Plan a Visit
Planning a visit to Philly? Check out these places where history comes to life in the birthplace of the American Revolution.
The Liberty Bell
Said to have cracked when rung welcoming the Marquis de Lafayette during his return visit to the city in 1824, this bell was present in Philadelphia in July of 1776, and almost certainly rang, together with other bells in the city, in celebration of the first reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8th, 1776. Today the bell is housed in its own, private museum not far from both Independence Hall and the preserved foundations of the slave quarters in George Washington's home nearby.
| Location: | Liberty Bell Center 526 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Website: | Visiting the Liberty Bell Center |
Independence Hall
It was inside these hallowed halls that the Second Continental Congress debated and adopted the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. Today, visitors can stand inside some of the rooms in which our nation's founding principles were decided.
| Location: | Independence Hall 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Website: | Visiting Independence Hall |
National Constitution Center
Located just steps from the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center houses an interactive museum showcasing the history of the United States Constitution. Visitors can view historic artifacts, witness live reenactments, and learn about the debates that shaped our Constitution.
| Location: | National Constitution Center 525 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Website: | National Constitution Center |
Declaration House
It was inside this house that Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. Although no longer open to the public, visitors can still stand outside the facade and stroll the public garden adjacent to the house.
| Location: | Declaration House 700 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Website: | Visiting the Declaration House |
Betsy Ross House
Although some documentary evidence suggests her actual house was adjacent to the one now occupying the site, this house was purported by her surviving family to be the one in which Betsy Ross sewed the first American Flag. Today, the house hosts a small museum, and visitors can walk the halls where Betsy purportedly lived. Reenactments are frequent, and the house often holds public events in its outdoor courtyard.
| Location: | Betsy Ross House 239 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Website: | Betsy Ross House – Historic Philadelphia |
Carpenters' Hall
Originally home to the Carpenters' Guild, it was here that the Continental Congress first met on October 26th, 1774. Inside this building, important deliberations took place leading up to the birth of independence, including the Congress' ultimate decision to declare Pennsylvania's independence from Britain.
| Location: | Carpenter's Hall 320 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Website: | Carpenters' Hall |
Museum of the American Revolution
Opened on the 242nd anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, this museum is dedicated to telling the story of the American Revolution. Home to various Revolutionary–era artifacts, the museum hosts many exhibits and events aimed at engaging the public in the history of the American Revolution.
| Location: | Museum of the American Revolution 101 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Website: | Museum of the American Revolution |
Christ Church
Founded in 1695, this church still contains the baptismal font which was used by William Penn, and was the tallest building in the city during George Washington's lifetime. Washington himself attended this church, in addition to Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, and 15 signers of the Declaration of Independence. The church still holds services today, and is open to the public.
| Location: | Christ Church 20 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Website: | Christ Church Philadelphia |
Benjamin Franklin's Grave
Benjamin Franklin's final resting place is located in Philadelphia. Buried beside his wife Deborah, his tombstone has been well preserved, and is open to the public for viewing. Also buried in the same burial ground are four other signers of the Declaration of Independence, whose tombstones are still legible: Joseph Hewes, Francis Hopkinson, George Ross, and Dr. Benjamin Rush.
| Location: | Christ Church Burial Ground 340 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Website: | Christ Church Burial Grounds |
Benjamin Franklin House
The foundations of the home Benjamin Franklin once lived in with his wife Deborah still stand, housed beneath a glass protection through which visitors can view them. The house is located inside Franklin Court, a courtyard which also houses a museum dedicated to Benjamin Franklin's life and inventions, a recreation of an 18th–century print shop where visitors can see reenactments of how printers in Benjamin Franklin's time operated, and a fully–functioning post office.
| Location: | Franklin Court 322 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Website: | Ben Franklin House |
Valley Forge
No visit to Philadelphia would be complete without a trip to Valley Forge National Park, the region where George Washington camped with the Continental Army from December 19th, 1777 to June 19th, 1778. Today the area is operated by the National Park Service, and contains recreated log cabins similar to the ones Washington's army would have occupied.
| Location: | Valley Forge National Park 1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406 |
| Website: | Valley Forge National Historic Park |