Things to Do Nearby

National Park Service buildings

Independence Hall stands on Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets. The Declaration of Independence (1776) and the US Constitution (1787) were both signed there, and UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 1979. Its guided tours need a free timed ticket; the Independence Hall page covers the open house, the tours and the screening. Congress Hall stands beside it. The park also takes in the Benjamin Franklin Museum, the President’s House Site (open-air) and the Second Bank of the United States. Each building keeps its own schedule, listed on the NPS hours page; checking it before visiting avoids arriving at a closed door. Carpenters’ Hall is nearby too. The Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market has restrooms and an NPS desk.

Museums near the mall

The National Constitution Center is at 525 Arch Street, at the north end of Independence Mall; GetYourGuide sells no standalone admission for it, and its details are on constitutioncenter.org. The Constitution Center page explains how it fits with the bell. The Museum of the American Revolution is at 101 South 3rd Street, a few blocks east of the bell. Its ticket listing advises planning three hours or more, and the museum page sets out what that ticket covers. Hours and admission for the museum are on amrevmuseum.org.

Old City

East and north of the mall, Old City holds several short stops. The Betsy Ross House is at 239 Arch Street. Christ Church and its burial ground are close by, and Benjamin Franklin’s grave is in the burial ground at 5th and Arch. Elfreth’s Alley, off 2nd Street, is often described as one of the oldest residential streets in the country. Signers Garden sits at 5th and Chestnut, and the history walk’s listing also mentions the US Mint. The 2.5-hour history walk strings many of these together; its listed route includes Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the Liberty Bell, Carpenters’ Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution (entered for a live demonstration), Elfreth’s Alley, the Betsy Ross House and Benjamin Franklin’s grave, finishing at N 6th St & Market St. The walking tours page compares it with the founders walk.

Farther out

Reading Terminal Market, an indoor market hall, is at 12th and Arch. Farther west, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its steps, known as the “Rocky Steps” from the film, stand near the Rocky statue. Eastern State Penitentiary and Love Park are also farther from the mall. The hop-on hop-off bus lists the market, the Art Museum and its steps, Eastern State Penitentiary and Love Park among its 26 stops, along with the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center and Christ Church, and its listing notes that entrance fees to attractions are not included.

After the bell closes

The Liberty Bell Center closes at 5 pm (NPS), but the bell stays visible through the large windows on Chestnut Street at any hour. The evening ghost tour by candlelight meets at Signers Garden and, per its listing, walks through Independence National Historical Park, Old City and Society Hill, with tales about Independence Hall, Washington Square and City Tavern. Its listing does not mention the Liberty Bell.

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