Independence Hall

PARK OVERVIEW

Independence National Historical Park is not a typical National Park with boundaries and an entrance gate, but a collection of historic sites, museums, and outdoor parks all located in downtown Philadelphia. Some sites are owned by the National Park Service and some by private organizations, but all relate to the idea of American independence and the establishment of the federal government that was achieved from the early 1770s through 1800.

Overall there are thirty-one different sites to visit, plus the Independence Visitor Center, the place to get information about the park. To see everything would take a week, but visitors can pick and choose attractions to fit their interests and schedules. Not all of the indoor sites are open year-round or on a daily basis, so it may not be possible to see everything during your visit to Philadelphia no matter how dead set you are on doing so.

OPERATING HOURS

It is not uncommon for historical sites within Independence National Historical Park to be closed for renovation. If you are coming to the park for a specific site, be sure to get the latest schedule on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the park. You can also call the park at (215) 965-2305.

18^th Century Garden

• Daily from 9 AM to dusk
• Closed all Federal holidays
• While this is an outdoor facility, the area is gated

American Philosophical Society Museum
allow 30 minutes

• Thursdays through Sundays
• Mid-April through December: 10 AM to 5 PM
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
• Not officially part of Independence National Historical Park, but it is right next to Independence Hall

Benjamin Franklin Museum
allow 1 hour

• Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
• Christmas Eve: 9 AM to 3 PM
• Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

Bishop White House
allow 1 hour (includes tour of Dolley Todd House)

• July 1 through Labor Day by tour only
• Get tickets at Independence Visitor Center
• Closed all other days of the year

Carpenters’ Hall
allow 10-30 minutes

• March through December
  • Tuesdays through Sundays: 10 AM to 4 PM
• January and February
  • Wednesdays through Sundays: 10 AM to 4 PM

Christ Church
allow 30 minutes

• Wednesdays through Saturdays: 9 AM to 5 PM
• Sundays: 12:30 PM to 5 PM
• Closed between 12 PM and 12:30 PM on Wednesdays
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday

Christ Church Burial Ground
allow 30-60 minutes

• March through November
• Mondays through Saturdays: 10 AM to 4 PM
• Sundays: 12:30 PM to 4 PM
• Closed during foul weather

City Tavern Restaurant

• Open daily
• Lunch starts at 11:30 AM
• Dinner starts at 4 PM on Mondays through Saturdays, and 3 PM on Sundays
• Last reservations accepted at 9 PM on Sundays through Thursdays, and 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays

Congress Hall
allow 30 minutes

• Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM (closes at 3 PM on Christmas Eve)
• Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Washington’s Birthday, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday

Declaration House
allow 30 minutes

• Daily from mid-June through Labor Day
• 12 PM to 5 PM
• Closed all other days of the year

Dolley Todd House
allow 1 hour (includes tour of Bishop White House)

• July 1 through Labor Day by tour only
• Get tickets at Independence Visitor Center
• Closed all other days of the year

First Bank of the United States

• Closed to the public

Fragments of Franklin Court
allow 30-45 minutes

• Daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day
• 12 PM to 5 PM

Franklin Court Courtyard
allow 10 minutes

• Daily from 9 AM to dusk
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
• While this is an outdoor facility, the area is gated

Franklin Court Printing Office
allow 30 minutes

• Daily from 10 AM to 5 PM
• Last printing demonstration is at 4:30 PM
• Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Washington’s Birthday, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday

Free Quaker Meeting House
allow 10-30 minutes

• Mid-June through Labor Day
  • Daily from 11 AM to 4 PM
• All other times of the year
  • Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM

Germantown White House
allow 30 minutes

• Mid-June through early September
• Saturdays from 10 AM to 5 PM
• Open for special events only all other days of the year

Great Essentials Exhibit
allow 15 minutes

• Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM (closes at 3 PM on Christmas Eve)
• Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Washington’s Birthday, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday

Independence Archeology Lab
allow 45-60 minutes

• Weekdays by appointment only
• Call (215) 861-4956 to make an appointment at least a week in advance

Independence Visitor Center
allow 30 minutes to 2 hours

• Open daily
• Memorial Day through Labor Day
  • 8:30 AM to 7 PM
• All other days of the year
  • 8:30 AM to 6 PM
• Closes at 8 PM on July 1 – 4
• Open 11 AM to 4 PM on Thanksgiving
• Closed on Christmas

Independence Hall
allow 1 hour

• Open daily
• Mid-June through Labor Day
  • 9 AM to 7 PM
• All other days of the year
  • 9 AM to 5 PM
• Closes at 8 PM on July 1 – 4
• Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day: 11 AM to 4 PM
• Christmas Eve: 9 AM to 3 PM
• Closed Christmas Day

Liberty Bell Center
allow 30-60 minutes, depending on waiting in line at security

• Open daily
• Memorial Day through Labor Day
  • 8:30 AM to 7 PM
• All other days of the year
  • 8:30 AM to 6 PM
• Closes at 8 PM on July 1 – 4
• Open 11 AM to 4 PM on Thanksgiving
• Open 9 AM to 3 PM on Christmas Eve, but closed on Christmas

Magnolia Garden

• Daily from 9 AM to dusk
• Closed all Federal holidays
• While this is an outdoor facility, the area is gated

Merchants’ Exchange Building
allow 10-30 minutes

• Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
• Closed all Federal Holidays

National Constitution Center
allow 1 hour minimum

• Mondays through Saturdays: 9:30 AM to 5 PM
• Sundays: 12 PM to 5 PM
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

New Hall Military Museum
allow 30 minutes

• Daily from mid-June through Labor Day
• 12 PM to 5 PM
• Closed all other days of the year

Old City Hall
allow 15 minutes

• Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM (closes at 3 PM on Christmas Eve)
• Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Washington’s Birthday, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday

Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank of the United States
allow 30-60 minutes

• April through June
  • Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 AM to 5 PM
• July through Labor Day
  • Daily from 11 AM to 5 PM
• All other days of the year
  • Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 5 PM
• Christmas Eve: 11 AM to 3 PM
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

President’s House Site
allow 10-45 minutes

• Daily from 7 AM to 10 PM

Rose Garden

• Daily from 9 AM to dusk
• Closed all Federal holidays
• While this is an outdoor facility, the area is gated

Washington Square

• Open 24 hours a day

FEES AND TICKETS

Unless noted, all facilities are free to enter and do not require a ticket.

INDEPENDENCE HALL

A free, timed-entry ticket is required from March through December. You can get one online in advance at Recreation.gov or in person the day of the tour at Independence Visitor Center on a first come, first served basis starting at 8:30 AM. Online tickets are technically free, but there is a service charge. Tickets obtained at the Visitor Center are free.

No tickets are needed in January and February; after 5 PM during the summer; or on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and The Fourth of July.

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

This is a privately owned museum. A $2 donation per person is requested, but not required.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MUSEUM

There is a fee to enter for everyone over 4 years old. See the National Park Service’s Benjamin Franklin Museum web page for the latest prices.

BISHOP WHITE AND DOLLEY TODD HOUSES

Entrance into the Bishop White and Dolley Todd houses is by Ranger-guided tour only, and a free ticket is required to attend. These are given out on the day of the tour on a first come, first served basis starting at 8:30 AM at Independence Visitor Center

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER

The National Constitution Center is a U. S. Government operated museum that is partnered with the National Park Service. There is a fee to enter. See the National Constitution Center’s Admissions web page for the latest prices.

CHRIST CHURCH AND BURIAL GROUNDS

Christ Church is part of Independence National Park, but it is operated privately and still functions as a church. There is a fee to enter both the church and the cemetery. Guided tours of the cemetery are offered from 11 AM to 3:30 PM for an additional charge. For the latest prices, see the Hours and Admissions web page for Christ Church.

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