Philadelphia Duck Tours

Looking for a unique Philadelphia sightseeing experience?

Don't miss Philadelphia Duck Tours!

Climb aboard a classic amphibious vehicle for your 70 minute tour, of which, about 20 minutes are spent in the water cruising the Delaware River.

After departing from "Duck Central" in the heart of the historic district, Philadelphia Duck Tours typically pass by nearly 20 Philadelphia sightseeing highlights including:

philadelphia sightseeing

  • Independence Hall
  • The Liberty Bell
  • Washington Square
  • Carpenter’s Hall
  • Library Hall
  • The Philadelphia Mint
  • National Constitution Center
  • Betsy Ross House
  • Elfreth’s Alley
  • Christ Church
  • Ben Franklin Gravesite
  • Vietnam War Memorial
  • Society Hill
  • South Street
  • Adventure Aquarium
  • Battleship New Jersey
  • Benjamin Franklin Bridge


While your guide will provide plenty of nuggets of historical information, this is definitely more of an overview than an in depth tour of Philadelphia sightseeing attractions. When you ride the ducks, you do not leave the vehicle to explore any attractions. At the conclusion of the tour, you should have a general overview of the area attractions and can simply re-visit those you wish to explore in more detail.

Of course, one of the main attractions of Philadelphia Duck Tours is fun! All riders receive a Wacky Quacker whistle (shaped like a duck's bill) and are encouraged to blow it often! This is not the most quiet tour you will ever take, but it will likely be one of the most memorable.

Some people mistakenly believe that the Duck Tours are named after the Wacky Quacker whistles, but that is not the case. When you ride the duck, you are actually riding in a vehicle that was designed based on a World War II DUKW amphibious vehicle. DUKW is simply a military acronym and has nothing to do with the fact that the vehicle can splash in and out of the water.

philadelphia duck tour

Philadelphia Duck Tours are great for families and groups. Because there is no walking involved, little ones and those who have difficulty walking longer distances get to see many more Philadelphia sightseeing attractions than they would be able to on a walking tour. Also, these tours are all about fun with a little history thrown in so kids tend to remain engaged throughout the entire tour.

Good to Know

There are no restrooms on board the Philly Ducks, so be sure to go before you board. Public restrooms are available at the Independence Visitors Center near Duck Central.

Although there may be a little splash as your duck enters the Delaware River, tour riders should not get wet beyond a few drops. Also, those prone to seasickness should not have any worries. The vehicle is very stable and the maximum speed is about 7 miles per hour.

Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended as the tours are often sold out, particularly during the summer season. You can purchase tickets online at www.ridetheducks.com

Insider Tip: If you wish to ride the ducks but didn't purchase a ticket in advance, your best bet may be to try to get on one of the early Philadelphia Duck Tours. Sometimes, the rides before 11am have some availability when the later times are sold out.



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Tour features and policies subject to change. Please verify features directly with the tour operator.