HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS / INDEPENDENCE MALL

Independence National Historical Park
Known as “America’s most historic square mile,” Independence Park in Philadelphia is often called the birthplace of our nation and preserves some of our nation’s most important historical sites. Maps, directories, and introductory films are available at the Independence Visitor’s Center located in the heart of the district at 3rd and Chestnut Streets.

Independence Visitor’s Center
800-537-7676
www.independencevisitorcenter.com

 

Independence Mall Highlights

African American Museum
701 Arch Street
215-574-0380
Philadelphia, PA
www.aampmuseum.org
Founded in 1976 during the U.S. Bicentennial, this outstanding museum collects, preserves, and interprets the African American culture of the Americas.

The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
219 South 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-925-2688
www.philaathenaeum.org
Extraordinary in its scope, this museum founded in 1814 preserves materials connected with the history and antiquities of America.

Bartram’s Garden
5400 Lindbergh Boulevard
215-729-5281
Philadelphia, PA
www.bartramsgarden.org
The homestead of America’s first botanist John Bartram (1699-1777) honors a towering scientific figure with the nation’s oldest living botanical garden.

Betsy Ross House
239 Arch Street
215-686-1252
Philadelphia, PA
www.ushistory.org/betsy
Seemingly as tidy and quaint as it must have been in 1740, the home of the nation’s most famous seamstress is one of the most visited in the park.

The Bourse
111 S. Independence Mall East
215-625-0300
Philadelphia, PA
www.visitphilly.com
This site was the first in the world to house simultaneously a stock exchange, a maritime exchange, and a grain-trading center.

Carpenters’ Hall
320 Chestnut Street
215-925-0167
Philadelphia, PA
www.carpentershall.org
This historic treasure filled with antiques has been owned by the oldest trade guild in America since 1770 and was used in 1774 by the First Continental Congress.

Christ Church & Burial Ground
20 North American Street
215-922-1695
Philadelphia, PA
www.christchurchphila.org
Serving as an architectural landmark, the church welcomed many prominent worshipers. The adjoining burial ground features the graves of Benjamin and Sarah Franklin and five signers of the Declaration of Independence.

City Tavern
138 South 2nd at Walnut Street
215-413-1443
Philadelphia, PA
www.citytavern.com
Enjoy lunch at the same tavern where delegates to the First and Second Continental Congresses and Philadelphia’s elite once met and conversed.

Congregation Mikveh Israel & Cemetery
44 North 4th Street
215-922-5446
Philadelphia, PA
www.mikvehisrael.org
One of the nation’s oldest Jewish congregations with Spanish-Portuguese traditions also claims Philadelphia’s oldest Jewish cemetery.

Congress Hall
5th and Chestnut Streets
800-537-7676
Philadelphia, PA
www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/congresshall.htm
Both the U.S. House and Senate met in this richly embellished Federal-style building from 1790 to 1800.

The Curtis Center
601-45 Walnut Street
215-238-6450
Philadelphia, PA
www.ushistory.org/tour/curtis-center.htm
Don’t miss the glass mosaic Dream Garden in the lobby of the birthplace of publications like the Ladies’ Home Journal, Jack and Jill, and the Saturday Evening Post.

Declaration (Graff) House
7th & Market Streets
800-537-7676
Philadelphia, PA
www.ushistory.org/tour/declaration-house.htm
Renting a room from Jacob Graff, Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and entertained other members of Congress in the sitting room.

Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site
532 North 7th Street
215-965-2305
Philadelphia, PA
www.nps.gov/edal
The famous poet and author’s six years in Philadelphia from 1838 to 1844 were some of his most productive.

Elfreth’s Alley Museum House
123-126 Elfreth’s Alley
215-627-8680
Philadelphia, PA
www.elfrethsalley.org
The oldest residential street in the nation showcases 33 historic homes, many that were built prior to our nation’s birth.

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Ten Independence Mall
215-574-6000
Philadelphia, PA
www.phil.frb.org
At 5th and Arch streets, the mint produces 1.8 million coins an hour or 13.5 billion coins every year.

Fireman’s Hall
147 North 2nd Street
21-923-1438
Philadelphia, PA
www.firemanshallmuseum.org
This restored 1898-1902 firehouse showcases the history of firefighting in America from 1731 to the present.

First Bank of the United States
120 South 3rd Street
800-537-7676
Philadelphia, PA
www.ushistory.org/tour/first-bank.htm
This historic bank was originally founded by Alexander Hamilton to handle the Revolutionary War debt and create standard currency.

Franklin Court
316-322 Market Street
800-537-7676
Philadelphia, PA
www.ushistory.org/tour/franklin-court.htm
One the site of Ben Franklin’s home, the court today features the U.S. Postal Service Museum, the Franklin Print Shop, and the Franklin Museum.

Ghost Tours of Philadelphia
5th and Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA
215-413-1997
www.ghosttour.com/philadelphia.html
Hear chilling tales about America’s most historic and most haunted city on a candlelight walking tour through Independence Park and Society Hill.

Independence Hall
520 Chestnut Street
800-537-7676
Philadelphia, PA
www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/independencehall.htm
Appropriately named, the Declaration of Independence was adopted in this hall where the U.S. constitution was written.

Independence Seaport Museum
211 South Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA
215-413-8655
www.phillyseaport.org
Enjoy the region’s colorful maritime heritage with family-oriented interactive exhibits, ship models, artifacts, and art.

Liberty Bell Center
Market Street between 5th & 6th
215-965-2305
Philadelphia, PA
www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/libertybellcenter.htm
The entire building was specifically designed to give an unrestricted 24-hour view of the nation’s symbol of freedom, which is glass-enclosed.

Library Hall
104 South 5th Street
215-440-3400
Philadelphia, PA
https://www.amphilsoc.org/library
Founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin and his friends, the Library Company became the first collection available to the public.

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-409-6600
www.constitutioncenter.org
This groundbreaking new museum invites guest to review important moments in our nation’s history through interactive media.

National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-925-2800
www.libertymuseum.org
This outstanding tribute to liberty features four floors of wall displays, interactive touch-screen computers, and dazzling glass artwork.

National Museum of American Jewish History
101 South Independence Mall East
Philadelphia, PA
215-923-3811
www.nmajh.org
Don’s miss the only museum dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting artifacts relating to the American Jewish experience.

New Hall Military Museum
320 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
800-537-7676
www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/places-newhallmilitarymuseum.htm
This modest two-floor museum is devoted to the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marines as well as early American military history.

Old City Hall
5th & Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA
800-537-7676
http://www.ushistory.org/tour/old-city-hall.htm
Master carpenter David Evans was the architect of this majestic home of the Supreme Court from 1790 to 1800.

Old St. Joseph’s Church & National Shrine
321 Willings Alley
Philadelphia, PA
215-923-1733
www.oldstjoseph.org
Philadelphia’s first Catholic Church; serves as the National Shrine of Religious Freedom.

Olde St. Augustine Church
243 North Lawrence Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-627-1838
www.st-augustinechurch.com
This Italian Revival church excels in historic significance including the birthplace of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the forerunner of Villanova University.

Penns Landing
121 North Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA
215-629-3200
www.delawareriverwaterfrontcorp.com
Brimming over with tourist attractions and encompasses the site where William Penn first touched ground in his “greene country towne.”

Pennsylvania Hospital
800 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-829-3000
www.pahosp.com
The nation’s first hospital was founded in 1751 through the efforts of a caring group of citizens led by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond.

Philadelphia History Museum
15 South 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-685-4830
www.philadelphiahistory.org
Founded more than 60 years ago as the city’s history museum, this important venue offers interactive experiences for all ages.

Physick House
321 South Fourth Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-925-7866
www.philalandmarks.org/physick-house
Built by Henry Hill, this elaborate 32-room home served as the 1800s residence of the “Father of American Surgery,” Philip Syng Physick.

Polish American Cultural Center Museum
308 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-922-1700
www.polishamericancenter.org
This modest venue celebrates American patriot Thaddeus Kosciuszko along with a host of other Polish-American, Polish, and American heroes.

Powel House
244 South Third Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-627-0364
www.philalandmarks.org/powel-house
Wealthy Samuel Powel welcomed George and Martha Washington frequently and met dignitaries in the company of Voltaire, the Pope, and the Duke of York.

President’s House
Market Street near 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/presidentshouse
The home of presidents Washington and Adams also saw Benedict Arnold begin his treacherous plotting with the British.

St. George’s United Methodist Church
235 North 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-925-7788
www.historicstgeorges.org
Celebrated as America’s oldest Methodist church in continuous service, this historic site includes a museum and historic center adjoining the church.

Second Bank of the United States
420 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/tour/second-bank.htm
Formed in response to the War of 1812 debt, this Greek Revival building circa 1824 displays the “Portraits of the Capital City” exhibit.

Society Hill
Washington Square to Delaware River
Philadelphia, PA
800-537-7676
www.visitphilly.com/philadelphia-neighborhoods/society-hill
Showcasing the Hill-Physick-Keith House and other handsome historic structures, this area appeals to the senses with its serpentine walkways, abrupt angles, and tiny alleys.

Todd House
4th & Walnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/tour/todd-house.htm
Before she was widowed and married former president James Madison, Dolley Madison shared this Georgian home with her first husband, lawyer John Todd.

Washington Square & Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
6th and 7th Streets between Walnut & South 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/tour/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier.htm
Once home to the nation’s oldest publishing house, the city’s five original squares now encompasses a medley of housing, the Athenaeum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and several historic businesses.

Welcome Park
2nd Street & Samson Street Alley
Philadelphia, PA
800-537-7676
www.ushistory.org/tour/welcome-park.htm
Built in 1982, this open-air museum is the only site in Historic Philadelphia that celebrates the life and contributions of William Penn.