"Touristy shit cost too much in exchange for the little value it contributes to the neighborhoods, islands and countries it destroys. And rarely does it allow you to get immersed in the life of the natives/locals." - Chrissy, curator/consultant
Human | Experience Consultant | Hood Advocate | Experience Curator | Speaker
Philly Experiences was born and continues to operate in the belief that cultural experiences should be intentional, intersectional, and impactful. We do more than tell history, we amplify OUR stories of recent hood heroes and living legends, ensuring that Black entrepreneurship, art, and innovation are recognized as acts of activism.
Whether you’re making new friends on our Black Be Beautiful Mural Tour, indulging in our Uptown Soul Food Tour, vibing on a private themed party bus (beach, thrift, seafood, or cheesesteak), or completing your bucket list with our digital guides, you are actively contributing to cultural preservation and economic empowerment. Thank you in advance.
Every experience is designed to:
- Uplift and empower our youth, neighbors, and local businesses to overcome challenges and thrive.
- Amplify our positive multigenerational impact, ensuring that our stories live on.
- Center Black murals/street art and the stories they tell of our local experience
- Invest in intentionally under-resourced communities to combat Black erasure.
- Promote social justice, cultural sensitivity, intersectionality and equity in the tourism and event industry.
- Improve mental & physical health by embracing the rewards of walking, fresh air, and sunshine.
- Stop demonizing the poor by shifting narratives and honoring lived experiences.
From a cashier to nanny to photographer to owning an award-winning tour brand is nothing short of a surprise to all of us, as my life was destined to be a negative statistic since birth. If you wish to hear in depth about the rough road to get here and consider yourself to be in a safe space to gasp or possibly cry, click HERE to read my story (trauma/trigger warning).
If you wish to skip this very uncomfortable read, by all means keep scrolling.
"I took this experience at the end of my month trip and it was 10/10! I really wish I would have started with it. Chrissy went out of her way to make me comfortable. We connected as humans and I really felt I had a friend for the day. Understanding the original culture here and talking about how gentrification is affecting the city is so important. And especially important to have the conversation with a local like her." - Brianna, visitor
More Than a Tour, It's THE Cultural Preservation Movement
Chrissy Watts is a proud Philly native, mom and photographer turned experience curator, cultural strategist and consultant behind the award winning brand Philly Experiences. A community rooted platform that exists because Black Philly is more than struggle, it’s joy, creativity, heritage, traditions, and community.
For over half a decade, Philly Experiences has been hosting all inclusive food, shopping and mural tours, community events, and bus trips that locals and visitors sell out because they feel seen, heard and celebrated. These experiences amplify Black and local culture, preserve our stories, genuinely connect neighbors and visitors while supporting Black and local owned businesses that are consistent, professional, and proud of what they offer. From day one, we directly increased foot traffic and sales to over 50 Black and local businesses throughout the city at no cost to them.
LOCAL PRESS
Germantown Info Hub
Chestnut Hill Local
Billy Penn
INTERNATIONAL PRESS
TravelNoire
Black Voyager
AWARDS
Nominated - Brand of The Year @ Black Travel Summit
Won - Innovator of the Year Award @ Mom Your Business Semiannual Summit
Airbnb Experiences + Google Reviews:
350+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews
Corporate clients include:
B-Smart Conference
National Social Studies Teacher Conference
Urban League of Philadelphia
Bryn Mawr College
Swarthmore College
Jewish Family and Children Services
Haverford College
Girls Scouts of SE Pennsylvania
Department of Public Health
Department of Homeless Services
Speaking opportunities:
Arival Travel Conference - Las Vegas 2022
Our work is grounded in the full context of Black history, acknowledging the legacy and existence of resilience and resistance shaped by the heavy layers of systemic racism, while refusing to let struggle be the only story told. Through art, music, food, fashion, and storytelling, Philly Experiences highlights the creativity and innovation that have always defined Black culture and continue to influence movements for justice, equity, and representation today.
Blackness is not one thing. It shows up differently across neighborhoods, generation, and lived experiences. Philly Experiences honors that intersectionality while holding space for joy, excellence, and accountability. Supporting Black is never about settling; it’s about circulating our dollars with pride and purpose, and reimagining Philadelphia as a city we are proud to experience with our children, our friends, and our community.
All of this is accomplished while raising two amazing daughters (14 + 29 yrs old), and unpacking heavy weight of her lived experiences to becoming the community storyteller, builder, preservationist, and advocate for many and kind to herself.
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