Philadelphia Sights
- Overview
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Activities
- Travel Tips
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
- Deals
- Guidebooks
Independence Visitor Center
Independence Visitor Center Review
This is the city's official visitor center as well as the gateway to Independence National Historical Park. Here, you'll find a fully staffed concierge-and-trip-planning desk, which provides information on the Park, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Zoo, and other attractions, as well as a reservation and ticketing service. Before you set off on a walking tour, acquaint yourself with Colonial American history by watching the Founding Fathers come to life in the 30-minute movie Independence, one of the films shown in the center's two theaters. There's also a coffee bar with sandwiches, salads, and desserts, and an excellent bookstore, where you can stock up on books, videos, brochures, prints, wall hangings, and souvenirs of historic figures and events. An atrium connects the visitor center to a renovated underground parking area. The outdoor café, Crosswalk Cafe, on the east side of the visitor center, is open May through October.
To see two of the city's famous historic homes—the Bishop White and Todd houses—you'll need to stop at the information desk to get a free, timed ticket, and reserve a spot on one of the tours, each of which takes about 30 minutes.
- Address: 6th and Market Sts., Historic Area, Philadelphia, PA, 19106 | Map It
- Phone: 215/965-7676; 800/537-7676
- Hours: Sept.--May, daily 8:30--6; June--Aug., daily 8:30--7
- Website: www.independencevisitorcenter.com
- Location: Historic Area
Contact Information
Free Fodor's Newsletter
Subscribe today for weekly travel inspiration, tips, and special offers.
Fodor's Trip Planning Ideas
- Great American Vacation: Find Your Next U.S. Trip with Fodor's
- 80 Degrees: Fodor's Helps You Find Your Best Beach Vacation Spots
- Go List: Fodor's Top 25 Places to Go in 2013
- Hotel Awards 2012: Fodor's 100 Top Hotels
- Weekend Getaways: Fodor's Recommends the Best Weekend Escapes in the US
- Best of Europe: Fodor's Picks the Best Places to Visit in Europe
Travel Deals in Philadelphia
- $55 -- Cirque du Soleil Big Top Show near Philly, Reg. $70 Cirque du Soleil
· Forums Trip Reports
-
Thanks in advance to all the people here who helped in the planning of this - both last year and this year! Read more
-
Okay, I'm a philistine when it comes to art; I knows what I likes, and that's about it. Read more
·Arizona Forum, California Forum, Massachusetts Forum, Nevada Forum, New York Forum, Pennsylvania Forum, Tennessee Forum, Washington, D.C. Forum
-
Hi,
We are in the planning stages of our one month trip to the US, from mid May to mid June.
It's just so much to see and do, that I nearly lose my focus, so I need some help to narrow it down, please. Read more
· News & Features
-
Trip Ideas
The curious and daring among you will discover the vibrant, gilded landscape of Istanbul, the city tha... Read more
-
News, Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises to debut in May 2015 with a small ship, all-inclusive experience in Scandinavia and... Read more
-
News, Airlines
Apparently 2013 is the year of major airline uniform upgrades.... Read more



