MURAL ARTS TOUR OF PHILADELPHIA

DESCRIPTION

• April showers bring May flowers - and great art! Join us on Saturday May 11th from 11am to 2pm for an amazing art tour of the City of Brotherly Love! Philadelphia pioneered the "One Percent" mandate that most large municipalities now use to ensure their city's beautification and the public's access to art. For over sixty years Philadelphia's commitment to public, accessible art has helped it garner a world class reputation as a city for art and artists. On top of the one percent budget requirement, what started out as an anti-graffiti initiative forty years ago ballooned into something amazing. Philadelphia now boasts not only the largest collection of public art in at least the United States, it holds the crown as the Mural Arts capital of the world. Lead by local professional tour guide, historian, and outdoor adventure and travel leader John Luczkowski from Seek-Explore-Wander, this tour will explore the history of public art in Philadelphia while getting up close and personal with 30 of the most iconic and world famous pieces of public art and murals found in the city.

DETAILS

• Distance – Approximately 5 Miles
• Time – 3 Hours
• Pace – With about 33 stops the walking pace between stops will be a leisurely 2mph
• Clothing – Please wear clothing appropriate for the tour based on the weather forecast. Comfortable shoes that you can walk the approximate distance in are recommended. As you’re walking through the city, be aware that clothing, especially shoes, may get dirty, wet, dusty etc.
• Obstacles – The tour involves no more obstacles than you would expect by walking the approximate distance in the city such as broken sidewalks, other pedestrians, cars ignoring traffic signals on occasion, etc. We ask that you please pay attention to your surroundings throughout the tour.

ABOUT THE TOUR

• This is a tour for those ages 13+. Younger children may fuss, not care, misbehave to the point they ruin the experience for others (and you) so while teens are welcome and encouraged to attend, we ask you to kindly leave the small ones at home. If you really would like to do this tour and promise to manage children, especially those under 9, please email us at info@seekexplorewander.com to discuss an exemption. Seniors welcome too! There are some places along the tour route where those that need to sit can do so while still partaking in the tour. 
• This tour is partially handicapped accesible. Most of the intersections in Philadelphia, especially Center City, are designed to accomodate those with scooters, walkers, canes, etc. but we cannot guarantee the state of every street/sidewalk along a route, even when we repeat the same tour constantly. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate the deaf or blind on our tours unless assisted by someone in their own group/party.

STARTING TIME & LOCATION

• We will start at 11 am on the dot! If you are running late, please contact your guide (information provided in email sent day before tour). If you arrive more than 5-10 minutes late you may miss out on the tour!
• We will gather outside the Independence Visitors Center at 6th and Market Street. Please look for a 40-ish looking guy, about 6^1 with a backpack on if you arrive early. If you arrive closer to the starting time, please look for a group of people.
• If it's rainy/chilly we will gather inside of the Independence Visitors Center close to the entrance at 6th and Market.

PARKING/DIRECTIONS

• There is plenty of parking nearyby. We highly recommend using an app like Spot Hero to find parking spaces and save. App like those are free, offer great rates, and if you're willing/able to walk a little extra, you can often find great days any time of the day, any day of the week.
• Our starting location is also right near the Jefferson (old Market East) Station for SEPTA and PATCO trains and is right next to the 5th Street stop on the Market-Frankford EL (Blue Subway) Line. The stop is also serviced by a variety of SEPTA bus routes
• We kindly ask that you map out the route on your favorite GPS/Navigation App/website a day or two before and that you account for extra time for parking, a delayed train, etc. so that you arrive in enough time to get settled and we can start the tour on time.

BATHROOMS/BREAKS

• Bathrooms are available at the Independence Visitors Center at the start/end of the tour. We will also have one scheduled bathroom stop/break on the tour.
• There will be numerous small breaks for those that find walking difficult or who need to catch their breaths.

GROUP EXPERIENCE | TERMS & CONDITIONS

• We ask that you kindly stick with the group throughout the tour. If you need to leave early, find a restroom, make a phone call, etc. please inform the tour guide before departing. We care about your safety, and we do not want to feel like we lost someone, or actually do it! If you experience issues keeping up with the group, need to take a break, etc. please ask the tour guide about the best way to finish the tour and/or return to the starting point. They can offer suggestions such as catching up at another stop or offer directions back to the starting/end point.
• We also ask that you hold divisive, political opinions and religious beliefs to yourself. We’re all here to share in the history, culture, food, art, architecture, or whatever we’re focused on for a specific tour. It’s okay to ask questions, to probe for clarification or for understanding, but please do not act immature or attention seeking by causing issues for other patrons. Similarly, if the guide makes a mistake about a fact, like a date, please be respectful and talk to them privately. It’s easy to mix up dates, names, places, etc. All of our guides are trained historians who research and plan tours. We’re experts, but we’re fallible like everyone else. Give us a little grace and don’t dispute facts with us like you’re an unruly teenager trying to show off in class. Likewise, we will not tolerate harassment of guides or other tourists (or the general public) for any reason. If someone is bothering you on a tour, please bring it to the guide’s attention for solutions. Any/all unwanted behavior, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior as defined by the guide can result in you being asked to leave the tour and potentially banned from future events with the company. By purchasing a ticket for this tour/event you agree to these terms & conditions.

ABOUT THE GUIDE & COMPANY  

• Seek-Explore-Wander is a new tour & outdoor adventure company based in Philadelphia. The company offers historical, photography, cultural, artistic, and culinary tours of Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C, Baltimore, and plenty of beautiful cities and small towns in between. They also organize, plan, book, and lead (though they’re not travel agents….) outdoor adventures from whitewater rafting trips, to holiday trips that feature hiking, spelunking (that’s cave exploring for the uninitiated), rock climbing, and more. Please check the company’s website for a list of upcoming trips, tours, outdoor adventures and more. They also offer customizable and multi-day tours and adventures for locals and travelers coming from across the country and across the world!
• Your tour will be lead by John L., Founder & CEO of Seek-Explore-Wander. A former high-school teacher, life-long history buff, local expert, traveler, wanderer, and seeker, John has been leading tours and trips for family, friends, and other adventurers for years though various outdoor clubs in the Philadelphia area and on the side. After a twelve-year corporate career that also included founding and running a highly successful local non-profit, professional development association on the side as well, John is delighted to be returning to his roots sharing his love of history, Philadelphia, food, culture, America, and outdoor adventures and turning his lifelong hobby into a new business! Email him with questions at john@seekexplorewander.com or to discuss and book private tours/trips/events! John specializies in historical, military, food, cultural, artistic, and whacky/hidden/scary tours while also creating lifelong memories on awesome outdoor adventures. He lives in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia with his energetic dog Annie Lee and  loves all thing Philly. Go Birds! Go Phils!