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 2025 PennTracks tours and maps below.
Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia is a cultural hub with over two hundred years of diverse history. A walk down Broad Street reveals the city’s rich performing arts scene—home to theater, ballet, opera, and music. This tour takes you into and around the premier venues along the Avenue of the Arts, the city’s stage for the arts.
Picture: Kimmel Center for Performing Arts (Photo by Jason Paris | CC 2.0)
Old City
This tour follows in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, all of whom lived in Philadelphia as they helped lay the foundation for a new nation. But along the way, you’ll see more than Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. You’ll see the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the nation, the cemetery where Benjamin Franklin lies in rest, and a still-functioning building that hosted some of Penn’s first classes (before the University of Pennsylvania was officially named so!).
Italian Market
This tour encompasses one of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in the US. As you walk through the Italian Market, you’ll see dozens of vendors along the streets selling vegetables, fish, spices, and more! Stop by one of the multiple delis while you’re at it and experience what Philly has to offer. Though the neighborhood has a strong Italian heritage, you can find Mexican or Vietnamese food, Korean barbecue and many other cuisines such as Thailand and Laos.
Picture: Italian Market (Photo by Peter Miller | CC BY NC ND 2.0)
Rittenhouse Square
Originally planned by Philadelphia city founder William Penn as one of five public squares in his “greene countrie towne,” Rittenhouse Square has evolved into one of Philadelphia’s most vibrant neighborhoods. 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 Rittenhouse Park, sites from movies, and historical churches standing in contrast to Philadelphia’s premiere modern high-rise residences.
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 reminders of Philadelphia’s rich history. You’ll also visit the nation’s first very first public library, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731.
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!
Picture: Geno’s Cheesesteak Restaurant
Chinatown
This tour takes you through the Asian cultural center of Philadelphia. Established in 1871, Chinatown has faced over 150 years of fighting against gentrification and displacement. The neighborhood has acted as a haven for the working class, immigrants, and local youth. Chinatown is particularly known for having a variety of amazing cuisines, including Japanese, Thai, Cambodian, Burmese, Laotian, Malaysian, and Vietnamese.
West Philly
West Philadelphia’s rich cultures and histories shape the neighborhood’s dynamics. Join us through the vibrant neighborhoods west of the University of Pennsylvania campus. This journey highlights the rich cultural heritage, fascinating history, and thriving community spirit that define West Philly. Along the way, you will discover iconic local food spots beloved by residents, learn about important historical landmarks, and experience the natural beauty of Clark Park, a cherished green space at the heart of the neighborhood. Whether you are new to the area or a longtime resident, this tour offers an insightful glimpse into the stories and flavors that make West Philadelphia unique.
Picture: Drexel’s University City Campus (Photo by Tony Hopkins | CC ASA 4.0 International)
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