ISTE 2011 > Travel > Tours

travel      tours

Tours are a great way to get to know our host city and have a great time with your conference colleagues. Read the tour descriptions below to find something that piques your interest!

Register for tours via our registration page. If you’ve already registered for the conference, you can still add a tour! Tours are available Saturday through Wednesday and depart from the transportation loading zone at the convention center. Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour departs. Evening tours have special logistics; see each tour for details.

Tour Cancellation Policy: Tour registration deadline is May 26, 2011. Tour cancellations must be made by May 26, 2011 to receive a refund. Note: Refunds are contingent upon ticket resale and are not guaranteed. If a tour is cancelled, your money will be refunded in full after the conference.

Tours by Day/Date

Saturday, June 25

Start your walking tour at Independence Hall, where the US Declaration of Independence was signed. Stroll past Carpenter’s Hall, where the Continental Congress met to discuss their grievances with England and Christ Church, where Ben Franklin and the founding fathers worshipped. Stop for a Philly cheese steak at Sonny’s Steaks, then on to the Betsy Ross House where the first American flag was made. You’ll pass Ben Franklin’s grave on your way to the last stop at the Constitution Center. Tour includes lunch, admission to the Constitution Center, and a complimentary Philadelphia sun visor and bottle of water. This is a walking tour so please wear comfortable shoes.

Note: group left at Constitution Center on your own.

Cost: Adult $55.00 Child $25.00

Sunday, June 26

This tour begins at Historic Fairmount Park, the largest city park in the nation and home to the Philadelphia Zoo and seven historic mansions! After stopping at two mansions, you’ll travel to Independence Mall, where you’ll board horse drawn carriages for a guided tour of the nation’s most historic square mile, Independence National Historic Park. The trolley or carriages will take guests to lunch at the historic City Tavern, where George Washington and the Continental Congress once dined. (Carriage Rides subject to temperature restrictions.)

Cost: Adult $95.00 Child $70.00

Start out with a trolley tour of Philadelphia! Highlights include the historic district, waterfront, and Avenue of the Arts. Then you’ll board the Spirit of Philadelphia for a fabulous 2–hour lunch cruise along the Delaware River. Each fun-filled cruise includes bountiful buffets, top-40 dance hits, a live show, and fascinating views of the city and its historic waterfront.

Cost: Adult $74.00 Child $45.00

Philadelphia Trolley Works Film Location Tours highlight some of the most popular motion pictures set in the “City of Brotherly Love.” Philadelphia has served as host to numerous motion pictures including: “Rocky,” “Trading Places,” The Sixth Sense,” “Beloved,” “Fallen,” “Unbreakable,” “The Twelve Monkeys,” “National Treasure,” “Invincible,” and many more. This two-hour tour will take you to some of the most recognizable site locations while providing you with background history on each film. You’ll also learn about the origins of the film industry and Philadelphia’s role as a center of film production in the early 20th century.

Cost: Adult $45.00 Child $25.00

Monday, June 27

Start out with a trolley tour of Philadelphia! Highlights include the historic district, waterfront, and Avenue of the Arts. Then you’ll board the Spirit of Philadelphia for a fabulous 2–hour lunch cruise along the Delaware River. Each fun-filled cruise includes bountiful buffets, top-40 dance hits, a live show, and fascinating views of the city and its historic waterfront.

Cost: Adult $74.00 Child $45.00

Step aboard the Haunted History Tour. Travel through Philadelphia’s past to see where our famous ghosts, goblins and ghouls can be found. Tour highlights include a drive by Eastern State Penitentiary, haunted houses, and spooky cemeteries. Our costumed guides are sure to entertain you with thrilling tales of Philadelphia’s infamous haunts!

Note: this is an evening tour—you will be picked up at the convention center and dropped at your hotel after the tour.

Cost: Adult $40.00 Children $25.00

Tour begins with dinner at the historic City Tavern, where George Washington and the Continental Congress once dined. World-famous chef Walter Staib will prepare a meal in this authentic tavern, using many of the founding fathers’ colonial recipes. Guests will then travel to the Lights of Liberty sound and light extravaganza, designed by George Lucas. Walk along the Liberty Trail to see, hear, and feel the revolutionary war as the birthplace of a nation is reenacted on the original building sites. Light walking on uneven surfaces required.

Note: this is an evening tour—you will be picked up at the convention center and dropped at your hotel after the tour.

Cost: Adult $110.00 Child $90.00

This tour will take you through the city under the cover of darkness on open top double decker bus. You’ll even have the opportunity to run up the “Rocky” steps! At the end of the tour we’ll stop at the famous Franklin Fountain ice cream shop, the oldest ice cream parlor in the city. Pick your favorite ice cream from an incredible selection of homemade ice cream treats!

Note: this is an evening tour—you will be picked up at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (HQ) and dropped at your hotel after the tour.

Cost: Adult $45.00 Child $30.00

Tuesday, June 28

Start your walking tour at Independence Hall, where the US Declaration of Independence was signed. Stroll past Carpenter’s Hall, where the Continental Congress met to discuss their grievances with England and Christ Church, where Ben Franklin and the founding fathers worshipped. Stop for a Philly cheese steak at Sonny’s Steaks, then on to the Betsy Ross House where the first American flag was made. You’ll pass Ben Franklin’s grave on your way to the last stop at the Constitution Center. Tour includes lunch, admission to the Constitution Center, and a complimentary Philadelphia sun visor and bottle of water. This is a walking tour so please wear comfortable shoes.

Note: group left at Constitution Center on your own.

Cost: Adult $55.00 Child $25.00

Start out with a trolley tour of Philadelphia! Highlights include the historic district, waterfront, and Avenue of the Arts. Then you’ll board the Spirit of Philadelphia for a fabulous 2–hour lunch cruise along the Delaware River. Each fun-filled cruise includes bountiful buffets, top-40 dance hits, a live show, and fascinating views of the city and its historic waterfront.

Cost: Adult $74.00 Child $45.00

Tour begins with dinner at the historic City Tavern, where George Washington and the Continental Congress once dined. World-famous chef Walter Staib will prepare a meal in this authentic tavern, using many of the founding father’s colonial recipes. Guests will then travel to the Lights of Liberty sound and light extravaganza, designed by George Lucas. Walk along the Liberty Trail to see, hear, and feel the revolutionary war as the birthplace of a nation is reenacted on the original building sites. Light walking on uneven surfaces required.

Note: this is an evening tour—you will be picked up at the convention center and dropped at your hotel after the tour.

Cost: Adult $110.00 Child $90.00

This tour will take you through the city under the cover of darkness on open top double decker bus. You’ll even have the opportunity to run up the “Rocky” steps! At the end of the tour we’ll stop at the famous Franklin Fountain ice cream shop, the oldest ice cream parlor in the city. Pick your favorite ice cream from an incredible selection of homemade ice cream treats!

Note: this is an evening tour—you will be picked up at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (HQ) and dropped at your hotel after the tour.

Cost: Adult $45.00 Child $30.00