How to visit Independence Hall—the building where America was born

Independence Hall is arguably the most important site in American history. It’s quite literally “the room where it happened,” when some 50 delegates from the 13 colonies gathered in the sweltering Philadelphia heat in the summer of 1776 to hash out the ideals that formed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, giving birth to these United States.

The steepled Georgian building anchors Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia’s leafy historic district, which encompasses The Liberty Bell Center, Congress Hall, Old City Hall, and various homes bearing the imprint of forefathers from Benjamin Franklin to John Hancock.

Each year, millions walk through the redbrick-and-wood building, where they see the Assembly Room, arranged as it would have looked when George Washington presided over the debates, and Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Gouverneur Morris enshrined the right of the people to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Quick facts about Independence Hall

·      Independence Hall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1979, for its importance in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

·      The building was originally the Pennsylvania State House

·      The 1828 steeple is 168 feet and seven-and-a-quarter-inches tall and replaced the original wooden structure that was demolished in 1781, after it had become too rotten to save

·      1.9 million people visited Independence National Historical Park in 2025

·      The architecture style of the building, built from 1732 to 1753, is Georgian. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

·      The bell in the tower today was installed in time for America’s centennial

·      The hall housed all branches of Pennsylvania government

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Independence Hall history

Independence Hall was designed by Andrew Hamilton and master builder Edmund Woolley for the colonial Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, then under British rule.

The original building featured a gabled roof and piazzas on either side leading to wings. Over the years, it went through several renovations, including from 1750 to 1753, when the bell tower was built. In 1950, the National Park Service restored the hall to its 1776 appearance.

Throughout the 1700s, tension between the colonists and the British crown had been rising, reaching intensity after the French and Indian War, when Parliament began enacting a series of oppressive policies against the colonies. Skirmishes followed, among them the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770, when British occupiers shot and killed five civilian colonists.

By 1775, efforts by the First Continental Congress to assert the colonists’ rights to the crown failed, and on April 19, the “shot heard around the world” launched war. A month later, the Second Continental Congress convened at the Pennsylvania State House, and began the process of coalescing the colonies into the government that would negotiate with Parliament.

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However, a year later, it became clear that declaring independence from Britain was the only solution for the fledgling country. After extensive debates, the delegates drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 and later, the U.S. Constitution was drafted and signed on September 17, 1787, forever enshrining the ideals of democracy modeled around the world today.

But it wasn’t until 1852, as the Civil War raged, that legislators referred to the State House as Independence Hall in the official record—marking the building’s complete transition from government building to a symbol of freedom.

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Key features

Assembly Room

Originally, this room was used by Pennsylvania legislators before it became the venue for the Second Continental Congress. It’s arranged according to documentary evidence. Two rows of tables set with Windsor chairs form semicircles on either side of the room, facing a raised platform with a chair for the Speaker. The chair (carved with an image of a rising sun, hence its name as the Rising Sun chair) and a decorative frieze are the only artifacts from the time period in the room.

Supreme Court Chamber

Directly across from the Assembly Room, on the other side of the center hall, lies the chamber where the Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard cases from 1743 to 1799. The U.S. Supreme Court held two sessions here before moving to the Old City Hall.

Like the Assembly Room, this room has also undergone changes over the years. At one point, it was a museum about the Revolutionary War. The room visitors see today has been restored to its 1776-1787 appearance, with a justices’ bench, prisoner’s box, witness stand, and jury boxes on either side of the room.

West Wing

The West Wing is located on Chestnut Street and accessible through a security screening on the south side of Independence Hall. Here, visitors find the Legacies of Independence exhibit, displaying 18th-century documents, including copies of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Articles of Confederation, plus the inkwell likely used by the 56 delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Liberty Bell

The original bell destined to ring out across Philadelphia was forged in England. But after it cracked on a test run, it was melted down and recast by local forgers. That bell rang from what was then called the Pennsylvania State Hall tower in 1753, but cracked twice. The famed fissure along the front reflects the repair work that widened the gash. A second fracture appeared later, permanently silencing the bell.

In 2003, the bell was moved to a nearby structure, where it’s been displayed in a glass case since. Millions now visit the Liberty Bell Center to glimpse the crack and the inscription on the star attraction, confirming its importance as a global symbol: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”

The Liberty Bell Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and displays exhibits on the history and symbolism. Admission is free and visitors must pass through a security screening to enter.

Best times to visit

Overall, the best time to visit Independence Hall is during shoulder season, in spring and fall. The weather in Philadelphia is generally milder than in summer or winter, with foliage for lovely photos. Crowds tend to be thinner during these seasons, but it’s best to schedule visits before May, when school field trips get going. Spring and fall can see showers, with the heaviest downpours typically in the spring.

June kicks off the summer peak season, when daytime temperatures average in the low-to-mid 80s Fahrenheit. However, summer heat waves can cause even higher temperatures. With high humidity, summer tends to be Philadelphia’s wettest season. Be prepared for thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoons.

Winter brings freezing temperatures and snow, at an average of about 23 inches. But there are fewer crowds and holiday decorations on Independence Hall and other historic buildings around Old City make festive backdrops for photos.

No matter the season, visiting during the week and first thing in the morning will help ensure the best crowd-free experience.

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How to visit

Location and hours

Independence Hall anchors Independence National Historical Park, located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Old City, near several historic buildings. It’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. In addition to these days, the park is closed on New Year’s Day.

How to get there

In general, parking around Center City is difficult. If possible, it’s best to take a rideshare or public transportation. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) delivers passengers to Independence Mall at the 5th St./Independence Hall station and via several bus routes. The Philly PHLASH shuttle takes passengers on a loop, usually beginning at 10 a.m., to popular museums and sites, including the Independence Visitors Center. A day pass costs $5 per person or $15 for a family of four. Purchase passes here.

If you must drive, experts recommend parking at the AutoPark structure under Independence Visitors Center, a 24-hour secure lot. Rates start at $14 for one hour and go up to $32 for 24 hours. The early bird rate runs Monday-Friday and costs $15 from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Tickets & tours

Entrance is free, but timed tickets come with a $1 non-refundable processing fee. Anyone can enter from 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., but timed-entry tickets are required from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. These tickets are released the day before, at 5 p.m. Eastern time. Tours of the second floor, reachable by stairs only, require the “expanded” ticket, released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. All tickets are available at Recreation.gov.

Tickets are not required July 1-4 and 14, when tours of the first floor run every 15 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis. The first tour starts at 9 a.m. (security screening opens at 8:45 a.m.). and the last one at 4:45 p.m. Visitors may also see the first floor during open house, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Note: There are no expanded tours to the second floor on these dates.

Independence Visitors Center

Located inside Congress Hall, at 6th and Market, the visitors center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 6 p.m., beginning May 12. The NPS desk closes at 5 p.m. all year. The center sometimes has same-day tickets to Independence Hall, but they go quickly. Park staff strongly recommends reserving ahead at Recreation.gov.

The center is fully staffed and offers information, maps, and tickets for other historical buildings, attractions, and tours. Public restrooms are located here and at Benjamin Franklin Museum. There are no public restrooms at Independence Hall.

Travel tips

Arrive early

Independence Hall opens at 9 a.m. Park staff say lines for the ticketless Open House hour (from 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.) opens at 8:50 a.m.

Prepare for security

All visitors to Independence Hall must walk through an airport-style metal detector. Budget at least half an hour; more during peak season.

Review permitted items ahead of time

The security screening at Independence Hall includes scans through personal belongings, strollers, etc. Pack light and note that containers of food (including to-go coffee cups with lids) are not permitted. Water bottles with screw cap lids are allowed. Check details here.

Dress comfortably

No matter when you visit, wear comfortable shoes. There are no elevators at Independence Hall, and much of the tour involves walking and standing for long periods of time. Dress in layers and pack light.

Plan for food and drink

Independence National Historical Park is centrally located in Philadelphia, which is one of the country’s best food cities. Food trucks often line up around Independence Mall for picnicking on the grass.

Additionally, historic Reading Terminal Market is just a 15-minute walk or 5-minute drive from Independence Hall and serves Philly classics from cheesesteak sandwiches to Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, including scrapple and farm-fresh cheeses.

Take a break at public parks

Area parks with historical ties are lovely for strolls or resting under a shady tree. Washington Square Park is just a block from Independence Hall and features a large fountain. The 18th Century Garden has a picturesque gazebo, while Benjamin Rush Garden highlights the Bicentennial Bell. The Magnolia Garden was inspired by George Washington’s love of magnolias and includes a small fountain, while the Rose Garden shows off 250 antique roses bursting next to redbrick walking paths and stone benches.

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