Independence Hall Reviews

This is where the USA was born! It doesn't get more historic than this! You should definitely join one of the short but entertaining tours through the interior! You'll learn a lot and get even more out of your stay in the truly beautiful city of Philadelphia!

We have a 40 minute guided tour. Very informative. I highly recommend the tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable. A must for anyone that enjoys history.

Another vital stop on the Philadelphia history tour. This time where THE Declaration of Independence was drafted and signed. You know the one with all the really cool signatures.

A small complex right in the heart of the Mall and Center City. A brief tour, about 20-25 minutes, through the hall and visiting 2 rooms - the Supreme Court on one side, across the hall - the Assembly Room where the Declaration and Constitution were written and signed. Tours are led by park staff, a very good presentation and explanation of the what, how and why of the events that led to the founding of the US.

There is also a separate wing - The West Wing with an additional exhibit: Great Essentials. A collection of critical documents, including an early draft of the Declaration of Independence, related to the birth of the nation. Do not miss this.

Tickets are required and are very limited and usually only available on the website, very few may be available for walk ups. They also ask to be on site about 1/2 hour before your tour is scheduled to start.

Go - See - Learn - Understand

What is so special about this site? After all, one could visit the historic rooms virtually, perhaps even with a 360-degree app. During this our second visit, we discovered it. It's the Park Rangers, whose lively and colorful explanations makes the visit worthwhile for young and old.

And this is the place to mention that in our traveling experience the staff of the US National Park Service represents the kind of public servants everybody wishes - helpful, friendly, engaging, and attentive. And they do a great job everywhere they are deployed.

Tickets are time limited and shoukld be booked in advance - best online.

We missed the original day we were planning on touring because tours were sold out. Realized they "release" online tickets for the following day at 4 or 5pm (can't remember which exactly but it's on the site). You choose your time slot and it recommends arriving 30 minutes before reservation to go through security (which was minutes, if that, when we arrived). It's technically free but the online site has a $1 service fee, lol. Totally fine with that of course. Once there, it's a standard site tour given by a Park ranger. You're with a bunch of others (20ish?). Felt like I had a decent amount of time to take the pictures I wanted. It's just a walk, look and listen tour - but I was glad I did it since in the area. All in all, around 30 minutes total.

A good time to stop and reflect on the American experiment, the circumstances of the time and our obligation to protect.
Our guide was excellent and brought history to life.

Really amazing! We all learned a lot during the short tour, and it was really cool to see everything. They're very open to questions.

We enjoyed our tour of the Independence Hall and Congress Hall next door. Plan ahead and double check operating times/no ticket required times on the gov. website.

For all people in the free world, it is exciting and memorable to visit the place considered the "cradle of American democracy," where delegates from the Thirteen Colonies met at the Second Continental Congress during the American Revolutionary War, and the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed on July 4, 1776.

I’ve lived nearby my entire life but don’t recall visiting these historic sites. Had the morning to stroll around and take in the history.
Park Rangers were friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable. They provided information you didn’t know to ask about. Police officers at the site were the same, friendly and helpful. I felt safe & welcomed.
I’m now motivated to do some more reading up on our country’s early years as well as plan a visit once the weather is a bit warmer!

One of the most important buildings in the world. Inside this building men established the concept of liberty. They stood down a tyrant and emerged with a new nation with a transformational concept that We the People are in charge

It’s an honor to see this no unto liberty

Go and be in awe

We made reservations well in advance and did the guided tour of the inside of Independence Hall. While my wife and I enjoyed the tour, keep in mind there are two rooms to see and it takes about 20 minutes. If you are not able to get reservations, you can still enjoy the Independence Hall area and Liberty Bell. At least for my wife and I, the guided tour of the inside was not the highlight of our visit but do the guided tour if you can.

This is a must. Our nation’s start. The rooms are set up as they were when the founding fathers met. If you like history you will like this. Go early!! This is under the hands of the National Park Service so the guides follow the rules. They are very knowledgeable and each guide we had for the various parts presented their talk in a story telling way. I thought I knew a lot and found I did not.
They are currently getting ready for the 250th anniversary next year so there is sprucing up going on and one area we were not able to visit that day.
Site is free. Go to restrooms before visiting. There is also no food allowed

I am fascinated by the history of the forming of our country. I can really say little more that would be meaningful than has already been written or spoken about this building and the events that took place there. It took my breath away to stand in the Assembly Room where the Declaration of Independence, and later the Constitution were hammered out, written & signed. The National Park Ranger did an excellent job of presenting the background behind the events, and the outcome thereof. He also gave us background and history about the court chambers adjacent to the Assembly Room, and some about the pre-revolutionary justice systems. If you go, be sure to look at the beautiful architecture in the building, including the woodwork, window casings and the staircase at the hall between the rooms. Tours require a ticket, and a fairly tight security check, with no large bags, no weapons, and all bags subject to inspection. We loved our time at Independence Hall, a bucket-list site for me. If there was a cost for this site, it was covered in the tour group we were with.

This is the highlight of any trip to Philadelphia, especially American history fans. Independence Hall is where everything started and why we are able to find the United States now. While getting the ticket can be a hassle during peak seasons, visitors can actually enter the ground and find the original Constitution and Declaration of Independence WITHOUT the ticket. If you must get inside, ticket is a must.

The history of this building is wonderful. However, our park ranger giving the tour did not do the place justice. He spoke way to fast and with his mask, was difficult to understand. Building and history a 5, park ranger 1.

A short but very informative tour. Guided by a Park Ranger, who took us through where the Constitution was written and where trial were held. The cost is $1 pp so affordable. They ask that you be there 30 minutes prior to your tour time. You have to go through security and I assume this can back up during the weekend. Definitely a quick tour but worth your time for a bit of history.

Yes, this was the actual room where it happened, but let me tell you it was INCREDIBLY hard to get in. There are nightclubs in NYC that open twice a year that are easier to get into. You either have to get tickets online 24 hours before (guess what they are sold out) OR you have to be present IN LINE at 8:30 AM for first call tickets. We arrived at 7:20 AM after standing in line the day before with no hope. Guess what, we were 17th in line. If you or your husband with lofty Americana dream really wants to see this historical location on your trip, then I HIGHLY recommend getting there around 7 AM.

The ONLY reason I gave this tour 5 stars, is simply because of the tour guide we had; LARRY. He was the absolute best! He made learning about history soooo much fun. He had a wonderful manner and I would listen to him literally teach me about anything!

Good luck on your trip and may the odds ever be in your favor!

Although the tour is only 20 minutes, we found it one of the most informative and we left with a much better appreciation for the signers of the Declaration of Independence. You have to book a ticket online to enter Independence Hall (except Jan and Feb). Ticket sales open up a month before. However, if tickets are already booked, check the day before as the National Park Service releases a batch of tickets for the next day at 5pm. We set our clocks and were able to secure two tickets for the next day at 4pm!

Nothing to see except the courtyard in the rear and the interior of the building where the signing of the Declaration of Independence was signed. The short tour consist of the history of building and takes about 15 minutes and you are rushed back outside.

The most important building in the world.

The most important moments in history occurred here.

Liberty and freedom were established here.

Yes, go see this very special building.

You need to get your ticket on the NPS website - tickets go fast so plan ahead

Parking is available in the underground lot just in front

I do recommend you make this your first stop of the day - easier to park and beat the tourists

The length of recommended time to visit taking in standing in line and a brief tour of a group of not more than 10 to visit (COVID-19 precaution). This is a great place to learn about part of the history of being the USA. The hall was Pennsylvania State House and the 13 original states met to ratify the document of Independence here. If you read before visiting, you may have a few questions, if you do not have time to read, you will get plenty of history during the visit. If you are in Philadelphia, this is a must place to visit.

My husband and I were visiting Philadelphia with a group of seniors. Sadly, we didn’t’ have reservations but spent a little time here. Lots of history. Lots of things to experience. The gentleman at the entrance was very helpful. It was extremely busy with a conference going on. Being on a bus tour, we were pressed for time.

A wonderful photo op with Ben Franklin. Hope to come back for the tour! Conveniently located down the street from the Liberty Bell.

Be sure to order tickets, even though they are free. But if you can't get tickets, every day at 5:00, 20 additional tickets are released for all time slots. They go fast, so be ready to click! This is a short tour but in addition, with no tickets required, you can tour the first Supreme Court building, the building housing the actual, original, typeset Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution of the United States. The Declaration of Independence is actually about a month older than the document at the National Archives in Washington D.C. You can also tour, without a ticket, the building of the first Continental Congress.

Surreal to be in such a historic spot. Very cool to be in spot where our country’s independence originated. They have it in 20 min blocks, you need to reserve it through recreation gov app (1$ tickets). Only complaint is Ed the guide we had was rude to visitors. Schoo group that was slated to be in our group arrived a minute before our tour began and he was reusing to let them join (even though we had not begun tour yet!) because they didn’t arrive 30 min early. All these tours say to 30 min early and then when you do you simply sit there and wait for 30 min until it begins. Additionally, he was very kirt throughout tour, drilling kids for info that they would have otherwise known. But by they way he was presenting information and telling the story left the kids and the rest of more confused! Ha. I was just happy to see the spot. I am a school teacher and my fiancé is a lawyer and we both admittedly left the tour a little more confused then when we got there just because of the way his presented the info and his demeanor.

This tour of independence hall was enjoyable but you can only go in 2 rooms ( The 1st room was kind of the judicial or Jude room) ( The 2nd room was the room where they wrote the constitution and you can see the ACTUAL CHAIR THAT one of the guys that wrote the constitution sat there. And that’s all you get to do. And the lines are ridiculous because me and my dad waited for 30 minutes-1 1/2 hours to wait to get inside and the tour lasted for about 20-30 minutes. And all the tour was good.

This building is a centerpiece for this nation's struggle for freedom. This is the "room where is happened"
We took the "B" tour and it was concise and entertaining. The place has such presence that you can just stand in the rooms and let history sweep through you.
The conservation is excellent and always ongoing
This is so must see!

Excellent venue, historic setting, knowledgable and friendly staff, well timed tour, very worth going to see.

You need to book online for a schedule. It was mostly booked too. Have to check this out to see history. Just two rooms and shot narrative,

Loved it! Thanks to another Trip Advisor review, I knew to reserved timed entry tickets and arrive 30 min early for security. It actually only took five min on a Monday morning. 😀 Our guide was super knowledgeable! Loved it that we soaked up so much info in twenty minutes! I was so inspired by our founding fathers and what they did to help this become a country!

The docents my friends and I had provided an excellent overview of the important events that occurred here. If you want to understand US history better, this provides a great opportunity.

Hints: Reserve tickets ahead of time to assure that you are able to visit this important historical sight. Give yourself a few extra minutes to pass through security. There are benches behind the building in the "waiting area" for the tour. Because of some no-shows, we were offered an earlier tour, so if that's an interest of yours, arrive a little early. The experience lasts an hour or less.

Timed tour tickets available on line.
Unfortunately our guide was not particularly loudly spoken so at times it was hard to hear what he was saying particularly as the previous guided tour in front of us had a guide who was the opposite!
An interesting visit to consolidate the knowledge we had already learnt on this trip across the US about the Revolution and Declaration of Independence. This is the place after all where it all began!

The tour of Independence Hall is just 20 minutes, but the rangers do a nice job summarizing all the history within its walls, from its original function as state house to the vote for independence and the Constitutional Convention. It's probably best to reserve tickets ($1 apiece) at least a week in advance if you want a particular time.

Be sure to visit the West Wing, where original copies of America's founding documents and the inkstand used to sign the Declaration of Independence are displayed. The short tour of Congress Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated, was also great and does not require a reservation.

The grounds are very nice, and since I visited on Flag Day, there was an impromptu performance of the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, which was a real treat.

It was definitely worth getting a ticket for. The volunteer that gave the tour was very informative and interesting.

Independence Hall is a very important site in American history, but at least in pandemic conditions, there's not much here. Visiting the Hall requires a timed ticket for a nominal $1 fee. The tour is about 15 minutes and there are only two rooms - the courtroom where the Pennsylvania Supreme Court originally operated and the Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The only original furnishing is George Washington's sun emblem chair.

So many things written on it already so here is my take. We went on a Thursday around 9 am. We parked at the Independence Hall Garage then took a elevator up which puts you at the visitors center. They will give you a map and you can use the restrooms if needed they also have a gift shop. At the hall no tickets were needed, just go thru a security check. About 15 people were ahead of us so it took under a half hour to get in. After this one head off to the Liberty Bell because it is also a popular attraction.

Site is well maintained and the tour (about 15 minutes for the hall and 15 for the legislative building) are worth it. Questions are welcomed and photos encouraged. We never felt rushed taking pictures nor asking questions.

All-ages will find this a great place to visit. The stairs in the legislative building are a little steep, but again, no rush going up/down.

While the Independence National Historical Park covers many areas, Independence Hall is the centerpiece. Take the time to do the complete tour. Very interesting and informative.

Get your tickets online! We weren’t sure where we were going to be so we waited to get tickets. Most sellout online but if you arrive at 7:30/8:00am I believe, the do hand out extras for the day. All people in your party must be present, they won’t give you extras.

At your designated time a guide tells you a little
History before leading you into two rooms. They present a wonderful story with facts that will make you feel like your schools lied to you. It was fascinating though and it only lasts about 30mins. I really was sad when it ended because I wanted more information but it was a nice presentation.

You need to book a free place on the tour online in advance, we found the guided tour really interesting. You can also visit the Liberty Bell on the other side of the square here.

Very enjoyable tour of a beautiful building. Great to see inside the building and an explanation of events from the ranger. Worth booking!

We were intrigued by the history of Independence Hall. The national park services prestenters were very passionate when sharing with us the stories and history of the different building and rooms. They were awesome and very helpful. A great experience indeed.

Independence Hall is impressive and elegant. We came here for a large business dinner with approximately 500 people. It was an incredible location.

A little too abbreviated for my liking, but I get why: There isn't a lot to do except see two rooms, one of which is far less interesting than the other. I'd love a far longer focus on the room where they signed the Declaration and Constitution, but we spent about half the time in other places. Also, there was no mention of the building being used to buy/sell slaves AFTER those two momentous events too place. That context feels kinda relevant.

All that said, it's awesome to behold and appears they've done a bang-up job recreating it. The ranger was solid.

To see, a fundamental piece of American history, there are no queues, easy access, free with guided tour

They tried to give a very nice tour of the building. The people who were talking to us did a very good job. It is free, and there were not many people around. It is also very close to the Liberty Bell.

Amazing just to be in the same space as the founding fathers. With Covid only 9 people allowed at a time so quite a wait. Got there 5 minutes early on a Sunday and already a 2 hour wait. Tried for Monday and went about 40 minutes early. If we were there past 8:27 our group of four would have to wait another 15 minutes at least to go inside. Normal airport security type check before entering and the rangers and guides are passionate and informative. A must when in philly not to mention the building and park around is great scenery and a just great place to be.

This is a very important and historical place for Americans. You can see the bell for free. Very accessible by public transport.

Very knowledgeable guides and great opportunity for my kids to appreciate history for 20 minutes. Operated by the National Park Service.

Reservations in advanced are required and available online.

Absolutely NO food or drink allowed inside (capped water bottles are ok).

Security screening to enter the area includes searching bags and metal detectors.

An UNESCO World Heritage Site & where our founding fathers signed the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. There are some drafts saved there. The originals are in the National Archives in Washington DC which can be seen. This building is amazing and well worth seeing. As a huge history buff, found it to be so worth visiting. While we were not able to get tickets for a tour, we had done enough research to know the details of what we were seeing and there is information there. Not sure I can post photos of the inside.

Stunning architecture where history was made in the founding of the nation. Bricks perfectly balanced against wood and a spiked tower makes this structure as impressive as the day it was built. Uniquely a symbol of Philly and the nation, it remains a top tourist attraction so expect tons of crowds. Go in the off season and a work day for more intimate experiences.

Another must see in Philly. Make sure to book tickets ahead of time. A lot of people couldn’t get in because tickets were sold out. Our tour guide was AMAZING! Can’t remember his name, but he was loud and very articulate. My 12 and 9 year old had a good time.

This was a bucket list item. Loved it, every American should make a point of going. The Rangers do a great job. Security is very good.

It was so fascinating to come here and delve into the nation's history. It's one thing to learn about it in a textbook, but another thing entirely to be surrounded by it, to see the place where so many important things happened, and to learn about it within that setting. We took a tour and learned a lot from the knowledgeable guide. Tours seemed to fill up pretty quickly, but we managed to get the time we wanted, and we learned a lot while still being able to soak in the full history.

Didn't take the tour, was planning too but.. there is a security check, metal detector. Had just gone through all that empty pockets, take off your belt at the liberty Bell, didn't feel like going through it again right across the street so we skipped the tour. You have to schedule tour in advance, about 20 minute tour or so, only $1 per person. I have no problem with the security, just didn't want to deal with it again so quickly. Was satisfied with pictures of the exterior!

This is one of Philadelphia's obvious must-see locations. The beautiful architecture of the building is very well preserved, and is a truly awe-inspiring experience to stand in the room where the United States of America was born, and the revolutionary structure of government was first set forth. Our Park Ranger tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and though the tour length is on the short side, I would say it was still well worth the wait. Timed tickets (booked on Recreation.gov) are required, which keeps the crowds down and the tour groups a manageable size. A visit to Independence Hall is truly an experience every American should have at some point.

If you love American history, you can't do better than to visit Independence Hall where you can take a short park ranger led tour.

As an added bonus you can also visit Congress Hall and Old City Hall which are located in the same complex.

These historic buildings provide a look into how our great country was conceived.

Highly recommended.

PRO TIP: Go to recreation.gov to book your preferred time slot for $1.00 each. Then arrive early to go through the security screening process.

The Liberty Bell, the Independence Hall and all the great history of where it all started was just amazing. Philadelphia is the city of firsts and you are surrounded by them.

We took the train from NYC (1 1/2 hrs to Phila).
Staying at the Kimpton Palomar near Rittenhouse Sq was an ideal location. They are pet-friendly & have a happy hour in the lobby @ 5pm nightly with free wine & popcorn. We used local buses-(free for seniors) using Map app on iPhone which gave us detailed info.

Reccomended Sights:
Tour of the Masonic Temple next to City Hall
American Jewish History Museum
Rodin Museum
Edgar Allen Poe House

Restaurants we liked:
1. Gran Caffe L’Aquila for AM pastry & coffee
(There is a small park across the street w/ a waterfall where yoy can sit & enjoy it.)
Bus Stop across from the park will take you downtown to City Hall & all the Colonial History sites.
2. Moshulu sailing ship on Delaware River has excellent seafood & great views across river.

Chris’ Jazz Cafe if you like jazz, this is for you.

We shall not forget ! Step back in time and experience what our country stood for and how it began. Philadelphia, USA ! By the way, I live here !

We absolutely enjoyed our tour of Independence Hall. Tickets are required so you need to plan ahead. The tour itself was not long but you do need to go through security. It is recommended to get there 30 minutes before your scheduled tour. Our guide did an excellent job in telling the story of our nation's birth and it was quite moving to be in the room where our founding fathers debated and crafted our nation.

Wow, this was one of the most amazing places we’ve visited. Where the Declaration of Independence was signed. A MUST DO!!!!!!

must do if you go to philly. they have great (and free) tours which is so fun. Great to take guests who are visiting from abroad or from within the USA. Very clean and well done.

This one is quite quick and accessible. We got in right at the end of the day and were the last in line. This definitely worked to our benefit as you visit the actual hall (where it happened) second so those at the back of the room get front row when you turn around to go across the hall to the ‘good stuff’.

I guess I don’t fully get it. Yes it’s history, but you have to have timed tickets for the 20 minute lesson and you see two rooms of the hall. If you can see the numerous pictures on here, you have seen inside the hall. I thought there would be more to see.

You must get tickets at the Visitor Center across the road passed the Liberty Bell. Your ticket will have your tour time BUT the paper given to you will tell you when to go through security. We messed that up but the ranger was nice enough to let us in to the next group. The tour was well done and our ranger Bob L. was entertaining with his twist on our history.

To visit independence hall, you must book a ticket and a time slot online.
There are few rooms to see and this sometimes lacks visual precision (where the different characters sat for example). But the speech and solemnity of the place do the rest. The place where the United States was born....

I recommend you plan ahead and make reservations the earlier the better.
The tour guide was very enthusiastic and had the children engaged answering questions. it is a short tour 20 minutes but well worth it. this is where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Independence hall inPhiladelphia is located close to Liberty Bell just across the street.

Great spot for anyone wanting some history and at no cost. We got a small free tour of the room where the Declaration of Independence was written, really neat to see in person.
Gorgeous outdoor area with benches and beautiful trees. Multiple buildings to visit at one location

A great reminder of the ideals, men (and women), sacrifices that our nation is founded upon. Doesn’t take long, but a must for a Philadelphia visit.

There is a lot of history covered in a short visit here. It’s cool to stand in the building where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.

Definitely a must see/to do when in Philadelphia. This is the birthplace of the United States, where the Second Continental Congress met to ratify and sign the Declaration of Independence!

Conveniently located next to the Liberty Bell and other old historic sights. However, unlike the Liberty Bell, you need tickets...... and if going during the summer or peak time, they do sell out. Also, tickets are timed, so plan accordingly and wisely.

You must get timed entry tickets during popular months at the Visitors Center on Market and Fifth. It is free entry an they allow a good number of folks to enter at a time. There is security screening first and then you will be ushered in and given a tour guide. Some allow you to ask questions. This is America’s history and impacting to stand where our founders gathered to birth our country.

It was interesting to see the place where both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated and adopted. During February, entry was free. I joined one of the tours which lasted around 20 minutes. Well worth a visit when you’re in town.

Was an amazing experience visiting the hallowed halls where our nation was formed. The park rangers did a great job including us present day Americans in the continuing quest for liberty, justice and equality for all citizens.

Like many buildings approaching their 300th birthday, what we refer to now as Independence Hall has gone through many metamorphoses over the years. It started life as the Pennsylvania State House, with construction beginning in 1732 and lasting over two decades. A wooden tower was completed in 1753, housing the Liberty Bell as the next forty years saw the structure at the epicenter of the American Revolution and its immediate aftermath. As the government moved to Washington, D.C. at the dawn of the 19th century, the building fell into disuse, with the second floor at one point being converted into a natural history museum (!). The approach of the country’s centennial and the aftermath of the Civil War led to the conversion of the area into a national shrine, culminating in the creation of Independence National Historic Park in 1948 and the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

I visited the building twice during my week in Philadelphia, the first time independently (pun intended) soon after opening and the second during a formal Extended Tour at 4:20PM. My initial independent visit was brief, merely a self-guided experience of just the first floor. The latter, organized tour lasted forty minutes and was led by a docent (Lynn Nash – very knowledgeable and funny). After meeting outside of the East Wing, we toured both floors of the building, starting in the Supreme Court Room and continuing to the Assembly Room. The general history of each room was described and woven with individual stories of people from the time-period. Continuing up the Tower Stairwell, we saw the second floor consisting of the Long Gallery, Committee of Assembly Chamber, and Governor's Council Chamber. After a brief explanation of the area we were allowed to explore on our own (with recorded harpsichord music in the background) before being ushered downstairs and to the exit. My quick stop at the attached “Essentials” museum (containing original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution) rounded out an unforgettable experience.

In summary, the Extended Tour (certainly more so than my early morning autonomous visit) was an equally essential and interesting visit. It’s tough to imagine an historic site in the country that is more important to our country and the National Parks Service made the correct decision in having this interpreted by the Rangers and not surrendering to a movie or electronic gimmicks to tell the story. Furthermore, the oral presentation by Ms. Nash was very timely and insightful, noting that the freedoms and liberty signed into existence in the Assembly Room were not available to all. The adjacent Essentials Museum was a perfect coda: small, historic, and packed with information. Multiple thumbs up here…. a fantastic visit.

So glad we stopped in! The front is under construction but don’t let the entrance slow you down. East friendly security team, and them a chance to see the mint in action! They were making penny and nickel presses while we were there. Really well designed and free admission! Totally worth the visit!

Wow! I kept looking for Ben Gates !! Movie nerds? History nerds? Both? Wonderful place to visit for all! Can't believe this was the first time I added Philly to the itenerary!

Get your time allocated admission ticket online. We joined an earlier group since the visit was mid-week and crowds were light. Enter on the back side and be prepared to go through security before entering. It is a must see for anyone visiting Philly.

Absolutely a must on your trip to Philadelphia! Be sure to see the space next to it that housed Congress then city hall where the supreme court was before DC. Tickets are $1 ahead of time, and worth it!

Wonderful. To get the most out of your visit,
1. Walk through the park before the tour. It's wonderful.
2. after the tour go into the Old City Hall and the Liberty Bell center. The ways the Liberty Bell has been used over the centuries are inspiring.
3. At the NW corner of the park look at the historic excavations at the President's House site.
4. If you have a chance go see the Franklin Court and Museum, a few blocks away

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.

Even if the site is historic created the contemporary history of the United States, it is a pity that the US administration did not provide Audio Guide for the various tourists present. A US ranger makes the visit but impossible for children to understand anything at this visit, for adults you have to hang on! Too bad.

It is a beautiful building with beautiful history but the federal parks service as ruined another opportunity for citizens to have a good experience. Be sure you do not try to take youth or old folks that may need to use restroom at short notice. We waited in line for a hour before we got into the plaza at independence hall. They were very good to let us know there were no restrooms once we got to the plaza and that it was an hour and a half wait once back there. I asked all if they needed to go to the bathroom, everyone was good.... we got through security and were great for the first 45 minutes. After that my 9 year said he needed to go to the bathroom. I told him he would need to hold it. At an hour he started the dance. At an hour and ten minutes he was crying saying he was going to wet his pants. I ask the park rangers in the plaza if we could go out the gate, use the restroom in the visitors center and come back through security to get back in line. They told us that if we left the line we would have to get back in the back of the line and start over. We came to Philadelphia specifically to see this building as a family and because of idiotic policies that no one was willing to bend from my wife and kid were not able to see it and had an accident. Zero stars for our National Parks Department on this trip!!!

A great tour and such an important one - highly recommend. This is after all the birthplace of the United States!

The building is a former parliament building in which the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the Constitution of the United States in 1787.

Be sure to reserve online in advance, as day tickets are rarely available on site.

Informative tour at Independence Hall. Our park ranger took the time to answer all our questions and provided an amazing tour, offering historical nuggets that many may not be aware of. I was in awe to be standing in those rooms where our country began. The tour lasts about 20 mins and give yourself time to get through security screening.

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.

It is recommended that you reserve tickets online in advance. It only costs 1$ per ticket. You do have to pass through security screening (which is located outside) before entering the line. You are supposed to arrive 30 minutes before your reserved time. However, when we arrived, they let us go on the earlier tour.
Unless you go on the extended tour, you will only see two rooms on the first floor, and you will be inside Independence Hall for about 20 minutes. Our ranger was engaging, but I think it would have been nice if she had a microphone, since she was trying to project her voice to such a large group. She was available to answer questions outside after the tour.

Amazing historical building, unfortunately they had sold out tickets for that day for timed entry but they dis let me in the grounds doe free to look around. Book in advance to avoid disappointment

They give all the tickets for the day at 8:30 each morning. Not a very friendly thing to do, especially if you are staying a long way away.

A must do for Philadelphia. You have to book in advance as there are limited places. While there are limited things to see inside, the staff do a great job of bringing things to life. Simply standing in the place where so much history occurred was worth the trip.

You can book a guided tour to see the inside, but if you are not interested you can enter the inner garden that is located at the back and enjoy the greenery.

We just visited this Sept - apparently operations had just started back after having been closed due to Covid. Tour sizes were limited to under 10, which means you may have to wait, but when we went it was pretty slow, and we were able to get into the tour within about 10 minutes. The tour itself is short, with 2 workers giving historical talks about the hall and what went on there. We were allowed to take as many pictures as we wanted.

Independence Hall itself is worth seeing, but that only takes a few minutes because you can only actually go into the two rooms (the courtroom and the “room where it happened,” whether the “it” means the negation and signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, or the Constitution) and you can only look and listen and take a few photos. But there are other buildings on the grounds, including the first U.S. capital building. Make sure you go into those *before* you go out of the gate, because once you go out you have to go all the way back through security.

I learnt a lot from this experience. I would recommend going and seeing what is on offer. The tour lasts 20 mins and is across 2 rooms.

The National Parks Rangers were able to impart what a tumultuous time in history this was; the real sacrifices people made and how much of a gamble it was for those who put everything "on the line'. Standing in the rooms in which our forefather's debated and forged the Declaration of Independence was awe inspiring and humbling.

This was a wonderful tour to see a bit of our American history. CHECK DATES TO SEE WHEN TICKETS GO ON SALE AND BOOK RIGHT AWAY. We went on a weekday in May, and I was shocked that tickets for our day sold out within minutes! We got 4:20 tickets (all that remained) which turned out to be good because you get an extended tour which takes you to rooms that the other tours do not get to see. Our tour guide was very good, but there was a crotchety old guy barking at people to leave at the end, even though we were still within our allowed timeframe, and there were still people looking around upstairs. Seemed a little unnecessary! :-/

it's an very important place in US history, the assembly room is where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution signed, there are several room you can tour, also the second floor, but you need to book a ticket to tour it, as you must follow a ranger to tour the building,

The tour was brief, but good. You will not see the actual Declaration of Independence here, but you will see the room where it was signed. The ranger gave us a wonderful history of the period, which helped the rooms come alive.
You must reserve tickets in advance. They are only $1 and are purchased from the National Parks website.
Before the tour you must go through security which is in a tent outside the building. You are required to take off your coats for the screening which can be uncomfortable on cold days. You also wait outside in an uncovered area until your tour begins.

How can you miss the location these men literally signed their own death warrants(?) Tour is sufficiently detailed, but not onerously long.

We went to visit two of our grandsons in Ocean City, Maryland, in the summer of 2024 where they were working as lifeguards. We took the opportunity to see Philadelphia again.
When visiting this city, there is no doubt that you should go to Independence Hall.
It is here that the United States of America was born as a result of the conflict between the inhabitants of these lands and England, who was then master in North America. Representatives of the existing States met there to establish the rules for the future union.
General George Washington will be appointed the first president of the new country.

Within the reception pavilion, there is a well-prepared exhibition from the historical point of view, you meet the Liberty Bell and you enter the Hall.
This is a very nice visit to make.

Independence hall is a must see. So much history happened here. It is open for tour and I would highly recommend when in town.

Very cool to see such a historical place. I definitely recommend visiting if you are interested in American history. The junior Ranger program is great if your visiting with your kids. Our family enjoys doing the booklet together and it helps get more out of the trip. The kids like collecting badges from all the different NPS sites we visit.

So much history! Im only 30 mins away and just visited for the first time. Easy to access and very walkable. The autopark was great for parking. Went on a Monday in December around 10am. The weather was about 45 degrees. Crowds were minimal. Employees are very knowledgeable and friendly.

I am a history nut and this was the greatest. Stood in the same spots as the Founding Fathers of our country. Honored to take the tour with a group of Vietnam Veterans! The spirit of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson filled the hallways!

I can't stress enough that you need to buy a ticket in advance. I didn't and couldn't get in. Even if you can't get in it's worth walking past while you're checking out the other historical sites in the area.

Touring all of the historic government buildings in Philadelphia should be mandatory for anyone entering a political race, especially today! Read the words of men (unfortunate it was just men) and hear the history of who took on the task of creating a brand new government and who knew a larger, better equipped crown would come for them. United they stood and peacefully turned over that power to the next- to continue the job. Humbling and important to remember. Artifacts, amazing rangers who tell the story, beautiful architecture, small groups. Free if you get ticket from visitor center on other side of Liberty Bell building. $1.00 if internet is used.

This is a beautiful part of Philly and it is amazing to be able to see the site where our founders signed the declaration of independence.

I highly recommend touring this historic building. Just knowing we were standing in the room where the constitution was written gave me chills. We ordered our tickets ahead of time online and so glad we did! When we arrived for our tour all tickets were already gone for the day. This is a tour you definitely want to take. The park rangers were all friendly. I felt our first tour guide, I won’t mention her name, was a little flippant in her description of the first room we toured. She called these great men of history “dudes” and to me that was appalling. The second tour guide we thoroughly enjoyed. He took the history of the room more seriously and was very passionate about it. You could not get tickets online for the tour of the senate building but it was only a short wait so we waited in line and so glad we did. Again, the young woman who gave the history of the room was passionate about what took place. Tickets are free. Again, get your tickets ahead of time online.

No trip to Philadelphia would be complete without touring Independence Hall! Many people aren’t aware that this building was actually part of The Pennsylvania Statehouse. You can also visit the adjacent Supreme Court & Legislative Buildings that housed our government for the first 10 years, before relocating to NYC & then to Washington DC. The tour inside Independence Hall required a prior reservation, so go the recreation.gov & set up an account & make your reservation in advance.

Flew in for the day to see the historical sites with my 12 year old daughter who also likes history.

The tour and guide were great. Maybe a touch too short on time but they are trying to get so many people through. Lots of original artifacts.

The worst part is there are no restrooms once you pass through security. The security line isn’t so long you can’t go out and come back through, just a bit annoying for such a visited place.

Restrooms are about half a block away in a very nice Visitor Center.

We waited in line for over an hour to go inside and also had to wait in a long line for security before that. Not worth the time if you visit and see long lines.

This historical landmark was worth seeing. The courtyard and the surrounding area was beautiful especially during a nice fall day. We took the Independence Hall tour, which was quite informative. Inside the building had historical artifacts and displays that was well preserved.

Don't miss Independence Hall-the room where it happened. Interesting history place and great area to visit. Must have a timed ticket. Plan for that.

The tour is pretty short; about 20 minutes. I would have liked it to have been a bit longer and perhaps seen a little more of the building. We only saw the two rooms on the ground floor. The highlight for us was that my daughter correctly answered the park ranger's question and got a National Park Trading Card. After the "tour" we went into one of the other two buildings accessible to the public on the grounds. There she answered another park ranger's questions and earned two more trading cards. This thrilled her.

Right now you have to sign up in advance for a timed ticket to access to and a tour of Independence Hall. This was for the nominal fee of $1/person. It was very easy to do online. If you aren't able to book a ticket, during the summer you can show up between 5pm and 7 pm and get into the tour without a timed ticket.

Current protocols indicate that you need to reserve your ticket ahead of time to attend a scheduled tour. We got our tickets about a month in advance. They’re only $1- just to reserve your spot as space is limited due to covid. No tickets were remaining for the weekend that we were there so be sure to plan ahead. With your ticket, you get a guided tour by a park ranger, lasting about 15 minutes, of two important, historical rooms in Independence Hall. We felt that it was well worth it.

Came to Philly for business and decided to explore a little. This was a great place. Lots of history. The tour of the House of Representatives was very informative and fun. They take small groups in at a time, so you are able to easily see and hear everything and ask plenty of questions. However, because of the small groups, you do have to wait for the tour and it is on a first come first serve basis so you can’t grab a ticket and explore elsewhere while you wait. Worth the wait if you love history.

Short and thorough guided tour of this very historic building. The Park Ranger guides are friendly and do a great job sharing important information about our country's history.

The guide was very knowledgeable and was a great speaker. We enjoyed the information he shared and the clever way he presented the info

Obviously, a must-do if you're in Philadelphia. Do not make the same mistake I saw a number of other people making! You need a $1 ticket to reserve your spot on the day you want. Buy it ahead of time from the website. The tour is very short, so, if you don't already know the amazing history of the place, maybe read about it ahead of time.

My husband and I toured Independence Hall and also the two buildings on either side that were used as the Supreme Court and Congress for ten years. You need a pre-booked ticket for Independence Hall which you can do beforehand online and it’s easy to do. Do this early as times fill up quickly. I think they said they release the next days tickets at 5pm the day before. You go through security to get around these buildings so arrive earlier. The tours are led by park rangers and are excellent!

Great docent-led tour of the hall. Also nice exhibit of founding documents with helpful docent there as well. The building is impressive but the thrilling story of the founding well-told by a skilled guide is what really made this special. Note that you have to go to major security at the entrance so allow plenty of time! We missed our tour by a few mins but luckily were able to join the next one.

We visited on a Saturday in January so no need to book. There was a short line to go through security which took about 5 minutes. We wandered around Congress Hall first whilst waiting for the tour which was very interesting.
Tour is free and was about 25 minutes. Larry (the guide) was excellent and kept everyone interested. He told us plenty of facts and to see the room where the Declaration was signed was fascinating.
You have to pre-book every day apart from in January and February but there is no charge and I would highly recommend doing the tour.

It’s amazing to see where things happened during revolutionary times. This place is in amazing condition and the park staff is ready to answer any questions you may have.

You have to go here. So get your ticket online and go. Main building is 20 minute guided tour. Side building is 20 minute guided (unreserved) - it's where the house and senate served while in Philly. The rangers did a great job giving a run down of the history.

Interesting piece of history. The park rangers were very knowledgeable and very friendly. They made the visit fun.

We visited on Sunday, April 18. We had heard there was a significant wait for the tour due to the National Parks personnel only letting in a few people at time-COVID precautions. We thought we would get there early (before their opening at 9:00 a.m.) and avoid some of the wait. Unfortunately, there was already a 3 hour wait-just to get into the courtyard. Once in the courtyard you need to wait an additional hour and a half to go on the tour. Your group is the only one in the building. There are two rooms available to see (the Courtroom and Declaration Chamber). There is a National Parks employee in each room to give you about a five minute (apathetic) speech. Then you may take pictures. All this equals approximately 15 minutes. Afterwards, you can amble over to Congress Hall and listen to their presentation if you want, or you can leave the property.

All in all, I would have preferred to complete this visit at a time after COVID restrictions. I definitely CANNOT imagine standing in that long line with young children or people who cannot stand for long periods.
We did walk by later that day (2:00 p.m.) and there appeared to be less than an hour wait to get into the courtyard. Still, that's a long time to wait for this particular experience.

A must-see monument in Philadelphia and a founder of the United States. Not very big but contains the first Congress where the American Declaration of Independence was written and the first Supreme Court. Good level of English to understand the guide or study your subject beforehand.

We paid for the extended tour. Honestly, there isn’t really anything of interest upstairs to see. But I’m super glad I paid for the extended tour because while everyone else went upstairs, I went upstairs and glanced at it and then went back to the signing room and had like 3 minutes by myself to just be in there and feel the importance of the room without distraction. Coolest experience ever.

A must see while in Philadelphia. This is the birth place of our Democratic Republic and well worth the time of a visit. Thank God we have such tangible reminders of our beginnings.

Excellent tour with very knowledgeable staff. To see the chair where George Washington sat was especially cool. Remember to book your tickets online well in advance.

Be sure to get tickets ahead of time as they sell out on busy days as we learned when we visited between Christmas and New Years. Tickets are only a $1 a person on the National Park Service subsidiary website. An official tour is the only way you can tour the building. Without a ticket, you can walk around outside and visit the inside and outside of several other surrounding historical sites including the Liberty Bell and the excellent visitors center. In other words, even if you don’t get a ticket, don’t cancel your visit as there is more than enough to fill an entire day. Walking into Independence Hall gives you the chills, thinking about the major figures of American independence who walked through the doors before you - all of our founding fathers in one place! The building is so well preserved. Thanks to the staff of the National Park Service who have done such a phenomenal job of preserving our history, as complicated as it is, and for talking about these complications. For example, the Liberty Bell exhibit talks about the fact that liberty was not forthcoming for many in our country for much of our history. Special shoutout to Park Service employee, Chuck G, who retired the day after we met him after decades of service! His passion for history and its preservation and teaching were apparent in our interactions with him and we wish him all the best in his retirement.

If you have any sense of the history of the United States, this is a must if you make it to Philadelphia. The Rangers (remember this is technically a park, so it is staffed by park rangers) were incredibly informative even though we showed up during the unguided portion of the day. You can only book this online (or take your chances with a no show - fairly common as the entry fee is only $1), so plan your day and let the history do the rest of the work.

Beautifully preserved birthplace of democracy! I wasn't aware of the tour ticketing system (available online) so we waited in line to just walk the inside grounds. Luckily a National Park Ranger had extra space in her tour group, so we joined in. It was a very informative talk, but a bit beyond the understanding of our 7-year-old granddaughter. If you are a fan of the movie "1776" you will be amazed at the accurate depiction of the staircase in "But Mr. Adams"! Highly recommend, but not really for very young children.

Great! Lots of things to see- you need a $1 ticket reservation to get into Independence hall itself, but Congress Hall (where the first Congress met and transfer of power from Washington to Adams happened) is free and the NPS gives tours every 20 minutes.

Well worth it!

History was made right here and the building still looks pretty good after all these years. It only cost a buck but reservations were needed. Ranger Hugh was great. Very engaging an helped relate the history of it all to our present day. Tour is brief but let's face it, the building is small.

Another piece of American history, certainly interesting for adults, for kids a little less. We booked the visit online paying 1 euro commission, because I did not want to risk that at the time we were interested there was no more space, but if you do not care about a precise time, you can buy tickets at the Visitor Centre the same morning and they are free. To enter the square where the Independence Hall and the Congress Hall are located you have to do checks passing through the metal detector, in the morning around 9.30 we did not queue up, but still arrive a little earlier and expect that at certain times there may be. Guided tour led by a ranger.

What better way to experience history than to walk in historic places. The line can be long, but it’s worth doing once.

First of all make sure you go to recreation.gov to get your ticket like a month before your visit. The ticket is for Independence Hall only. It was great to see the inside of the main building, but our National Park Service guide was pretty hard to understand and seemed to be a bit gruff. I thought this would be the highlight of our trip to Philly, but alas it was not.

These park rangers do an awesome job bringing history alive! The rangers are kid friendly and knowledgeable. Ask for trading cards to start your collection.

If you are interesting in the history of the United States government, then this venue is for you. The Liberty Bell is also on site.

Independence Hall is more than just a historic building; it is the sacred birthplace of American democracy. Standing in the Assembly Room where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed is an incredibly moving and powerful experience. The structure itself is beautiful, meticulously preserved, and radiates history from every brick.

The free, guided tour led by the National Park Service rangers is exceptional. They are knowledgeable, engaging storytellers who bring the foundational moments of our nation to vivid life. The atmosphere is solemn and inspiring—you can almost feel the weight of history and the momentous decisions made within those walls.

If you are in Philadelphia, a visit here is non-negotiable. Book your tickets in advance (they are free but required) and prepare to be deeply impressed. It’s an essential reminder of the ideals upon which the United States was founded. A truly inspiring and unforgettable experience!

This was the top historic attraction of our trip to Philadelphia. The reason why we came. It was easy to get our passes months in advance. We found out where we were supposed to go through security from the people at the visitor's center. We got there early and found another ranger program going on and tagged along to that one. We didn't see any signs for any of the other programs in that area. Our tour guide was wonderful asking questions to make us think of how the constitution was relevant in our lives today and not just a part of history.

Much smaller than expected. So awesome to stand in such a sacred. Beautiful architecture inside and out.

I booked a tour directly on their website, which came with a fantastic guide. The tour itself is not very long, as there are only two rooms to see, but for a $1 pp is worth it, as you get to hear interesting facts about US history.

Set in a very pleasant spot in Philadelphia, friendly park rangers welcome you to the site and then there is a short tour of the Hall itself which costs a dollar (online booking). The ranger conducting the Hall tour was very good and informative but the tour itself is disappointingly brief. But overall something I would recommend if you like history. I also visited the other areas alone and these were also good.

Great tour trip. I’m a Canadian so I sure learned a lot about American history. This for my wife and me was a great experience.

What is there to say about experiencing your countries most important history. My wife and I had a great time and love the whole entire experience.

Even if you're not into history this is a must-see It is amazing that this is where our country began. The ringing of the centennial bell gave me chills

Well worth a visit and more than worth the US$1 reservation fee. Tour only lasts about 20 minutes as its just two rooms. Guide recounts quite a historical take in such a short time. Recommend anyone visiting Philly to go see this and try and get booked for the 1st tour of the day, 9am.

Taking the tour was so worth it. You have to reserve a time online. It cost only a dollar and only a few minutes to do it. The Park Ranger we had, gave an amazing history lesson. She was very knowledgeable and very passionate about what she was talking about. If was informative and entertaining. Take the tour.

Didn’t get to because you need to get tickets ahead of time. You can get in advance or morning of but they go fast. If you go to Philadelphia plan ahead and get your tickets ahead of time.

I would recommend booking a tour of Independence Hall online on the National Park Service website as it can be busy if you try to turn up on the day. You have to pay a $1 but it saves queuing up early and there was plenty of availability.
The tour itself is very short, there are only two rooms you can visit inside of the main Hall but there is a tour guide who will explain what the rooms were used for (one is obviously the court room, the other room has a little more history to it). The guides were very knowledgeable and entertaining and it was nice to learn more about the history of American Independence, as a Brit I feel ignorant not knowing it too well previously.
There are a couple of other smaller buildings to the side of Independence Hall which are worth a visit, one holds copies famous documents, like the declaration of independence.
Also if you're lucky there was a re-enactment outside the hall every couple of hours when we visited, I think it was more aimed at Kids but the staff were all in character and it seemed like it would be fun - we didn't hang around.

So glad we went. While it was only a 20 minute "tour", it was well worth it! The guide was very knowledgeable and professional. You do have to obtain a ticket with an assigned time for the tour online, but the cost was only $1/pp. The location is right across the cobblestone street from the Liberty Bell, which is free. Highly recommend this, especially to children who are studying US History.

Our tour guide was amazing. He was very interesting and you could definitely see his passion for history. All of our kids enjoyed the tour.

Visited with my 2 teens and had a great experience. Our tour guide was great! He was enraging, funny and informative.
Keep in mind they do timed entrances and allow about 75 in at a time. We happened to time it perfectly and got right in (no tickets needed on our day) with no line or waiting. Whole experience took about an hour.

My daugher, her friend, and I came to Independence Hall about 5:30. By 5:40 we were in a tour of the 2 most important rooms of the writing of the Declaration and Constitution. The National Park Service has knowledgeable speakers. It is worth the time to visit this park.

To really appreciate this place, one must have an extreme love of history. Go beyond the history books and see for yourself where the events that led to this country's founding took place.

This site is moving to visit due to what happened inside, but it is also efficiently and well-managed at every turn. From the rangers who greeted us outside to the two docents who made the presentations in the Judicial and Legislative chambers, every moment was informative, interesting, and inspiring. A must do in Philly and as an American..

This is a must see for every American. So much history in one place. the guide gives a great speech of what went on during this time period. So glad I got to take my grandson.

Independence Hall is the birthplace of America. In fact, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were signed here.

The fact that you are in ‘the room where it happened’ ( as in Hamilton) was mind boggling. National Park Rangers did great job explaining what transpired there. Timed tickets were mandatory, but it was worth the wait.

Very interesting and informative. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and we were super excited to be standing in the middle of where the great experiment called America began! Go online for tickets (cost next to nothing) as the tours sell out routinely... especially these days.

Great place to learn history. The guides were amazing with a lot of knowledge of the buildings and time line of events. Security is extremely tight so make sure you are where you have tickets to be and don't leave the secure area until you are positive you are done.

Great to see where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. Be sure to go on a guided tour. The docents do a great job. Note that to enter Independence Hall you need a reserved ticket. Also, the metal detectors are set really low, wear a little metal as possible. My belt buckle set it off.

Beautiful place full of history, shame it was raining hard, American independence is a must-do stop, I absolutely recommend it to everyone
Reservation is required.

If you're in Philly you MUST make time to see this. Make your reservation online (reservation costs $1 but the tour is free). Tour only lasts about 20-30 minutes and then you have time on your own to see the other buildings. Inside Independence Hall is absolutely worth it! (It's also now air conditioned... unlike when our poor founding fathers were locked in there in the Philly heat with the windows all shut tight!)

It is what it is: short 20 min. tour that with reservations cost a buck for each person. It's good information, but not much more than one would get from a high school Civics class.

Wanted to love it because it is where history was made, but only basic information--no mention of Gourverneur Morris or how good old Ben would break the tediousness by tripping a person.

What makes this more difficult of a review is that we went to America's Founding Fathers in South Dakota a few years ago. Wow! That was an exhibit--but it closed in 2020. Darn COVID.

So, the original is what you must do, especially when visiting in Philly. But, it's really just an average experience.

I finally got to see the most beloved American history building. It was a very nice tour by the Park Rangers. I actually learned more history about the events that took place here.
$1.00 to enter reservation required.

I enjoyed being able to visit such an important site in the United States history. Very cool to see the building where the Declaration of Independence was signed! However, it is sad that a lot of people walk into this building without knowing that. Learn a little bit of history prior to your visit and it will make your trip a lot more meaningful.

I bought a ticket online. It seems that you need to buy your online. No onsite tickets are available, I guess. I had arrived 30 minutes before my tour started. The buildings were small. It took 30 minutes to complete the tour. Anyway, you must visit and learn history!

Awesome tour of Independence Hall, very enriching and educational. After visiting the Mayflower II, we jumped ahead 150 years to where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were drafted, written, debated, and fought over to bring about this great country we live in. Awe-inspiring tour! The disappointing part was not giving Almighty God credit for His Divine power in making it possible and allowing it to last as long as it has (longer than any country in the world!).

So beautiful. The ground were well maintained. The park behind the building is beautiful. Lots of statues and fountains and trees. Alot of history in this small area!

We ran to this place and there was no line up to view the Liberty Bell. The security was friendly and discerning. The place has so much history and we took selfies and group photos.

A great glimpse into America's history! Only $1/person for a 20 minute narrative tour, plus extras on the grounds to visit.

A really great experience to know more about the independence. Loved the buildings and surrounding. Nice places nearby to eat.

When traveling with young children, a restroom is a must. Ranger told us the nearest restroom were in the Wawa 2 blocks away. Unacceptable.

Free entrance, just book a time slot in advance online. Tour takes about 20 mins in groups of about 15. Ranger gives a good guided tour and history lecture - interesting, and right level of detail. Can’t go upstairs at moment because of Covid restrictions, though the 2 main rooms downstairs are accessible.

The tour to go inside needs to be booked online. Tour guide gave great information and was efficient. You don’t exactly get to linger; they move you through the two rooms pretty quickly. It is still completely worth it to see where the USA was born and the chair George Washington sat in.

For the price - basically free - you would be insane not to do it. Plenty to see, and the rangers clearly know their stuff and are passionate about it.

Only complaint would be other tourists talking over the guides, but what can you do? Great stuff.

Signed up for the timed tour online ahead of our visit . Highly recommend this tour. The Employees and volunteers were very knowledgeable and helpful. Particularly helpful and knowledgeable was tour volunteer Winston.

A must do tour to walk where our Founding Fathers created our Declaration of Independence and US Constitution. The park service is limiting entrance to allow social distancing. We went on a week day and only waited 10 min for the next tour. Lots of great information; you only see 2 of the rooms-but those 2 rooms are packed with importance.

Go in the morning, but book an entry time to allow for a visit first to the Liberty Bell across the street- the doors there open at 9:00am and the queue to get in builds through the day. Our guided tour at Independence Hall started at 10:00am and was excellent. There was a lot of history to take in- our guide was extremely well informed and open to questions- he delivered his address like an actor, bringing the ‘founding fathers’ to life.

Easy tour to see and they gave good info. Only a few $$$ to see the history of the beginning of our country. I realize it was a short tour but appreciated the people giving a live talk

So I have been to multiple national parks and historical sites operated by the National Park Service around the country. While all are solid establishments, the Park Rangers present can be hit or miss when it comes to the passion with which they perform their jobs. At some locations, they can be heard complaining about how perpetually underfunded the National Park Service has been (which is generally true). In other places, they are simply there but simply are working their 9 to 5 in a robotic "I'm just here for the secure paycheck" manner.

HOWEVER, I am thrilled to say that my expectations were exceeded by the Park Rangers at Independence Hall and on the tour. The tour is delivered by Park Rangers who are not only extremely knowledgeable about the location and what went on there, but also clearly care A LOT about the location they are overseeing. The level of care and passion is extremely refreshing and encouraging to see.

As others have mentioned, to get tour tickets, go through Recreation.gov (there is an app for that also). I was able to secure a ticket the evening before my going online just after 5pm and paying the $1 to secure the ticket. Visiting at least once should be mandatory for Americans and is highly recommended for anybody passionate about history in general.

A nice monument of the American history. Totally a must visit if you ever visit Philadelphia. It is very clean and organized.

We reserved tickets online months in advance but goofed not getting there super early for our tour to go though security. It was ok though because the ranger was nice and let us hop on the next tour. They really pack you in and note that there are no bathrooms (you have to leave and go to a Wawa or the Visitor's Center and then go back through security. The tour was just ok. Our guide was kind of monotone and our kids were bored. They really only show you two rooms. It's important history, but I feel like it could be made more family friendly and exciting.

Wow. Take this tour and you'll get to stand in the most important room in US history. How much better can it get? Great guide , just $1 fee per ticket. A must see.

To my city tourists...this is a must when visiting Philadelphia...you must understand that they are not the original structures, but they were recreated with the all the original details, and have pieces that date back to that time as well. I was just imaging the men in there, working so quietly and in secret, afraid for their lives...and also very hot and sweaty lol...it is very impressive, and you can't help but to stand in awe as you hear the tour guide recreate the moment when that was taking place.

Excellent displays and information. Leisurely visit. Don't feel rushed at all. Take your picture by the Liberty Bell! Clean. (Restrooms, too!)

This was awesome! We had a timed entry and things went smoothly. The grounds are pretty and the inside was so interesting. The guide was super good and kept the facts very interesting and related it to today very well. Highly recommend this tour!

We enjoyed see so many pieces of this nation’s history; the area was clean and comfortable. We would lile to have gone inside, though.

This should be on the list of things to see for every American and a must see for any student of American history.
The National Park Service does an outstanding job of running the operation and the Rangers are very knowledgeable. The tour inside Independence Hall is 20 minutes long and you get to see a good portion of the interior. Frankly, that’s about the right amount of time.
After seeing Independence Hall, you are free to walk around the rest of the area and take a guided tour of Congress Hall (worth it). There is no extra charge, and you can spend as little or as much time as you wish. However, once you leave the compound, there’s no re-entry without a new reservation.
A few negatives that must be mentioned.
Due to the world we live in, there is a TSA style security checkpoint. It’s quick and they get the tour groups through efficiently but it’s still a bit annoying that we must have this at a historic site.
You cannot just walk up and get in line; you must purchase the tickets on-line and reserve a time slot. The ticket fee is minimal. This appears to be more about tracking who is visiting, how many are visiting and control of the visitor load than the desire to make a profit. The process isn’t difficult (although you will need access to the internet). They read the QR code off your smart phone, so no paper ticket is needed.

This was a very beautiful place to just lose yourself in history. To see the greatness that our forefathers wanted and planned for our great country was nothing short of incredible. Please give yourself a few hours to walk through everything and stop at all of the incredible "fact stations". It is so surreal to see where our country started at and where is today. Actually it's a little sad...

A great lesson in American history. I visited on a hot day in July, but there were shady places that made it bearable. Great to see the birthplace of American independence.

A lot of history here. Our interpreter was great! You could hear him and he explained things very well.

The rangers were great. It’s all free and the tour was very good. The museum was not open but the grounds were great

I could feel the history as soon as I entered through the doors. Our guide was very knowledgeable and extended her time with us to give more information after our official tour was disbanded.

You won't regret signing up for a tour. I guarantee you'll learn something you didn't get in your history books.

Great narrator and oh so interesting history. To stand where the framers of our Constitution created the foundation of this country made me both proud and humble. Awesome experience.

Bucket list item for many history buffs and fans of Democracy. The tour is short and the park guides offer a look into the history of the building and the world changing events that happened in the rooms. This is an important national landmark and every American should see it.

So much history, you can almost see our founding fathers walking around. I personally love history so this was a treat for me!! Very well displayed and organized and secure!

Amazing opportunity to experience our nation’s history! Reserve tickets online before you go because they will sell out early each day. The park rangers do a great job of reviewing early American history. So cool to be in the room where it all happened! Be sure to see Congress Hall too, a ticket is not required, tours begin every 20 min.

I admit, I may have enjoyed this more than many other people would have. I am a history nerd, and I've wanted to visit Independence Hall since I was a child.

But regardless, I have a hard time believing that most people could walk through the building where the US Declaration of Independence and US Constitutions were both debated and signed without feeling some sort of awe that a future superpower could have been born in such a relatively humble building.

The tour is short, only about 30 minutes, and the tickets are cheap. The background information given about the Revolutionary period is surprisingly thorough and quick, and I'm not sure I could have asked for more.

I definitely recommend buying tickets well in advance, especially for while the pandemic is going on.

Very nice walk in the old downtown area....close to the water.....and the liberty bell....nice restaurants and bars close by with outdoor seating

A must see while in Philadelphia. To walk through the halls where our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence was amazing! The National Park Historians gave amazing details and was very informative!

The tour of the West Building of Independence Hall was very good (about 20 minutes). Original congress meeting place around 1790-1799 was very well presented by a volunteer guide. Liberty Bell is across the street and good to visit as it is part of our history but the building is too much talking about the evils of slavery rather than the incredible bravery of the founders of our country.

Took a tour of Independence Hall and Congress Hall with the National Park Rangers. You need to reserve a time slot for Independence Hall and it costs all of $1. The tour is informative and the Rangers are knowledgeable and entertaining. Be sure to go into Congress Hall also and see the room where it happened.

Very quick tour but it's educational and well-designed. Got there early (before opening) and snagging walk-in tickets was not a problem. Appreciated the helpful guide. Also take some time to walk the grounds nearby.

I purchased timed tickets to tour Independence Hall prior to my family's trip this past weekend. We arrived at the sight about 5 minutes before the tour was to start. We are then told that we have to pass through security. Guy in front of us can't seem to empty everything out of his pockets and it takes a while to clear security. When we arrive at the location for the tour (not obvious) we are two minutes late for the tour. The National Park employee tells us that we have missed our tour and that there is nothing that can be done. No offer to take us to join up with the tour that just left two minutes ago. We are told that we were supposed to arrive 30 minutes prior to the tour. When asked where that was written, I am told on the web site. However, there is nothing on the ticket that indicates this requirement. As a result, we totally missed out on our tour. Ironically, we were waiting for than 30 minutes in the park across the street prior to the tour and could have easily arrived earlier if we knew.

We had reserved tickets to visit inside the Independence Hall. There are other buildings there but most do not require a reservation. The security line to get inside the grounds can be long, so arrive at least 20 minutes before your entry time.

Our park ranger was an excellent guide. Provided great background and gave is things to ponder concerning the future of our country's direction.

We visited Independence Hall in Philadelphia and had a great experience. We purchased tour tickets on recreation.gov well in advance to ensure we got our favored time slot. There is an airport style security screening which can add time to entering the main area. I thought the length of the tour was prefect. It was long enough to be informative but didn’t lose your attention. My only regret is that we forgot to visit Congress Hall and the West Wing exhibit which are in different buildings within the same area but do not require tickets.

Love this site, tour is outstanding. Such a moment in world history. Well preserved and well done. Very nice professional national park staff.

Overall a very good experience. It’s a must see while in the area because of the history there. The tour was a pretty big group so it was a little challenging for the kids to see/hear the guide and some of the content was a little more mature than we were expecting.

Upon a visit to Philadelphia, if you love history, then a visit to the Independence Hall is an absolute must. Visitors can either book online or purchase entry tickets on the day. Entries and in set numbers at a time and visitor groups are then security screened before connecting with their guides. The consists of the main hall with two rooms then two smaller connecting building rooms with copies of historic documents including the most famous, The Declaration of Independence. The visit lasts about an hour and well worth it.

I visited Independence Hall in December 2021. I made a reservation on-line the evening before. It was not very busy. I went through very tight security and then joined a tour group with NPS Ranger Tom 30 minutes before my scheduled time. I have been here several times before and it is always very interesting. It is a special experience to visit the "room where it happened". Ranger Tom was excellent with his detailed knowledge of events and spoke for about 20 minutes. I never get tired of going here.

Definitely worth the visit, so educational really learn a lot and so cool to be able to see these very important rooms.
Timed entry really helps things run smoothly. TIP time on the ticket is the time of the independence hall tour as soon as you go in, don't start exploring and miss your time slot but they do sometimes accommodate if not busy.

It’s a free tour but sells out very early . I suggest reserving the $1 ticket online days before. Very quick 20 minute tour but very informative.

The Park Ranger providing the tour really made this visit special. She was very knowledgeable and provided information in a way that was captivating.

Touring Independence Hall is a must. The tour only lasts for 20 minutes so well worth the time. You only get to see the 1st floor but the tour guide is full of information. You HAVE to have a ticket to get in but the tickets are free at the visitor's center. If you get your tickets on line, you pay a $1 service fee per ticket. They want you there 30 minutes in advance to allow time to enter thru security. Once you park your car, look for the "information" building and they will guide you to the check in location at the Hall. You have to go thru Security check in and you enter into the back courtyard of the Hall. Most of the security people and the Park Rangers are all crabby and act like they hate their jobs. But stronly advise this quick tour. Well worth the time.

It cost three dollars to get in. You have to sign up online. And there’s specific times you have to sign up on. It’s very cool, seeing a chair in the location that George Washington was in and all the historic founders of the country was neat. The tour was a bit long at 30 minutes. But overall would recommend my rating is 7.4 out of 10..

This building is one of the most important buildings in the USA history. Worth a visit. Tickets are free from the information centre for an allocated time slot. So make sure you go early in the day. There's security before going in so plan ahead. Visit takes 20minutes so it's quite quick. The guides are knowledgeable and friendly. Worth the stop.

A must visit while in Philadelphia. The National Park Service provides a very informative presentation about the founding of the United States of America.

I know the importance of what happened here. I am not trying to take away from that. The outside is very pretty. Most everything inside is a period piece that is a remake of the time. What is actually inside to see is two rooms with a bunch of furniture that did not exist at that time. It’s cool to see it for the historic value, just found the tour to be boring

Visits to the Independence Hall are in 20 minute blocks so overall it’s not a long visit, it’s a really unique place to visit while you are in the city. Special thanks to Julian who was our guide for our visit, he knew absolutely everything and you could tell he was passionate about history and the place itself. Definitely well worth visiting as like most things we found on our trip, it’s free to enter you just need to book tickets for a slot which you can do at the visitor centre across the road.

A real step into history, to see the Liberty Bell is worth the trip on its own. But the Indpendence Hall, National Constitution Center and Supreme Court Chamber just to name a few. The brillance of our "Founding Fathers" is on full display.

It was surreal walking up the same steps into the same room where our Country was Born. The gravity of the situation back then is unimaginable, even today. To think about what they risked, what they endured, what they accomplished for us, for our country, is just…… wow!

I loved the old, creaky floors, the plain, but beautiful ceiling, the period pieces……. But I really loved seeing the ACTUAL chair where George Washington sat.

Wow--SO much to learn and so many places to see in this city!!! I highly recommend visiting Philadelphia. Not only does the city have a rich history but there's also no lack of interesting places. Hope you all have as much fun as I did!

Independence Hall has great guided tours of the site of United States' beginnings. Our National Park Service tour guide gave us a history of the major rooms we visited and the artifacts on display. A must visit of any American History fan.

Good Tour. The guide was well informed. Lots of great basic info. For history "buffs" it was a little rudimentary but still well worth the visit.

Such amazing historical location. So amazing g to be in the exact location where American history was created. The guide did a good job giving details. Make sure to go online at 5pm the night before to get a reservation.

On a 4-day trip to Philly we had planned to visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall on a weekday, but were unable to due to severe weather. We opted to go around noon on a Saturday instead, but unfortunately the lines to both sites were between 1-1.5 hours long standing outside in the cold. Great history for a different time of the year.

For this you have to go online and reserve a tour time. Which is so easy and is only a $1.00. Once you Get through security you will be guided to a waiting area. The tour guide will then take you through the building and tell you all the history. There is two great areas and then you exit out the back of the building. Definitely worth the time to see and experience.

Government staff are eager to share history. Great place to learn. Easy to walk around or bike. Center of all historical sites.

Easy one hour that is a part of our (US) history that you can't miss if you are in Philly. It brings those old school history lessons to life! The Rangers talks are very informative.

One of the best things I did in Philly! Definitely get a $1 ticket in advance (they go live at 5pm the day before and are gone fast). The tour was about 30 min and then you can wander in and out of other buildings. I learned a lot!

Here begins the modern history of this country. We had a good Guide that makes a few simple explanations of the importance of this building in American history for about 25 minutes.
Prior entry required

Wonderful tour. The tour guide was verry knowledgeable. The tour guide was able to go into details about this period of time .

If you're willing to walk, you can see the entire exterior without paying. The interior isn't worth the admission fee unless you're a history buff, as it's just one simple room.

Our bus stopped here while in the area. We already had our ticket which was great because when we got there that morning, they were already sold out. Did the quick 20 minute tour and looked around in the area. Great part of American history.

Every American should visit Independence Hall to see where the United States of America and our constitution was formed. The differences were as great then as they are now. But, unlike our present government, these state representatives were able to compromise and get this huge deal done. No way could our present government accomplish anything of this magnitude.
The Park Rangers are very good. The tour is excellent. At this time there is no wait to get to tour IH. But in the Spring and Summer it can be packed and you'll have to get assigned an admittance time at the nearby Visitor Center. Well worth the visit. .

Ranger Nash was the perfect guide. She made America’s story come alive for us and our homeschooled grandchildren. She also inspired them to ask Rangers for American hero trading cards. To receive them, they had to answer questions. They earned many while visiting all the historical sites.

Was closed for a celebration for the US Navy
Walked around the building and saw as much as possible…. very disappointed no to go inside

Maybe February is not a good time to visit? We were the second to last group touring Independence Hall and the young woman tour guide was shouting at us... my sense is that the people that worked there were burnt out and couldn't wait for the day to end. Very unpleasant experience.

The Park Service does an excellent job of giving tours of Independence Hall. Right now they are keeping good distance between visitors and only allow so many in.
The Hall itself has been lovingly restored to original paint, furnishings, and lighting based on sketches and written accounts. The original chair that George Washington sat in while signing all the important documents sits at the head of the room!
Independence Hall is located just across the street from the Liberty Bell.

Great historically significant site that’s worth your time. Informative brief tour, which you must reserve tickets for ahead of time online, except for non- holiday weekends in January and February. Don’t be late for your ticketed time. The information you receive will say to be at the security checkpoint 30 minutes ahead of time and you really do need that full half hour. I did see them try to accommodate folks who were running behind but if you miss your ticket time, there’s no guarantee.

They release tickets for the tour in two batches. Our date was one of the few that was unavailable to purchase tickets for in advance because apparently the first batch of tickets was already sold out. So I called to ask about it and was advised to purchase tickets the night before at exactly 5PM when the last portion of tickets would be released. Even having two people both separately logged in to the site with it pulled up, ready to purchase as soon as they were available right at 5:00, we were unable to get tickets. The site quit working for us, and within 2-3 minutes all tickets were gone. So that was really disappointing.

That said, most of the things around there don't require the tickets so "all" we missed out on was a 20 minute tour inside. We were fine to go outside as well as to see Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, Philosophical Hall, etc.

My advice if you want the indoor tour would be to check your dates for tickets as far out as you can, and purchase them as far in advance as possible. Most dates have some times available, but ours did not.

We paid extra for the Independence Hall Tour which was offered at 4:20 by a Park Ranger leading it. It is not worth it at all! The free tour allows you to tour the two rooms downstairs. The charge allows you to go upstairs too. There was nothing much to see upstairs, so not worth it. The Park Ranger didn’t give good information on what we were seeing, hard to hear her and because the building closes at 5:00 we were rushed out, so the tour should start earlier if they close so close to tour time. This tour should include going to tour all the buildings in the square instead of just this one and be more detailed in what we are viewing.

First time visitor. Great American founding fathers history. The irony is still having to wear a stupid paper mask to enter Liberty Bell...ughhh. Still highly recommended for history.

Plan ahead during busy times by getting advance tickets. They are $1 on the Recreation.gov website or you can get them free of charge at the Independence visitor center. You have to go through security check, so they recommend arriving 30 min before your tour. There is also a non-ticketed tour in site of the first Congress.
The park service does a great job with historic information and other “side stories”.

It's a very quick tour, only about 10 minutes dedicated to the room where the Declaration was signed. My only complaint really was the fact that two tours could go at once and if your guide (ranger) wasn't the louder of the two guides, they were completely drowned out.

Independence Hall in Philadelphia was built between 1732 and 1753 and is the civic building in which both the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted by America's Founding Fathers. The centerpiece of the Independence National Historical Park it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whilst I did not get chance to go into the Hall for a tour I did have a good look around the grounds and I did visit the iconic Liberty Bell. It is an important and attractive historic building that should be seen by anyone visiting Philadelphia.

As the previous reviewer put it, this is a must do while you are in Philadelphia.

Tours are ticketed only and the easiest way to get a ticket is to go in advance of your date and get the tickets online ($1/ticket). The tour run every fifteen minutes and are limited to 17 people due to Covid.

We were there during a non busy day (Thursday in October) and all tours had sold out, so you should try and get the tickets as soon as you know you are going (can make reservations four months in advance).

Tour was basic and short but plenty good enough for what you see, which is two rooms on the first floor. The second room that you see is where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were approved. Tour guide was good and informative. Ticket says to arrive thirty minutes early for security but we were able to get through security in about two minutes. They do start the tours on time, so don’t be late for your tour.

The rangers offer hourly tours of Independence Hall, and it was great getting to take a look at where the Constitution was drafted.

Beautiful visit, small guided tour very instructive. Free, you only pay for the reservation of the time slot - $ 1 each - You must be on time

Absolutely worth coming here!! Experience what you’ve read in your history books!! The only snafu; you can only get tickets to tour Independence Hall online!!!! They only release about 20 tickets per tour time slot… Make sure you plan that part of your trip accordingly. Especially if you only have a day or two to see everything down there. Other than that, definitely worth your time to come here and visit!!

You have to get timed tickets to enter Independence Hall online. After all that, they didn't even check my ticket.

Security was easy enough to pass through.

There are timed tours which take you through the two rooms inside. Our guide was very knowledgeable. There were quite a lot of people. For less than an hour, it's definitely worth the visit.

The tour of Independence Hall was incredibly boring and disappointing. It was so bad, we left prior to going upstairs. There was no information about the participants who were present for the discussion, voting and signing of the Declaration. There was no information about the members of the Constitutional Convention. We received a terrible history lesson about the events that led to the gatherings in 1776 and 1787. That was 90% of the presentation. That might as well be given out on the street. There was no opportunity to ask questions or inquire or be involved.

It would have been so much more engaging if our guide would have mentioned who actually sat in the 'Sun Chair" after discussing that authentic relic. There were no interesting tidbits about John Hancock or his bold signature. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Samuel Adams were never mentioned either. Interesting stories about Caesar Rodney or Charles Carroll would have been awesome. A reference or connection to the movie, National Treasure would have been fabulous. Where did the 56 signers sit? Why didn't George Washington sign the Declaration? Who also included their address on the Declaration? How many signers of the Declaration also signed the Constitution? How many total delegates signed the Constitution? What were the conditions in the building for the four months of 1787? What was George Washington's role at the Constitutional Convention or James Madison's role?

All of the things I'm mentioning are related to the building, the events and the participants. Again, our tour was a summary of boring facts leading up to the events that transpired in Independence Hall. I feel bad for people joining that tour who have no idea how interesting the actual history that occurred there was. It's no wonder kids are turned-off by history. I would love to re-write the script for that tour to make it exciting and engaging and interactive.

This is kind of a must when in philly. Is history. Had to wait a good hour. Once inside there was about a 20 minute two of two rooms. Tour guide was a little strange but nice. A few other things you can explore after congress hall but not much.

Make a reservation with the Park Service to visit inside Independence Hall for a glimpse into the past but also consider a longer, more comprehensive guided tour from a qualified company to learn more about this fascinating park.

The National Park Service requires you to make your reservation in advance to visit this popular attraction. They charge only $1 a person which helps cover some of the costs of the security screening required to enter.
Park Service tour guide Larry M. did an excellent job giving our group about a 20 minute tour of the two historic rooms.

We are from Canada and came here to see some sights. Independence hallis well worth seeing. We learned so much about US history from the speakers who tell you of the various buildings and what happened back then. Actually I learned more than I thought because the speakers tell you what actually happened and honestly. ie declaration says all people are free yet they remind you that half the men signing it had slaves! The speakers really are honest and you learn a lot about why Americans wanted to be free from Britain and the great risks these men took signing their names to be against the King of England for risking their freedom. Really worh seeing.

You definitely need a ticket for this place to reserve your spot. This place is amazing with the history that surrounds you when you walk in. The same place where our founders signed our Declaration of Independence and created our constitution! The place where George Washington sat and heard arguments and saw some fights between the leaders of that time. The park ranger was very pleasant and knowledgeable about the history of the building and what went on inside those hallowed walls.

A trip inside Independence Hall (The Pennsylvania State House) is more than a photo opportunity. It's a way for everyone, no matter their age, to understand what the fight against tyranny was about. Our guide, a NPS ranger named Ed, provided a passionate narrative on the stakes and what those sitting in the rooms did to gain their independence.

It's definitely worth the time to get advance tickets and view the hub of American freedom.

Educational and fun. Be sure to reserve the tour in advance online. It’s $1 a ticket. You will have to pass through security so arrive 30
Mins ahead of time.

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!

A must go if touring Philadelphia. Picturing all the past historical figures and hearing some of their stories was amazing!

It was cool to see the building where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The park ranger giving the tour was very informative and funny. They seemed very knowledgeable and passionate about this historic building.

You need tickets (free; so it's more of a reservation) to gain access to this section of Philadelphia, which you can get at the Visitors Center. Be sure to arrive earlier rather than later because everyone is screened before entering the premises. It took us about 5 minutes, but the park rangers at the visitor center told us it could take 20 minutes.

I recommend going. Honestly, why not?

This UNESCO world heritage site is a must do. It is small, but the history mighty. You'll will take a ton of videos during your 25 minute tour. It was crowded, but not unmanageable. I will definitely come back if in the Philly area.

I was in Philadelphia and looking for a cheap activity to kill time before my flight home. Be SURE to book your tour time a day or more before your desired visit through Recreation.gov. At time of this post tours cost $1 per person for a 20 minute tour. This ended up being the highlight of my trip. Larry was our park ranger who provided the tour and clearly he is passionate about history and the legacy of the US National Parks! He was engaging, informative, and entertaining. Regardless if history interests you or not, you’ll enjoy this brief and entertaining tour. The park rangers have a wealth of knowledge and love sharing the artifacts and information with visitors. You’ll go through security prior to entering the courtyard of independence hall. There’s a park across the street for stretching your legs or enjoying the weather. Lastly the Liberty Bell is free, requires no tickets, and a quick wait to see. You’ll also need to pass through separate security to see the bell.

I'm local to the area and have done this tour several times when friends visit. It's a great tour. It's short, but full of facts. You can take pictures. You do go through security to enter. The groups are on the large side, but they give enough time to migle forward and get a clearer view of the room. Each time, we had a different park ranger give us the tour and each time, we learned different tidbits, in addition to the overall history of Independence Hall. It's so exciting to be in the room where it happened! Well done, National Park Service!
TIP! Just down the street is a "five below" store. They have great Philly merch at a much better price than the official gift shop.

A chance to stand in the footsteps of where it all began - the revolutionary ideals of liberty and self-government, the creation of a strong central government with limited powers, the establishment of a stable republic, and the protection of individual rights through documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

So much history has taken place at this building. If these walls could talk, just imagine the stories it would tell. Due to Covid, we had to arrive early and wait in line to get tickets for Independence Hall. At the time, only 17 people were allowed in at a time. Once all the tickets are gone, people will have to try again the next day. Our ticket time was 10:00 a.m., so we visited Congress Hall first. Once our tour for Independence Hall began, we heard two presentations in two different rooms from the park rangers. It was an awesome experience to be in a place where our American History was made. Everyone should see Independence Hall at least once in their life!

Twenty minute tour of the rooms where US history was made. Free but reservations needed. We got reservations 2 days in advance but that day all tours were sold out. Mildly interesting for kids 5 and under but older kids like seeing it.

The birthplace of our democracy.
The most amazing collection of buildings and historical artifacts of our American History.
Park Rangers are wonderfully articulate and knowledgeable.
You do not want to miss this important location.

The park rangers who lead the tours are very informative, humorous, and helpful. So much history within these walls. A must stop when in Philadelphia.

It served as a reminder of the place from where we came and helps us continue hoping for a better tomorrow

After visiting the Liberty Bell with walked over to Independence Square and Independence Hall. We are History buffs and loved visiting and experiencing the birthplace of this great nation of ours. We even learned a few things we didn't already know. Everyone should experience the history here in Philadelphia.

Great experience! We went in the early afternoon, after purchasing our tickets online at recreation.gov I downloaded the app to show the ticket QR code to the ranger. The tickets are only $1 and are required but include the ranger tour, which is the only way to get into the building. The way to get into the building is when standing looking at the front of the building, go to the far left street corner and then across the cobblestone street, then through a security metal detector tent. Men must remove belts. Coats and jackets too. Very nice security. Then you wait for the ranger tour which is timed entry. Show your QR code and follow the ranger inside. Nice 20 mins tour which each ranger gives their own spice to the tour. Very knowledgeable and fun. Great place to experience REAL American history. Beautiful gorgeous building. Also I'd suggest going into the other buildings around the chained-in area. Can see original drafts of documents and more. More rangers throughout the place to answer questions. Great experience all around.

Located in central Philadelphia, Independence Hall is a beautiful, red brick Georgian building which played a significant part in American history. Tours last around 25-30 minutes and outline the importance of the building in the fight for American independence, and explain the declaration of independence and the US constitution. You need to arrive 15 minutes before tour start time, if you're earlier than that there are plenty of other historical sites (such as the Liberty Bell) nearby which you can visit in the meantime. Only an hour and a half train ride from NYC - recommend a visit. Also go to Munchie's deli/diner 5 minutes away for breakfast/ lunch.

Of course if you go to Philadelphia you have to visit Independence Hall, "to be in the room where it happened". There is an expanded 40-min version of the tour offered once a day at 4:15pm that takes you up to the second floor as well as the first. Highly recommended snagging this tour as soon as tickets are released the day before if you can. Our ranger guide Anna did an excellent job. She must repeat the same speeches too many times to count, but made it feel fresh like her first time.

Both of our kids were so excited to come here, as they were both learning about the Revolution in school. Being able to see somewhere you have only read about is really amazing! We went in the fall so it wasn't quite as busy as summertime and we were able to get a tour pretty easily. The architecture of the building is stunning and definitely worth a visit on its own. Of course, being able to see the place that the Declaration of Independence was signed, a place that is so important in the history of our young country, was so cool. Our tour guide was great and answered my kiddo's many questions! A definite stop and we'll probably visit again if we are in the area.

Mecca of democracy to discover. The visit is very quick; unfortunately the very fast delivery of the guide made it difficult to understand

See where it all happened. Guides are knowledgeable and nice. Amazing to be in the room where the documents were debated and signed.

My wife and I, along with a 17 and 15 year old loved the history! We went on a paid tour of the grounds. We spent time looking around and really enjoyed this. You don't need to be a history nerd to enjoy this and walk away feeling the power of what happened here. You don't need to spend hour and hours, but give it an hour or so and I think you'll feel it was time well spent.

We enjoyed our brief tour very much. Right now advanced tickets are required, which are easy to get on-line. It is very worthwhile to go inside this building. I recommend it to everyone.

Make sure to book your tour ahead of your visit. Only 20 mins but there are other areas to see. We were there for about 45 mins. Great guide.

Came here on 03JUL and wanted to get a ticket. The staff was very patient and nice. He explained to us how to get a ticket the easiest way. The place does not just have the independence hall. The liberty bell is also nearby so you can do multiple attractions and historical tours all at once. Recommended.

Booking Independence Hall is a must to ensure a tour. Every ranger/guide who takes the tour has a different slant so it’s always different and interesting although no Nicholas Cage in sight

It was fascinating to see the rooms where it all began, especially the room immortalized on the reverse of the $2 bill. The tour guide, Larry, was excellent, and helped bring the story of this building to life. One must get a timed entry, so plan ahead!

We went on the 4 pm tour (allowed in earlier than ticket for 4:40 pm) on Wednesday Oct. 4, 2023 for tour of Independence Hall. There were 4 in my party. Our guide was Sara with the red hair. This was the worse tour guide ever. We all hoped it was her last day. She had a terrible chip on her shoulder. She gave us very little information. After speaking briefly about the first room, she said there are probably things in this room who would like to know about but we are moving on to the next room. We all heard more about how tired you are at the end of the day and something about what time her husband gets up. This is sad but the 4 of us hope she never gives another tour. We spoke to the ladies in the Ben Franklin gift shop about who was the Superintendent for this historical site so we could write a letter but they didn't know. We are so sorry to be so negative but this was our experience. One receipt # 069289278

It was nice. Make sure you get your ticket the day before (they release tickets at 5 pm). It's a quick view of an important space. I will say there is a second tour of the congress building (next to the west wing). That area and the west wing are accessible without a ticket. Seeing the house and senate chambers were just as cool as Independence Hall.

We visited Independence Hall during a Government shut down. Unfortunately we were not able to go inside the hall, but we were able to walk around it completely. We definitely will be back once things open back up.

Not a great deal to see but this is history so soak it in! Try to go early to avoid queues. There's an underground station nearby so easy to reach on public transport.

This is an amazing site! 20 minute tour covers all questions and information you’ll need for that time period. However, even in frigid temperatures, the lines get long. During February 2022, 17 people are allowed for a tour every 15 minutes. Tickets aren’t required for the winter months, and can get really busy and time-consuming to get there. Overall, inside, it is a majestic historical site!

We visited in January, and crowds were minimal. Tour groups to the inside of Independence Hall were limited to 17 people. Free tour lasted about 25 minutes. Tour was excellent and we learned a lot about our history that we did not know. The tricky part about Philadelphia is the parking. The city parking is not friendly to tourists. On street parking is reasonable if you can find it, but read the signs carefully as available hours vary and we got a $75 ticket for being 15 minutes late while on the 25 minute tour. Parking lots are plenteous but outrageous charging between $11-15/hour.

Beautiful building. Got to visit and see the outside of this in March on a day-trip to Philadelphia. Sadly due to time constraints with traffic we could only see the outside.

Glad i got to see it and one day i may go stateside again and visit again.

Go between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and it's free, quiet, and plenty of rangers to talk to you in each room and answer questions. We also did the guided tour by booking the 4.20 p.m. ticket well in advance which gives you the benefit to go upstairs and with a guide (but a large group all peering together and taking photos).
It's an important building and definite to see, but bluntly, there isn't very much to see, so worth having a quick Google read beforehand of what you are looking at to understand it properly - there's not a lot of annotation (I guess to keep it looking authentic).
We enjoyed it much more when it was quiet and we could wander at our own pace and talk to the rangers in each of the three rooms.

Thankfully Independence Hall and a few other key sights are still open while Covid is still hanging around. Independence Hall used to allow 70 people in on each tour and currently only 9 at a time are allowed inside. We went during a time when there weren’t a lot of tours, so even with 9 at a time, we didn’t have to wait long. We heard from one of the park rangers that weekdays are shorter lines than weekends. Another tip when visiting the old city is to plan your visiting day of the week around what you want to see. Check the websites ahead of time as several things we found had only partially re-open Wednesday-Saturday.