Independence National Historical Park
Pennsylvania
Tonight
🌗 46% moon
6.4 h fully dark
Crowds
high
Open today
Open
Independence National Historical Park: closed Nov 26 – Nov 26; Independence National Historical Park: closed Dec 25 – Dec 25; Independence National Historical Park: closed Jan 1 – Jan 1
Entrance
$1
President's House Site Cleaning
Starting Tuesday, June 16, 2026, conservation workers will be at the President's House Site for preservation and cleaning work. The effort includes targeted cleaning, removal of the efflorescence and biological growth, stabilization of displaced features, and interior cleaning of the glass viewing structure. Work is expected to be completed by Friday, June 26, 2026.
Limited Restroom Availability
Restrooms are available at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th & Market Streets, the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum (museum entrance requires a fee) in Franklin Court.
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were both debated and signed inside Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Activities
Topics
Entrance fees
$1.00 — Timed Entry Reservation - Location
Hours & seasons
Independence National Historical Park operates daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Hours of operation for certain historical buildings and facilities change seasonally throughout the year. Most of the park grounds are open 24 hours a day to pedestrians. All buildings are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Please see the park's website for hours of operation. http://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/hours.htm
⚠ Independence National Historical Park: closed Nov 26 – Nov 26; Independence National Historical Park: closed Dec 25 – Dec 25; Independence National Historical Park: closed Jan 1 – Jan 1
Generally open:
winterspringsummerfallHours are reported by the park — verify before you go.
📞 215-965-2305
✉ indevisitorinfo@nps.govConditions
Quietest months (fewer crowds): Jan, Feb, Dec
Typical crowds: high
Weather now: ☀️ Clear, 87°F
☁️ 88°/76°
🌧️ 93°/75°
☁️ 94°/73°
Typical monthly recreation visits · NPS avg 2023–2025 — orange months are the quietest by crowds.
Quietest months
Relative crowds by month — lighter is quieter; ringed months are the calmest by crowds.
Jan
40%
Feb
42%
Mar
69%
Apr
83%
May
90%
Jun
81%
Jul
100%
Aug
85%
Sep
72%
Oct
65%
Nov
58%
Dec
45%
Log a sky reading
Measured the sky with an SQM meter or app? Add your reading (16 = city glow … 22 = pristine). Opt in under “Travelers like you” to share it on the community leaderboard.
Things to do
Find the Perfect Souvenir
Tour Independence Hall
Become an Independence Junior Ranger
Play the Virtual Glass Armonica
Hear the Centennial Bell Ring · The ringing of the Centennial Bell can be quite short or up to a few minutes, depending on the time of day or if there is a special event including the bell.
Take a "Bell-fie" · Wait times vary. Entrance is first-come, first-served. Expect lengthier lines in the spring and summer, and on holidays. The exhibits are self-guided; a park ranger is available to answer questions. Photos are permitted at the Liberty Bell.
Listen for the Sound of Sticky Ink
Stand in Abraham Lincoln's Place
Visitor centers
Independence Visitor Center
Accessibility
46 audio-described place(s)
Reported by the park — verify before you go.
Not an official safety source — always defer to NPS.gov and rangers for life-safety decisions.
By the numbers
A visual read on Independence National Historical Park — its character, trails, sky, and weather.
Park fingerprint
How this park scores across the dimensions travelers care about.
Trail difficulty
Difficulty mix across this park's trails.
3-day forecast
Daily high and low temperatures (°F).
People & stories
Figures tied to Independence National Historical Park — each spans a cross-park journey.
Artemas Ward
— American Revolution, Continental Army, GeneralsArthur Middleton
— Charleston, American Revolution, Continental CongressBenjamin Church
— American Revolution, Continental Army, SpiesCharles Cotesworth Pinckney
— American Revolution, American Revolution In The South, South CarolinaEdward Rutledge
— American Revolution, Declaration Of Independence, CharlestonGeorge Washington
— Fort Necessity National Battlefield, President, Continental ArmyJohn Rutledge
— American Revolution, American Revolution In The South, Politicians Government OfficialsJoseph Reed
— American Revolution, Continental Army, Siege Of BostonPassport stamps
Mark the stamps you've collected — they show in your memory and along your routes.
🎫 America's National Parks Store in Old City Hall
🎫 Benjamin Franklin Museum
🎫 Declaration House
🎫 Independence Visitor Center
🎫 Old City Hall
Places to see
18th Century Garden
audio
America's National Parks Store in Old City Hall
America's National Parks Store in the East Wing
Assembly Room of Independence Hall
audio
B. Free Franklin Post Office
audio
Benjamin Franklin Museum
audio
Benjamin Rush Garden
audio
Bishop White House
audio
Carpenters' Hall
audio
Christ Church
audio
Christ Church Burial Ground
audio
City Tavern
audioAudio & media
🎧
🎬
🖼
Learn more
This is a page from Amy Matilda Cassey's friendship album most likely written by either Margaretta or Mary Forten, daughters of James Forten. This page has a drawing of a forget-me-not flower, the subject of the poem, along with a poem.
In November 1779, nineteen enslaved “Natives of Africa” came together to petition the state of New Hampshire to abolition slavery. One of the signers, Prince Whipple, was also present in Philadelphia and on the battlefields of the American Revolution with his enslaver, General William Whipple, Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
This was a 1799 petition written by Absalom Jones and 70 other free Black American men in Pennsylvania to Congress. They wrote to end the international slave trade, the abolition of slavery, and the protection of free Black people from kidnapping.
In 2012, seven rangers were awarded the national and region Freeman Tilden Awards for innovative and exciting interpretive programs. Learn their stories and more about their award-winning programs.
Few employees have left as visible a mark on National Park Service (NPS) exhibits as John A. Segeren. His work has been enjoyed by generations of park visitors who never knew his name but appreciated his intricate wood carvings and playful animal figures displayed in parks throughout the system. A master woodcarver described by former President Lyndon B. Johnson as "a legacy to this country," Segeren carved out his own place in NPS history.
Preservation of historic structures is an important part of the National Park Service (NPS) mission. For a century, the NPS Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) and its partners have struggled to stay ahead of fires, natural disasters, and bulldozers during construction booms which often destroy historic properties. Knowing that everything can't be saved, HABS preserves the architectural heritage of the United States with drawings, photos, and other documentation.
Although they don’t wear the National Park Service (NPS) standard uniform, volunteers are a vital part of NPS operations. Volunteer uniforms and insignia have changed over time, but each has represented the dedication of those who freely give their time and talents for the benefit of national parks and the American people.
The beige women’s wardrobe is one of the most misunderstood National Park Service (NPS) uniforms. It’s also the uniform that usually gets the most attention—despite being worn for only three years. Many incorrectly believe it dates to the 1960s and featured miniskirts and go-go boots. The fact that it is the one least like the standard green ranger uniform wasn’t an accident.
Ranger School
Park-grounded courses you can learn with the Ranger.
Ben Franklin: What a Character!
Open →
Independence Hall: International Symbol of Freedom
Open →
Philadelphia and San Francisco in 1776: The National Park Sites Where History Unfolded! Grade 5
Open →
The Liberty Bell as a Modern Symbol, grades 3-5
Open →
The Liberty Bell as a Modern Symbol, grades K-2
Open →
The Liberty Bell as a Symbol for Civil Rights, grades 4-8
Open →
How Independence National Historical Park connects
This park's activities, topics, location, and on-the-ground places — one hop in the graph. Drag to explore; click an activity, topic, or related park to follow it.
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