries and rumored romantic entanglements.

Plus, guests discover salacious stories about Thomas Jefferson’s alleged relationship with his slave, Sally Hemings.

These revelations provide a vivid and thought-provoking glimpse into the private lives of America’s revered founding generation, challenging the heroic narratives often taught in schools.

Exploration of Healthcare Errors

The tour also delves into the errors and shortcomings within America’s early healthcare system.

Participants learn about the primitive medical practices and dangerous treatments that were common during the founding period. From bloodletting and purging to the use of toxic mercury compounds, the tour illuminates the many flaws in the nation’s nascent healthcare infrastructure.

Attendees discover how these misguided approaches often did more harm than good, contributing to high mortality rates and substandard care.

Spine-chilling Historical Narratives

This adults-only ghost-themed walking tour captivates participants with spine-chilling historical narratives about Philadelphia’s dark past.

The tour guide weaves tales of the founding fathers’ scandalous affairs, including Benjamin Franklin’s rumored relationships and Alexander Hamilton’s infamous duel. Participants also learn about the city’s early healthcare system and the shocking errors that led to patient harm.

The tour explores lesser-known historical narratives that are often omitted from traditional history lessons, providing a unique and immersive experience.

Key highlights include:

  • Stories of the founding fathers’ sordid personal lives
  • Unsettling accounts of medical malpractice in colonial America
  • Chilling anecdotes about Philadelphia’s haunted past
  • Insights into the city’s hidden historical underbelly
  • A thrilling glimpse into America’s early days

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Tour Cover Any Sites Related to the American Revolution?

The tour covers stories and sites related to the American Revolution, including scandalous affairs of the founding fathers and lesser-known historical narratives about the early healthcare system that are not typically taught in schools.

Are There Any Bathroom Breaks Scheduled During the Tour?

The tour does not mention any scheduled bathroom breaks. However, the tour is 1.5 hours long, so participants may have opportunities to use restrooms during the tour or at the starting/ending point.

Can the Tour Guide Provide Recommendations for Dining Options After the Tour?

The tour guide can likely provide recommendations for dining options after the tour. However, the tour details do not explicitly mention if the guide offers such recommendations. Guests may need to inquire about post-tour dining suggestions directly with the guide.

Is Photography Allowed During the Tour, Even if Not for Video Recording?

According to the tour information, while video recording is not allowed, photography is permitted during the walking tour. However, participants should be mindful not to disrupt the experience for others on the tour.

What Is the Maximum Group Size That the Tour Can Accommodate?

The tour has a limited group size of 9 participants. This small group size allows for a more intimate and personalized experience during the 1.5-hour walking tour exploring Philadelphia’s dark historical narratives.

Recap

The "Philadelphia: Phantoms of the Founding Fathers Walking Tour" promises an enthralling and immersive experience, where participants uncover the scandalous tales of historical figures and explore the troubling origins of America’s healthcare system. With spine-chilling narratives and captivating insights, this wheelchair-accessible tour offers a unique exploration of the city’s eerie past, ensuring an engaging and memorable journey for those aged 16 and above.

You can check if your dates are available here: