Independence Hall

Independence Hall in Philadelphia is a must-see for history lovers and anyone curious about the founding of the United States. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where both the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the U.S. Constitution (1787) were debated and signed. About 90% of the building is original. Fun fact: When the Founding Fathers met here in July to sign the Declaration of Independence, it was sweltering hot. Tempers flared, and tensions ran high, but their determination to create a new nation prevailed. Despite the heat and a bit of crankiness, they got the job done. Don't miss the Assembly Room, where these monumental decisions took place, and be sure to ask about the iconic "rising sun" chair used by George Washington.

I recently went Philadelphia for a day. Because it was such a short trip, I didn't book anything or make any solid plans, just because I wanted to do as much as I could, and I didn't want one thing taking up just part of my day. As I walked past Independence Hall, I saw groups going inside. I did a quick google search, and I realized I could still get a ticket to go on a tour--and that the tour was only 20 minutes or so. Perfect!! I quickly ordered the ticket with my phone and then popped over through security. It was not a crowded day, so they actually let me on a tour a bit earlier. (I'm sure that's not always possible.) The tour was brief and informative. Honestly, it was just what I needed. A good dose of history and an explanation without taking up too much time. Plus, I got to take photos and see the place where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were created. Worth a visit (but maybe get your tickets sooner than I did)!

I've been to some pretty dangerous places in my lifetime. Nothing compared to what you'd actually think of, but dangerous nonetheless, because --- well, it's my life, not yours. Evading muggers is one thing. Almost getting struck by lightning trying to view the Liberty Bell is less than cool. Y'know, I was born in this country, and that seems to make me less of a human to some people. Evidently, I didn't like Ben Franklin either, but it's a more a Wrinkle in Time than a "stitch in time" right now, and I'm not going back. I don't have an American face, but I'm not everybody. A humble note. I read what other countries think of American presidents, all the way back before the Articles of Confederation. They might feel the need to kiss up to George Washington, but they don't express strong feelings about the history of the other presidents. Philadelphia isn't the U.S. capital for a reason, and it's not the one you think I wrote. Please don't get smart at me and say I m-i-s-s-p-e-l-l-e-d "Capitol". Much appreciated.

It's crazy how you can just go on a run through Philly and pass right by the exact location where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The literal delivery room of the United States of America. There's not that much security either you can kind of just peruse around here. The unmitigated gall our founding fathers had to go to war with the British Monarchy, when there was a 99% chance they get steamrolled hurts my head... Like if Washington didn't cross the Delaware we were COOKED. They did this all to overthrow a government that violated their human rights and establish a new one that derives its legitimacy from the consent of the people... A true testament to the human spirit. I actually stopped and took a little tour of the Assembly Room, the actual room where it was signed, and idk how all their nutsacks fit in there to sign that thing. I love Philadelphia. I love this country. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov_reviews

We came here to see history as we are history buffs. We walked in and got the tour of the Congress hall as well as west wing. Interesting history. We had park ranger willow give us the tour. Very nice person. I'd come back

Independence Hall is a building that you should visit when in Philly. After all our country was kind of born there. It's easy to find. One block away from the Independence Visitor Center which is where you should start your downtown historical touring in Philadelphia and use its parking garage. Also in between both places is the Liberty Bell museum. Independence Hall is run by the National Park service and free. From 9-10:30 you can tour it without a timed admission ticket which I recommend. At 10:30 they make everyone leave and then you must have a timed admission ticket. You can get one from the Visitor Center. I went early shortly after 9 am and after going thru security (empty those pockets please) and was inside in about 5 minutes. The Hall has two first floor rooms. No second floor access. On the left is a courtroom style room where the Pennsylvania Supreme Court use to meet. On the right is "the room where it happened"! The Declaration of Independence was made and signed there. Very historic. In another smaller building there is a darkened room that has copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. From start to finish budget around 20-30 minutes to come here. It doesn't take long and is interesting to see where it all started.

Historic and beautiful site. We couldn't make a reservation for the tour but we were able to still take the tour anyways. The plaza square was beautiful and nice to walk around and sit. The tours of the buildings were informative and good for all ages. Definitely worth checking out.

My wife and I had a fantastic time visiting Independence Hall. We arrived right when they opened, and it wasn't too busy, which allowed us to get right in and take our time enjoying the exhibits. There was a steady flow of visitors throughout the day, but it never felt overcrowded. The rich history surrounding this landmark makes it an essential stop for anyone visiting Philadelphia. You can feel the weight of American history in every room, and the exhibits are informative and well-maintained. Truly a must-see for history buffs or anyone interested in America's past!

The place where independence was claimed from England and the framing of self governance. The overwhelming emotion felt when entering the very building that the Founding Fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution was a lot to take in. I highly recommend taking the trip or at least checking it out if you are visiting Philadelphia. I will leave it there, to have your own experience

Obviously we had to visit this while in Philadelphia. You are supposed to have timed tickets which you get online. In our group, some people had gone through security and asked the ranger gathering our group if there would be room. There was room, I guess because he let them in with us. So, even when all the signs say no tickets available it doesn't hurt to go to the people at the door of the Hall. Maybe you will get lucky. They only let you in with a ranger. The ranger takes the group into the court room first and gives a talk about the revolution. This was at the end of our visit and we'd heard the story many times and our ranger wanted to super compelling but he was good. Then he takes the group into the legislative room where the Congress met. The whole thing takes about 20 minutes.

When you are visiting Philadelphia, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center are both places you must visit. Especially if you love history like me. The nice thing is that both are across the street from each other within Independence National Historical Park and both are free. Just know that Independence Hall is run by National Park Service and is a timed entry that needs to be booked in advance. You have to go through security once you arrive. But you are allowed to walk around the premises once your tour concludes. Independence Hall is a historic building in Philadelphia where both the United States Declaration of Independence (1776) and the United States Constitution (1787) were debated and signed by the Founding Fathers. It was once known as the Pennsylvania State House. Independence Hall was designed in Georgian style with a red brick facade. The central building has a bell tower and steeple that once was home to the Liberty Bell. There are two smaller wings on both sides. The shell of the central portion of Independence Hall is still original. But most of it has been demolished and reconstructed over the past couple of centuries. The guided tour through Independence Hall is around 20 minutes. It takes you into the Supreme Court Chamber and the Assembly Room. They have the Assembly Room set up just like it was when the Founding Fathers debated the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. It is cool to see in person and makes you feel like you were there. The Rising Sun chair is the actual chair George Washington sat in while presiding over the Constitutional Convention in 1787. You can also see the Syng inkstand that was used during the signings of both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Spend some walking around this area after your tour and see Old City Hall to the east and Congress Hall to the west of Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell is across the street in the Liberty Bell Center. I love history and always enjoy coming here to see the birthplace of the United States in person.

Tickets are just $1 and you do need to reserve in advance. If all of your expectations revolve around an extensive tour you may be disappointed. It takes just 25 minutes and you see two rooms. With that said, the guides give a great talk and just to stand and take in the birthplace of our republic in person, which is 70-90% all original, makes it, IMO, a must see.

This review coming from a woman who has seen Hamilton 8, 9... x... now. I know, I know... moderation isn't something I'm into. Being "in the room where it happened" is INCREDIBLE!!!!! I snagged last minute tickets to enter via rec.org (a site I'm def no stranger to being an outdoor enthusiast) so we could visit. If you're in town I'd say this is MUST, regardless of being a history buff of not - I'm definitely not but how can you come to town and not?!?! You simply just shouldn't. They were closed on my last visit to town due to covid stuff so I was so grateful to be able to experience it this time around. Our tour guide was amazing. Definitely book those tix online, and in advance - same day WILL fill up!

A quick tour wonderful for any family interested in the history of the founding of the United States. About a 20 minute tour with so many great facts and gorgeous grounds!

My coworkers and I stumbled upon Independence Hall while we were looking for the liberty bell. We discovered later on that it was the centennial aka fake liberty bell being hung in the tower, so we were at the wrong place, but it was a happy accident. Be ready to take off your jackets and have your belongings checked through a metal detector if you would like to enter. You can get your tickets for tours on Recreation.Gov. This is required for some areas. The independent exploration is limited. The tour is about 20 minutes and super informative so I highly recommend it. The general admission is FREE but there is a $1 reservation fee. Not bad at all. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your tour and the tours start very on time. During the tour you will able to see the Assembly Room where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed. Our tour guide was SO PASSIONATE and patriotic. He said it was his honor and privilege to give us the tour but I felt like the honor was mine. Also at Independence Hall, there are some other rooms you can explore freely to see drafts of the constitution and other timelines around the declaration of independence and the US constitution. Very family friendly experience. I actually recommend this for family with little ones learning about American History. Witnessing it in person is way more meaningful and memorable than reading about it in books.

There are no words for how special of a location this is. To walk in the same footsteps as our founding fathers is something that would inspire the most jaded and hardened individuals. Such a feeling illustrates why history can be so transformative, giving us visceral feelings rather than just remembrance of names and dates. You don't go on the tour and immediately jump into the actual "room where it [happened]" (sorry). First, you have to go through TSA style security, which is fair, since nobody better mess with this building! You then wait in the courtyard until your tour time, at which point a friendly, educated park ranger will sidle up to your group and introduce him or herself, asking where everyone is from. We had people from all over the US, as well as people outside of it, such as England and Zimbabwe! Our tour guide/ranger was very enthusiastic, originally from Puerto Rico, now in Philly! We started in the hall with the courtroom. This isn't the main room you picture, but it's still an important spot, and it's basically the "opening act" before the "main event." It is here that you learn about the foundations of our legal system, as well as how it was based on English common law. Then, you walk across the lobby to the MAIN ROOM. This is the same exact room where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed (and debated). Imagine one singular room where two of our most important documents were created and made official! The space has been refurbished, since it's been over 200 years, but the people behind such preservation are careful and ensured that the furniture is period-specific (when they can swing it, from that time period itself) and that other things, such as the wall's paint color, are accurate too. There is no substitute for coming here and checking out this living primary source for yourself. If nothing else, consider what has occurred in the same space in which you are now standing.

Can't help but get goosebumps when visiting. Got to take the tour and see all the historical rooms of where it all began. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and excited to welcome you to such an honorable venue.

The birthplace of America - Independence Hall. The building where the founders discussed and argued whether to go to war with the British, and what should be contained within the nation's founding documents - the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution (all of which are on display on the property). You get to stand in the room where it all happened. Adjacent to Independence Hall is Congress Hall. The original U.S. Capitol, in a way. Where the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate met before the capital moved to Washington D.C. Great tour. I highly recommend making a reservation before you arrive. It's $1 online, and it will ensure that you get to take the tour. Otherwise they may not have any room for you.

I enjoyed doing the tour here and Learning about the historical part. Was very interesting.

I really only wanted to see independence hall and the liberty bell! Mission accomplished! The park ranger who was doing the narrating was doing a marvelous job telling us all the history and the facts. I would definitely recommend that you check this historical site out if you can. This too was visited on a Thursday, so no real wait, plus we had reserved a time.

They sold out of their $1 tickets for the rest of the day even though it was only 1pm. The only other building we could go into had a long line that was not moving. There was only one security point to enter and we ended up going all the way around the area before we spotted it.

We had a wonderful tour ofIndependence Hall. Our tour guide was a volunteer and he did an awesome job. It was definitely worth the time spent. You should leave extra time because there is security prior to the tour. Also, I highly recommend checking out the Liberty Bell, which is right around the corner.

We really enjoyed our tour here during our visit to Philly. It is very tough to get tickets! They are completely sold out 2 minutes after going on sale the day before. But our tour guide was great, and clearly loves her job.

Independence Hall is one of the must see parts of a trip to the area. You need to get (free) tickets for a scheduled entry to see the actual Continental Congress room, however you can access the area without tickets and are able to see the document museum and the homes of the later congress and house without a ticket. You can get tickets online, at 5:00 everyday, unclaimed tickets for the next day are released. So, if you did not get tickets before your trip you can get them the day before in many cases.

This was an amazing tour! Not only do you get to see American History, but the guides seem very passionate and explain the place and time very well! I would definitely come back and retake this tour! Loved it!

Learned a lot more than we did in history class. Make sure to take the tour, you just have to get your tickets early.

Highly recommend this tour! The guide was awesome and very knowledgeable. My only complaint is when touring the east wing section, someone in our group farted or took a dump in their pants and the smell was so awful I couldn't enjoy the remainder of the tour.

I highly recommend going to Independence Hall when you go to Philadelphia. The amount of history significance behind it and the marvels of the architecture of the buildings will leave you in awe. This was used as the capitol of the country while Washington DC was being built. This building served as the White House and two significant events in our history happened here. The signing of the declaration of Independence and the articles of our constitution was drafted. I felt truly honored to be in the same place as many of our most important historic figures were. The tour is free but you do have to have a timed reservation. There are two significant stops on your tour and takes about a half an hour. You first get to see the room where the first supreme Court was. Then the second room is where the declaration of Independence was signed and our constitution was drafted. There are two other tours I recommend where you get to see the declaration of Independence and the original Congress Hall. Here is where the delegates debated the bill of rights. Truly a marvel and significant part of our history and the tour guides were fantastic and knowledgeable.

I walked here from the place I was staying on a Monday morning in late June 2022. There was already a short line for security. They made you walk through a medal detector and scan your bag for any weapons. If you scheduled a tour, like I did, just follow the signs that says "tour". These tours are very popular. They're 20 minutes each and pretty anticlimactic. You get to go inside one building and see how the Philadelphia courtroom used to look like. The second room you get to see is the room the Declaration of Independence was discussed and agreed upon Personally, I did not find the Tour necessary. If you have not seen old government buildings before then it might be good to go but I did not find the Tour that interesting. If you do want to take the tour you must schedule a tour time online and reservations is only $3 or something like that.

Reserve your ticket online for $1!! You do go through security but it only took a few minutes (no need to arrive 30 minutes early). The inside was nice with a lot of history told by the tour guide. I'd prefer option to go in and take pics with Pamplet to read later since I was exhausted from all of the standing & walking already.

Not much I can possibly add here that dozens of others haven't already stated more eloquently than I could. If you have even a passing interest in American History and you're in the area, you absolutely must stop here. Reservations for tours on Recreation.gov cost exactly one George Washington per person, so an extremely appropriate and high value tour. Was told to arrive 30 mins. prior to my tour time to clear the security checkpoint. On a Friday morning, we were through in under a minute. Every Park Ranger there (and every one I've ever met over a number of visits through the years!) has been highly knowledgable and engaging. Look, this is a no brainer. This is one of the most important historical locations in the United States, and it's essentially free to receive a small group tour. What's not to like?

When visiting Philly, we knew we had to visit Independence Hall! We visited on a Friday morning and made sure to reserve tickets online! With COVID-19 restrictions, you must make a reservation beforehand to tour (it's only $1 online). Our tour group was pretty small (about 15 people) since we were one of the earliest tours of the day. The tour itself was fairly short, only about 20 min, but it was led by a National Parks volunteer. You get to learn a good bit about the hall, and see the ground floor of the building. It's a lot smaller than you would expect, but it was really cool to see the courtroom and then the room where the Constitution was signed. We also got to see George Washington's original chair! Overall, it's something you have to do in Philadelphia, whether you're a history buff or not. It's quick, pretty easy to plan, and basically free!

Independence Hall is a landmark that anyone who loves U.S. history must visit. Located in Philadelphia, where the second continental congress was, Independence Hall is where the U.S. Constitution was debated and signed. We visited Independence Hall on a Saturday afternoon and there was already a line to get into the building. At this time, with COVID-19 restrictions, they only allowed 15 people into the building at a time. The tour is only 45 minutes and is guided by a National Parks ranger or volunteer. Though the tour was limited on time, you learn a lot about the Hall, as well as Philadelphia and the Constitution. The tour only allows for you to see the ground level, with the entrance/foyer area, the courtroom and then the room where the Constitution was signed. I was glad that instead of a self-guided tour, a NPS representative guided us through the tour, providing information that we may not necessarily get from a self tour. Independence Hall is a must-see while in the Philadelphia area. Very cool to step into the same halls as the founding fathers and take in the time spent on one of the most important, if not the most important, document of our nation.

Have to come to Independence Hall when in Philly. The tour is a quick 30 minutes and if youre lucky, Charles will be your guide. So much history.

Amazing piece of American history in Philly. Came here on a weekday and got in line to get in for the free guided tour. It wasn't super busy but right now they're only doing nine people for tour, and the tour last about 15 minutes. So they can only accommodate a handful of people per hour. So even though the lines are not long he still have to wait quite a bit due to Covid restrictions. Once we got in it was super cool to see. Our tour guide gave us some information about the stories what had transpired during the writing of the constitution. It was definitely a little different from what I have learned from textbooks. The whole story is absolutely amazing. Highly recommend if you are visiting Philly.

Cool, cool, cool. Period. I think more people should come and visit (I'm sure hundreds of thousands do.. but..) as this place is just very cool. There is something about seeing where our founding fathers sat to discuss, argue, and fight, over things that made our country what it is today. It's neat to hear the guides discuss what is original, what had to be recreated, and who sat where (if they knew). I thoroughly enjoyed the visit. The guides were pleasant and willing to answer all the questions. It has to be a very difficult job of telling the same story over and over, day after day, and keeping it engaging. Good job!

I guess this was neat to see. It was about a 20 minute tour and you got to see where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The only original artifact was George Washington's chair. The rest are period pieces. The ranger talk (and we did have a good ranger) is what's to be expected--whitewashed and patriotic. Just don't expect anything different. This "tour" is free aside from the dollar booking charge online. You're supposed to arrive 30 minutes early for security, but it took just a couple minutes for the early tour. That being said, I would recommend taking the very first tour of the day (9 AM, 8:30 arrival). The tour was small (ranger said early October is the lightest season regardless of COVID). I noticed once I left Independence Hall, tour sizes and lines had gotten much longer. Same goes for Constitution Hall, which I did next. No line when I went right off the first tour, but one had formed for later tours. It's an easy, quick, essentially free thing to do if you time it right, and you can say you saw it.

across the street from the liberty bell is the original building, the "office" of the nation's congressmen. after passing through security and a metal detector, we were led to the entrance of the middle building, the "hall" and given a 20 minute guided tour of the assembly room and supreme court chamber. the assembly room is where the declaration of independence and our u.s. constitution were signed! the supreme court chamber is where the pennsylvania supreme court held trials, and at one point in time, became a museum. our guide, from the national parks service, was extremely knowledgeable with a great sense of humor, making our visit all the more enjoyable. note that these tours are free, but they are timed so be sure to check the daily schedule. i recommend going during off peak times, i.e. winter season or weekdays, since there are far fewer tourists during this time. another landmark that is not to be missed by any history buff or those seeking to learn more about our nation's history!

They currently do not issue an timed entry free ticket at the visitor center. So just come by and wait in a queue. (Although all the sign still indicate to get a free timed entry ticket at get visitor center including inside the visitor center). They limit 9 people per tour to maintain social distance. I think we waited about 30 minutes for our turn. A ranger explained a short history while waiting outside. A ranger is knowledgeable and told us which part is still the original. I got overwhelmed by just standing there knowing this is the place!

Don't make the mistake I did, your reservation is for the time on the ticket, get there earlier and if you're late you may miss your chance to go into the hall as the tour is not self-directed. That being said, our guide was amazing and we could tell he had a passion for history (even if he has to give the same lecture a lot).

We weren't able to do the full tour but we caught the final tour of the day of the committee rooms. The guides were informative and funny. I learned a few random facts that I had never heard before so it made it enjoyable for me even though US history isn't my area of interest. If you like US history, this will be a great place for you and you'll definitely want to visit.

Terrible traffic, violent area, but you cannot beat the history. Definitely worth a visit! Even my kids liked it.

Independence Hall is a beautifully preserved historical landmark that offers an enriching experience. The site is meticulously maintained, allowing visitors to step back in time and appreciate the significance of this iconic building. The National Park Service tour guides are exceptional, providing insightful commentary and bringing the history to life. The 15-minute tour provides a concise overview of the hall's importance in the birth of our nation. Additionally, the proximity to the Liberty Bell is a major advantage, allowing visitors to easily explore two significant historical sites in one visit. Independence Hall is a must-see for anyone interested in American history and a true testament to the birth of our nation.

I didn't get to see all of Independence Hall, let me just say that first. I wanted to, but for this portion of my visit I did not do any beforehand research. If I would have I would have known to book my visit a few days in advance. I am not faulting anyone on this, but when you decide to do a last minute detour on your way home from a training you really don't think about things like that. As you saw from the many reviews before if I would have, I would have paid $1. Being from Pennsylvania I didn't put too much into it as I have learned about Independence Hall in so many of the classes we were forced to take Pennsylvania Culture class if you know what I mean. Since I already knew a lot of the history of the inside I was able to admire the structure from the outside. It was quite impressive to finally be in front of this building. Knowing the amount of history behind it and knowing all the events that took place inside as well as outside of the building. It is quite the tourist destination, so prepare yourself for more people than you would expect. I do want to point out that I visited back in October of last year and am just now getting around to writing this review. I am sure there are stipulations as to visiting this place as of right now. Would I have liked to view the inside? Yes. It would be nice to appreciate it from the inside. Next time I do visit, I will make sure to reserve ahead of time. Maybe this was all just a ploy to stop me from tracing the steps of National Treasure?

Must-see if you are interested in American History. But for how to get in, check the NPS "Visiting Independence Hall" web site - when I checked, tickets not required in Jan-Feb, required Mar-Dec. Check the web site well in advance! We visited in February; it was incredible to see the site where the Declaration of Independence was negotiated and ratified, and, eleven years later, the United States Constitution was signed. The tour was excellent, giving us time to feel the history of these rooms, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime amazing experience for me.

Such a cool place. I love history and being able to take the tour for free was a cool experience. If you have lived here for ever and haven't gone you definitely need to plan some time to do the tour

History is something that I really do love and always wanna dive more into so when I get the chance I visit places like this because you can never stop learning about the past! Coming here was such a random thing but totally worth it in every way as this was a very informative tour of the two rooms that made up Independence Hall the rangers were very knowledgeable with the story of what happened here with two different people explaining what happened in either room! One of the coolest parts about coming here is you can just feel the energy in here from the past which is kinda a kick in the face to the current times as I feel our government is in shambles even more so with the election as none of the candidates are worthy because I feel they need to step back into this room and start over again just like they did back in the day! This wasn't meant to be a political review but it needs to be said that what happened here in independence hall was definitely one of the greatest things in America history because if it wasn't for this happening who knows how much worse it would be today. Overall super fun and very informative tour in s building that's rich with history I do hope to make it back here again at some point because you never know what else you'll discover!

PROS: This is my favorite place in all of Philly to come and see. This is the first capital of the country and it's where you can see the room where the declaration was signed. In another building they have a museum of all things that were relevant during the time. Including the ink well that was used to sign the declaration. They also give you a tour of the whole place CONS: It not only takes forever to find the entrance to the back of this building, where the tour starts, but once you're there it takes forever for you to go in. Once in, the presentation is just so long OVERALL: Do not come to Philly and miss this. This is a must see, despite needing to pay a small fee this must be on your go-to list

Our experience was ruined by a rude tour guide. After asking where everyone was from he proceeded to insult 2 different groups of people and the cities in which they live. When called out about it he tried to play it off as a joke, then began apologizing. I'm glad we saw one of the most important sites in American history but the first memory will always be the rude National Parks employee