Philadelphia will be in the spotlight this summer for the celebrations of America's 250th birthday.
The city where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 is throwing a big to-do on July 2 involving a parade and block party with concerts, games, and a bunch more patriotic festivities—not to mention all the other special events taking place this semiquincentennial year, from historical exhibits to major sporting events (the FIFA World Cup, for starters, will be in town from June 14 to July 4).
But Philly is also taking this opportunity to acquaint visitors with parts of the city beyond the Historic District.
Starting later this month, Philadelphia is offering a series of free walking tours held each weekend to showcase the "culture, creativity, and small businesses that define Philadelphia’s neighborhoods," according to the web page for the program, called Neighborhood Jawnts.
Running from May 29 through Oct. 25, the series encompasses a total of 20 different strolls, each focused on a different Philly community.
Tourgoers will learn about the food, art, community leaders, and traditions of each neighborhood featured, from the thriving culinary scene in East Passyunk to the civil rights legacy and jazz clubs of North Philly to the murals of riverside Manayunk and beyond.
"Philadelphia is extremely proud to be known as the birthplace of American democracy. But if you can ask anybody who lives here, they will tell you that our real story is where? In our neighborhoods," Jazelle Jones, Philadelphia's director of special events, said when announcing the tours, according to PhillyVoice. "It lives in our blocks, it's in our small businesses, it's in our murals, our music, our food but most importantly in you, our people. That's exactly what Neighborhood Jawnts is all about."
The tours are free to join, but participants must register in advance online.
Bookings for the May and June excursions are open now. Tours take place on Fridays at 2pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 10am and 2pm. Each tourgoer gets a complimentary Neighborhood Jawnts tote bag, too.
To see the full schedule and other details, go to phlvisitorcenter.com/neighborhood-jawnts-tour-series.