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South Philly Tour Italian Market and Cheesesteaks
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
$39
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
Overview
The South Philly Walking Tour reveals the vibrant culture and history of Philadelphia’s iconic neighborhood. From the legendary Rocky Balboa to the beloved cheesesteak, this tour highlights the essence of South Philadelphia in just two hours.
- 🏙️ Visit famous locations tied to the Rocky movies, including Giordano’s and Victor’s Café, while learning about their significance in film history.
- 🍽️ Discover the origins of the cheesesteak, born from a hot dog stand at 9th & Passyunk in 1930, and taste the flavors that define this local favorite.
- 🎨 Admire Philadelphia’s renowned murals, a key aspect of South Philly’s public art scene, and hear the stories that bring these colorful works to life.
- 🎶 Experience the unique Victor Café, known for its waitstaff performers who entertain guests with live opera arias during dinner service.
- 🕰️ Explore the historic Italian Market, America’s oldest outdoor market, where you’ll have time to shop, savor local bites, or wander through its bustling stalls.
- 🏛️ Learn about the imposing Moyamensing Prison, designed in the Egyptian Revival style, and its notorious resident, serial killer H.H. Holmes.
- 🎉 Celebrate birthdays at a local bar established in 1938, where patrons receive a complimentary birthday cake shot, adding a festive touch to your visit.
- 🌍 Wheelchair accessible for all guests, ensuring a comfortable experience as you navigate the streets and sights of South Philadelphia.
- 🚌 Public transportation options are conveniently available nearby, making it easy to join the tour from various locations in the city.
Perfect for those who appreciate culture and culinary delights, Tinggly offers an eco-friendly way to share this exciting adventure. With instant e-delivery and no expiration on vouchers, your gift of exploration is just a click away, allowing recipients the freedom to choose their own unique experiences around the globe.
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The experience offers several options. This price includes:
English language
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
Duration: 2 hours
The experience offers several options, check yours above
- Local Guide
- Meals
- Gratuities for the guide are optional
Meeting point
Meeting point: 13th & Reed Streets at Columbus Square Park.
Your guide will be waiting at the corner with a distinctive tour sign.
Return details
Meeting point: 13th & Reed Streets at Columbus Square Park.
Your guide will be waiting at the corner with a distinctive tour sign.
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Origins as a gramophone/record shop: Founded by John DiStefano in 1918 as a gramophone and record shop (Victor Records), it later transformed into Victor Café in 1933 after Prohibition ended The café is known for its waitstaff performers—professional opera singers—who break into arias during dinner service, a tradition dating back to the 1970s. Rocky movie cameo: Featured in both Rocky Balboa (2006) and Creed, Stallone insisted its authentic setting remain intact during filming
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Mario Lanza InstituteMario Lanza was born in South Philadelphia in 1921, he was an Italian-American tenor and eventually was a film star. He got a start doing opera and eventually was able to start a career in Hollywood following in the footsteps of performers like Enrico Caruso. He is a hometown hero down here in South Philadelphia and this museum is dedicated to his life. The Mario Lanza Museum is open only by appointment but it’s been here since the early 1960s.
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The Palazzi Social Club was opened in 1918 as an exclusive dinner club for local people here in Philadelphia. For over 100 years, friends and colleagues have enjoyed lovingly made dinners and cocktails in a lounge that’s been built inside of this South Philadelphia Row Home. Originally, when it was founded in 1918, membership at Palizzi Social Club was limited to ex-pats from the town of Vasto in Italy. Today it’s goes by a “gotta know someone” basis, although they did recently have a more open membership drive. The interior of the club has plush velvet curtains dangling over the walls and ornate furniture as well as live music.
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Moyamensing Prison was a prominent prison complex in Philadelphia, designed by architect Thomas Ustick Walter, who later worked on the U.S. Capitol dome. Construction began in 1832, and the prison opened in 1835. Built in the Egyptian Revival style, it was known for its imposing presence on Passyunk Avenue. The most famous resident of Moiyamensing Prison was the serial killer H.H. Holmes, who was imprisoned here from 1895 until his death in 1896 by execution via hanging. He provided a written confession to the murder of 27 people.
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Founded in 1930 by Italian-American brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri at a hot-dog stand at 9th & Passyunk. One day in 1933, Pat swapped hot dogs for chopped steak and onions—and a cabdriver suggested selling the sandwich instead, birthing what would evolve into the cheesesteak.
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Established in 1938 with birthday cheer: Anthony “Ray” Capozzoli opened the bar in 1938, greeting every patron with a hearty “Happy Birthday!”, even if it wasn’t their birthday . Birthday shots become a ritual: Today visitors who celebrate their birthday there receive a free “birthday cake shot” served in a candle-lit cupcake glass, complete with bell-ringing and party hats
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Originally, this covered market began informally in the late 1800s, as Italian street vendors set up carts to sell produce and goods directly to their community. By the early 20th century, it had become a bustling hub for Italian-American culture, with permanent storefronts being established by many of the original vendors. This photo is an image of the curb market in the 1930s/40s.
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Anthony’s was started by Anthony Anastasio, whose family has been here in the Italian Market since 1906. They still maintain a presence here besides the coffee shop via Anastasio Produce and Anastasio Seafood. In the late 1980's, after traveling to Italy, Anthony returned with a love of European style cafes, which even then were mysteriously absent from the Italian Market in Philadelphia. He open Anthony’s in 1996 and it’s been here ever since. In the early 2000s they added a chocolatier and a gelato bar to their shop
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Founded in 1843 to serve the Spiritual needs of what was then the township of Moyamensing. Every year they are the starting point of a procession of the saints which kicks off the Italian Market festival every May. Initially the population of congregants was primarily Irish but around the end of the 19th century, St. Paul’s population switched to being primarily Italian.
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Philadelphia's Magic GardensThe Magic Gardens was created by Isaiah Zagar, a mosaic artist, in the late 1990s and officially opened to the public in 2008. Zagar began working in the South Street area in the 1960s, creating mosaics on abandoned buildings as part of an effort to revitalize the neighborhood. In 1994, he started transforming a vacant lot next to his studio into what would become the Magic Gardens. Using found objects like tiles, mirrors, bicycle wheels, bottles, and folk art, he built a labyrinth of tunnels, walls, and sculptures entirely covered in mosaics. When the lot's owner tried to sell the land in 2002, Zagar and the community rallied to preserve the space. With support from local nonprofits and art lovers, the site was secured and turned into a nonprofit organization. Today its open as a museum!
If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met,
you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
How it works?
01
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You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
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We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
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Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!
South Philly Tour Italian Market and Cheesesteaks
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
$39
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!