How Long to Spend at Independence Hall: A One-Day Philadelphia Route

Plan your trip into the historic district separately from the walking route between its attractions. SEPTA’s Market–Frankford Line serves 5th Street/Independence Hall, and bus connections there include routes 5, 17, 21, 33, 38, 42, 44, and 48. For a broader look at getting around Philadelphia from the Northeast, check your starting point and connections before setting out.

Independence Hall is about 13.4 miles from WoodSpring Suites Philadelphia Northeast. Once you reach the historic district, the sequence below keeps the main historic stops together.

Start at Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. The former Pennsylvania State House was built in 1753 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enter at the security screening area on the south side of the building, on 5th Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets. The standard tour lasts about 20 minutes and includes the Assembly Room; an expanded tour lasts 40 minutes.

Build in additional time for screening, and arrive with your timed-entry plans in place when tickets are required. You can choose from guest rooms at WoodSpring Suites.

Timed-entry tickets are required from March 1 through December 31, except during open-house periods; they are not required in January. When tickets are required, there is a $1.00 handling fee per ticket.

You can obtain tickets through Recreation.gov and print them or display them on a mobile device for scanning. Ticket and tour arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go.

After Independence Hall, continue to the Liberty Bell Center across from the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets. Admission is first-come, first-served, with no ticket or reservation required, but you must pass through security screening.

The Liberty Bell Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Park buildings close on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, and close at 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Keep the security queue in mind when arranging the rest of your day.

For another nearby history stop, Carpenters’ Hall at 320 Chestnut Street is where the First Continental Congress met. Old City also has the Museum of the American Revolution, the Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Elfreth’s Alley, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum. The Benjamin Franklin Museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and charges an interpretive fee.

Use the stretch after the Liberty Bell for a meal and a walk through Old City, choosing one nearby attraction if you want to keep the day manageable. If you plan to include a visit to Reading Terminal Market, account for it separately from this historic-district route.

If you pick Carpenters’ Hall, its visitor hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Most sites in Independence National Historical Park are free; the Benjamin Franklin Museum charges an interpretive fee, and Independence Hall tickets carry a $1 per-ticket service fee when required.

Reserve Independence Hall tickets when required, then leave room in your schedule for screening and the Liberty Bell Center’s first-come entry. Open containers of food or drink are not allowed through Independence Hall security, though bottles with screw-on lids are permitted.

The first floor of Independence Hall is accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. An audio-description tour is available on request; assistive listening devices and a written pamphlet are available for visitors with hearing impairments.

Visitors must reserve Independence Hall tickets before requesting an American Sign Language interpreter, and the National Park Service asks for at least 14 days’ notice to arrange one.

There are no public restrooms in Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell Center. Public restrooms are available at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets and at the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets.

How long should you spend at Independence Hall?

The standard tour takes about 20 minutes, while the expanded tour takes 40 minutes. Allow additional time for security and ticket arrangements.

Do you need a ticket for the Liberty Bell?

No ticket or reservation is required for the Liberty Bell Center. Entry is first-come, first-served, and visitors pass through security.

Can you visit Independence Hall without a timed-entry ticket?

Timed-entry tickets are required from March 1 through December 31, except during open-house periods; tickets are not required in January. Check the National Park Service’s official information before planning your visit.

Are restrooms available inside Independence Hall?

No. Public restrooms are available at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets and at the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets.