What do cheesesteaks, Rocky, and the birthplace of America have in common? They are all inextricably linked to the city of brotherly love: Philadelphia. Cheesesteaks are tied to the infamous rivalry between Pat’s and Geno’s, Rocky is tied to the 72 steps leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the birthplace of America is tied to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which took place at Independence Hall in 1776. But that wasn’t the only major event to take place at Independence Hall. Eleven years later, in 1787, the Constitution of the United States of America was also signed in the very same building. If that’s not enough history for you, Independence Hall’s tower was the original location of the Liberty Bell, which is now on display right across the street from Independence Hall.
Now part of the larger Independence National Historic Park, Independence Hall is drenched in history and the events that took place inside its walls have had a profound impact on other country constitutions and have paved the way for freedom and democracy across the world. For these reasons, Independence Hall has been designated a World Heritage Site.
Key information for visiting Independence Hall:
- Address: 520 Chestnut Street (between 5th & 6th Streets), Philadelphia, PA. See on Google Maps.
- Tickets: You can walk around the outside of Independence Hall without a ticket. For tours of the inside, you will need a ticket from March 1 – December 31, except July 4th and Thanksgiving Day when no tickets are required. Tickets can be purchased for free at the Visitor Center for same day tours. Go early, though, because tickets usually sell out by 1pm. For a $1.50 fee tickets can be purchased ahead of time on recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777.
- Public Transportation Options: The closest metro stop is 5th Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line. Another option is the PhillyPHLASH, a big purple bus that stops at 22 of the most popular locations in Central Philadelphia. The PHLASH is only $2 per ride or $5 for an all-day pass.
- Security checkpoint: There is a checkpoint you’ll go through before entering the grounds of Independence Hall, so they suggest you arrive 30 minutes prior to your ticket time in order to give yourself enough time to get through the checkpoint.
Helpful Links:
- Plan Your Visit – National Park Service website
- Visit Philadelphia – Independence Hall page
- Independence Visitor Center – Independence Hall page
Here are some pictures from Independence Hall:
Great job! Very informative.
Thanks!