Benjamin Franklin National Memorial

Things To Do Near Benjamin Franklin National Memorial

This national park site is a unique one because it is a memorial located inside a museum, which gives you more opportunities to learn about the city during your visit. It is located in a major city in the northeast of the country, so there are plenty of additional sites to see during your RV trip. RVers will enjoy visiting this site because if you find a campground nearby, taking public transportation to see the memorial is definitely an option, so you can leave your RV parked at a nearby campground.

Hiking Trails

• Schuylkill River Trail

  This is a trail that you can find on the western bank of the Schuylkill River. It starts as a paved path, but as you continue through the five counties it runs through, you will find the asphalt turns to dirt, gravel, and stone. It is a great trail to try with kids who can hike for a while because it is flat and easy to manage in small sections at a time.

  Location

  S. 56th St. near Eastwick Ave. (Philadelphia) and Main St. and S. Greenview Road (Landingville)

  Length

  71.7 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Rail Park Trail

  This trail is designed to connect several of the neighborhoods in Philadelphia. It is an elevated 3-mile trail that offers plenty of beautiful landscaping and views of the city. This trail is a paved path where the former Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad used to be located.

  Location

  Noble Street, N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

  Length

  3 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Delaware River Trail

  The Delaware River Trail is part of a larger network of trails through the city called the Circuit. When you hike this trail, you will find that the Independence Seaport Museum is accessible. You will also want to stop by Spruce Street Harbor Park for some live entertainment. This is a great trail for cyclists and kids to enjoy because the path is well-maintained.

  Location

  Pier 70 Blvd. and Ellen St. and Sugarhouse Dr. Philadelphia, PA 19123

  Length

  2.1 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• Liberty Bell

  The Liberty Bell is a symbol of inspiration for the people of this country. It is well-known that the bell has a crack in it, so visiting the location will let you see this deformity up close. If you look closely at the bell, you will see drill bits in the crack that were put there to repair the bell. The inscription under the proclamation is the name of the individuals who ordered the bell, the city where it would be delivered, and the year it was created.

  Location

  526 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

• Betsy Ross House

  The Betsy Ross House is the birthplace of the American flag. You can learn more about the house by taking a tour. You can also learn about the 18th century by taking part in interactive programming that's offered.

  Location

  239 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

• Philadelphia Zoo

  The Philadelphia Zoo is a great option to visit if you have kids. They will adore seeing the animals up close. The zoo even has interactive programs that your entire family will enjoy.

  Location

  3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Museums

• Penn Museum

  The Penn Museum is home to artifacts and archaeological finds from across the continents. By visiting this museum, you can learn about the stories of the past. There is even a 3,000-year-old sphinx on display that you can get a glimpse of at the museum.

  Location

  3260 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

• The Rosenbach

  The Rosenbach is a museum that houses over 400,000 rare books and historical objects. The museum is located in a 19th-century townhouse. There are guided tours that you can take of the museum when you visit.

  Location

  2008-2010 Delancey Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19103

• Philadelphia Museum of Art

  The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a place where you can go and see exquisite art. There are impressionist paintings, post-impressionist paintings, an American art collection, and more. Visit the galleries of arms and armor to see if you can find the dragon on the horse's armor.

  Location

  2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Pat's King of Steaks

  You can't go to Philly and not try the region's most famous food – the cheesesteak. Pat's founder invented the cheesesteak in 1930 and the restaurant is still owned by the same family today. One bite of this tasty combination of sliced ribeye and melted cheese on a crusty roll and you'll see how this tiny stand in South Philly's Italian Market gained worldwide fame.

  Location

  1237 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147

• Dock Street Brewery

  Explore Philadelphia's up-and-coming craft beer scene with a stop at a brewery (or several!) Dock Street Brewery was one of the first female-owned breweries since Prohibition, and customers can also order a wood-fired gourmet pizza to go with their beer.

  Location

  Dock Street West, 701 S. 50th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143

• Café y Chocolate

  This delicious Mexican breakfast and brunch spot is known for its chilaquiles, and for specialty coffee drinks like the cajetuccino, a cappuccino made with caramelized goat's milk.

  Location

  1532 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145

• Chima Steakhouse

  Chima Steakhouse is named after a drink called Chimarrao that symbolizes friendship and hospitality. This is a Brazilian steakhouse that bases its menu on the fact that cowboys traditionally ate meals that consisted of mostly meat. At Chima Steakhouse, you can choose from 16 different types of meat, and all of them are served with a salad bar so that you can get a well-rounded meal. Don't forget to save room for dessert – the coconut delight is delicious.

  Location

  1901 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19103

How To Get To Benjamin Franklin National Memorial

From points West of Philadelphia, take I-76 into the city using the 6th Street exit. If you are traveling from north or south of Philadelphia, then take I-95 into the city. Take exit 22 for Callowhill Street or Independence Hall, depending on the direction you are traveling on I-95. Then, turn onto Callowhill Street before turning onto 6th Street. There is a parking garage here for visitors of the Independence Visitor's Center to use.

The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Address

599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Fee: Entry fee $0

While at this national park site, you will be able to explore the entire Franklin Institute. The room's architecture where the memorial is located is breathtaking, and the statue is a stunning 20 feet tall. If you travel to this site and the city of Philadelphia in an RV, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore the city and to make unforgettable memories that your family can cherish. If you have the option of staying in the area for a few days, there are several other national park sites located nearby that you can visit.