Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
- English
Philadelphia has been burying its dead for 300 years, and then forgetting where it put them. On this self-guided audio tour, you'll trace what happened to the city's lost graveyards, from potter's fields and epidemic victims to graves discovered under parking lots.
The tour starts at Washington Square, one of William Penn's original five parks, which holds an estimated 4,500–7,500 bodies beneath its manicured lawn. From there, you'll wind through the streets of Old City, past the site of Benjamin Franklin's grave and the National Constitution Center, before heading north toward Franklin Square, where an 1830s church cemetery and it's tombstones were just buried under the dirt. Along the way, you'll discover how a clandestine 1950s archaeological dig under Washington Square – kept secret for political reasons – unearthed a soldier who may or may not have been American. The tour ends at the site of the First Baptist Burial Ground.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
This tour starts at Washington Square. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Tour ends at First Baptist Burial Ground
Itinerary
-
Independence Hall (Pass by)
Pass the redbrick facade of Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were both debated and signed. You'll hear how this birthplace of American democracy sits just blocks from mass graves the city spent centuries trying to forget.
Admission ticket free -
Benjamin Franklin's Grave (Pass by)
Stand near the site of Benjamin Franklin's grave, one of Philadelphia's most visited resting places. You'll learn how even Franklin's own burial history gets complicated, from disputed remains to the 15 bodies later found beneath his London home.
Admission ticket free -
Franklin Square (Pass by)
Walk through Franklin Square, one of Penn's original city parks, now home to a carousel and mini-golf course. You'll discover that an 1830s church cemetery and its tombstones were quietly buried under the dirt here, hidden beneath the park's cheerful surface.
Admission ticket free -
Betsy Ross House (Pass by)
Explore the Betsy Ross House, dedicated to the seamstress credited with sewing the first American flag. You'll hear the strange story of her disputed grave, and why the people meant to exhume her body couldn't produce it.
Admission ticket free -
Arch Street Meeting House (Pass by)
Visit the Arch Street Meeting House, one of the largest Quaker meeting houses in the world. You'll learn that an estimated 20,000 people lie buried here in unmarked graves, making it one of the city's largest forgotten cemeteries.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- 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.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Get our app
