The Liberty Bell is an international symbol of freedom. So when I had the chance to visit Philadelphia earlier this year, I made it a point to stop by the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park. The opportunity to see and learn about the Liberty Bell made me wish my kids could’ve come with me. It’s one thing to learn about American history in school. It’s another to see the icons and landmarks in person.

COVID-19 UPDATE: The Liberty Bell Center has reopened (As of Jan. 1, 2021). Social distancing guidelines and capacity limits are in place.

Here’s your guide to visiting the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia – and a few cool facts about it, too.

Getting to the Liberty Bell Center

The Liberty Bell Center is located in downtown Philadelphia. It’s part of the Independence National Historical Park. Depending on how you are arriving in the city, you’ll want to access the parking garage along 6th Street, between Arch and Market streets. From the parking garage, make your way to the ground level.

The best place to start your visit is at the Visitor Center. It’s just above the parking garage, so you shouldn’t have to walk too far after you get parked. In the Visitor Center, you’ll find maps and information on all of the historical buildings and tours available at the national park. The Liberty Bell Center does not require a ticket, but if you want to tour Independence Hall, you must pick up your free scheduled tickets at the Visitor Center. Those tickets are subject to availability. If you want to purchase tickets online for a specific time, that is an option – but there is a cost for those tickets.

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Take a few minutes to watch the short film, Independence. It’ll provide you with some history of the sites you’re about to visit. You can also visit the gift shop or grab a quick bite to eat before heading south from the Visitor Center to the Liberty Bell Center.

Learning about the Liberty Bell

As you enter the Liberty Bell Center, you will have to pass through a security check. Once through that, you’ll find a long hallway with various exhibits on your left. The exhibits help visitors understand some of the history surrounding the Liberty Bell. From it’s initial creation and hanging in the State House in 1753, to its later use by various groups as a symbol of liberty and freedom.

I thought it was neat to ponder on the fact that the bell I was about see had been seen by those in the late 1700s fighting for America’s independence. It was around during the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War I and World War II.

Did you know?

• The Liberty Bell was cast in London in 1752 and was originally known as the State House bell? But in the 1830s, anti-slavery groups named it the Liberty Bell.
• The first crack appeared in the bell in 1753, shortly after it arrived in America. As a result, the bell was melted down and recast twice, by John Pass and John Stow (two local craftsmen).
• The bell was rung at the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.
• By 1846, the thin crack appeared again and began affecting the sound of the bell.
• The final ringing of the bell occurred in 1846 to celebrate George Washington’s birthday.
• The Liberty Bell weighs more than one ton (approximately 2,080 pounds). It is made of 70 percent copper, 25 percent tin, and small amounts of lead, zinc, arsenic, silver, and gold.

See the Liberty Bell in Person

Once you make your way through all the exhibits, you enter a large open room with a glass wall behind the Liberty Bell. If there are a lot of people there, it’s challenging to get a photo with the bell. Sometimes school groups make it near impossible to capture a photo. But be patient if you find yourself among a large crowd.

There is a low fence around the Liberty Bell to keep people from touching it. But you should still be able to see the bell up close, read the inscription and see the crack that stretches up the front of the bell.

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Through the large glass wall you can see the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall), which is where the Liberty Bell originally hung. Once you’ve checked out the Liberty Bell, there are doors nearby for you to exit, so you won’t have to make your way against the incoming crowds.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Once you’ve seen the Liberty Bell (which may take upwards of 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how busy it was and how much time you spent at the exhibits), you’ll likely want to see what else there is to explore. As mentioned, you can get tickets for a tour of Independence Hall, but the map includes other locations like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution, Franklin Court and Market Street Houses, or even the United States Mint.

While you’re in Philadelphia, you’ll want to eat a genuine Philly Cheese steak. I ate a delicious one from Sonny’s Famous Steaks (228 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106). They’re just a short walk from Independence National Historical Park.

The Details

Address: N 6th St & Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Parking: Independence Visitor Center has underground parking available. Enter the garage on 6th Street, between Arch and Market streets.

Cost: It’s free to visit the Liberty Bell Center. Most of the other nearby sites are free to visit as well. Independence Hall does require a timed ticket (which is free if picked up from the Visitor Center).

Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It does close at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and is closed on Christmas Day.

Website: https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/libertybellcenter.htm

Phone: (215) 965-2305

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