Special Events Tours

For more information, check out our Experiential Brochure.

Bartram’s Garden: Experiential Excursions

Head Gardener’s Tour
Tour America’s first botanic garden, featuring the Bartram’s collection of colorful and eclectic native American plants, and the Bartram family house, a one-of-a-kind structure and National Historic Landmark built in 1728. Learn more about John and William Bartram’s preservation and propagation of rare native plants, shrubs and specimen trees, including the famous Franklinia Tree (named after their friend Benjamin Franklin). The group will even be able to nibble on their unique edible collection, and get the dirt on the site's organic gardening practices and restoration projects. Topics can be customized based on the group’s specific areas of interest.

Availability: Tours are year-round, Mondays-Fridays; weekends available upon special request.
Tour Length: 60 minutes
Tour Price: $20 adults/$18 seniors & students
Group Size: 10 minimum, 20 maximum

Behind-the-Scenes Curator’s Talk
Dig deeper into the history and stories of the garden with an interactive discussion with the curator. View historic objects, documents, and archaeological artifacts from the site's private collection and learn more about its Quaker history. This tour is great for groups with a scholarly interest in history, botany and archaeology. Topics can be customized based on the group’s specific areas of interest.

Availability:  Year-round, 7 days a week.
Tour Length: 60 minutes
Tour Price: $20 adults/$18 seniors & students
Group Size:  10 minimum, 40 maximum

The Art of Nature
 William Bartram’s unique illustrations of the natural world serve as the inspiration for this hands-on workshop. The staff will lead the group through the artistic process to create their own beautiful souvenir watercolor drawing of plant specimens from the Bartram Collection. Then explore the historic house and garden with a guided tour and learn more about the botanically-inspired art of William Bartram.

Availability: Year-round, 7 days a week.
Tour Length: 90 minutes
Tour Price: $18 adults/$16 seniors & students
Group Size: 10 minimum, 40 maximum


P: (215) 729-5281 x 112
E: kmassare@bartramsgarden.org
W: www.bartramsgarden.org
 

Philadelphia International Flower Show

Flower Show Tour
Your group will have exclusive access to stop and smell the roses – without the crowds – at the world’s largest indoor flower show. Expert guides will lead the group on a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the lavish displays before the show opens to the public and will end with a floral-arranging demonstration by one of the show’s celebrity designers. After the tour, enjoy all-day access into the private members lounge and a Shopper’s Delight Discount Card valid for 10% off Flower Show Shoppe merchandise. Best of all, attendees will receive an extra ticket to return to the show on another day of their choice.
Held annually in March at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Tour Length: 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Tour Price: $105 per person

P: (215) 988-8834
E: lwills@pennhort.org
W: www.theflowershow.com

Philadelphia Antiques Show

Antique Tour
Showcasing the best in Americana, a visit to this show is sure to please even the most casual visitor. Group attendees can see museum-quality antiques offered for sale in addition to an annual themed loan exhibit. This show is considered by many to be the premier antiques show in the country and features 50 nationally recognized dealers. Take advantage of the one hour guided show tour led by Park House Guides from the Philadelphia Museum of Art before the show opens to the public. Stay to browse the dealers’ exhibits, eat lunch at the Eagle Café, and partake in one of the exciting special events at an additional charge.
Held annually in April at the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal at The Navy Yard.

Tour Length: 10 to 11 a.m.
Tour Price: $25 per person (groups of six or more)

P: (609) 654-8726               
E: independent-1@comcast.net
W: www.philaantiques.com

Mummersfest and Philadelphia Mummers

Fancy Brigade Finale
The Mummers Parade is one of Philadelphia’s grandest traditions, and groups can ring in the New Year like never before – PHILLY STYLE!  Start on New Year’s Eve with MummersFest, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Philadelphia’s famous New Year’s Day Parade. Be there as the Brigades go through their final practice and add the final touches to what they hope will be a crowd pleasing and award-winning presentation. Join a former Brigade Captain on a 50-minute tour of the elaborate floats and enormous props on display. Then, on New Year’s Day, groups will be escorted to reserved VIP seats for the 2 ½ hour long Fancy Brigade extravaganza starting at noon at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Sit back as Broadway meets Mardi gras in the only city FANCY enough to host such an event – PHILADELPHIA!   


Tour Length: Three hours
Tour Price: $18 per person for groups of 25 (groups of 45 or more receive 2 complimentary tickets)

P: (856) 832 7244
E: tourgroups@fancybrigade.com
W: www.fancybrigade.com