THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Explore the hidden burial grounds beneath Old City Philadelphia and uncover forgotten stories of the city’s past on this haunting private tour.
Explore the hidden burial grounds beneath Old City Philadelphia and uncover forgotten stories of the city’s past on this haunting private tour.
Book with Offbeat Philly
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Offbeat Philly · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Discover the eerie and captivating side of Old City Philadelphia with Offbeat Philly’s "Philadelphia’s Forgotten Dead" private tour. This immersive experience takes you beneath the bustling streets to explore hidden gravesites and unmarked burial grounds that few know exist. As you wander through the shadows of history, hear the stories of early Philadelphians whose lives shaped the city yet whose resting places have been lost over time. This tour blends history, mystery, and reflection, offering a unique perspective on Philadelphia’s past that goes beyond the usual landmarks. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply intrigued by the unknown, this exploration reveals surprising tales and gives you a deeper connection to the city’s foundations. The small group setting ensures a personal, engaging journey led by knowledgeable guides who bring the forgotten dead back to light. Ideal for curious adventurers looking for something different, this experience is not just a walk in the city but a thoughtful exploration of what lies beneath the streets you walk every day.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels with light walking on uneven ground and stairs.
The tour is best for children age 12 and up due to the sensitive historical content and walking involved.
Unfortunately, the underground gravesites have limited accessibility due to stairs and uneven terrain.
Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate layers are recommended, as some areas underground are cooler.
Private tours are exclusive to your group, ensuring personalized attention and the ability to ask questions freely.
Yes, photography is allowed, but please avoid using flash in sensitive areas to protect artifacts.
For respect and preservation, food and beverages are not permitted during the walking portion of the tour.
Many graves under Old City mark early citizens, including unknown Revolutionary War soldiers whose stories remain largely forgotten.
Tours emphasize respect for historic sites and encourage preservation efforts by educating visitors about the delicate underground environment.
Offbeat Philly offers immersive walking tours in Philadelphia that reveal lesser-known stories and sites in Old City and the Historic Square Mile. Featured on The Adventure Collective, Offbeat Philly focuses on historically grounded, narrative-driven experiences that explore people, places, and oddities often skipped by conventional tours. Tours include 'Philadelphia's Forgotten Dead,' an exploration of hidden graves beneath Old City streets that illuminates neglected burial sites and the social history around them; 'Terrible-Tempered Lieutenant Levy,' a walking narrative about Uriah Levy, the first Jewish Commodore, tracing his life through Elfreth's Alley, the Delaware River waterfront, and concluding at A Man Full of Trouble, Philadelphia’s preserved pre-revolutionary tavern; and 'That Broken Bell (and Other Colonial Nonsense),' a lighthearted, evidence-based tour of the Historic Square Mile that visits landmarks such as the Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross House while unpacking myth and reality about the Founding era. Offbeat Philly emphasizes walking tours that balance rigorous research with engaging storytelling. The company operates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and designs routes that use public streets and open sites. Because itineraries use public spaces and historic landmarks, participants should expect an outdoor, pedestrian experience. Tours involve walking between historic sites with regular stops for stories, making them well suited to history-minded travelers and curious visitors. Each trip highlights primary landmarks and offbeat locales using public streets and landmark exteriors, not private properties. Advance reservations are recommended online.
Book with Offbeat Philly