Independence National Historical Park
Independence National Historical Park
Independence National Historical Park
4.5
About
One of the most famous square miles in the United States, the park is home to the Liberty Bell, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Independence Hall.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: City Center East
How to get there
- 2nd St • 4 min walk
- 5th St • 5 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,586 within 5 kms
Attractions
395 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- LeonhknyHong Kong, China14,187 contributionsThe land of the freeFor many Americans, this is the reason to visit Philadelphia. Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are two household names appearing in every history textbook. Even for foreigners, taking a look at Revolutionary history offers so much fun at the first capital of the United States. Do come early in summer to avoid the crowd.Visited December 2022Written 18 December 2022
- Scot CSavannah, Georgia67 contributionsAmericana at it’s best!This is truly Americana at it’s best. This area is a must see, period. Relatively no issues going in and seeing any of the sights. The Liberty bell has about 15-25 minute wait to get inside the facility. The only snafu; you can only get tickets to tour Independence Hall online!!!! They only release about 20 tickets per tour time slot… Make sure you plan that part of your trip accordingly. Especially if you only have a day or two to see everything down there. Other than that, definitely worth your time to come here and visit!!Visited April 2023Travelled with familyWritten 7 April 2023
- Justin ONewport News, Virginia22 contributionsCenterpiece of our trip to PhillyThere is so much to do and see here! So much history in just a few blocks. This is why we came to Philly. The only negative is how difficult it was to get the free tickets to enter Independence Hall. We tried 3 days and never got them. Definitely plan to get them a couple weeks in advance. Luckily, nothing else requires advance tickets and Congress Hall was particularly memorable.Visited April 2023Travelled with familyWritten 9 April 2023
- yazdragonfly421 contributionsUnderwhelmingNot what we expected. You have to go through a metal detector/scanner before going into and area that is guarded by low hanging chains and latched gates that are no taller than 3 feet, so the security is almost laughable. Then you wait in a large courtyard, in full sun, for about 20-30 minutes. The wait time was longer than the actual tour which is just 2 rooms, with a ranger giving you a history lesson. If you are a real history buff, it’s worth the $1 reservation/entry fee. The building is the original building used by our founding fathers, and a lot of the furnishings are original, so that was cool to see.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 April 2023
- greglinmonLas Cruces, New Mexico758 contributionsGreat siteI love to visit National Park System sites. Visited several hundred. This is always so nice. Fifth visit, yet always top five. Very well done site. Tour is outstandingVisited July 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 26 July 2023
- Woody & Kathy LSun City, Arizona87 contributionsI relaized how much we owe our founding fathersThe tour, although short, taught me some things about the forming of our country that weren't taught in school. Our guide was very informative and engaged the people on the tour. Very enjoyable and educational. Well worth the 20 to 30 minutes.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 August 2023
- Brei H17 contributionsYour Experience is Dependent on your Tour GuideIt was ok. We took our kids there in 2016 and the tour guide gave us a lot more information regarding the history of the building and the significance of the fires, etc. This time our tour guide focused solely on the signing of the Declaration of Independence and said nothing of the fire. Our tour guide was also very hard to hear and was more concerned about kids getting their knees stuck in the banisters, then actually giving us more information. Not all tours are created equal and they will be dependent on your tour guide.Visited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 18 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,008 reviews
Excellent
2,007
Very good
781
Average
192
Poor
23
Terrible
5
margaretbk
Philadelphia, PA6 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
If you like history and art..let the 2nd Bank of the United States Portrait Gallery take you back in time to 1776. This is the closest thing we have to photographs of our founding fathers .
Written 14 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Midlife Adventure
Dursley, UK1,313 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The park itself isn’t anything out of the ordinary other than to offer you respite from sightseeing BUT this is where you will find all the key historic sites. Around the park is Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and many other historical sights.
It’s worth taking a seat, looking around and trying to imagine what it would have been like 250 years ago, after the Revolution and before the Declaration was finally ratified and signed. Many historical figures of that age would have wandered the very same pathways on which you now stand which I always find amazing.
It’s worth taking a seat, looking around and trying to imagine what it would have been like 250 years ago, after the Revolution and before the Declaration was finally ratified and signed. Many historical figures of that age would have wandered the very same pathways on which you now stand which I always find amazing.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brei H
17 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
It was ok. We took our kids there in 2016 and the tour guide gave us a lot more information regarding the history of the building and the significance of the fires, etc. This time our tour guide focused solely on the signing of the Declaration of Independence and said nothing of the fire. Our tour guide was also very hard to hear and was more concerned about kids getting their knees stuck in the banisters, then actually giving us more information. Not all tours are created equal and they will be dependent on your tour guide.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woody & Kathy L
Sun City, AZ87 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The tour, although short, taught me some things about the forming of our country that weren't taught in school. Our guide was very informative and engaged the people on the tour. Very enjoyable and educational. Well worth the 20 to 30 minutes.
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greglinmon
Las Cruces, NM758 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
I love to visit National Park System sites. Visited several hundred. This is always so nice. Fifth visit, yet always top five. Very well done site. Tour is outstanding
Written 26 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom H
Evansville, IN3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Be sure to make your tour reservation in advance on the website. It was an awesome feeling to be in the very room where the United States was birthed.
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
Old Bethpage, NY760 contributions
Jul 2023
Independence National Historic Park is great and full of history. They have Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the tomb of the unknown soldier, the first Quaker meeting house, the first Jewish congregation and more. It’s a great, clean place to walk around in the city. You can also get your national park passport stamped in the visitor center here.
Written 18 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SnowMom
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
Shout-out to Geraldine Hawkins of the National Parks Service in the Great Essentials exhibit who let us know that Liberty Hall tours are first-come first-serve from 5-7pm (at least during summer, make sure to check this when you’re planning)! We thought we had missed our opportunity to see this part of independence park, but thanks to engaging with Ms Hawkins for a few minutes, we were able to have a great historical Philadelphia experience. The East Wing and Congress Hall are also great tours that do not require tickets during the day. We spent a couple of hours in this historic part of town, then went to see the Liberty Bell across the street.
Definitely make this part of your Philadelphia trip. We enjoyed going through the Museum of the American Revolution in the morning and then seeing the National park sites with all of that context. The museum is great to go through with kids.
Definitely make this part of your Philadelphia trip. We enjoyed going through the Museum of the American Revolution in the morning and then seeing the National park sites with all of that context. The museum is great to go through with kids.
Written 12 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELKW
United States11,862 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
there are several building you can tour, and learned about the America history, worth to take a look if you haven't been there
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike H
Saint Louis, MO299 contributions
Jun 2023
This is a great place to walk around and see the historic places all around. There is plenty of tours through the buildings if you would like to learn more.
Written 26 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELKW
United States11,862 contributions
Hi, I see there are many buildings and places to visit in the Independence National Historic Park, so how long should we spend to tour the site? Is there any free parking in the site or near the site? if not, where can we park the car? and how much is the rate? Besides Independence Hall, are there any attraction need to get tickets in advance? do we need a ticket to visit the Liberty bells or any other attractions? thanks a lot.
GranZorro
Zug, Switzerland1,494 contributions
If you are really interested in American history, spend the day at the Independence National Historic Park. Should you be a history buff, reserve two days.
For parking sites, look out for the Bourse Garage or the Old City Parking.
guillermolisa
Aurora, IL5 contributions
Does this site contain Independence Hall??
jenlef
Yardley, PA29 contributions
Yes, you can see a map at the National Park Service website of everything at Independence Park.
Brigette P
Saint Clair, MI1 contribution
I will be visiting Philly for business. Is this attraction open after 5p?
#southernyankeemama
Windermere, FL140 contributions
Yes open till 6 pm. But I’d triple check before going down. It’s a great experience.
Oscar LT
Gallarta, Spain81 contributions
hola, hay tours en español?
tobias-i-zurich
Zurich, Switzerland548 contributions
No, solamente Inglés.
What's 1471 yards from 1074 E Venago St Philadelphia pa
Alexander K
162 contributions
Hi,
It's 1471 yards from 1074 E Venago St, Philadelphia PA
Turkerophead
United States68 contributions
Kids are 10, 5, and 3 years old. Ten year old is looking forward to visiting but will the 5 and 3 year olds be bored to tears? Is there anything for them to do while ten year old and mom are touring?
babycub2005
Mesa, AZ25 contributions
It is a huge park spanning blocks of the city. Washington Square is nearby and picturesque. It's a nice area for them to run in the grass. Franklin Fountain is near the printing office and has great desserts and locally made ice cream. Next to it is a candy shop.
FaithJones1
Akron5 contributions
I'm wondering if bottled water and snacks would be permitted in the Independence Hall tour. Not to consume during the tour but to avoid returning to the car or purchasing water during a full day in Old City.
I am also curious to the length of the Independence Hall tour and a good place to sit and eat lunch? I imagine Campos and Sonny's are both pretty full at lunch time on a Saturday in August.
Thanks
LilianBloom
Virginia71 contributions
A closed cap bottle should be fine, and I think as long as food is kept closed and put in closed purse, you should be fine. But they do check your bag before letting you in the area.
The tour runs every 30' (approximately), and about 80-100 people each group for 4-5 hours, so probably 500 people each day? I got there at 8.30 (Sunday) to wait for opening door at 9 to get tickets, so the line was short.
Mark J
Keller, TX27 contributions
What is the best way to get from the airport to NHP? I have a 6 hour layover with my adult family in March 2016 and thought we might use that time to see the Liberty Bell. We arrive at the airport on a Thursday at about 4:00 pm and our flight leaves for Dublin at 9:30 pm.
Do I take a taxi, the train, a bus, a tourguide? I appreciate your help!!!
Lois C
New Milford, CT17 contributions
Best bet is to take a taxi to NHP (probably the fastest way). You don't need tickets to see the Liberty Bell; we hit the Liberty Bell around 4:00 pm and there was virtually no line, but I don't think it's open past 5:00. However, if you want a good tour and have some extra money, the BIG BUS CO. tour on double-decker buses is well worth it. You get to see downtown Philly from the waterfront, in and around the historical area, and all the way up to the Phila Museum of Art (and the "Rocky" steps). The loop takes under an hour, and there are 28 stops (get on and off at any one of them, and another bus will be around to pick you up in 15 minutes). The bus tour guides are very entertaining and give you a lot of inside info on Philly's history.
LRHDJH709
Middletown9 contributions
Hotels nearby
flgatorgal62
Oviedo16 contributions
I've stayed at Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel on Chestnut Street (across from Museum of the American Revolution before. Great hotel and great location to see Old City Philadelphia.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Independence National Historical Park
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Independence National Historical Park:
- Explore Philadelphia: Founding Fathers Walking Tour (From ₹ 4,918.31)
- Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Philadelphia (1, 2, or 3-Day) (From ₹ 3,001.00)
- Secret Food Tours Philadelphia w/ Private Tour Option (From ₹ 6,792.26)
- Washington DC and Philadelphia in One Day from NYC (From ₹ 13,921.31)
- City Sightseeing Philadelphia Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off (24, 48, 72 Hours) (From ₹ 5,668.56)
- Hotels near Independence National Historical Park:
- (0.10 km) Independence Park Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- (0.18 km) Thomas Bond House Bed & Breakfast
- (0.14 km) Apple Hostels Philadelphia
- (0.20 km) Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel
- (0.17 km) Stay Alfred at The Broderick
- Restaurants near Independence National Historical Park:
- (0.14 km) Amada
- (0.14 km) Buddakan
- (0.15 km) Positano Coast
- (0.19 km) Zahav
- (0.11 km) FRIEDA