Visit Historic Philadelphia
Founded in 1682, Philadelphia has a long history of religious and ethnic diversity. By the mid-eighteenth century, Philadelphia was home to more religious denominations than any other American city and was also early America’s most cosmopolitan city, with a significant number of Swede, German, and Scottish settlers in addition to its English majority.
Today Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and the sixth-most-populous city in the United States and the 49th-most-populous city in the world.
Institutions and Landmarks
Did You Know?
Did you know that Philadelphia was the nation’s capital from 1790-1800?
Independence Hall is the birthplace of the United States. It was here the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed in 1776. In 1787 the Constitution of the United States of America was debated, adopted, and signed.
Historic Philadelphia has everything you want to see and do!
You can still feel the history at Independence National Historical Park which comprises 40 buildings, including Graff House, City Tavern, Pemberton House, and Library Hall, all reconstructed at their original sites, as well as Liberty Bell Pavilion and Franklin Court, which are actually contemporary structures erected for the Declaration of Independence Bicentennial celebration. The 45-acre park comprises much of the historic area of downtown (or “Center City”) where the Liberty Bell, and the National Constitution Center are also located, along with dozens of other historic buildings and educational centers.
Independence Hall and Liberty Bell Center: daily 9am to 5pm. Independence Visitor Center: daily 8.30am to 5pm. Admission to all sites is free.
Betsy Ross House
No visit to Historic Philadelphia would be complete without a stop at the home of America’s most famous flag maker. The Betsy Ross House is located in the heart of Philadelphia’s most historic square mile, at 239 Arch Street, just blocks from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Betsy Ross house is one of Philadelphia’s three most visited historic sites.
African-American Museum
The land on which the museum was built was once part of a historic black community. The Museum is committed to telling the story of African Americans: family life, the Civil Rights movement, arts and entertainment, sports, medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law and technology.
Its public programming is designed to complement its exhibitions and has been augmented with workshops and demonstrations, concerts, films, dance performance, poetry readings, book signings, story telling, lectures and seminars.
Located at the North West corner of 7th and Arch Streets and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am-5pm; Sunday noon-5pm; Closed Monday. Admission: Adults $6; Children under 12, students with I.D., the disabled, and seniors $4.
Did You Know?
Did you know the Army, Navy and Marine Corps were founded at Independence Hall throughout the year 1775?
The Liberty Bell
The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered the Bell in 1751 to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn’s 1701 Charter of Privileges, Pennsylvania’s original Constitution. It speaks of the rights and freedoms valued by people the world over.
Read the history of the Liberty Bell at www.ushistory.org/libertybell/
Located at 6th and Market Streets and is open daily 9am-5pm with extended hours July and August. The bell is visible 24 hours a day.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies within Washington Square, one of the five public parks drawn up by William Penn in his 1682 blueprint for Philadelphia. Burials in Washington Square started in 1706 and continued for nearly nine decades.
The tomb of the Unknown Soldier itself bears the words: “Beneath this stone rests a soldier of Washington’s army who died to give you liberty.”
Located in Washington square, bounded by 6th and 7th Streets and Walnut and South Seventh Street and is open to the public.
Suggested Tours from USHistory.org
The Independence Tour
If you have only one day in Philadelphia and would like to see the most popular historic sites in town, we suggest the following itinerary:
•Start at the Liberty Bell. Park rangers are there to interpret the Bell for you. [Free — allow 30 minutes]
•Go south a half block and visit Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were born. Adjoining it on the right is Congress Hall where the upper and lower houses of Congress first convened (in the upper and lower floors) , and on its left is Old City Hall, home to the Supreme Court when Philadelphia was the nation’s capital. Park rangers are there to answer all your questions. [Free, but requires ticket from Visitor Center — allow 1-1/2 hours]
•Walk east along Chestnut Street about 1-1/2 blocks to Carpenters’ Hall, where John Adams, Patrick Henry, George Washington, and other delegates formed the First Continental Congress in 1774 — where it all began! Plus, pick up a souvenir of your visit to Philadelphia here. The Carpenters’ Company has docents (tour guides) for you. [Free — allow 1/2 hour]
•Time for lunch! Go north one block to the Bourse where you will find several restaurants surrounding a court with ample tables. [Not free]
•Next stop is the Betsy Ross House. Go north on Fifth one and a half blocks and take a right on Arch Street. Stop briefly at the corner and pay tribute at Benjamin Franklin’s grave site then continue two blocks to the shrine to the American flag [Betsy Ross House asks for a voluntary contribution — allow 1/2 hour]
•The last stop depends on you.
o If you have children, then return to Fifth and across from Ben Franklin’s grave is the United States Mint where you can watch coins being minted on weekdays [free — allow 1 hour]
o Otherwise, continue east one block, then left on Second Street to visit Elfreth’s Alley, the longest continually inhabited street in the original 13 Colonies. [Museum is $1 for adults; 50c for children over 4; free for school groups and children 4 and under — allow 1 hour to see the street and visit the museum]
Tour Information courtesy of ushistory.org
Use the Internet to begin planning your itinerary. There’s a host of information available online which can greatly help you choose the best hotel, restaurants and attractions. Start by preparing early and when it comes time to depart for your vacation, all you’ll have to do is relax and enjoy!
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June 15th, 2009 at 5:17 am
The article is ver good. Write please more