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Independence National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park, located in downtown (called "Center City"), Philadelphia, is often referred to as the birthplace of our nation. At the park, visitors can see the Liberty Bell, an international symbol of freedom, and Independence Hall, a World Heritage Site where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were created. In addition, the park interprets events and the lives of the diverse population during the years when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800. A section of the park where Benjamin Franklin's home once stood is dedicated to teaching about Franklin's life and accomplishments. Spanning approximately 45 acres, the park has about 20 buildings open to the public.


Contact Information

143 South Third Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 597-8974 - Visitor Information
(215) 597-1785 (TTY) - Visitor Information
(215) 597-8787 - Headquarters


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Getting There

By Plane
Philadelphia International Airport, eight miles from Center City, is served by all major domestic carriers as well as a gateway for flights from Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The SEPTA Airport Line connects the airport with Center City.

By Car
By car: the Park is easily reached via I-95, I-76 and I- 676.
From South: Take I-95 north. Follow signs for "Central Phila./I-676". Exit onto 6th Street. Take 6th Street to Market Street and turn left on Market Street. Take Market Street to 2nd Street and turn right. Cross Chestnut Street. Parking is located in the middle of the block on the left.

From West: PA Turnpike (I-76) and exit at interchange 24, the Schuykill Expressway (I-76). Take Schuykill Expressway (I-76) to I-676 exit, Central Philadelphia. This is a left lane exit. Take I-676 to 8th Street exit and follow the signs for Independence Hall. Take 8th Street south to Market Street, turn left on Market Street. Take Market Street to 2nd Street, turn right on 2nd Street. Cross Chestnut Street. A parking garage will be in the middle of the block on the left between Chestnut and Walnut Streets.

From North: Take N.J. Turnpike to exit 4. Take Rt. 73 north to Rt. 38. Take Rt. 38 west to US 30. Take US 30 west over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. At the base of the bridge follow the signs for 6th Street. Take 6th Street to Market Street, turn left on Market Street. Take Market Street to 2nd Street, turn right on 2nd Street. Cross Chestnut Street. A parking garage will be in the middle of the block on the left.

By Plane
Philadelphia is served by Amtrak which operates rail service along the Northeast Corridor (Boston to Washington, Atlantic City, NJ to Harrisburg, PA). Intercity service is provided to many points south and west.
By Bus: Intercity bus service is excellent, with daily arrivals from all parts of the country. The Greyhound Terminal is located at 10th & Filbert Streets, within walking distance of the park.

Philadelphia has an excellent transit system (SEPTA). SEPTA offers commuter rail service between the city and the suburbs. SEPTA also operates a large fleet of buses and street cars through the city and suburbs. Day passees are good for unlimited riding on all city transit vehicles. Route 76 (bus) makes a loop through the park to other cultural attractions in the city. . Philly Phlash is another bus service which has a route connecting attractions throughout the city.

Getting Around
Five to eight hours are needed for basic visit; two days are required to leisurely visit all park sites. The Philadelphia area offers a large number of cultural, scientific and sports opportunities that could take a week to fully appreciate.

Weather

Average minimum temperature from December through February is less than 30(c3)(b8)F. Average maximum temperature from June through August is more than 80(c3)(b8)F with high humidity.


Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
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  • Educational Programs

Recommended Activities


 

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Find Hiking and Biking Trails
If you like to go hiking or biking, then don't forget to get a map and guidebook. Trails.com offers a great service that allows unlimited downloads of trail guides for a small monthly fee. They even have a 14 day free trial. Whether you are looking for day hikes, backpacking trails, mountain bike routes or just short nature stroll, they cover it all. So let Trails.com help plan your next outing.
RV Information
Are you planning on traveling with your RV? If you are, you should check out the Good Sam Club. The Good Sam Club offers discounts on camping, a free magazine subscription and great tips on traveling with your RV. You can also get a free no-obligation RV Insurance quote . Give them a look and enjoy your trip.
Gear Up For Your Trip
Once you have finished deciding where to go, it will be time to gear up. A great place for adventure travel gear is The National Geographic Store. They have all types of maps and guides to help finalize your vacation plans.