Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Independence National Historical Park covers roughly 22 hectares in Philadelphia's Old City, preserving the buildings where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution was drafted in 1787. Independence Hall, the park's centerpiece, is a Georgian brick building where the Second Continental Congress met; its Assembly Room contains the inkstand used to sign both documents. The Liberty Bell, displayed in a glass-walled pavilion across the street, weighs roughly 943 kilograms and bears its famous crack, which appeared in the early 19th century. Free timed-entry tickets are required for Independence Hall. is just one of many options in Philadelphia. Major attractions worth considering include Eastern State Penitentiary, Elfreth's Alley, and Philadelphia City Hall.