Little Free Library Crawl in Philadelphia’s Old City: A Literary Stroll Through History

Winter in Philadelphia has its own um… special charm—especially in February, when the frosty air practically begs you to curl up inside with a good book. However, if you’re longing to get outside for a day of history and literary discovery – without the crowds! – then bundle up and take on a Little Free Library Crawl through Philadelphia’s Old City. Start off with a hot cup of coffee and then head off in search of those bright wooden boxes filled with free books scattered among historic landmarks. Don’t forget to pack some of your own to line a few shelves.

Below is the walking route (it’s a 1.9 mile flat loop), along with some notable facts about the Little Free Library or Little Free(dom) Library at each stop. Scrolling down you’ll find a photo of the map and a link to Google maps to upload to your phone. This Little Free Library Crawl will have you wondering through cobblestone alleys and peeking behind historic brick buildings in search of literary treasures so bundle up and let’s get going.

1. Fuel Up at Old City Coffee

Address: 221 Church Street
Must-Try: A classic drip coffee or a rich latte with one of their fresh pastries

Before embarking on your Little Free Library journey, start the day off right at Old City Coffee. Tucked away on a quaint brick and cobblestone street, this local staple is beloved for its fragrant, small-batch roasted coffee. In February, warmth is everything, so wrap your hands around a hot cup of java, grab a scone or a muffin, and get ready to soak in the atmosphere of Old City. Strap on your book bag and let’s go!

2. First Stop: Little Free Library at the Betsy Ross House

Address: 239 Arch Street (LFL located on site)

With coffee in hand, stroll a couple of blocks over to the Betsy Ross House, where legend says the first American flag was sewn. The courtyard near this historic building is home to a colorful Little Free Library that is part of the Little Free(dom) Library project (although it may be inside the house for the winter).

Launched in February 2024 as part of Visit Philadelphia’s In a More Perfect Union (thanks to a partnership between Little Free Library and the Free Library of Philadelphia), these distinctive boxes offer banned books to residents and visitors for free. We’ll find several similar boxes on our crawl through Old City.

3. Stop 2: Little Free Library at Elfreth’s Alley

Address: 124 Elfreth’s Alley (in the vicinity)

A short walk away is Elfreth’s Alley. Dating back to 1703 it is the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the United States. Stroll through the alley to view colonial-era homes and a storybook setting as you hunt down the Little Free Library at Bladen’s Court. Most of the homes are privately owned, but #s 124 and 126 host the Elfreth’s Alley Museum (only open April to November). You’ll want to snap a few photos of the picturesque alley—it’s especially enchanting (and crowd free!) in the winter when there is snow dusting the brick sidewalks.

4. Little Free Library at Franklin Square: Stop 3

After wandering through Elfreth’s Alley, head a few blocks over to Franklin Square, located at 200 N. 6th Street. Here you’ll find another Little Free(dom) Library with banned books. One of William Penn’s original five squares, Franklin Square is the one for fun in Philadelphia! Although the fountain will probably be off in February, the square still provides plenty of cool sights including an electrical light show, Chilly Philly Mini Golf and Street Curling. You’ll definitely find no shortage of things to entertain you as you pick out a new title for your TBR pile.

5. Fourth Stop: Little Free Library at Independence Visitor Center

Little Free Library at with colorful painting below the sign for the Visitor Information booth

Next head south on 6th Street until you reach Philadelphia’s Independence Visitor Center at 599 Market St. Here, you’ll find another Little Free(dom) Library waiting for you. By this point, you’ll likely have a healthy stack of free reads in your tote bag so make sure you brought some to share! While you’re here, grab some maps for your next visit to Old City and poke around the interactive exhbits and historic films to help you thaw out before heading to the next Little Free Library stop.

Oh, and take advantage of the abundance of bathrooms. They can be hard to find in a city!

6. Little Free Library at National Liberty Museum: Stop 5

Make your way a few blocks over to 321 Chestnut St. to locate yet another Little Free Library at the National Liberty Museum. The National Liberty Museum connects, educates, and inspires people to explore and advance the complex practice of liberty. Accoring to its Little Free Library charter description, the museum is “committed to building a society that values freedom of thought, civil discourse, respect for all people, and the essential pursuit of liberty.” If you’re feeling extra curious, peek around at some of the fascinating historical sites on the side streets before you head off to the next destination to learn how books were printed in the olden days..

7. An Educational Stop at the Franklin Court Printing Office

Address: 318 Market Street

In my opinion, no crawl through Old City is complete without a nod to one of Philadelphia’s greatest literary and historical figures: Benjamin Franklin. Swing by the Franklin Court Printing Office at 318 Market Street, part of the Independence National Historical Park. Here, you can witness fascinating demonstrations of an 18th-century printing press in action—truly a book-lover’s dream! I could seriously watch the demo for hours. (Hmmm…maybe I should become a volunteer there and then perhaps they’d let me try my hand at printing?) It’s a step back in time to an era when an S looked like an F and when printing was an art form. When you’re able to drag yourself way, head to the final stop – a book store, of course!

8. Final Stop: The Book Trader Book Shop

You may already have a bag full of books from your Little Free Library haul, but that’s no reason not to mosey over to The Book Trader at 7 N. 2nd Street, is it? This well-loved used bookstore is known for its floor-to-ceiling shelves of secondhand treasures. It’s truly a maze with stacks filled with everything from classic literature and history texts to quirky modern titles. I love the smell of the place. It has that old but interesting book smell (I wonder if they could bottle that!?). Anyway, it’s worth a stop and may just be where you find your final souvenir of the day—a vintage edition or a rare find that will help solidify your memories of this Old City Little Free Library Crawl.

Tips for Your February Crawl

Layer Up: February in Philadelphia can be cold and sometimes snowy or slushy but remember, you’ll be going in and out of the weather as you visit hitoric sites. So, wear warm, comfortable layers and waterproof boots.
Bring a Tote or Backpack: You’ll be collecting and swapping books throughout the day, so having a bag on hand means more to share and more to bring home!
Check Opening Hours: While most of the Little Free Libraries are accessible 24/7, some of the sites (like the Betsy Ross House or Franklin Court Printing Office) have limited winter hours or days, so confirm times before you go so you can make the most of your Little Free Library Crawl.
Bring Books to Share: Part of the fun of visiting Little Free Libraries is the “take a book, leave a book” spirit. Bring along a few gently used books (especially banned books) that you’re ready to pass on to another reader.

Why a Little Free Library Crawl?

Little Free Libraries are more than just tiny boxes stuffed with books— like all LFLs Philadelphia’s Little Free Libraries are symbols of community connection and shared resources. The Little Free(dom) Libraries here in Old City and other historic areas of the city are particularly notable as they were created to share banned books and foster an inclusive city. By visiting Little Free Libraries, you become part of the story, contributing to each neighborhood’s literary life and your own! Plus, exploring Philly’s Old City on foot is an historic experience in itself and a step back in time.

The Route on Google Maps

Walking map of old city Philadelphia with points of interest to locate little free libraries and little free(dom) libraries — Little Free Libraries in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood

Here’s a link to the Old City Little Free Library Crawl with Google map directions that you can follow on your phone. I hope you enjoy wandering the historic streets of Philadelphia’s Old City. If you’re lucky enough to spend an hour or so on this Little Free Library crawl, you’ll leave with an appreciation of history and of Philadelphia, and a tote bag full of books.

Go ahead and follow this route, or tweak it to your liking by looking for other nearby LFLs on the LIttle Free Library world map website. There are countless corners to explore and little shelves to rummage through. I bet there are some in your own neighborhood and you could create your own LFL crawl!

If you loved this Old City Little Free Library Crawl, I would appreciate it so much if you would snap a picture and share it on your socials using the hashtag #noveltourist and tagging me @thenoveltourist. I can’t wait to see your stash! For more great bookish activities and literary pairings, be sure to follow The Novel Tourist on Instagram or Facebook. If you live in the Philadlephia area and want to join us on an adventure, join The Novel Tourist Bookclub (free!) on Meetup or the Facebook group.

Happy reading, and remember to share the literary love!