Independence Hall in Philadelphia, part of Independence National Historical Park
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.
- 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
- Thursday through Sunday
- Mid-April through December: 10 AM to 5 PM
- Closed January through March, 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
Closed
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
- Mondays through Saturdays: 11 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday: 9:45 AM to 11 AM and 11:30 AM to 5 PM
- Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday
Christ Church Burial Ground
allow 30-60 minutes
- March through November: Dailey from 11 AM to 5 PM
- December: Daily from 11 AM to 4 PM (weather permitting)
- Typically closed January and February, though it may be open if the weather is nice
- Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
- Closed during foul weather
City Tavern Museum
allow 15-30 minutes
- Open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM
Congress Hall
allow 30 minutes
- Daily from 9:15 AM to 4:45 PM (closes at 3 PM on Christmas Eve)
- Last tour at 4:15 PM
- Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Washington’s Birthday, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
Closed
Closed
First Bank of the United States
Closed to the public
Closed
Franklin Court Courtyard
allow 10 minutes
- Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
- 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
- Saturday and Sundays 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
- 11 AM to 4 PM daily from mid-June through Labor Day
- Closed the rest of the year
Closed
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 Visitor Center
allow 30 minutes
- Open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM
- National Park Service information desk is open until 5 PM
- Open 9 AM to 4 PM on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
- Closed on Thanksgiving and 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 from 9 AM to 5 PM
- Open 9 AM to 3 PM on Christmas Eve, but closed on Christmas
- 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
- Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
Closed
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
Closed
President’s House Site
allow 10-45 minutes
- Daily from 7 AM to 10 PM
- Daily from 9 AM to dusk
- Closed all Federal holidays
- While this is an outdoor facility, the area is gated
- Open 24 hours a day
FEES AND TICKETS
Unless noted, all facilities are free to enter and do not require a ticket.
INDEPENDENCE HALL
No ticket is required to tour Independence Hall on your own on July 4th and from December 24th through January 31st. Tickets are also not required from February 1st through December 23rd from 9 AM to 9:50 AM each day (must depart the building by 10:30 AM). From February 1st through December 23rd, once 10 AM rolls around, tickets are required. Tickets are only available online in advance at Recreation.gov. Online tickets are technically free, but there is a service charge.
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 Hours and 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.
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on March 24, 2025
