PennTracks Tours are free guided tours led by our PHINS student leaders throughout the city of Philadelphia for our first-year students and second-year students during NSO. Look through all the different tours and maps offered below.
Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia has been a cultural mecca for over two hundred years. Great theatre, ballet, opera, and music abound in this city, and the Avenue of the Arts is Philadelphia’s cultural artery. This tour takes you into and around the city’s premiere theaters and arts venues. (First- and Second-Year Tour)
Picture: Kimmel Center for Performing Arts (Photo by Jason Paris | CC 2.0)
Old City
This tour follows the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, all of whom lived in Philadelphia while laying the groundwork for a new nation. But you will see more than Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. This tour also visits 18th-century churches, 19th-century factories that became 20th-century apartments and art galleries, and the hippest restaurants in the city. (First- and Second-Year Tour)
Picture: Elfreth’s Alley (Photo by Kjetil Ree | CC-SA 2.0)
Italian Market
Philadelphia has been a cultural mecca for over two hundred years. Great theatre, ballet, opera, and music abound in this city, and the Avenue of the Arts is Philadelphia’s cultural artery. This tour takes you into and around the city’s premiere theaters and arts venues. (First- and Second-Year Tour)
Picture: Italian Market (Photo by Peter Miller | CC BY NC ND 2.0)
Rittenhouse Square
This tour will take you through the Victorian neighborhoods that surround Rittenhouse Square and past some of the finest shopping and dining in the city. Along the way, you will see the lush, green park, sites from movies, many old churches, and modern high-rise residences. (First- and Second-Year Tour)
Picture: Rittenhouse Square (Photo by Jeffrey Vincour | CC ASA 3.0)
Midtown Village
“Midtown Village” has come to be the popularly recognized name for an area between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, particularly delineated by Market and Street to the north, South Street to the south, Broad Street to the west, and 10th Street to the east. Here, you’ll find some of Philadelphia’s best and most popular restaurants and shops, as well as museums, theaters, and more. (First- and Second-Year Tour)
Picture: Grand Court of Macy’s Center City (Photo by difference engine CC ASA 4.0 International)
South Philly
This tour will take you into the heart of South Philly and its largely Italian neighborhoods. You will travel through the famous Italian Market, home of cheesesteaks and Rocky Balboa, and up and down the eclectic and energetic South Street. Along the way, you will find some of the best cheesesteaks, water ice, seafood, pizza, and cookies in the city, so come hungry! (First- and Second-Year Tour)
Picture: Geno’s Cheesesteak Restaurant
Chinatown
This tour takes you through the Asian cultural center of Philadelphia. Chinatown offers a variety of amazing cuisines including Japanese, Thai, Cambodian, Burmese, Laotian, Malaysian, and Vietnamese. Churches, temples, artwork, and a concert hall are also highlights. (First- and Second-Year Tour)
Picture: Chinatown (Photo by Mobilus in Mobili | CC SA 2.0)
The Mural Mile
Philadelphia is the world’s largest outdoor art gallery – the city is home to more than 3,600 murals. In 1984, Mural Arts Philadelphia was founded to help eradicate graffiti and has since blossomed into a massive, city-wide project. Explore a small fraction of the murals Philadelphia has to offer on this combination of the two Mural Mile tours. Be prepared to walk! (First- and Second-Year Tour)
Picture: Secret Book Mural (Photo by Regan Vercruysse | CC BY ND NC 2.0)
Fairmount Park
Come see Philadelphia’s largest park, which hosts historical monuments, sculptures, several museums, walking trails, and city-line views. Lots of Penn students come here to host socials, hang out, or go to one of the many attractions. (First- and Second-Year Tour)
Picture: Belmont Plateau (Photo by Frederikto | CC ASA 3.0)
Stadium District & Southeast Asian Market
This tour shows off Philadelphia’s famous stadium district where all of the professional athletic stadiums are located. Come see where all of the events, concerts, and games typically take place within Philadelphia. The tour will end in the Southeast Asian market in FDR park, which is one of Philadelphia’s greatest cultural landmarks. Students will be able to explore the market and enjoy the food and atmosphere before returning back to campus (First- and Second-Year Tour)
Picture: Wells Fargo Center (Photo by Wally Gobetz | CC BY ND NC 2.0)
West Philly Mural Tour
West Philadelphia’s rich cultures and histories shape the neighborhood’s dynamics. The West Philly Mural Tours offer a glimpse into how murals highlight the community’s values and histories. Join us to see how Philadelphia’s murals reflect its people and their experiences. Be prepared for some walking!
Picture: Drexel’s University City Campus (Photo by Tony Hopkins | CC ASA 4.0 International)
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