Philadelphia Freedom: Visiting Independence Hall

In Philadelphia's vibrant, bustling Center City, Independence National Historical Park is home to the Liberty Bell, as well as Independence Hall. Within the Hall is the Assembly Room, one of the most important buildings in the nation's history. Guided Independence Hall tours take visitors through the exciting history of the country's struggle for freedom.

Start at the Independence Visitor Center

The National Park Service advises booking tickets in advance for visits from March through December. Otherwise, visitors should first head to the Ranger’s Desk at the Independence Visitor Center for the free, timed-entry tickets required for an Independence Hall tour.

Tours are usually led by National Park Rangers, and tickets are limited, so it’s best to get there by 8.30am to have the best possible choice of available tour times. Visitors should also arrive at least 45 minutes before their tour time to pass through security. Tickets are not required to enter Independence Hall during January and February, and sometimes during those months Rangers extend the tours to the hall’s second floor.

Independence Hall

Independence Hall, formerly the Pennsylvania State House, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its critical role in the American Revolution and the nation’s formation. Tours take visitors to Independence Hall’s Assembly Room, where both the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were signed. Visitors can view the Assembly Room laid out as it was during the Constitutional Convention and will also find George Washington’s famous ‘rising sun’ chair.

Independence Hall’s Long Gallery has served many purposes throughout history, including as a hospital for wounded soldiers, a reception area for the governor of Pennsylvania’s visitors, a location for celebrations and dinners and one of the country’s first museums.

In Independence Hall’s West Wing, visitors can examine an original draft of the Constitution, as well as copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Also on display is the silver inkstand that is believed to be the one used to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Exploring Liberty Bell Center

Across from Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center houses the famed bell that has come to symbolize American independence. The bell was initially rung in the bell tower of the Pennsylvania State House, which later became Independence Hall. It has cracked twice and bears the inscription “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof.”

After the Liberty Bell first cracked and was recast, historians believe that it was rung at the very first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. In 1835, it cracked again when it was rung at the funeral of John Marshall, one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence, who was also the fourth Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. There is no charge to view the Liberty Bell, and tickets are not required.

Parking at Independence Hall

When mapping out a visit to Independence Hall, it's a good idea to plan ahead for parking, especially during the peak summer months. Nearby garages include the AutoPark at Independence Mall, located underground below the Independence Visitor Center. Visitors can also arrange reserved parking in the area's various garages and lots.

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