History · Philadelphia · United States
8 historic sites to see in Philadelphia
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Start with Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center and Museum of the American Revolution. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 9–11 hours across 4 areas; 4 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 4
- Time to see them all
- 9–11 hours
- Areas
- Old City, Fairmount and South Philly
Historic sites in Philadelphia
Historic site · Old City
1.Independence Hall
Ranger-led tours visit the Assembly Room, where George Washington's 'rising sun' chair still stands, and the courtroom across the hall.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Architecture
Landmark · Old City
2.Liberty Bell Center
The free glass pavilion tells that story with displays leading up to the bell, which is framed against a view of Independence Hall.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Kids
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Museum · Old City
3.Museum of the American Revolution
Its centrepiece is George Washington's original headquarters tent, revealed in a short theatre presentation.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Historic site · Fairmount
4.Eastern State Penitentiary
Since closing in 1971 it has been preserved as a stabilised ruin with crumbling cellblocks, an audio tour and thoughtful exhibits on modern mass incarceration.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
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Street · Old City
5.Elfreth's Alley
The houses are private homes, but a small museum at No. 126 explains the artisans who lived here.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Architecture
Market · South Philly
6.9th Street Italian Market
Today Mexican taquerías and Vietnamese shops sit alongside the Italian businesses, and the rival cheesesteak stands Pat's and Geno's face each other at the southern end.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- History
Architecture · Center City
7.Philadelphia City Hall and Tower
A small observation deck just below the statue gives a 360-degree view over the street grid Penn laid out, and building tours cover its ornate interiors.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Architecture
- History
Religious site · Old City
8.Christ Church and Burial Ground
Several other signers of the Declaration are buried nearby.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old City | Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center, Museum of the American Revolution, Elfreth's Alley and Christ Church and Burial Ground | 1 hour + 30–45 minutes + 2–3 hours + 20–30 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Fairmount | Eastern State Penitentiary | 2 hours |
| South Philly | 9th Street Italian Market | 1–2 hours |
| Center City | Philadelphia City Hall and Tower | 1 hour |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 4 free, 2 low cost, 2 mid-priced. Book ahead for Independence Hall and Eastern State Penitentiary. The longest visit is Museum of the American Revolution; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Independence Hall: Entry is free but by timed ticket for much of the year; reserve online in advance or collect same-day tickets at the Independence Visitor Center early.
- Eastern State Penitentiary: The autumn Halloween Nights event sells out on weekends; book well ahead if you want it.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Old City): Independence Hall → Liberty Bell Center → Museum of the American Revolution, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Old City and Fairmount): Elfreth's Alley → Christ Church and Burial Ground → Eastern State Penitentiary, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (South Philly and Center City): 9th Street Italian Market → Philadelphia City Hall and Tower, at least 2 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- February: highs of 7°C (45°F), about 10 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Still cold and grey, with snow possible; good for indoor museums and market lunches at low prices.
- January: highs of 5°C (41°F), about 11 rainy days, very quiet crowds. The coldest month, with occasional snow and icy pavements; museums are quiet and hotel rates are at their lowest.
- November: highs of 13°C (55°F), about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cooler and shorter days; the holiday markets open late in the month.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Old City — Cobbled colonial blocks around Independence Mall, galleries and First Friday art nights
- Society Hill — Brick Federal rowhouses, gas lamps and Headhouse Square
- Fairmount and the Art Museum area — Parkway museums, Eastern State's castle walls and Kelly Drive by the river
More of Philadelphia
All things to do in Philadelphia · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Philadelphia?
Independence Hall. The Georgian brick State House where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 and the US Constitution was drafted in 1787 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
+Which of these are free in Philadelphia?
Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center, Elfreth's Alley and 9th Street Italian Market.