The tour meets near the mailboxes in the back corner of the Market between Herbiary and the PA General Store. It is closest to the entrance on Arch Street. The restrooms are nearby, but look for the green "Meeting Point" sign near the mailboxes. Plan to arrive 10 minutes before the tour begins.
Description
The Reading Terminal Market is a must-see for anyone in Philadelphia. Designed for locals, visitors, students, and fans of the Market, join us as we explore the Market's rich history, witness the skilled cooking styles passed down from generations, and take in the diverse and mouth-watering scents from the 80+ merchants.
Starting off with a famous Philly snack, this 45-minute tour will tantalize your taste buds and provide insight into the Market's vibrant history. Our expert guide will lead you through the Market's bustling aisles, pointing out must-see spots and sharing stories of the Market's past.
Come enjoy a fun and informative tour of the market, with an option to take home a scrumptious treat too. Advanced booking is required; walk-ons not guaranteed a spot.
Our Tour Guides accept tips, and they are greatly appreciated. Tipping is left up to the individual, but as a general practice, 20% is the common gratuity for service workers.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM
Next available
Fri, Oct 9
Adult (ages 3+)
$34
In demand: 34 of the next 90 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Tour Options
Reading Terminal Market Tour
Itinerary
Reading Terminal Market
45 min
Come taste the Market's history, hear stories of some of the 80+ small, family-owned businesses, see their products, and be the first to learn about new offerings. Our small group tours are designed to deliver the Reading Terminal Market experience. The tour includes hearing about the Market's history and evolution, becoming familiar with the layout, and hearing about many of the merchants that make up the Market. You'll see the numerous bakeries, produce grocers, butchers, gourmet vendors, and other shops during the tour.
What's included
Included
Two snacks from prized merchants within the Market: Start off with a Philly-famous snack and end with a sweet Amish-inspired treat from one of Philly's favorite bakeries
Not included
Gratuity for Guide
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
18 reviews
5
17
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
1
How it compares in Philadelphia
Starting price $34 is 32% below the typical $50 for tours of similar length in Philadelphia
Excurgo comparison of 263 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children age 0-2 are free but will not receive food unless a ticket is purchased
Gluten and dairy are included in the food items. Please contact us in advance if seeking accommodation
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Reading Terminal Market OFFICIAL Tour take?
Reading Terminal Market OFFICIAL Tour lasts about 45 min. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Reading Terminal Market OFFICIAL Tour cost?
Prices start at $34 per person for this Philadelphia experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Reading Terminal Market OFFICIAL Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM.
Does Reading Terminal Market OFFICIAL Tour sell out?
It can: 34 of the next 90 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Reading Terminal Market OFFICIAL Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is The tour meets near the mailboxes in the back corner of the Market between Herbiary and the PA General Store. It is closest to the entrance on Arch Street. The restrooms are nearby, but look for the green "Meeting Point" sign near the mailboxes. Plan to arrive 10 minutes before the tour begins. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Reading Terminal Market OFFICIAL Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Children age 0-2 are free but will not receive food unless a ticket is purchased
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(18)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
S
Susan_D
September 11, 2026 · via Viator
Go Hungry! You Won't Be Disappointed.
I was so impressed by the Reading Terminal Market. My husband and I were the only ones on the tour so it was almost like a private tour. I was happy it was not cancelled due to nobody else booking it. Matt was so good. Very informative and very friendly. Very impressive market.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your time at RTM and I’m glad you were able to have such a personalized experience with just the two of you. It was a pleasure showing you around and sharing some of the Market’s stories with you.
M
Melinda_P
July 25, 2026 · via Viator
Great Introductory Tour of the Market!
Great tour with Matt. This tour helps you overcome the overwhelming feeling you get when you walk in the door. Now can easily explore the market by ourselves.
Operator response
Thanks so much for sharing your kind words! It's such an honor to serve as the official tour team for the Reading Terminal Market and help introduce everyone to the history, family merchants, and delicious flavors of the Market. We hope you get the chance to come back over and over again!
T
Tericka_S
March 12, 2026 · via Viator
Reading Terminal Market
Mr. Matt really showed that he enjoys doing what he does. I found it excellent that he was on a first name basis with several people. He explained how they work together. He explained the pride some of the businesses had because they were passed down from the previous generation. My favorite places were Beck’s Cajun and Ma Lessie. I would definitely recommend this tour!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your great review! It's an honor being the official tour guides for the Reading Terminal Market and getting to know the families and stories intimately, and sharing them on our tours. We're so glad you had a great time on your tour and enjoyed Beck's and Ma Lessie's! Great selections!! We can't wait to have you back for more during your next trip to Philly!
D
Danielle_B
March 2, 2026 · via Viator
A Must Do
Matt was wonderful. Full of great details about the market and its history. Well spoken and a fun afternoon spent in the market with him!
Operator response
This makes us so happy! We're honored to be the official tour team for the Reading Terminal Market and appreciate you spending part of your day with us to explore beyond just grabbing some food. Thanks for including this as part of your trip to Philly. We hope to have you back on more of our other food tours during your next visit!
A
Amanda_M
February 8, 2026 · via Viator
Fun Reading Terminal Tour
Adam was a great tour guide. He knew so much history and background of the Reading Terminal. He gave us great tips and suggestions on why he enjoys the wonderful food offered. We had a very nice time talking with him!
Operator response
Thanks so much for your great review! We're extremely glad you enjoyed Adam's vast knowledge and fun conversation. He truly is an awesome guy and we're lucky to have him on our team. We hope to see you back for more soon!
R
Robert_N
January 29, 2026 · via Viator
Awesome Insights
There's more to the Market than meets the eye! Matt explained its history to us, showed how it's family-oriented, and pointed out how several vendors sell meats and produce to other vendors. He also pointed out his personal-favorite products! Highly recommended.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the kind review! We're so happy you enjoyed seeing how the Market is all connected behind the scenes. Sharing those stories, family ties, and some hidden gems is one of our favorite parts of the tour. We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back on more of our food tours soon!
A
Arun D
November 27, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Such a fun overview of an amazing market in the heart of Philadelphia
We really enjoyed this tour with Tootsie! She knows everything and everyone because she used to be a vendor at the market for 30 years! Tootsie was friendly and funny! We learned about the history of the market and about certain specific vendors. Also the tour included a couple of delicious treats. After the tour was over, we explored the market some more and had some food. The tour definitely enhanced our experience of the market. We love making real human connections when we travel.
Operator response
Thank you so much! We’re thrilled you loved your time with Tootsie. Her years in the Market make the experience truly special and we're lucky to have her on our team. Glad the snacks, stories, and connections helped you enjoy the Market. We hope to have you back for more the next time you’re in Philly!
J
jrodenhausen
November 2, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Great Food and good shops of all Kinds
Great to spend a full day walking , smelling and tasting. So many different kinds of shops, food from breakfast to snacks to full time dinner. The best places have long libes like Chicken Waffles, Ice Cream stops and everything Philadelphia. Everyone is very friendly and just a great time to walk and see all.
Operator response
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled you enjoyed exploring the Reading Terminal Market with us. It really is such a special place in the city to eat your way through. We’re glad you had a great time and hope to see you again for another delicious adventure!
E
E1139ATsusank
September 13, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend!
I arranged this tour for a group. Matt was very easy to work with (he even accommodated my last minute changes). Tootsie did our tour of Reading Terminal Market. She knew everything there was to know about the market. After our tour, Matt met up with us and we did a scavenger hunt. It was a fun way to end our tour.
Operator response
Thanks so much! We loved having your group explore the Market with us during their visit to Philly and had such a great time with everyone. Thank you for your kind words - it's out honor to share the Market in an informative and delicious way. Safe travels back home! We hope to see you all again during your next visit to Philly :)
P
Pete C
June 16, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Would not recommend this company to anyone. No excuses for such poor service.
The tour guide did not turn up. I waited for over half an hour and I was at the meeting place 15 minutes early. Very unprofessional.
Operator response
We have photo proof that you were not at the meeting location. The Guide was there along with the other 10 guests and we had a great time. I'm sorry you missed the tour.
Although this breaks our refund policy, we had already processed your refund. Still think we're "very unprofessional"?
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