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AIRBNB EXPERIENCES

Art and culture activities in South Jersey

Book unique activities hosted by local experts on Airbnb.

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5 out of 5 average rating, 2 reviews

Paint date night portraits guided by a muralist

Experience a one-of-a-kind group date night in my studio, where painting a portrait of your partner—or a new connection—becomes a fun and meaningful way to bond. No painting experience needed—just bring your curiosity and an open heart! All supplies are included. • After an icebreaker, I’ll guide you through acrylic painting basics, including brush techniques and color mixing. • Working on a 12x16-inch canvas, you’ll sketch your portrait with pencil first. Stencils will be available to help with facial features. I’ll provide individual guidance as you build layers and refine details. • Draw inspiration from the shared experience, guided by thought-provoking questions designed to spark creativity and connection. You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind keepsake, and I’ll package your artwork for you to take home. Plus, I’ll share restaurant recommendations so you can continue your date night in East Falls!

5 out of 5 average rating, 4 reviews

Create a tintype portrait with a photographer

Create your own 3x4" tintype portrait and learn about the medium’s roots in 19th century Philadelphia. We’ll also explore the daguerreotype and the evolution of wet plate photography. • I’ll share a brief history of photography and teach you about camera functions and composition. I’ll also demonstrate the chemical processes that create images. • You’ll then sit for a portrait while I explain the chemical reactions involved. Weather permitting, this part of the experience will take place outside, at nearby Fishtown landmarks. • Finally, you’ll get hands-on experience varnishing and curing your own portrait and mounting it on a Philadelphia-themed mat 5x7". You’ll leave with your tintype portrait to take home, as well as my recommendations for other activities in the area.

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Walk through Old City with an architectural historian

The buildings of Philadelphia’s Old City tell many stories about the history of the United States and its growth from an English colony to an early republic. Join me, an architect, for a history walk through this historic neighborhood to explore the evolution of American architectural styles. Most tours are Private, but please contact me if you are two or more guests and I can make them public. • Begin in the charming, narrow streets and Georgian and Federal-style homes of Elfreth’s Alley, which offer a glimpse into 18th-century domestic life. • You’ll walk through the neighborhood to sites like the First Bank of the United States and the nearby Merchants’ Exchange, which showcase the growing financial power of this new country. • Our walk will culminate at Independence Hall, a pivotal building in American history, representing the birth of the nation and a landmark of Georgian design. You’ll learn how the architectural styles in Old City reflect the historical significance of Philadelphia itself.

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Fishtown book crawl with an award-winning writer

Take a literary crawl through Fishtown with an award-winning YA writer and book lover, exploring the neighborhood’s best independent and used bookstores. Visit handpicked shops to meet passionate booksellers, discover hidden gems, and chat about your favorite reads. • Starting at American Grammar, we’ll grab coffee, tea, and pastries, and discuss our route. Browse the shop’s curated collection of nonfiction, indie magazines, ceramics, and apparel. • Drop into H&H Books, run by Linda Gallant Moore, which specializes in bold, contemporary fiction, particularly works featuring strong female narratives. • Visit Harriett’s Bookshop, a vibrant space dedicated to celebrating Black authors and creating a welcoming literary community, and Lot 49 Books, a treasure trove of used books spanning fiction, philosophy, history, and beyond. Owner Drew Waldo is known for his sharp recommendations and deep literary knowledge. If you’re in the mood for further literary exploration, I’ll share recommendations for additional stops like Miscellanea Libri or Gilda, a cozy Portuguese cafe perfect for diving into your new reads. We'll spend time talking about the amazing literary scene in town, and the many authors you should check out.

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4.85 out of 5 average rating, 1091 reviews

Philadelphia History, Highlights, & Revolution Walking Tour

On this tour, we’ll explore Independence National Historical Park and the Old City neighborhood to see a plethora of historical landmarks! Along the way, your guide will keep you posted on the history of these sites and fill you in on all kinds of useful info for your visit to Philly. We’ll see Carpenters Hall, where the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was founded. Next, we’ll head to the Museum of American Revolution, which offers an incredible look at the stories, artifacts, and people that shaped the American Revolution. We’ll go inside to see a presentation of George Washington’s War Tent ( when your tour is over, you’ll be able to get a discounted ticket to see the rest of the museum). As we walk through Old City, we’ll also pass by some favorite sites such as Elfreth’s Alley (the oldest continuously-occupied residential street in the entire US), showcasing incredible architecture dating back to the early 1700s, the Betsy Ross House, named after a famous seamstress and flag maker who is said to have sewn the first ever American flag, Benjamin Franklin’s Grave (bring a penny to toss!), and the outdoor President’s House Landmark where Washington and Adams lived.

4.94 out of 5 average rating, 54 reviews

A Toast to History--Behind the Scenes at Carpenters' Hall

You’ll get a private, after-hours tour of historic Carpenters’ Hall, the site of the First Continental Congress in 1774 and the birthplace of American democracy. First we’ll show you the main hall where the Congress met, where you’ll see original artifacts from the period and a detailed model showing the construction of Carpenters’ Hall. Then it’s up to our second floor, which is off limits to regular visitors, where you’ll see our gorgeous 19th-century library and get to explore some of our rare books and other items from our collection. We’ll close with questions and a scotch tasting to toast the continued good health of our visitors, the Carpenters’ Company and the importance of history. The scotch is curtesy of ImpEx Beverages. Each guest will also receive a copy of “Meeting Place of History,” a fully illustrated booklet about Carpenters’ Hall.

5 out of 5 average rating, 49 reviews

Create Coastal Seaglass Art with a Cape May local

Learn to make one 10x12 framed resin art piece yourself with seaglass, beach glass and recycled glass, with shells & more harvested from the Delaware Bay! Resin seascape pictures often sell for $150 or more. Why not make your own and take home a memory! You will be greeted upon arrival to my Coastal Farmhouse-style home. While we wait for other guests to arrive, help yourself to complimentary light appetizers and pick out some shells to use in your project. You will receive detailed instructions on how to place the sand, seashells, crushed glass, seaglass and other items on your picture frame. You will then learn how to safely drizzle the resin over the entire picture to preserve it and make it shine. You will then add a few more items to your finish your piece. If you finish early, continue to enjoy the space and more light fare while the rest of the group finishes. Around certain holidays, you will have the option to make a seascape heart (Jan/Feb), Beachy tree (Dec) or Coastal wreath (Dec). Please note that you will NOT be able to take your piece home the same day since it must harden for at least 12 hours. Most pick up the next day or it can be mailed to you for an additional cost. It will fully harden after 3 days. Groups are welcomed, however since we are working with crushed glass and epoxy resin, only ages 14 and above can participate. BYOB.

4.87 out of 5 average rating, 158 reviews

Philadelphia Murals and Street Art Tour with Magic Gardens

There’s so much more to Philadelphia than American history - some of the most incredible public art is on display when you venture into South Philly! On this tour, you'll stroll the streets and alleys of the Bella Vista and Queen Village neighborhoods. Throughout this area, artists have (and continue to) make their mark with murals of all shapes, sizes, and themes, dazzling mosaics, and awesome 3D installations. You’ll notice the general creativity of the residents of these neighborhoods with brightly painted homes, eccentric and exciting stores and shops, and wild community gardens. Your guide will explain the history of each piece and how they blend together into a magical tapestry that drapes across the entire city. One of the main attractions on this tour is admission to the Philadelphia Magic Gardens - a trip into Wonderland. This incredible 3D art installation is the life's work of Isaiah Zagar - and where he still works regularly. Merging the profound with the ridiculous, the philosophical with the everyday, Zagar captures the imagination with his work - showing us how many men's trash can become our collective treasure. Once we arrive, you'll have as much time as you want to explore the space. When your official tour time is up, you're welcome to stay for longer, or venture out onto South Street for a different type of colorful experience.

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