Budget-Friendly Tips for Philadelphia’s Historic District
Introduction
It’s been a busy fall for me, marked by two thrilling trips and an endless cycle of laundry. Finally, I can take a moment to reflect on one of the most enjoyable parts of my recent journey to Philadelphia. As someone who often tags along on my husband’s business trips, I’ve had the unique opportunity to explore countless cities on my own. These solo adventures have provided me with an enriching perspective on each place we visit. However, this recent trip to Philadelphia was special because my parents, both in their 70s and 80s, joined us. To make their visit memorable, I planned a leisurely day of sightseeing that was perfect for all ages and budget-friendly. In this guide, I’ll walk you through our adventure in the historic heart of Philadelphia.
Exploring Independence Hall
Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States, played a pivotal role in our nation’s history. It’s a must to visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. You can book a 20-minute guided tour of Independence Hall daily from 9 am to 4:40 pm. While you might get tickets on the same day, it’s best to reserve them in advance via the recreation.gov website, with each ticket costing just $1.
After breakfast at the hotel, we kicked off our adventure by taking an Uber from our hotel in the Rittenhouse Square area, which cost us a mere $10. Arriving about two hours prior to our Independence Hall tour allowed us ample time to clear security and explore the Liberty Bell exhibit. Be prepared for a security check, and depending on the time of day, it might be crowded. The self-guided tour leads you through a series of exhibits before reaching the Liberty Bell, offering great photo opportunities, even though touching it isn’t allowed. My dad, a history lover, enjoyed reading the captions under the exhibits, and all three of us learned some intriguing new facts.
Outside, you can stroll the grounds and catch a glimpse of the old President’s House site. The grassy area is also an ideal spot for kids to burn off some energy before the Independence Hall Tour. It’s advisable to arrive at Independence Hall 30 minutes before your scheduled tour to account for the security screening process. Note that there are no public restrooms at Independence Hall, so make use of facilities beforehand at the Independence Visitor Center (they’re surprisingly very clean). Within the courtyard, you’ll find several benches to relax, soak in the ambiance, and envision life as it was all those years ago.
The tour takes you into the old Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chamber and the gem, the Assembly Room, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. Once the tour concludes, you can explore other wings of the Hall, and there’s a small gift shop to visit. In the foyer outside the gift shop, don’t forget to check out the small table with a brochure and a map of other sites in the Historic District, all within walking distance. It’s even more enjoyable for kids, who can stamp the brochure like a passport to document their visits at each place on the map.
Lunch at Bourse Food Hall
Just a block away from Independence Hall, you’ll find Bourse Food Hall. There are a variety of restaurants and plenty of indoor seating making it the perfect place to grab lunch, sit, and relax. Their clean bathrooms are an added bonus.
Ben Franklin’s Burial Spot
Post-lunch, we walked a couple of blocks to see Ben Franklin’s burial site. We then headed to the Independence Hall Visitor Center, which boasts an even larger gift shop and exceptionally clean restrooms, a pleasant surprise for me, given the usual conditions at high tourist areas.
A Stroll Back to the Hotel
If you look at a map, you’ll notice that our day involved walking in a large circle/square in the area. Although there’s much more to explore in Philadelphia’s Historic District, we decided to wrap up our afternoon with a coffee and pretzel at the nearby Wawa (I’ll have to blog about this place in the future). It was a well-deserved break after all the walking, where my parents were so rejuvenated that they wanted to walk back to our hotel, rather than get an Uber, which was a little over a mile away. This walk took us through the City Hall Area and we even got a quick picture at the LOVE sign in JFK Plaza aka Love Park. We could have ventured further to make pit stops at Reading Terminal and the Philadelphia Art Museum, home to the iconic Rocky movie stairs. However, we decided to hurry back as the rain started to come.
Conclusion
When traveling, it’s crucial to plan ahead, but remember that the most rewarding sightseeing experiences involve immersing yourself in the local culture. You don’t have to break the bank to make lasting memories, and a leisurely day in Philadelphia’s Historic District proves just that.
