National Constitution Center

Things To Do Near National Constitution Center

View the exhibits related to the writing of the U.S. Constitution and its amendments during your visit to the National Constitution Center. See a rare original copy of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and one of only 12 surviving original copies of the Bill of Rights. Then, take a stroll among the 42 large statues of the Founding Fathers. Finally, check the special events calendar to see what live events are happening during your visit. Do not leave without watching a performance in this venue’s round theater. 

Hiking Trails

• Germantown Hike

  Start this city hike at the Germantown Historical Society. As you walk up Germantown Avenue, you will pass 10 historical homes that were constructed before 1810. Many of them are open for tours. At each one, you will find posters and QR codes to tell you more about the home and the people who have lived in it. This is an out-and-back trail, so each way is only 0.75 miles long, and you will love seeing the old hones along this tree-lined street. 

  Location

  5501 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19144

  Length

  1.5 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Trolly Trail

  Look to the left of the Chamonix Mansion in Fairmont Park, and you will see the trailhead to the Trolly Trail. This trail follows a historical trolly line path as it ran along a streambed and through open meadows. While you will not find any of the trolly line left, it is a gorgeous place to go hiking, especially in spring when the wildflowers are blooming. 

  Location

  Chamonix Mansion, Fairmont Park, 3250 Chamonix Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131

  Length

  5 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Schuylkill River Trail

  Once completed, the Schuylkill River Trail will run 120 miles from Frackville in Schuylkill County, through Montgomery, Chester and Berks Counties to Philadelphia. About 75 miles of the trail is currently open. This trail runs across old railroad lines. The longest completed section of the course runs from near Philadelphia’s Bartram’s Garden to Parker Ford. It is 30 miles long and runs along the river through several small communities. 

  Location

  Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19143

  Length

  30 miles

  Intensity

  Difficult

Sightseeing

• The Liberty Bell Center

  View exhibits about how the Liberty Bell was made, melted, and remade at The Liberty Bell Center. Learn how different groups have used it throughout U.S. history. Then, see the bell itself. 

  Location

  526 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

• Independence Hall 

  Independence Hall was initially constructed as Pennsylvania’s seat of government, and it contained all three branches of the government. Then, it was loaned to the Second Continental Congress. See where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and passed. While the tour only lasts 15 minutes, it can be a very memorable experience.

  Location

  520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

Museums

• American Philosophical Society Museum

  Gain a better understanding of the role that great philosophers played in the founding of America. See plants collected by Lewis and Clark, personal belongings of Benjamin Franklin, and a telescope belonging to David Rittenhouse. 

  Location

  104 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

• Portrait Gallery of the Second Bank

  See portraits of notable early politicians by visiting the Portrait Gallery of the Second Bank. Most of the works were painted by Charles Willson Peale. Others, mainly by British artists James and Ellen Sharples, are also on display. 

  Location

  420 Chesnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

• Philadelphia Museum of Art 

  The Philadelphia Museum of Art contains extensive European, American, and Asian art collections. The museum includes several things that you might not expect to find in an art museum, including a Chinese palace hall, a Japanese teahouse, and a 16th-century Indian temple hall. The Carl Otto Kretzschmar von Kienbusch armor collection is considered to be one of the best armor collections in the world. 

  Location

  2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Art Star at the Bourse

  Select from a wide assortment of jewelry, pottery, baby items, cards, candles, prints, and art made by people living in the Greater Philadelphia area at Art Star at the Bourse. You may also see artists working at this location. 

  Location

  11 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

• Philadelphia Independents 

  Find handmade souvenirs at Philadelphia Independents. Accessories, ceramics, candles, shirts, and greeting cards may be available. 

  Location

  35 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

• Prescription Chicken

  Prescription Chicken sells house-made chicken soup. They also offer vegetable soup and bone broth to warm you up and keep you healthy. 

  Location

  111 South Independent Mall East, Suite 6, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

• LaScala's Fire

  Find your favorite Italian favorites cooked in a wood-fired oven at LaScala's Fire. Stop for a casual lunch or a more upscale dinner dining experience. They also offer an extensive drink menu and have a happy hour. Pizza, stromboli, lasagna, and ravioli are all available. 

  Location

  500 NJ-73, Marlton, New Jersey 08053

How To Get To National Constitution Center

You will find it easy to get to the National Constitution Center from Independence Visitors Center. Head east on Market Street. In less than 300 feet, turn left on North 5th Street. Walk a couple of blocks, and you will see the center on your left across from the Liberty Bell Center.

Address

National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

Fee: Entry fee (adults 18-65) $14.5

Fee: Entry fee (adults 65+ and college students) $13.0

Fee: Entry fee (youth ages 6-18) $11.0

Fee: Entry fee (active military and children under 6) $0

Learn about the U.S. Constitution by visiting the National Constitution Center. Take in a show, walk among the statues of the Founding Fathers, and see the exhibits at this facility located across the street from the Liberty Bell Center. Check their special events calendar because they often have incredibly notable guest speakers. There is excellent shopping and dining nearby. Once you have explored all the nearby sites, like Independence National Historical Park, head out to hike on one of many great locations in the Philadelphia area. Make it easy to take a break when you want by bringing your RV. That way, you have somewhere comfortable to sit and reflect on everything you are seeing and learning. Visiting these attractions is a great way to explore U.S. history.