Liberty Bell Center

The Liberty Bell Center, along with Independence Hall, forms the centerpiece of Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park. Right in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, these historic sites are easy to visit in a day or two.

Liberty Bell Center

The Liberty Bell Center, in particular, is free and easy to visit. No tickets are required, though there is a security check, and only around 60 people are allowed in at once, so a line forms on most days.

One pro tip if you don’t want to stand in line – there’s a viewing window on the side of the building with push buttons for a narration in your chosen language. You can find it on the opposite side from 6th Street, where most people line up.

Once you are inside, there is a long stone corridor with exhibits on the history and influence of the Liberty Bell. The exhibits address the making of the bell, when it cracked, and all the attempts to fix it. Then it shifts into the cultural significance of the bell and its adoption by enslaved people as a symbol of liberty. Click here for the words of the poem renaming the Old State House Bell to the Liberty Bell. At the end of the corridor is the bell itself, framed through the glass by Independence Hall, its former home. A park ranger is there to answer any questions about this national treasure.

You can take your time reading all of the exhibits or walk straight back to see the Liberty Bell. Most people seemed to look at the first few exhibits, then give up and walk back. But don’t give up unless you’re short on time. It’s a fantastic look at the meaning of liberty for all Americans, no matter their skin color.

The whole pavilion is stone and glass, with a feel of an outdoor pavilion but fully enclosed. And the Liberty Bell itself is beautifully presented. Still, if there isn’t a line outside, you could walk through and see the bell in 5 minutes or take about 15-20 to read all the signs.

Parking & Amenities

There are no bathrooms inside the Liberty Bell Center, but there are some across the lawn towards 5th Street. They were locked during my visit, however, so I’m not sure if that was a cold-weather/off-season thing or a Covid thing.

Parking is wherever you can find it in Downtown Philadelphia, in neighboring garages, or at a street meter, if you can find one. A good choice is the underground parking lot under the Independence Visitor Center, which also has bathrooms, a gift shop, an informational movie, and an information desk.