As Philadelphia prepares to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary, Philadelphia250 — a program of the Philadelphia Visitor Center — has launched “Neighborhood Jawnts,” a new citywide tour series kicking off at the end of this month.
Created in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia and local community partners, the initiative aims to highlight the “vibrant culture, creativity, and small businesses that shape neighborhoods throughout the city.” How that is achieved is through immersive experiences focused on food, art, history, and the voices of local leaders and residents to encourage everyone to explore Philadelphia in a more personal and community-driven way.
“Philadelphia is the birthplace of democracy, but what truly defines us are our neighborhoods, from East Passyunk to Germantown, from West Philadelphia to Olney. That’s where you discover the culture, the food, the history, and most of all, the people who make our city special,” says Mayor Cherelle Parker. “I appreciate that the Neighborhood Jawnts series invites residents and visitors alike to explore neighborhoods across our city, support local businesses, and experience the stories that bring us together as One Philly.”
Beginning May 29, the free Neighborhood Jawnts tour series will offer 20 distinct experiences across Philadelphia, with tours taking place every weekend from Friday through Sunday. Developed in collaboration with local organizations and community leaders, each itinerary is designed to capture the unique character, culture, and history of a different neighborhood.
Experiences include a multicultural exploration of Lower Bustleton and Castor Gardens, enjoying a signature “frannoli” from Frangelli’s Bakery, ways to explore West Philadelphia as a living story of migration, entrepreneurship, art, and community identity, plus a path to trace Manayunk’s evolution from an industrial mill town into a thriving creative destination.
Philadelphia250 has also partnered with North Philly: A Black Freedom Jawn to present five additional tours focused on the history and cultural influence of North Philadelphia, exploring topics like jazz, youth expression, Black art and resistance, civil rights history, and stories that date back to 1684.
“Every neighborhood in Philadelphia has its own kind of charm, created over the years by the people who live there—whether it’s a mural that makes you stop and look, a favorite restaurant or shop, or a small piece of history you might otherwise miss,” adds Kathryn Ott Lovell, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center and Philadelphia250. “I’ve experienced that in every neighborhood I’ve called home, and this series is an opportunity to share those moments with visitors and with each other.”
Tickets for each Neighborhood Jawnts tour are free, with advance registration required. Tickets will be released on a rolling basis three weeks prior to each tour date (a full schedule can be found online). Each weekend will feature five tours running Friday through Sunday and all tours will depart from the Independence Visitor Center (599 Market St.). Participants will additionally receive a complimentary Neighborhood Jawnts tote bag.
To find out more information on Neighborhood Jawnts, visit phlvisitorcenter.com
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