Liberty Bell Center

Visit the Liberty Bell Center to see the bell up close and read its famous inscription, which has been an inspiration to US leaders such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and the heroes of the Civil Rights movement. Many Philadelphia city tours include a visit to the center, including walking excursions, Segway tours, small-group driving tours, and hop-on hop-off bus tours. Most excursions also include stops at nearby landmarks such as the National Constitution Center and Betsy Ross House.

• There’s almost always a line to enter the Liberty Bell Center, but you can also view the bell through a window on the western side of the building.

• Wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis at the Independence Visitor Center, and most buildings in the Independence National Historic Park are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

• You must pass through security to visit the Liberty Bell Center; bring only small bags to minimize screening time.

The Liberty Bell Center is part of the Independence National Historical Park, located in Philadelphia’s Old City historic district. The nearest train station is located at 8th and Market streets, and the nearest Metro station is 5th Street Station. Street parking is scarce, but there are paid lots nearby. The PHLASH bus operates seasonally (spring and summer) with stops at 20 locations, including the Independence Visitor Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Zoo.

You can visit the Liberty Bell Center year-round, although the site is typically packed with visitors during summer and school vacation weeks. Opt for an early morning visit to avoid lines and crowds.

Originally cracked during a test ring in 1752, the bell was fixed, cracked again after almost 100 years of regular use, then fixed again in 1846, prior to the anniversary of George Washington's birthday. The bell seen today is proof that “stop drilling,” the technique used to repair that last crack, worked.

The Liberty Bell is a bell made of copper and tin that was installed in 1752 in Philadelphia as a symbol of US freedom and justice. Many Americans are inspired by the bell’s symbolism and what’s engraved on it: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”

Yes, you can still see the crack in the Liberty Bell in Philly. The bell was recast after it cracked, but the crack reappeared in the bell. People come from all over to see the Liberty Bell, which represents freedom and justice in the United States.

No, there’s no admission fee to visit Liberty Bell Center and see the Liberty Bell. The center, located at 6th and Market Street in Philadelphia, is open daily, typically from 9am to 5pm, and you can arrive at any time to see the bell.

Plan to spend about 30 minutes at Liberty Bell Center, keeping in mind that you’ll need more time if it’s crowded on the day you visit. Most visitors spend about 5 minutes taking in views (and taking pictures) of the Liberty Bell and about 20 minutes at the center’s exhibits.

No, there aren’t guided tours offered at Liberty Bell Center. However, there are many walking, trolley, and small group tours in Philadelphia that focus on American history and the founders of the United States. Some stops on those tours may include the Betsy Ross House and Congress Hall.

Other Philadelphia attractions to visit near the Liberty Bell Center include Philadelphia City Hall, Independence Hall, the Museum of American Revolution, Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, the Betsy Ross House, the Second Bank of the United States Portrait Gallery, and the President's House Site.