Independence National Historic Park Merchant’s Exchange

Each Park Ranger we spoke with, and it was a few, were very kind and displayed patience with our many questions. The presentation in the West Wing was very interesting and the Ranger allowed us plenty of time to walk around upstairs. It really is such a beautiful building, and was such a great experience I cross stitch and am including a piece I stitched of Independence Hall and Liberty Bell.

I could spend all day walking around this area. Independence National Historical Park consists of several historical sites associated with the American Revolution and the nation's founding history. Independence Mall is the main three-block section of Independence National Historical Park that includes Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center. The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed inside Independence Hall. There is so much to see and do here in Independence National Historical Park. I have been to Philadelphia a few times and still haven't seen everything. Some of these places are free to visit. The Independence Visitor Center is a great place to get information about the park. There are knowledgeable park rangers inside that can answer your questions. Sites within Independence National Historical Park: Bishop White House Carpenters' Hall Christ Church City Tavern Congress Hall Declaration (Jacob Graff) House Dolley Todd House Franklin Court and Benjamin Franklin Museum First Bank of the United States Free Quaker Meeting House Independence Hall Independence Visitor Center Liberty Bell Center Merchants' Exchange Building Mikveh Israel Cemetery National Constitution Center New Hall Military Museum Old City Hall, meeting place of the Supreme Court President's House Second Bank of the United States Thomas Bond House Washington Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier Welcome Park Sites outside Park Boundaries: Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site Germantown White House (formerly the Deshler-Morris House) Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church National Historic Site Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Independence National historical park is home to many notable attractions in Colonial Philadelphia including Independence Hall and the LIberty Bell. But did you know the park also oversees the original Franklin printing press? My husband and I were advised to stop over here after our visit to Christ church. Believe me it was well worth the visit. You can actually view and learn how Franklin used the original printing press and even watch a demonstration on how it was done! You learn that a type of cotton cloth was used for the paper and to use the right amount of ink in order to get it avoid smearing of insufficient ink. Famous sayings are on sale there for relatively inexpensive prices along most notable is Abigail Adams. These sayings were previously made and dried at the printing press so you can get a souvenir of your visit there. Admission is free to the public and they do accommodate tour and school groups. Located next to the Ben Free post office and not far from the Franklin museum, this place affords you an opportunity to visit 3 famous sites at the same time.

There's so much history here and it's amazing! My wife and I hadn't been to Independence Hall since we were kids, so we took a detour on a recent trip back to PA and visited these sites. Independence National Historical Park covers many historical attractions in Old City and we were lucky enough to visit several of them. We booked a tour of Independence Hall (via recreation.gov) and it was a lovely tour. Our guide was knowledgable and entertaining and it's so humbling to be standing where The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution were signed and adopted. It really gives you chills. We also got to see the Liberty Bell and tour Christ Church. One of the highlights was definitely visiting Christ Church Burial Ground and seeing Benjamin Franklin's grave and Benjamin Rush's grave. There's just so much to see here and you really can't do it all in a day. I highly recommend coming here if you're a lover of American history!

This expansive park was beautiful with the fall foliage and it covered so much of our American history. I only visited the Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Great Essentials Exhibit (West Wing). But, there were several other sections of this park that I haven't visited yet (see attached map). Although, I learned so much on my visit here. I'll try to give you a run down on what to expect from the three spots I did go to before you decide to come to this park. First off, we booked tickets the day before for the 1 pm guided tour of Independence Hall. The cost was only $1. We did have to arrive 15-30 min prior to our tour to go through security here. They'll scan your coats and your bags just like you're at the airport. So, don't bring too many things. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and explained the areas of independence hall, like the Supreme Court and Assembly Room, and their significance in American history. If you're a history buff, it's worth it to listen in on this tour. Prior to taking the guided tour of Independence Hall, a few tour guides told us to visit the Great Essentials Exhibit (West Wing), since we were a bit early for the tour. This exhibit was great, in that it gave us a digestible display of the history and progression from the Declaration of Independence to the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution of the United States. Finally, we visited the Liberty Bell Center, which housed the original Liberty Bell. You do have to go through security again here, just like for Independence Hall. Before seeing the actual bell itself, this exhibit went through the significance of the crack on the bell itself, how the bell continues to be preserved, and how the bell was important in the slavery and women's rights movements. Overall, we enjoyed this park. This is definitely a historic landmark to visit in Philadelphia.

Independence hall is well kept and clean. It is long, so even when there are a bunch of people, it doesn't seem overly packed. This is where the Liberty Bell is held. You can see it for free. There is usually a long line to get inside the building where the Liberty Bell is; however, you can see it through the glass in the park if you don't want to wait in line. In addition to the Liberty Bell, there is Independence Hall and other historical locations surrounding it. This park is encompassed with history; so if that is what you came to see, it will be worth it.

if you visit philly, this is a must-do, must-see...even if you have just a little bit of time, come to independence park, as this is the home of the liberty bell, independence hall, congress hall, and multiple historical buildings and museums. start at the independence hall visitor center and grab maps and get information about the general area, see a short film about philly. then pay homage to the liberty bell, then see the 3 buildings in independence hall. take a quick break, grab a philly cheesesteak and pretzel from a food cart! be sure to stop by franklin court and visit benjamin franklin's museum, print press, and b.free post office. on a warm day, grab a blanket and sit down on the grassy area of the park, smack in the center of everything. best part is that this area is free! some of the attractions are also free, others incur a nominal entry fee. several parking lots are in the vicinity or you can park on the street. taking septa is also a convenient way to visit.

Independence National Historical Park as a whole is a lot to see. There is so much within and nearby that it can easily take up a whole day in the city of Philadelphia. I cannot, without certainty, tell you where to start here. When most people think of Independence Park they probably envision Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, but there is so much more to it than just that. This park encompasses a lot of ground which contain so many sites of historical value you can easily get turned around. I started my visit here at the Visitor Center, then I just made up my own mind on where to go. I did take suggestions and note important pieces of information for each piece of this park. I highly suggest starting out early and to plan a bit ahead of time. I'm not saying just going about the park on your own is a bad idea, but if I would have planned out a bit beforehand I probably would have not walked so much. If the weather would have been a bit nicer, and I would have had more time I might have just taken the time to sit in the area and people watch. It is beautifully maintained and quite spread out. A thing to note, and probably something I shouldn't have to point out, but this is ran by the National Park Service. That means you are on federal government property and the kind people that are resourceful are federal employees. Be respectful, if not for that fact, then for the fact that you are standing on the grounds that helped found this nation.

We started at the INDEPENDENCE VISITOR CENTER to purchase souvenirs and looked at a map. Then, we proceeded to the LIBERTY BELL CENTER (free). Seeing the iconic symbol is a must if you're in Philadelphia. We waited in a short line for security screening. I liked how Independence Hall is framed in the background of the bell. Next, we walked over to INDEPENDENCE HALL- UNESCO World Heritage Site. Independence Hall is the first capital of both the United States and Pennsylvania. It is where the Founding Fathers came together to sign the Declaration of Independence. Representatives from a dozen states also met here to lay the framework for the U.S. Constitution. We only viewed it from the outside since we didn't do the tour. The tour is $1 and is about 20 minutes long. Lastly, we visited WASHINGTON SQUARE. It has the "Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier" war memorial with a statue of Washington as the monument's centerpiece and includes an eternal flame. There are a lot of other historical buildings and points of interest, but we didn't visit all of them.

A must see if you are visiting Philadelphia! The historic park has a ton of things to do and very interesting guides and staff who will answer any questions you may have. I took a tour and we went through several of the areas and building. The Liberty Bell Center is also here so make sure to check that out! I had to wait in a long line and would probably be okay with skipping and just looking from afar if you can and are not that interested in seeing the real thing and taking a picture with it.

It was a great experience just being here to see where our Founding Fathers once gathered to adopt and amend the two most important documents in the history of the United States of America. Independence Hall and Liberty Bell are all within walking distance of each other. We learn about these places in history books but to be actually standing in them can make you feel an overwhelming sense of pride to be American.

This Park is amazing and has the most impressive collection of history that you will find. It is truly amazing and a must see. This is the Birthplace of the greatest country in the world. At the Center you will find a very helpful Visitors Center that can help you develop an itinerary for the park's attractions which include the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin's Grave, Independence Hall, the Declaration House and the Constitution Museum. You need to come here with a plan to maximize your time at the park and see all the attractions you would like. As I mentioned, The Visitors Center is the place to get that plan. You can probably see all the sites in a full day. Be mindful that each place has their own set of hours and some charge a small admission fee. The park has many large grass areas around that you can lounge on. There are also, park benches around that you can sit and enjoy the park areas. I saw some people playing frisbee on the grass and others just laying out enjoying the day. The grounds are very well maintained and kept. It is very clean and landscaped. They have a parking garage nearby and there is also metered street parking available in the vicinity of the park.

It's a simple little park, close to the old city. There's a statue of Commodore John Barry in the middle of it. It's right in front of the Independence Hall. It's nicely shaded and there's tons of trees and benches. It's got some short pathways all around it. A good spot for a little rest and relaxation.

This is a nice place to spend some time and get some culture. I was going to be in the area with my mom and started doing some research and I was quite amazing at the tours and sites being offered all along this stretch of park that makes up Independence Mall. You have the mall of course, Independence Hall, Carpenters Hall, the Liberty Bell, Independence Beer Garden and a whole host of museums. But aside from all those attractions are miles of greenspace that is meticulously kept and plenty of places to sit, be still and take it all in.

Beautiful Park and educational experience. Bring your children. I'm catching up on my reviews. Since I've been there, done that, I really wouldn't return. I do highly recommend for visitors of this beautiful city. And for visitors from other countries. I felt like I was in a 'You Are There ' Time Warp Experience. See It As it happened. Feel the Ghosts. Make a donation if you are able. It's Money well spent.

As I was walking down Market st on my lunch break, I discovered this wonderful huge park. I also saw a patio area with an assortment of historial paintings which displayed the history of Philadelphia as well aa information about the Declaration of Independence. The Independence National Historic Park also has a building where you can get free tickets to Independence Hall and view the liberty bell and the Ben Franklin Muesem. Overall it's a great area for tourist to come and get a historical vibe of Philadelphia. The place gets pretty crowded and the lines to get in the building are always very long. I simply go to sit on the bench, eat lunch and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the park!

Yet another well-managed park that is meticulously neat and gives character to Philadelphia's historical roots. Assuming I understood it correctly, this park consists of the Liberty Bell Center (no tickets required), Ben Franklin Museum (tickets required) and Independence Hall (tickets not required in January and February). Yes, we all get dragged here as a child on a school trip and remember nothing and are just concerned with getting a dumb souvenir we lost months later. But coming back as an adult (well, okay, more like, I was staying nearby and just happened to wander through it), you gain an entirely new appreciation for it. Granted, I was here in winter, so I probably didn't get the full experience. Aesthetically, everything was also quite dark and blah, but I could appreciate it for its historical importance. I mostly just perused the outside statues and garden areas, but I felt it was well laid out and deeply informational. I listened in on a few free tours nearby (its way less creepy than it sounds) and can recommend this park is worth a visit if you're in the area.

What an incredible place to see the birthplace of the republic! The only original furniture is the chair that George Washington sat in while he proceeded over documents. Absolutely incredible. The liberty bell is beautiful and such and awe-Inspiring beacon of hope. Park rangers are helpful and very knowledgeable. For anyone who loves our republic- go see this place!

Bottom Line: Independence Hall might be the crowning jewel of the park but there is so much wonderful Revolutionary War-era history to see here. Independence National Historic Park consists of American icons like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell but there are over 30 sites within this park. Many of the sites, which are probably the most popular sites, are located within a few blocks of each other in the part of Philly called the "Old City." A lot of the sites are "free" (prepaid through federal tax dollars) but some sites charge admission like the Franklin Museum and the National Constitution Center. While many of the sites you can enter and tour like the Independence Visitors Center and Congress Hall, other sites are open air exhibits like Franklin Court, Christ Church Burial Ground and the President's House Site. A great way to gather information on this park is by visiting the Independence Visitors Center or using the "Independence" app offered by the National Park Service.

I absolutely loved the history lesson that Independence Park has to offer! Hint 1: go to the visitor's center early and grab your tickets for Independence Hall upon your arrival. We arrived at 9:00am on a Thursday in late June. We made it to the NPS information desk shortly after 9 and the earliest entrance ticket was 1:00. Hint 2: If you pass the Liberty Bell, literally across from the visotor's center and there isn't a line, go IN IMMEDIATELY! don't wait! We passed The Bell and there wasn't a line. Intuition told me to go in with my kids. We did and 20 minutes later a bus unloaded and the line was terribly long the rest of the day! Hint 3: if you are traveling with school age kids, while at the visitor's center NPS Desk, ask for the Jr Ranger scavenger book. It'll keep the kids busy and give you freedom to spend time in the exhibits without having to run through due to low attention spans. Final HINT: when you're at Independence Hall, there are two tours and a building with the Articles of Confederation, Decloration of Independence and the Constitution (printed). Your ticket is for Independence Hall, the other tour and the document building do not need tickets! Make sure you see and hear all that is to see and hear!

Independence National Historical Park preserves several sites associated with the American Revolution and the nation's founding history. Included within the park are Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed inside Independence Hall, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's an incredibly well-managed park that also houses the First and Second Banks of the United States, Franklin Court, and the National Consitution Center, and many more important spots that are very close together. If you want to be able to go inside the museums, leave all knives in your car and make sure to get there early because lines get long FAST. A must visit and could easily spend a whole day at just these museums and sites alone.

You can smell the American history with each step you take through this park. Can't imagine that Washington and Franklin and all the other Founding Fathers walk through this same park hundreds of years ago. This is where Independence Hall is located. Was no crowded. Easy to walk. Great place to take a stroll and picture how life was here before there was an America.

This area is a must for anyone who enjoys American history/ Period. The park is anchored by Independence Hall, the place where both where our Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution were debated and adopted. Across the street is the Liberty Bell Center, home of our Liberty Bell. Other historic buildings include: the First and the Second Banks of the United States, Carpenter's Hall (1st Continental Congress), Franklin Court (location of the Benjamin Franklin Museum), the National Constitution Center, as well as a variety of other attractions. It would be a good idea to spend a couple of days to take it all in properly.

If you're a history buff, or are curious about the beginnings of the United States, this is a must visit. Even if you're not, it's the touristy thing to do; it's not every day you get to walk into Independence Hall. The grounds are well-kept, and as long as you go during off-hours, it's not too crazy. As for staff, I've been lucky enough to run into personable, knowledgeable park rangers on my visits.

Bitter, party of four. Well, I'm not feeling the love from the city of brotherly love. Seems we showed up too late, and all the tickets to check out Independence Hall were already gone. This may be an unfair review, but at least I'm warning you to get your tickets early, or you'll have to go pop $12 at the National Constitution Center to bide your time, like we did. And while I'm complaining, let me tell you how much I enjoy waiting at a streetlight while a handsome-cab horse takes a monster leak in front of you. Ahh, the scent of ammonia rich urine as it hits the hot street, quickly changing states from liquid to a vapor. It's magical, really.

This park sits in the City of the Birthplace of our nation. On or near this park you can see and read about the history of the Liberty Bell and you are just a few steps from Independence Hall. This park is centrally locates to many important sites in Philadelphia. It is a great place to sit and people watch and if interested you can catch many of the bus tours to all of the tours sites in Philadelphia. We loved our time in this great city.

If you're in Philly, this should be your first stop after visiting the Visitor Center to get your free timed entry pass. It is a worthwhile tour, albeit a bit boring when at first your group is corralled into the room across the hall for the history lecture. I was impressed by the high school tour group with their ability to answer history trivia. Way to go Public Schools in America! The room where the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution took place is cool. You can view G. Washington's original chair and Thomas Jefferson's walking stick (that might be a replica). The courtroom across the hall has a cage which the defendant had to stand in during the entire trial, hence the name 'standing trial'. It's a tour that is definitely worth 30 minutes of your time.

A great place to learn about Philadelphia's place in history. There is a lot of see and most if it i free. There are NPS staff on site and they are more than willing to share knowledge and answer questions about what happened on that sites back in the day. If found them to be very passionate about what they do. This is a great place to take kids as they are learning about the American Revolution, constitution, etc. in school. The historical park is very kid friendly. The various sites are quite spread out so some comfortable walking shoes are recommended, along with plenty of water if the weather is warm. Use the restroom in the Visitor Center as most buildings do not have facilities for public use.

Visited 3 times in the summer of 2016 -Liberty Bell, NMAJH, Constitution Center, City Tavern and many local restaurants, cafes and shops. I am proud and glad to live in the Greater Philadelphia area.

--- Short Synopsis --- National Historic Independence Park is a great park that provides a step back into colonial times and US history! --- Detailed Review --- Just walking to the visitor center from Penn's Landing was an experience, as it felt like I was being taken back in time. The architecture of the buildings transitioned from a modern appearance to a more colonial appearance as I walked toward the park. I spent about 6 hours here exploring all the areas of the park, but probably could have spent around 8 hours if I had more time. I came in the morning and knew I had to go to the visitor center first to grab a tour ticket to inside Independence Hall. The people did not check my ticket. It was most likely because it was early and the hall not reaching full capacity yet. Regardless, you have to go through a security screening to get next to or inside Independence Hall. In National Historic Independence Park, my favorite areas had to be the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, and the Franklin Court (Benjamin Franklin area) with the printing press room, his museum, and some remains of his house. For Independence Hall, the tour is the way to get inside the historic building for the public. It was great getting a US history refresher about the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence from the tour guide. I also learned some details about Independence Hall; however, the best part was just being able to see and visualize what the place looked like! It was crazy to think I was standing in the birthplace of the United States of America, where the fathers of this nation debated on how to govern the U.S. Onto the Liberty Bell Center, there is another security screening here near the entrance, so there might be a line outside the door for that. I did enjoy all the reading material provided as you walk down the hall toward the Liberty Bell. Being able to see and visualize the Liberty Bell was awesome! It is also placed in such a manner that Independence Hall is in its background; good job to the designers/engineers/architects. The Franklin Court was the last area of the park that I went to. It turned out to be really interesting! I liked the look of the area and the main entrance from Market Street. They display a large grey frame of the structure of Mr. Benjamin Franklin's house. There are also cool little displays that display the excavation sites of the remains of his house. On one side of the main entrance building, there is an interesting printing press area, where workers can tell you how Benjamin Franklin was involved with the printing industry. They also can show you how the printing press works! There is also a Benjamin Franklin Museum here. The other areas, like the Independence Visitor Center, Carpenter Hall, New (Military) Hall, Franklin/Washington Square, and the Rose/Magnolia Gardens, were interesting; however, I liked Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center, and the Benjamin Franklin area more than the rest. They were just on another level compared to everything else the park had to offer. Regardless, I had a good time exploring the park. I recommend coming here for a day to walk back into US history and to see the birthplace of the US!!

Excellent. 1) Tons of stuff to do and see. 2) Make sure to come early, as you can easily spend the entire day here. 3) Great place for history lovers.

It's mostly free and very photogenic due to the old architecture buildings. Since these places are run by NPS, they are mostly close by 5 so check out the visitor center for the hours. For more about Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, check out my video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh9fcnJ4RxE

This really is a must-see spot for any US citizen or history buff, American or otherwise: the birthplace of our nation and of our democracy. I've visited Independence Hall/Park half a dozen times, and the impact never wears off. The awe never fades. The patriotic pride never diminishes. It's still an incredible experience to stand where our forefathers made the brave, irrevocable decision to sever political and economic ties with Britain; where our Declaration of Independence and Constitution were penned; and where our nation was first governed. Best of all, it's a National Park, so it's free. Get there early to get your timed entry ticket for the tour. Wish it didn't start out so dryly. Expect crowds. Do it anyway.

What's not to love about this area? Experience the birthplace of the Constitution, see where they signed the Declaration of Independence and see the Liberty Bell. Free tours at every building. In peak months, see if you can make a reservation... otherwise in the dead of winter, nobody's around and you can get in pretty quickly without any waiting. Come to see history!

I feel like this is the biggest "must see" in Philly. Even if you're not a history buff, if you're an American, or ever been to America (which you obviously have if you're standing there) then you should visit Independence Hall. Just go. Get your learnin' on. Just don't sit in George Washington's chair.

Just amazing! To think, you get a chance to stand in the actual room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both signed. I literally got chills listening to the docents talk about it. Also very cool is a chair that George Washington sat in, Thomas Jefferson's walking stick, and one of the quills the signers used! Unbelievable that these items are right there! Seeing the Liberty Bell was absolutely incredible too! We're talking about real, right in front of your face, artifacts from US history! Much of this experience was completely admission free! So glad I got to experience it!

I've been here before, the first time was 7/11/09. It's really not a bad place to is it, it's really nice and informative. You learn a lot about the city of Philadelphia along with the history of the Liberty Bell. It's always free to the public but there are long lines to get in.

Made a brief swing through the Park the last weekend in February since no tickets are needed at that time of year and the lax security screening is even more lax than usual. The pro to coming at that time of year is that the crowds are indeed lighter but the downside to that of course is that tours of the grounds can really get backed up since admission to the grounds is not timed but first come/first served which is great when a group of 50ish show up all at once. We got into the Great Essentials exhibit and took some decent pictures but going into the Hall itself wasn't possible as the first tour was full with the aforementioned large group and we had no interest waiting/freezing outside for another half-hour until the next tour started. Either way the grounds are still beautiful and the buildings looked iconic as usual. Like millions of others, we'll be back.

Being a native Philadelphian and someone who works one block from this tourist attraction area- I am honored that I have the opportunity to walk in the area daily of where history was made and continues to delight children, adults and lovers of History. I often imagine what life was like for Philadelphians in the 1700 & 1800's..well I know for my people..not so great (seriously). But that doesn't stop my thirst for ongoing knowledge of what the area looked like during that era. So, my perspective may be a little different. I sit in the park behind Independence Hall in the spring & fall and eat lunch and 'people watch'. What I find interesting is that many of the Park rangers are rude and could use more training; the tourists who are from other countries are delighted to learn about America, kids are not paying attention and are loud being kids..but not realizing this is a wonderful moment in their lives and Out of Towner's take it for granted and don't appreciate our cobblestoned streets and all that Olde City has to offer...Shame on them. I always give my out of town guests..the insider 5 cent tour of My Philadelphia & Independence Hall is always a feature... Gotta show em the Liberty Bell!!

** First you need to go to the Visitor's Center and stand in line for your free tickets to Independence Hall** Go early (first tours are at 8 or 9 am) and then once you do that, you can plan around your tour time and go to the Liberty Bell then all of the other places within the one block distance of the Visitor's Center. Like any other National Park establishment, don't take any sharp objects/weapons, etc. They will screen your bags and then you get to wait inside the park on the beautiful grounds until it's your time to stand in line. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of history and information on Independence Hall. It was probably one of the best tours I have ever had AND it's free. Can't get better than that. Don't miss this tour.

I'm writing this review not for the whole of the Independence National Historical Park but for the square block of park behind Independence Hall. This park has become my favorite in Philadelphia, and other than that there's not much more to say. Rittenhouse is beautiful but crowded, and Washington Square seems to turn out the rambunctious crowd every time I settle in with a book. This square block between 5th and 6th to the East and West, Chestnut and Walnut to the North and South is a real gem... quiet and spacious with tall trees, open benches, and a very laid back atmosphere. If you're looking for an ideal reading, relaxing, break-taking, or weather-enjoying spot in Old City this is most certainly the place.

Cool park. The rangers are a little over the top but it was worth it. Definitely book your tickets before the day of your visit.

We visited during the July 4th holiday and this was my favorite place. Steeped in history, you will certainly learn a lot. Start by getting a ticket for the tour and try to get an early time. The tour was great and the guides were funny and helpful. Take the time to think about our founding fathers and the model for democracy they created here. In the summer heat they toiled for many days crafting the foundation for the country we live in today. Their intelligence, foresight and sacrifice become evident. They put life and wealth on the line for freedom. They knew that they did not know everything and left room for change. I marvel at what these men created and laid on the line for the liberties we take for granted. Just look at the oppression in China or Iran and you will be grateful for the nation these titans built for future generations.

This location is a must see! My visit included Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the gift shop. It was very memorable as I got to see the room where America's independence was declared. It's free to go to Independence hall but you have to secure a ticket at the entrance before a ranger comes and starts the tour. I believe tours happen every 15 minutes.

Independence Hall and surrounding buildings; roped off on one side, the other with a small fence. Bag check to get in. Bathrooms are across the street; no open food or drink into the building. You can get timed tickets for the tour in the Independence National Historic Park visitor's center. You can reserve tickets online and pick them up at will call for $1.50 per ticket. Otherwise free tickets for entry if you just walk up and get into the next available tour. Every 15 minutes there's a tour. Inside here, the tour guides will sit you down initially to challenge you with a bit of history on why the US War of Independence was fought, when it was fought, and when certain documents were created and signed. The bell used to be in the building but once the steeple was rebuilt, they didn't put the bell back up. They lead you into the justice's room first, and then they take you into the deliberation chamber where the Constitution was drawn up. All the while you'll have a park ranger giving you a bit of the story behind each room. In July & August the second story of the building is open for visitors to look around in - this is where the Pennsylvania Legislature used to meet, go into the Library, and play the clavichord, etc. An interesting part I've never gone up before. The stairs to the steeple are not open to the public, too dangerous to go up to visit that. And yes, totally agree with Melissa, bring the kids here when they can appreciate it... when they're around 8 or up.

If you're ever in Philadelphia, like I was during my epic road trip (http://KananAcrossAmerica.blogspot.com) you gotta do yourself a favor and stop by! The place is not only historic, it is also beautiful, there's lots to learn, and most of the exhibits are completely free. Freedom may not be free, but Independence (hall) is!

As indicated below National Security has made the historic landmarks a joke. But they can still be worth checking out if you're lucky enough to get a ticket and tolerate the annoying security guards. But The landmarks aren't the reason I like this park. I love it because the park portion of it makes for the perfect shortcut through Center City. just take the park through where Sansom Street would be and you end up getting to Old City, Ritz Movie Theaters and a whole bunch of other things in no time. it's also nice and scenic.

Very educational experience. Make sure you go to the visitor's center first to get your free tickets. The tour is timed so make sure you plan accordingly. The tour itself was short but very informative. The guide really knows what he's talking about and answered a lot of questions from other visitors. My recommendation is to join the first tour of the day. That's what we did-the tour never felt boring and the guide was very much awake. The Liberty Bell is just across from the Independence Hall so make sure you also drop by and see it. This is a must stop for touring Philly!

Definitely a "must" to check out if you're in Philly and American (or not!) Gotta take a gander at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, if nothing else. I went with a friend, who's a Philly native, and we're both big history people, so it was particularly fun. The guide clearly really wanted to be disseminating this info, but I got the sense that a few of the other tourists may not have been as thrilled as we were (in a moment of fervor, after the guide had talked about the signing of the Declaration of Independence, my friend let loose with a "Yeah, America!" which earned some looks from the other people in the group). To know where we're going you have to know where we came from. Take a tour (they're free) and find out.

As I stood there I couldn't believe I am in the same room as George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin! Learning all this from World History and whatnot as a kid it was so amazing to be in that room where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution was sign. Simply wonderful. The tour required a ticket from the visitor center but it was nice short tour. The tour guide was really nice. There are other tours in the area and other interesting buildings. It is slight confusing where everything is. Probably be gorgeous on a nice sunny day.