Unspecified/General

On the corner of 6th and Market Streets in the heart of historic Philadelphia, the Independence Visitor Center serves as the official welcome centre for Independence National Historical Park and the wider Philadelphia tourism region. The 50,000-square-foot building opened in November 2001 as part of an effort to provide a single, modern point of orientation for the millions of visitors descending each year on Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the surrounding historic district, replacing a much smaller predecessor that had been overwhelmed by visitor demand. The centre is operated as a public-private partnership by the non-profit Independence Visitor Center Corporation in conjunction with the National Park Service and the city's tourism marketing organisation. Inside the bright, two-storey building, visitors find a wealth of free resources and paid services. Free timed-entry tickets for Independence Hall are distributed at the centre, free maps and multilingual guides for the historic district are available, and a knowledgeable staff of concierges answer questions about the city's attractions, dining and lodging. The centre also includes a series of free orientation exhibits and short films covering the history of the founding era, with featured pieces such as the short documentary Choosing Sides covering the difficult choices faced by colonial Americans during the revolution. A small exhibition space hosts rotating displays on local history, art and culture, and a large gift shop offers a curated selection of books, souvenirs and history-themed merchandise. Beyond the Independence Hall ticket distribution, the centre serves as the convenient departure point for the popular hop-on, hop-off Philadelphia Sightseeing tour buses, the Founding Footsteps walking tours and the National Constitution Center shuttle. A 24-hour cafe and clean public restrooms make the building a welcome rest-stop on a long day of historic-district exploration. Free admission, open daily and centrally located within easy walking distance of nearly every major Philadelphia attraction, the Visitor Center is the natural first stop for almost every traveller to the city.

Type: Tourist Attraction

Address: 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Telephone: 215-965-7676

Website: phlvisitorcenter.com

Opening Date: 12/11/2001