Plan A Field Trip

Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center are both open. From March through December, entrance to Independence Hall is by tour only and timed entry tickets are required. Tickets are not required in January and February, except for holiday weekends.

No tickets are necessary to visit the Liberty Bell Center.

Park operations could change at any time. Please view the Alerts for updates on closures and ticketing information for changes to Independence Hall ticket distribution.

 

Field Trip FAQs

How do I visit? Will I have a guide?
You can lead your students yourself or contract with a tour company. If you opt to lead your students yourself, we recommend using the National Park Service mobile app to help guide you. It's a free download. You can use the map in the app along with your smartphone's GPS to make sure you are heading in the right direction.

A number of school groups opt to contract with a tour company. As a government entity, the park does not endorse commercial enterprises. For information on tour operators, check out the Visit Philadelphia web page.

Do I need tickets for Independence Hall?
Yes, from March through December, entrance is by timed, ticketed tour only. Learn how to obtain tickets on the park's ticketing web page. Sixty (60) people are permitted on each tour. Tickets are not required in January and February, except for holiday weekends.

I need help reserving tickets for Independence Hall. What should I do?
Need help obtaining Independence Hall tickets for your school group or other non-profit education group? Please contact Independence Hall Education Tickets with the following information:

• Name of Contact
• Name of School or Educational Institution
• Number of Students
• Number of Chaperones
• Requested Date or Date Range
• Requested Tour Time or Time Range (am/pm)
• Email Address
• Ten Digit Telephone Number

Requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Last minute requests are difficult to accommodate due to limitations on tour capacities. Our team will respond to your request within 48 hours. If you do not see a reply, please check your spam folder.

*Please note, individual reservations or commercial tour operators must reserve tickets through recreation.gov.

Can we see Independence Hall without a tour? We just want to look around.
Entrance is by tour only. There is no option to just peek in, even in the winter.

How long does the tour of Independence Hall take?
The tour of Independence Hall is approximately 20 minutes. Keep in mind that your group must pass through security screening prior to lining up for the tour. NOTE: There are no restrooms on Independence Square. Plan ahead!

Do I need tickets to visit the Liberty Bell Center?
No tickets are required to visit the Liberty Bell Center. It's free, and entrance is first come, first served.

How long does it take to visit the Liberty Bell Center?
Entrance is first come, first served. Once inside, the length of your visit depends on what you want to see. Some groups pass by the exhibits, opting just to see the Liberty Bell (about 5-7 minutes). Other groups spend some time in the exhibit area (15-20 minutes) before seeing the Liberty Bell (another 5 minutes or so).

Can you connect with my class online?
The park is offering two virtual field trips:

• The "Keystone" is a free virtual field trip for 4th grade students in Pennsylvania. It focuses on Pennsylvania history.

Another great option is to use our virtual tour videos in your classroom.

Are there lunch facilities or somewhere to eat if we bring bag lunches?
The park does not have any indoor space for students to eat lunch. Picnicking is permitted in the park, provided that care is taken to discard trash in the receptacles provided. Please remember that open containers of food and drink are not permitted in any of the park buildings.

Where are the restrooms?
There are restrooms in the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets.