Explore the hidden burial grounds beneath Old City Philadelphia and uncover forgotten stories of the city’s past on this haunting private tour.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels with light walking on uneven ground and stairs.
Wildlife
History
Many graves under Old City mark early citizens, including unknown Revolutionary War soldiers whose stories remain largely forgotten.
Conservation
Tours emphasize respect for historic sites and encourage preservation efforts by educating visitors about the delicate underground environment.
Offbeat Philly
Explore the hidden burial grounds beneath Old City Philadelphia and uncover forgotten stories of the city’s past on this haunting private tour.
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.
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Based in Historic Old City
Tours Offered
3 distinctive walks
Focused, themed walking tours
Audience Fit
History-minded
Ideal for curious visitors
Tour Style
Walking tours
Outdoor city routes and stops
Choose a trip, check availability, and book a walking tour to uncover Philadelphia’s forgotten graves, naval history, and colonial curiosities.
Wear comfortable shoes
Expect some uneven surfaces and short walks on cobblestone streets below ground.
Bring a flashlight
While most areas are lit, a small flashlight can enhance visibility in darker spots.
Respect the historic sites
These gravesites are sensitive locations — avoid touching or disturbing anything.
Plan for mild weather
Temperatures underground can feel cooler; dress accordingly especially in spring or fall.
Comfortable walking shoes
Good footwear is necessary for cobblestone streets and uneven underground paths.
Light jacket or layers
To stay comfortable during cool fall days and underground tours.
fall
Flashlight or headlamp
Enhances visibility in dimly lit tunnel areas.
Reusable water bottle
Stay hydrated during warmer weather and walking portions of the tour.
summer