Best of Philly

Best Tour

2024 Best Tour

Masonic Temple

A lot of people think that the architecturally stunning headquarters of Pennsylvania’s Masons — we’re talking the secret society, not the people who work with cement — is closed to the public. Not only is it not closed to the public, but it offers hour-long tours of the historic building five times a day, Wednesday through Saturday. Yes, there’s a gift shop, should you need some mystical-looking 19th-century Masonic art to display. Bonus: You’re just steps away from Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown. Read More »

1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-988-1977 | Website

2019 Best Cultural Tour

Parkway Central Library

Prominent black Philadelphia architect Julian Abele designed this Beaux Arts gem in the 1920s, and library staffers are happy to show you around — for free. The hour-long tour starts at 10 a.m., but definitely stick around for the 11 a.m. tour of the rare books department, too. Read More »

1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-686-5322 | Website

2016 Best Private Tour

The Union League of Philadelphia

If you don't have what it takes to join one of Philadelphia's most prestigious clubs, just gather $150 ($225 on weekends) and up to 20 of your friends and enjoy an in-depth tour of the entire building, including the little-known Lincoln Memorial Room, the Civil War mini-museum and the hallowed library, where bibliophiles will geek out. Whatever you do, don't wear jeans or sneakers. Read More »

140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-563-6500 | Website

2016 Best Boat Trip for People Who Want to Look at Fish

ThunderCat Dolphin Watch

There's a reason this 16-year-old outfit has a near-perfect TripAdvisor rating: It always delivers. The speedboat's one-of-a-kind design creates swells as it zooms off the coast of Wildwood Crest and Cape May, attracting Flipper and friends, who like to play in the wake. One piece of advice for your 90-minute trip: Stash your phone in a Ziploc bag. Read More »

1001 Ocean Drive, Wildwood Crest, NJ | 609-523-2628 | Website

2014 Best Guided Tour

Laurel Hill Cemetery

This East Falls cemetery has a bit of fun with the macabre, even though it's one of the most history-filled final resting places in the country. Read More »

3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA | 215-228-8200 | Website

2013 Best Tour

The Barnes Foundation

Dont like crowds? Seventy-five bucks gets you an intimate insiders tour of the Barnes Foundations world-renowned collection at a time when the museum is otherwise closed to the public. These exclusive tours are available Tuesday afternoons from 4 to 6 p.m., by appointment only. Read More »

2025 Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA | 215-278-7000 | Website

2012 Best Tour of Philadelphia

Graff Tours

What, you didn't know Philadelphia was the birthplace of graffiti? This year-and-a-half-old outfit offers historical insight in its guided tours of the city's best street art, whether you want to travel by foot, bike, SEPTA or, yes, limousine, from $25 to $300 per person. Read More »

See website for schedule Website

2012 Best Tour

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine Tour

This guided mine-car tour of an old horizontal drift mine two and a half hours northwest of Philly might seem like it's going to be kids' stuff. But then you're more than a quarter-mile inside a mountain. (And yes, they turn the lights out.) Bring a sweater, because the tour lasts for half an hour, and temperatures inside the mine average 50 degrees. Read More »

2001 Walnut Street, Ashland, PA | 570-875-3850 | Website

2009 Best Tour of Philadelphia

City Food Tours

These guide-led three-hour tasting tours (for between $29 and $55 a person) are a fun, different way for locals and visitors alike to explore all that has shaped our city and its residents (mostly the latter). Try the charming evening wine, chocolate and tea tour, or the classic "Flavors of Philly" cheesesteak-hoagie-pretzel trail that ends up at Reading Terminal for dessert. (Termini Brothers, anyone?) Hey, we didn't say it was good for your waistline. ... Read More »

| 215-360-1996 | Website