Uncover Philadelphia’s dynamic African-American heritage during this Black history-focused walking tour. Learn about the lives of enslaved people, including the daring escape of Martha Washington’s handmaid, and the Black pastor who founded African Methodist Episcopal Church. You’ll cover the city’s top attractions along the way, including the Liberty Bell and Congress Hall.

A Black history-themed walking tour of Philadelphia
Listen to the little-known stories behind the city’s dynamic African American heritage
Learn how enslaved people lived during colonial times—and how some broke free
Tick off major attractions along the way, including the iconic Liberty Bell

What's Included

In-Person Guide

Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Independence Visitor Center
599 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
Please meet the guide holding a "Black Journey Tour" sign outside of the Market Street entrance in front of the Independence Visitors Center.

Start time

02:00 pm

End point

Statue Of Commodore John Barry, U.S.N.
501-549 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

What To Expect

Independence Hall (Pass By)

The President's House

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Liberty Bell Center (Pass By)

Congress Hall (Pass By)

Washington Square

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Reviews

5.0

39 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 39 reviews

Great Display of people with their stories.

lr228524, Apr 2023

I really feel that you should have included the facts that Martha Washington aided her husband George Washington by recycling slaves. She bought a place in New Jersey and every 5 plus years they would take their personal slaves there with promises to get them in time for when their time was concluded at 6 months of slavery was a lie and that they continued to enslave them. One of their most celebrated slave Chef (who was one of their original 9 personal slaves) eventually got his freedom and 2 of his sons were not so fortunate. In addition, slaves existence we're not mentioned. Both Penn and Washington believed in slavery. The Irish mob that killed black people because they thought they flaunted their wealth. I saw during my visit the Irish flag was flown. Or the fact that the first black man who voted was assassinated after he voted.

TOUR with Alfonso

Felicia_W, Apr 2023

Started late, but ended great! Alfonso did a really good job. He was extremely knowledgeable. You should add a shirt.

An Eye-Opening, Essential Foundation for Anyone who Wants a Working Knowledge of Philly

Christopher_K, Apr 2023

It was really illuminating to learn about the escape stories of people who found paths out of slavery, the contributions of leaders in Philadelphia's black community, atrocities like the Lombard Street Massacre that society still struggles to acknowledge and an ultimately hopeful perspective on the future and how society can be better if it makes thoughtful choices.

Present and Impactful History

Jordan_J, Jan 2023

Our guide Mijuel was tremendous. Great insight and detailed knowledge that helped make the history feel present and impactful. His enthusiasm for Philadelphia and the black history of the city made this tour a true standout.

An enlightening tour of Philadelphia

Danielle_B, Jan 2023

The tour guide, Mijuel, was very informative and offered an experience to learn and ask questions about a time that isn’t that long ago.

The tour guide made learning about American history interesting and engaging through his storytelling skills.

Rachelle_A, Oct 2022

Extremely knowledgeable tour guide. He was also funny, engaging, and passionate about the topic. He entertained while he taught. I did not get a full picture in school of American history and this tour helped me to fill in some of the gaps. It was very enlightening. I learned a lot and the tour has motivated me to continue to learn more,

Highlight of my weekend!

Kristen_V, Oct 2022

I absolutely loved this tour. The tour guide Myjewel (I’m not sure of the correct spelling) was excellent! He is incredibly knowledgeable and gave us a fantastic tour! If you’re visiting Philadelphia I highly recommend!

Awesome Tour!

Jaquana_M, July 2022

The guide was pretty awesome and knowledgeable about the history of the city. I’d highly recommend the tour.

Learning the history of...

Charlotte_L, July 2022

Learning the history of the contributions and significance of “enslaved” labor in the development of the United States-past, present and future.

A Black Journey Worth Experiencing!

Sandra_A, July 2022

Through all the pain and suffering of the African slaves how they managed to perserve and eventuall develope communities of their own in Philadelphia, only to have them destroyed and still they prevailed. This tour was so well organized and so informative. I will be reading more of the lives of Blacks in Philadelphia.

Black Philly Tour

Roland_N, July 2022

Guide was knowledgeable, took his time and enjoyed communicating with the group. It was a good time. I think the tour would benefit from a bathroom break and coffee at the cafe across the street. It could benefit the local business as well as the tour.

Very informative tour

Veronica_G, June 2022

The tour guide was very informative! We had to leave the tour early because it was 90 degrees and not a lot of shade on the tour.

All in all, great empowering history

Eliott_C, June 2022

Great narrative and insight by your guide. The weather was a little too hot for my family about half way through the tour. Also I think the cost was a bit much.

The tour guide, Mijuel,...

Frederick_W, June 2022

The tour guide, Mijuel, was a walking talking encyclopedia. He knew his subject matter well without referring to notes. He definitely enjoys what he does. At times he was comical and light hearted and entertaining. We walked a bit then stopped at the next site while he discussed his information at that site. It was a very informative and enjoyable tour and I will definitely recommend it to others

Enlightening

Caterina_O, June 2022

Mijuel was an excellent tour guide. His wealth of knowledge was refreshing. It was in depth and wide ranging.

Great weekend tour of African American presence in Historic District

reginald_H, May 2022

Seeing Liberty Bell & Independence Hall was amazing! Tour guide was really informed. We enjoyed learning about the life of the African sail maker, James Forten and George Washington's chief, Hercules Posey. We had to leave tour before last stop b/c of the threat of rain.

Great tour

Stephanie_R, May 2022

The tour guy was very informative enjoyed the tour very much On this tour you gained a lot of information about Philadelphia and the black experience

The entire tour is...

Dana_M, May 2022

The entire tour is incredible! We learned so much about the African heritage of Philadelphia and how people were treated, and the good citizens that did help them. The African American journey is uniquely, and honestly shared during this amazing walking tour. History such as this should be a part of all American history books and not just as Black history. Very enlightening information.

Best tour experience

kera_Y, Mar 2022

The tour guide was a triple threat: SMART, FUNNY, AND HANDSOME. I highly recommend the tour. For anyone looking to learn history of African contributions to the development of Philadelphia, this is the tour for you.

Great tour!

Lamar_B, Mar 2022

It was a really great walking tour. We learned a lot! Learning the Black perspective on American history was awesome. We learned all of the things that were left out of the American History classes we took in school.