Tour Historic Wanamaker Organ & more!
Experience hosted by Steve
60 mins
Up to 10 people
Hosted in English
What you'll do
See all around the old historic Wanamaker dept store. It’s Macys today (on the first three levels) Many areas of my tour are not accessible to the general public. Hidden rooms such as John Wanamaker’s “empire room” with Tiffany glass... “Greek hall” hiding an original 1929 Wurlitzer theater organ (still used today for silent films) & The Wanamaker organ 28,750 pipes are all original works of art. I have the access to the $72 million dollar console and some world famous organists!!! Experience behind the scenes & all around! Always an enjoyable activity to see and hear in person!!! The Wanamaker organ will play at the end of our tour for a FREE 45 min concert from 12 noon to 12:45.
Total walking tour time will be approximately one hour (plus the organ playing through 12:45) plan to spend two hours 11am - 1pm ;-)
Access through this historic landmark structure with me as your guide will truly be an awesome Airbnb Experience, I’ve enjoyed this building since 1972
Other things to note
Bring your camera, this entire structure is a living museum!
Total walking tour time will be approximately one hour (plus the organ playing through 12:45) plan to spend two hours 11am - 1pm ;-)
Access through this historic landmark structure with me as your guide will truly be an awesome Airbnb Experience, I’ve enjoyed this building since 1972
Other things to note
Bring your camera, this entire structure is a living museum!
See all around the old historic Wanamaker dept store. It’s Macys today (on the first three levels) Many areas of my tour are not accessible to the general public. Hidden rooms such as John Wanamaker’s “empire room” with Tiffany glass... “Greek hall” hiding an original 1929 Wurlitzer theater organ (still used today for silent films) & The Wanamaker organ 28,750 pipes are all original works of art. I have the access to the $72 million dollar conso…
Steve's commitment to safety
This host committed to Airbnb’s COVID-19-related safety and cleaning guidelines—including adhering to social distancing guidelines, practising good hygiene and ensuring that all participants wear a mask.
From $63
/ person
Mon, 3 May
$63 per person, previously $79
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$63 per person, previously $79
Tue, 4 May
$63 per person, previously $79
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$63 per person, previously $79
Wed, 5 May
$63 per person, previously $79
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$63 per person, previously $79
- 20 Reviews
- Identity verified
Philadelphia native and graduate of Drexel university. World traveler, who loves showing off the “hidden” things in my city. Many historic things we all pass by everyday but few know the real stories behind them. I will lead an awesome and informative tour for you!
Where you'll be
“Meet me at the eagle” 1300 market street & 1300 chestnut street (Macys center court) and we will see all we can behind the scenes of this awesome historic structure. The building is designed by Daniel Burnham finished in 1911. John Wanamaker’s Department store was family owned from 1861-1978, added to the National Register of Historic Places with Landmark status in 1980. Many stories if these walls could talk, I’ve studied many to share with U!
Although we were the only people signed up the tour Steve gave us his full attention. We got to look at a lot of back rooms not usually open to the public. We enjoyed looking at the console. The only thing that was disappointing about this tour and it had nothing to do with Steve was the performance itself. I thought it was going to be a 45 minutes performance but it ended up being more like 30 minutes if that at all. First the organist was late arriving and then decided to finish early.
Although we were the only people signed up the tour Steve gave us his full attention. We got to look at a lot of back rooms not usually open to the public. We enjoyed looking at th…
Our experience was fantastic! Steve is VERY knowledgeable and passionate about this organ and he made everyone feel like they were a part of the Wannamaker family. I highly recommend this unique tour in Philadelphia. The things we learned were incredible and couldn't be experienced anywhere else. Thanks Steve for a memorable tour!!!
Our experience was fantastic! Steve is VERY knowledgeable and passionate about this organ and he made everyone feel like they were a part of the Wannamaker family. I highly recomme…
Wow--just WOW!! I booked this tour rather last minute as I was looking for something different and interesting to do on the overcast day in the city. It was amazing and one of the best tours I have ever had anywhere! Steve was super knowledgeable and so friendly! I would highly recommend this tour--you will absolutely not regret it! Also was able to get a good deal in Macy's on a Dooney and Bourke bag at the end of my tour---BONUS! :-)
Wow--just WOW!! I booked this tour rather last minute as I was looking for something different and interesting to do on the overcast day in the city. It was amazing and one of th…
This experience with Steve on this tour was the most amazingly unique experience of any tour my husband and I have taken! Steve not only kept in touch with reminders, but gave us the heads up for an concert given on the Wanamaker organ by the artist in residence and another fine organist that we surely would have missed, since it was the evening of our arrival in Philadelphia. He even made sure we were able to get tickets. My husband is a professional organist and I am a professional cellist, so this was such a special treat. Then a couple of days later was our scheduled tour. There were only three of us on the tour. Steve has had a decades-long association with the Wanamaker (now Macy’s) building, and cares deeply about the history of the building and the organ especially. Steve took us to many behind-the -scenes room not open to the public. We learned so many unique facts about this wonderful building and it’s creator. The fact that the organ is the largest playable organ in the world is common enough knowledge, but details about the work of the enormous upkeep needs were also impressive to know. The tour was scheduled to be finished in time for the start of a 45 minute concert by a guest artist. We highly recommend Steve and his tour of this magnificent instrument!
This experience with Steve on this tour was the most amazingly unique experience of any tour my husband and I have taken! Steve not only kept in touch with reminders, but gave us…
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Things to know
Cancellation policy
Any experience can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase, or at least 7 days before the experience starts.
Government ID
You’ll need to take a picture of yourself that matches the photo on your ID. This is so Airbnb can confirm who’s actually going on the experience. You’ll only have to do this once.
Guest requirements
Up to 10 guests ages 18 and up can attend. Parents may also bring children under 2 years of age.
What to bring
Bring your camera this entire structure is a living museum