Philadelphia City Hall

Government • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States

Philadelphia City Hall isn’t just a government building—it’s one of the city’s most breathtaking landmarks and a must-see for visitors. Located right in the heart of Center City, this massive stone structure blends history, art, and politics into one unforgettable experience.

Built in the ornate Beaux-Arts style, City Hall is covered in detailed carvings and sculptures, making it feel more like a European palace than a municipal building. Its most famous feature? The towering clock tower, which rises nearly 550 feet and is topped with a bronze statue of William Penn—the founder of Pennsylvania—keeping watch over the city.

Visitors can stroll through the lively courtyard, often filled with performers, food trucks, and local events, or book a tour to step inside and see the opulent interior, complete with marble staircases, mosaic-tiled ceilings, and dramatic meeting halls. For the best view in town, take the elevator to the observation deck just beneath the statue of Penn—on a clear day, you can see for miles in every direction.

Whether you're snapping photos of the architecture, learning about the city's political past, or simply people-watching from the plaza, Philadelphia City Hall offers a memorable mix of culture, history, and urban energy. It’s a perfect starting point for your Philly adventure.


Tours for Philadelphia City Hall

Exploring the area? Book a tour to fully experience everything Philadelphia City Hall has to offer. A guided tour will provide you with fascinating insights and hidden gems that you might miss on your own.

Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania $45 Tour Provided by Viator

Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States

This Walking Tour will also take you by and into some of Philadelphia's most prominent buildings. The buildings in this area are mostly from the mid-1800's through the present. Styles range from Beaux Arts, to Chicago and International style. We also wil see the newest and tallest buildings in Center City.

Philadelphia Architecture: Discover Every American Style on a GPS Audio Tour in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania $10 Tour Provided by Viator

Philadelphia Architecture: Discover Every American Style on a GPS Audio Tour

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States

Join me on a self-guided GPS audio tour that’ll open your eyes to the full range of Philadelphia’s architecture, spanning every American style from the 1850s to the present. One of the richest periods artistically, it was also one of the wealthiest. Mark Twain called these years the “Gilded Age” because America’s economy boomed and vast fortunes were rapidly made.

Gilded Age styles like Second Empire Baroque, High Victorian Gothic and Romanesque all compete for your attention on this tour. The styles they gave way to as we entered the 20th century are eye catching too, like Beaux Arts, Art Deco, and International Style. Then from the 1970s we enter the Postmodern era, where almost anything goes architecturally – and that’s where we still find ourselves today.

Along the way, I’ll tell you plenty of interesting but not strictly architectural stories about Philadelphia and its buildings too.

Philadelphia Movie and Television Sites Private Walking Tour in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania $70 Tour Provided by Viator

Philadelphia Movie and Television Sites Private Walking Tour

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States

Philadelphia is the film location of some of your favorite films, and there's better way to get a behind the scenes look than on this fully-guided walking tour! See where famous directors like M. Night Shamalan and Martin Scorses have worked, visit Philly landmarks like City Hall and Love Park, as well as the sites featured in television shows like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Cold Case. And no Philadelphia movie tour would be complete without seeing several filming locations from the Rocky franchise including the famous steps!

Halloween Trolley Tour "Terror Beyond the Walls" in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania $50 Tour Provided by Viator

Halloween Trolley Tour "Terror Beyond the Walls"

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States

Join City Sightseeing this spooky season and experience Philadelphia’s darker side of history. We will take you on an interactive trolley tour. Our tour guide will take you on a 90-minute journey through Old City in a decorated trolley ready for the Halloween season. We have included two surprise stops along the way for you to get off the trolley and walk around while the tour guide tells you the ghostly stories at the sight you are standing on. We start at Independence mall and continue to other sites including The Arch Street Meeting House, Christ Church Burial Ground, Washington Square Park, The Famous Powel House and many more that will have you looking over your shoulder all evening. We include trivia, games and fun on our BYOB Halloween Trolley Experience. We have these available individual timed tickets for you and your friends. This tour is perfect for group events, family get-togethers, and corporate outings. Don’t miss out on the spooktacular event this Halloween.

BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania $49 Tour Provided by Viator

BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States

Grab your favorite six-pack or a boxed wine and you'll board a charming trolley for an enthralling Philadelphia sightseeing adventure. As you journey through the city, you'll not only witness its major landmarks but also hear fascinating tales about Philly that might surprise even the locals.

You make pit stops to explore key attractions like City Hall, Love Park, and for a dash of cinematic thrill, challenge yourself to replicate Rocky Balboa's iconic run up the famous Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

But the adventure doesn't stop there. We travel thru charming streets of historic Old City, where you'll have the chance to lay eyes on legendary sites such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, and more.... Lastly, take a leisurely stroll down Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the nation, where your tour reaches its delightful conclusion.

Philadelphia 2 Hour Electric Cart Tour in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania $69 Tour Provided by Viator

Philadelphia 2 Hour Electric Cart Tour

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States

Our old Philadelphia Segway tour has been updated to an Electric Cart tour!

Join our local expert guide as they escort you around Philly in our comfortable electric cart. Glide through historic Old City, past iconic sites such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the home of Betsy Ross and the gravesite of Benjamin Franklin. Along the way, your guide will discuss the fascinating and rich history of Philadelphia.

From there, the tour will zip through Center City, past our majestic City Hall, the world-famous LOVE Statue and out to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where you'll hop out at the Rocky Steps. Channel your inner Rocky Balboa as you scale the steps and enjoy a breathtaking view of Philly.

You'll explore South Street, home to the mosaic wonderland called the Magic Gardens, and charming Society Hill before returning to where the tour began.

Please note: Each cart accommodates 5 guests. Groups may be split into different carts depending on total number of guests

Private Half Day Philadelphia Driving Tour with Local Guide in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania $595 Tour Provided by Viator

Private Half Day Philadelphia Driving Tour with Local Guide

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States

Experience the sights of Philadelphia with a personal guide on this private, half-day sightseeing tour. Hop in a comfortable minivan (for up to six people) and ride from river to river. See the Historic District, Penn's Landing, the Italian Market, Philadelphia City Hall, the South 9th Street Italian Market, the Rocky Steps at the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and much more.

Philadelphia Movie and Television Sites Walking Tour in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania $35 Tour Provided by Viator

Philadelphia Movie and Television Sites Walking Tour

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States

Philadelphia is the film location of some of your favorite films, and there's better way to get a behind the scenes look than on this fully-guided walking tour! See where famous directors like M. Night Shamalan and Martin Scorses have worked, visit Philly landmarks like City Hall and Love Park, as well as the sites featured in television shows like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Cold Case. And no Philadelphia movie tour would be complete without seeing several filming locations from the Rocky franchise including the famous steps!