AERA is pleased to offer all Meeting attendees a wonderful selection of tours. Make the most of your visit to Philadelphia and take one of the tours! Space is limited for these tours, and interested attendees are encouraged to register in advance. Registered participants wishing to add courses, off-site visits, or tours can log in to add events to your registration. There are 6 different tour times to choose from and 4 different tour options with 2 of the tour options offered twice.
Tour 1: Historic Philadelphia Tour Day: Thursday, April 3 Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00PM Fee: $60.00
Tour 2: Historic Philadelphia Tour Day: Sunday, April 6 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Fee: $60.00
Transportation: Tours will depart from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, under the tunnel on the west side of 12th street at the corner of 12th and Arch Streets, at the start time of the tour and return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center at the end time of the tour.
OFFERED TWO DIFFERENT DAYS!
Description:
Join us on a journey to “the most historic square mile in the country”. Walk along the same streets as Ben Franklin, Adams and Betsy Ross walked. See and hear about the Liberty Bell, the most hallowed symbol of our nation’s freedom; Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was adopted; Congress Hall where Congress sat while Philadelphia was the Nation’s capital; Franklin Court, Ben’s home and print shop; the Ben Franklin Museum, Christ Church, founded in 1695 where Washington and Franklin worshipped; Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continually occupied residential street in the country and more.
Note: This tour consists of light walking, comfortable attire recommended Tour 3: Art and Culture Tour Day: Friday, April 4 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Fee: $60.00
Tour 4: Art and Culture Tour Day: Sunday, April 6 Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Fee: $60.00
As one of the largest museums in the United States, the Philadelphia Museum of Art invites visitors from around the world to explore its renowned collections, acclaimed special exhibitions, and enriching programs.
Explore the treasures of the Philadelphia Museum of Art with a tour of the treasures of this wonderful collection. America’s third largest art museum contains over 300,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints along with decorative arts, period rooms and Oriental art collection.
Note: This tour consists of light walking, comfortable attire recommended
Tour 5: Philadelphia Crime and Oddities Tour Day: Friday, April 4 Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Fee: $60.00
Hear the inside stories on Philadelphia’s most notorious crime families and the details of secret mob hits and see popular prohibition speakeasies throughout the city as we visit some of Philly’s most notorious spots where crime and scandal took place.
You’ll visit the Eastern State Penitentiary - once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, and learn about the facility where some of America’s most famous criminal were held, including Willie Sutton and Al Capone. Abandoned in 1971, 142 years after it opened, the prison is now a lost world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard houses and offers a glimpse into the world of the prisoner in the 19th century.
You’ll also visit The Mutter Museum, one of the few pathological and medical artifacts museums in the country. It’s collection is ‘unique’, to say the least. Among the exhibits located within is the cast of the famous Siamese twins, Change and Eng, the “Soap Lady” and a tumor removed from the jaw of President Cleveland. This museum promises to have you grossed out and intrigued all at the same time!
Note: This tour consists of light walking, comfortable attire recommended Tour 6: River to River Tour Day: Saturday, April 5 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Fee: $60.00
Transportation: Tours will depart from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, under the tunnel on the west side of 12th street at the corner of 12th and Arch Streets, at the start time of the tour and return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center at the end time of the tour..
Combine the old and the new beginning with a trip around Philadelphia. Your costumed guide will meet you at the convention center to lead the tour along the same streets the country’s founders walked. Some of the sites you will visit along the way include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, Franklin Court, Ben’s home and print shop, Christ Church where Washington and Franklin worshipped and Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continually occupied residential street in the country and more.
Along the way you will see some of Philly’s other well-known landmarks, such as Walnut Street, Restaurant Row, Philadelphia’s City Hall and the Comcast Center. Finally, travel down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the home to many of the city’s cultural institutions including the Philadelphia Museum Art and snap a picture next to the Rocky statue standing near the grandiose Museum steps.
Note: This tour consists of minimal walking, comfortable attire recommended