Independence Hall in Philadelphia: Your Guide to the Building That Changed History

Why Visit

Entering Independence Hall means stepping back in time, to when the United States first took shape.

Here, George Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, and Benjamin Franklin declared our new country a republic.

  — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

The Declaration of Independence was signed here in 1776, and the U.S. Constitution was written here in 1787.

A National Historic Landmark, Independence Hall is recognized globally for its impact on the pursuit of freedom and democracy.

Must-See Highlights

Originally named the Pennsylvania State House, Independence Hall housed all three branches of government in one place — legislative, executive and judicial — from 1732 to 1799. It was also the home of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1791 to 1800.

Some of the most important decisions in American history were made here, and the site remains home to several original artifacts and historic copies on display.

Below are some of the top areas to explore at Independence Hall.

The Assembly Room

This is the room where it happened.

In the Assembly Room, delegates from 12 colonies — Georgia chose not to attend the First Continental Congress, then abstained from voting at the start of the Second Continental Congress — debated the formation of a national government. This is where America’s vote for independence was cast on July 2, 1776, and where the Declaration of Independence was signed one month later.

  — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Before the U.S. Constitution was written, the Articles of Confederation — adopted here in 1777 — held the colonies together during wartime. Everything about the original U.S. Constitution (aside from the amendments) was decided in this very room during the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

The Assembly Room, set beneath a glittering antique chandelier, is arranged in its original configuration from the Constitutional Convention, and visitors can view period-era artifacts, including George Washington’s famed “rising sun” chair and a decorative cockshell frieze. Looking for even more authenticity? Scan the room for Caesar Rodney’s quill, William Ellery’s spectacles and Thomas Jefferson’s walking stick.

The Supreme Court Chamber

Directly across from the Assembly Room, the Supreme Court Chamber is where the rule of law was upheld.

In the Supreme Court Chamber, lawyers from opposing sides shared tables, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court saw cases ranging from divorces to murders, as the country built its new legal system.

Standouts in this room include the bold colors of the chamber (repainted to match the original color palette) and the “prisoner’s dock” — a railed, jail-like pen where the accused would literally stand trial.

In 1790, the Supreme Court of the United States held its first two sessions in this room as Old City Hall was still under construction. Housed inside is an original Pennsylvania Coat of Arms (dated 1785), amplifying the room’s role in two deeply dramatic events, including one of the first public demonstrations of protest by Philadelphians on July 8, 1776.

The Great Essentials in the West Wing

Want to see the historic documents up close?

Connected by brick arches — and with its entrance just outside Independence Hall — the West Wing features original 18th-century copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution.

The Great Essentials   — Photo courtesy National Park Service

The West Wing’s Great Essentials exhibit showcases these original printed copies alongside artifacts like the silver Syng inkstand, where history says the 56 delegates of the Second Continental Congress dipped their pens before authoring the documents that changed history.

Note: The name Great Essentials comes from a 1776 letter penned by John Adams to his wife, Abigail, in which he articulated how the new republic should be one based on virtue, law and balanced power.

No tickets are required to visit the West Wing.

Congress Hall

Located immediately west of Independence Hall stands the building that was once the Philadelphia County Courthouse, Congress Hall. This building was home to the U.S. Congress from 1790 to 1800, when Philadelphia served as the temporary capital of the United States.

This two-story Georgian brick structure at the corner of 6th and Chestnut streets once housed the House of Representatives on the first floor (Lower House) and the U.S. Senate on the second floor (Upper House).

Several historic achievements happened within Congress Hall, including the establishment of the First Bank of the United States, the Federal Mint and the Department of the Navy; the ratification of Jay’s Treaty with England; and the Presidential inaugurations of George Washington and John Adams.

Admission & Tickets

Independence Hall is located at 520 Chestnut Street. Entry to Independence Hall and the West Wing can be found on 5th Street, between Chestnut Street and Walnut Street. Congress Hall is most easily accessed via 6th and Chestnut streets.

All three attractions are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).

Visiting Independence Hall

From 9 to 9:50 a.m., non-ticketed self-guided tours of Independence Hall are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Starting at 10 a.m., all tours are ticketed and guided by knowledgeable park rangers. Tours run about 20 minutes, and timed tickets must be purchased in advance for $1 via the attraction’s ticketing website or by calling 1 (877) 444-6777.

  — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

Tip: Ticket holders should arrive 30 minutes prior to their tour to allow enough time to pass through a security screening.

Note that tickets aren’t required in January or February (except for holiday weekends). Tickets are also not required on Independence Day and select summer dates — July 1 through 4, and July 14 — as well as national holidays like Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Visiting Independence Hall’s West Wing

The West Wing of Independence Hall is located directly next to Independence Hall, past the security screening.

Access to the West Wing and the Great Essentials exhibit is free and open to the public, and entry is first-come, first-served.

  — Photo courtesy National Park Service

Visiting Congress Hall

Access to Congress Hall is always free and open to the public. Open daily, the attraction offers open houses from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4:15 to 5 p.m., and guided tours every 30 minutes from 10:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. No tickets required.

Looking for the entrance? Keep an eye out for the security checkpoints on the south side of Independence Hall.

For more info on Independence Hall, click the button below.

More Things To Do

Independence Hall is just one of over two-dozen sites that make up Independence National Historical Park, most of which are located just steps from one another.

Liberty Bell Center   — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

Read on for ways to continue your adventure at some of the park’s most popular stops:

• See the Liberty Bell, debunk the myths around its famous crack and learn about its expanded legacy as a worldwide icon during the anti-slavery movement (526 Market Street).
• Explore The President’s House, an outdoor museum focusing on the lives and untold stories of the enslaved people who once worked for George Washington (598 Market Street).
• Stroll further down the street to visit the world’s only museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution at the National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street).
• Visit the nearby American Philosophical Society, a free museum dedicated to scholarly learning. It houses Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten draft of the Declaration of Independence and a notebook from Lewis and Clark’s Western exploration (104 S. 5th Street).
• Or walk a stone’s throw away from Independence Hall and see Carpenters’ Hall. This is where the First Continental Congress met and first aired their grievances against the British monarchy (320 Chestnut Street).

Carpenters' Hall

Additionally, there are several plaques and statues stationed in and around Independence National Historical Park. One can’t-miss attraction is a towering bronze statue of Commodore John Barry, the “Father of the American Navy.”

Don’t know where to begin your journey of American history? The nearby Independence Visitor Center is the perfect place to get started.