Tourists visiting Philadelphia are of course familiar with the process of taking tours and probably already have one on their list of attractions to visit and things to do. Those of you who have just moved here, however, may be too busy with buying the gardening hand tools and furniture for your new house to think about taking a tour. But taking a tour is a great way to get acquainted with your new city. It will help you find out where everything is and teach you something of local history and culture.

Walking Tours

If you're a more solitary person or you want to save money, you can take a walking tour on your own with the help of maps and itineraries from www.visitphilly.com. This is also a great way to tailor your trip to your interests, whether it's chocolate or waste water treatment chemicals. However there are also a number of guided tours too. You can visit the Italian Markets, walk in George Washington's footsteps, explore Colonial Taverns, or even see a sound and light show.

Land Vehicle Tours

Buses are probably the most commonly used vehicle for city tours, and there are several companies operating bus tours in the city where you can sit, rest, and even bring your baby and his organic diapers. Similarly, you can also choose to see the city via a horse drawn carriage or from the windows of a trolley. Those more athletic tour takers may prefer to go on their bikes, however, and have a nice picnic lunch. Tours come in general and more specific interests, like architecture and animals.

Water Tours

As a city whose fortunes were made and broken on the river, you may find it interesting to see Philadelphia from a riverboat. Various companies conduct tours along the city's riverways in various types of boats. You might choose a shoal draft keel that's able to duck into all the nooks and crannies looking for wildlife, a quiet canoe or kayak so you can get your exercise at the same time, or perhaps even a paddle steamer.

More Eccentric Tours

If you're one of those people who is always looking to try something new and exciting, there are tour options in Philadelphia for you. The new Amphibious is something to behold - driving on land and in water, there's no more comprehensive way to see the city. Invention-minded people should put down their crimp terminals for an afternoon and tour the city by Segway, those two wheeled scooters that are all the rage.