#079-Independence Mall

Philadelphia - Day Tripper Guide

# 079-Independence Mall, Day Tripper Self-Guided Tour

In 1976, Philadelphia, The Bicentennial City was the hub of our nation’s celebrations. In 2026 the City of Brotherly Love will again host another special birthday celebration; America 250. https://www.america250.org/ The Semiquincentennial will be bigger and better than any before. Let Boogie Ben and Philly Town 76 help lead your way to the best events in the city. The Mall is a National Historic Site, operated and maintained by the National Park Service. Independence National Historic Park includes three square blocks in Old City Philadelphia.
https://www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/independence-national-historical-park

COVID-19 Response
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, we are increasing access and services in a phased approach across all units of the National Park System. Before visiting a park, please check the park website to determine its operating status. Updates about the overall NPS response to COVID-19, including safety information, are posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

Spot Hero Parking

Parking - 6th Street between Walnut and Spruce Sts. is a convenient parking area, 1 block from the starting point at the Independence Mall and just a short walk down 6th Street from the last stop at 6th and Addison, Mother Bethel, AME Church.
Philly Town 76 has partnered with Spot Hero a digital parking reservation service that will connect you to available parking lots in the recommended parking area. You can reserve and pay for parking spaces with the available parking lots, parking garages and valet services in this area. Click on the Spot Hero Parking Icon schedule the day and time of your Day Trip, make your choice and Book your parking.

Independence Mall, also known as "America’s Most Historic Square Mile," is the three-block area of Independence National Historical Park that lies directly north of Independence Hall and south of the National Constitution Center. It is bounded by Chestnut, Race, 5th and 6th Streets. This was where our nation was born. Within easy walking distance in Old City are the historic buildings where independence was debated and declared, a Revolutionary army was raised, and the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were written.

Old City Hall is the building on the 5th Street side of Independence Hall. Philadelphia lent this building to the infant nation as the first home of the United States Supreme Court.

Independence Hall, Chestnut between 5th and 6th Streets, is the middle building of the three-part structure. It is where the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and where many of the same men wrote the Constitution 11 years later.

Congress Hall is on the 6th Street side. It is where the new Senate and House of Representatives met and adopted the Bill of Rights, while Philadelphia was the capital of the country from 1790 to 1800.

Admission to these 3 park sites is free. Timed entry tickets are required to enter Independence Hall from March through December, but there is no charge for those tickets if obtained at the Independence Visitor Center on the morning of your visit.

The Liberty Bell is across the street from Independence Hall on the 6th Street side of the Mall. The entrance to the building is at its north end on Market Street, but you can take a peek at the bell from outside through the window hidden behind a bush and tree at the Chestnut Street end. This is especially a good way to see it if you are there after hours. Hopefully, you’ll have time to go inside and view it up close. Easily recognizable because of its crack, the Liberty Bell remains significant today for its message of liberty. Abolitionists, women's suffrage activists, civil rights leaders, and others have used this bell to symbolize the fight for equality.

Washington’s House - As you wait to enter the Liberty Bell Pavilion, visit this area. The architectural ghost structure traces George's Philadelphia home's spot, construction, and size. The brick partial facades and chimneys help picture what it may have looked like. Inside the glass enclosure is the original foundation. The outdoor exhibits examine the paradox between slavery and freedom in the new nation. Presidents Washington and Adams once lived and worked at the house on this spot. Videos share the stories of the enslaved who lived and worked here, while text panels shed light on everything from the slave trade to the work of the executive branch.

Independence Visitor Center - Located in the next block north, in Independence National Historical Park, is the official visitor center of Greater Philadelphia and the exclusive location to pick up free, timed tickets to tour Independence Hall. Representatives there will help with trip-planning advice or purchase tickets to more than 100 local tours, attractions, and museums. Visitors can also purchase passes for Philly PHLASH, Downtown Loop, a visitor-friendly public transit service, SEPTA Key, a public transit re-loadable plastic card for fares, and the One-Day Convenience Pass.
Independence Visitor Center offers free video presentations on the area's history and is also home to Independence Gift Shop, the official gift shop of Greater Philadelphia. If you don’t see our shirts there, ask why at the counter.

National Constitution Center is the next block north across Arch Street. The Center brings together people of all ages and perspectives across America and worldwide to learn about, debate, and celebrate the most significant vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages. It offers feature exhibits that change frequently, but my favorite anchor display is the Hall of Signers.

African American Museum, is not on the mall but only a block away at 701 Arch Street. It offers an interpretation of the life and work of African Americans throughout our history. See the richness and vibrancy of African American heritage and culture come alive in four magnificent exhibition galleries filled with exciting history and fascinating art.

Franklin Square is just another block away at 200 North 6th Street. One of Philadelphia’s five original squares, Franklin Square is Center City's favorite playtime oasis with fun for all! Centered around its beautiful, 100-year-old fountain, Franklin Square features the Parx Liberty Carousel, the one-of-a-kind Philly Mini Golf course, and the renowned Square Burger. In the early 1970s, they held "be-ins" for local and national entertainment.

As you leave the park, you can see the eastbound lanes heading to the beautiful Ben Franklin Bridge. The Independence National Historical Park is shaped like an “L.” You’re at the top of the “L” right now, so let’s head down to the base of the “L” where we started. Be careful as you cross back to the Mall and walk down the 5th Street side.

United States Mint is at 151 Independence Mall East between Race and Arch Streets on 5th. Although not at this location, the Philadelphia Mint was created in 1792 to establish a national identity and commerce needs in the United States. This led the United States' Founding Fathers to establish a continental national mint, a main priority after the ratification of the Constitution. It has an excellent museum, and it’s free and interesting. Continue walking towards Independence Hall, passing Ben’s grave (Ben’s Neighborhood Tour)

Original location, Seventh Street and 631 Filbert Street

The National Museum of American Jewish History sits on the corner of 5th and Market on Independence Mall. It traces how Jewish immigrants became Jewish Americans and reflects on how history and identity shape and are shaped by the American experience.
Established in 1976, it has displayed more than a hundred exhibitions in its first few decades of existence. The Ballroom adjoining the outdoor terrace affords breathtaking views of Independence Mall and the city of Philadelphia

Signers Garden, at 5th and Chestnut, is connected to Jefferson’s Garden. Both offer some shade and often a live narrative from a colonial speaker. Next to the gardens, on Chestnut Street, is the Second Bank of the United States. This magnificent building was modeled on the Parthenon and houses the “park's” portrait gallery of the Founding Fathers, including 85 works by Charles Willson Peale.

Mother Bethel AME Church is about three blocks away at 419 South 6th Street. Founded in 1794, the African Methodist Episcopal Church was the first independent black denomination in the United States. The present building was erected in 1906. A historical marker outside the church, where even Booker T. Washington once spoke, recounts how two church members sold themselves into slavery so another slave would be freed to become the pastor.

You are right near South Street, “Where all the Hippies meet”. It’s filled with over 400 independent retail shops; bars, stores, restaurants and quirky little businesses. I’ll save that for my next Tour

Hotels near Independence National Historical Park:

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia 433 Chestnut St,
Renaissance Downtown 401 Chestnut Street
Society Hill Hotel at Independence Park 301 Chestnut
Best Western Plus 235 Chestnut Street
Apple Hostels of Philadelphia 32 Bank Street

Restaurants near Independence National Historical Park :
Independence Beer Garden 100 S Independence Mall

Red Owl Tavern 433 Chestnut Street
Farmicia 15 South 3rd Street
Frieda 320 Walnut Street
European Republic 213 Chestnut Street
Amada 217-219 Chestnut Street
Lucha Cartel 207 Chestnut Street

COVID-19 restrictions, some of these places may not be open or have limited capacity. Food and Beverage establishments may have, curbside pickup, take-out and outdoor dining only.