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4.5
3,045 votes

Liberty Bell Center

526 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 USA

Free
Free to Visit
Open Now
Tue 9a-5p
  • Independent
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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Iconic Attraction

Our Take

This iconic symbol of Philadelphia and its role in the American Revolution is best seen alongside Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center, and other historical sites in town. The experience of seeing the Bell might be a bit like seeing the Mona Lisa since you’ll be in a big group crowding around the artifact, but with the added advantage of a historical interpreter highlighting the story of its significance. At the end of the day, historians are only mostly sure that it was one of the bells rung after the public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8th of 1776, and its history as an emblem for the abolitionist movement is more interesting than its role in the Revolution.

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“iconic symbol of American Independence”

The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American Independence, located inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. Formerly placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House (now renamed Independence Hall), the bell was commissioned from the London firm of Lester and Pack (today the Whitechapel Bell Foundry) in 1752, and was cast with the lettering (part of Leviticus 25:10) "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." It originally cracked when first rung after arrival in Philadelphia, and was twice recast by local workmen John Pass and John Stow, whose last names appear on the bell. In its early years, the Liberty Bell was used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens to public meetings and proclamations.

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  • Tour Guide
  • 172 Reviews
  • 215 Helpful
April 14, 2014
Rated

Was recently here and to be honest even though the story of the bell is cool and it's free there really isn't much here. Independence Hall is much more interesting. I did enjoy the bell though and really can't complain because it's free. Also I snapped the picture you see in the banner on my last visit. The way the room is set up really allows for a great silhouette almost everytime so it's very nice for photographers.

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Anna Hider

  • Blogger
  • 1,414 Reviews
  • 637 Helpful
July 13, 2014
Rated

It can get really crowded and it can be hard to see the bell, so if you have kids try and get a spot up front. The tour guides really know what they're talking about as well!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Niki_L.

  • 13 Reviews
  • 6 Helpful
June 01, 2018
Rated 4.0

We took our two children (9, 11) here and we enjoyed it. It was very interesting to learn more about the nations first symbol. It was free and you didn't need a ticket, but you did have to stand in line and go through security. The line seemed like a long line but we were only in it for about 15 minutes.
It wasn't too busy when we were there, just a lot of school groups, but you still have to be patient, wait your turn and hold your own when you want to take a picture near the bell. Once we passed security, we were only in the building for about 10 minutes and that includes reading info and taking photos.
We ate right across the street at IBG (Independence Beer Garden) and it was good and fast.
We walked three blocks to Franklin Park and also visited the Philadelphia Visitors Center (NICE bathrooms).
There were a few places to park but all were about $20 for anything more than two hours.
Traffic in and out of the area was stop and go, at best.

1 person found this review helpful
  • 54 Reviews
  • 31 Helpful
October 05, 2014
Rated 4.0

The Liberty Bell is one on those things that you just have to see if you're in Philly. It's a great little piece of American history, but you'll probably enjoy the cheesesteak more. The good news is that it is free to see the bell, and even if the line goes out the building and most of the way to Independence Hall it won't take long to get in (there were probably 100 people in line ahead of us and it only took about 15 minutes to get in to see the bell). They have exhibits about the Liberty Bell and a few other bells, not a ton, and the bell itself is all the way at the end. Surrounded. By. People. You will probably have to wait a few minutes and squeeze past some people to get a photo with the bell.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Mario C

  • 2 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
July 07, 2023
Rated 5.0

First time here. Brought my wife and 4 year old son. We loved it. Great piece of history.

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Reviewed by
Meghan1998

  • 5 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
May 25, 2020
Rated 5.0

It’s a great place to stop and view some history but there is not much in this specific spot. There are many neighboring attractions however that are also good to stop in like the many many museums Philly has to offer or the great food spots around the city

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Reviewed by
thugener

  • 3 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
October 16, 2015
Rated 5.0

We enjoyed the full Market St/independence area (the bell, Independence Hall, Franklin's house, etc. make sure your first stop is the Independence Visitor's center (also great for parking).

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Reviewed by
angel4nature

  • 6 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
September 11, 2015
Rated

We tried to go here but were sadly disappointed when it came to finding parking for our motorhome. We have been on a cross country trip trying to teach our kids all kinds of history by taking them to the actual sites and were quite disappointed to find out we could not park less than 2.4 miles from the bell.

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Reviewed by
StephanieSmith

  • 8 Reviews
  • 4 Helpful
July 20, 2015
Rated 5.0

very interesting. I thought I knew all there was to know about this but I learned so much. a must go.

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Reviewed by
btao18

  • 15 Reviews
  • 1 Helpful
April 15, 2015
Rated 5.0

Loved it. Really busy. Be prepared to wait in line.

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Liberty Bell Center

526 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19106 USA
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Hours

Open now until 5:00 pm
  • Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Pets Allowed
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    Wheelchair Accessible
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