Franklin Parkway Walking Tour, Philadelphia

Franklin Parkway Walking Tour (Self Guided), Philadelphia

Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a scenic boulevard running through the cultural heart of Philadelphia. Named for America's Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, this mile-long tree-lined parkway is lined with several notable sights and world-class museums.

At its heart lies Logan Circle, a charming green space centered around a picturesque fountain. This spot can provide a refreshing break on a hot summer day.

As you stroll along Franklin Parkway, you'll inevitably come across the Shakespeare Memorial, a tribute to the renowned English playwright.

Further down the road, proudly stands the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors. This solemn monument honors the bravery and sacrifice of African American soldiers and sailors who served in various conflicts throughout American history.

One of the parkway's highlights is the Franklin Institute Science Museum – a great destination for those interested in hands-on exhibits and engaging displays.

Nearby, you will find the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, which pays homage to one of the Founding Fathers and a key figure in American history.

Art enthusiasts can explore the Barnes Foundation and the Rodin Museum, both housing impressive collections of art and sculpture. These cultural institutions offer a unique and enriching experience for visitors, making them must-visit locations on the parkway.

The grand finale of your journey leads you to the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art. Known for the famous "Rocky Steps" and its vast art collections, this cultural gem captivates art lovers and admirers of the city alike.

In essence, Franklin Parkway is a treasure trove of culture, history, and art in Philadelphia. So, follow this self-guided walk to appreciate its remarkable landmarks on your next trip to the city. Franklin Parkway promises an exciting adventure!

Image Courtesy of Flickr and elPadawan.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Philadelphia

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Franklin Parkway Walking Tour
Guide Location: USA » Philadelphia (See other walking tours in Philadelphia)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Philadelphia?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Philadelphia Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Philadelphia?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Create Your Own Walk in Philadelphia

Creating your own self-guided walk in Philadelphia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Philadelphia Introduction Walking Tour

The sixth largest city in the United States and the largest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is a dynamic city heaped with old-world charm and contemporary infrastructure. Notable for its rich history, primarily as the birthplace of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Often called Philly, Philadelphia is also known as the City of Brotherly Love – a... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

University of Pennsylvania Walking Tour

As America's first university, The University of Pennsylvania (aka Penn or Upenn, for short) has a history stretching back to the mid-18th century, closely bound with the city's colonial past and the birth of the United States. Initially, this Ivy League institution emerged as the College of Philadelphia, one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the US Declaration of... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles

Fairmount Park Historical Houses Walking Tour

Fairmount Park, Philadelphia's oldest park, established since 1867, is also the city's largest municipal park, sprawling over 2,000 acres adjacent to the banks of the Schuylkill River. The park grew out of the Lemon Hill estate of Henry Pratt, whose land was originally owned by Robert Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

In 1972, the park was placed on the National... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles

Philadelphia Old City Walking Tour

King Charles II of England, while seriously indebted to Admiral Sir William Penn, settled his debt in 1681 by granting lands in America to William Penn, the Admiral's Quaker son. A thorn in the King's side, young Penn sailed to America, where he envisioned a utopian society based on tolerance and founded Philadelphia, the "City of Brotherly Love."

The Old City Center, the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

Rocky Movie Sites Walking Tour

There are plenty of famous faces tied to Philadelphia, but few cast a longer shadow—real or fictional—than Rocky Balboa. Since punching his way onto the screens in 1976, this underdog boxer has done so much for the city’s image that even Benjamin Franklin might raise an eyebrow… and then probably nod in approval.

The whole phenomenon began with Sylvester Stallone, who didn’t just play... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.3 Km or 3.9 Miles

Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia

Benjamin Franklin’s rise didn’t start with a grand entrance—just a teenage runaway leaving a strict Puritan household in Boston and landing in Philadelphia, probably wondering what came next. As it turns out, quite a lot did. This city became Franklin’s workshop, his stage, and occasionally his laboratory, as he moved effortlessly between roles—printer, writer, scientist, inventor, and... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

View all walking tours in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Philadelphia Souvenirs: 13 Unique Gift Ideas from the City of Brotherly Love

Looking for a great gift while visiting Philadelphia? Famous for its history, arts and culture, championship sports teams, and award-winning food and drink, Philadelphia is a top-rated shopping destination. Here, you'll find an amazing selection of items to choose from - something uniquely...