Located in the heart of historic Old City Philadelphia, the National Liberty Museum brings America’s founding ideals into the present. While Philadelphia’s historic landmarks tell the story of how the nation began, the National Liberty Museum explores how liberty continues to shape American life, culture, and communities.

Just a short walk from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center, the Museum offers thought-provoking exhibitions, remarkable historical artifacts, sports memorabilia, contemporary art, and opportunities to explore the meaning of freedom.

As Philadelphia commemorates America’s 250th anniversary, the National Liberty Museum presents The Forgotten Freedom: American Assembly at 250, an exhibition series exploring one of America’s most important First Amendment rights: the freedom of assembly.

Discover how Americans have gathered to celebrate, compete, protest, create, and build communities throughout the nation’s history. Through compelling stories, extraordinary objects, and engaging installations, visitors encounter the many ways people coming together have shaped the American experience.

Exhibition experiences explore the history of assembly, the role of sports in bringing people together, contemporary artistic interpretations of gathering, and how Americans might assemble in the future.

Philadelphia is a city passionate about its sports teams. At the National Liberty Museum, sports become a window into the larger story of American assembly.

Sports-related exhibitions and displays feature memorabilia connected to legendary athletes and unforgettable moments, demonstrating how stadiums, arenas, and neighborhood celebrations bring communities together across generations.

One of the Museum’s most memorable hands-on attractions is its Ring the Bell Experience.

Visitors can see, touch, photograph, and ring a full-size replica of the Liberty Bell. Unlike the original Liberty Bell, which is preserved nearby, this bell offers an interactive opportunity to connect with one of America’s most recognizable symbols of freedom.

It’s a memorable addition to any Historic Philadelphia itinerary, especially for families, students, and visitors looking for an experience beyond traditional sightseeing.

The National Liberty Museum is located at 321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, within walking distance of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, and other Old City attractions.

Whether you’re visiting Philadelphia for a day or spending a weekend exploring the city, make the Museum part of your Historic Philadelphia experience.

No list of places to visit in Philadelphia would be complete without Independence Hall. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most historically significant buildings in the United States.

Completed in 1753 as the Pennsylvania State House, Independence Hall was the meeting place of the Second Continental Congress. The Declaration of Independence was adopted here in 1776, and delegates later gathered in the same building to draft the United States Constitution in 1787.

Today, visitors can explore the historic rooms where these defining events took place and learn about the debates, compromises, and decisions that shaped the nation.

Independence Hall is part of Independence National Historical Park, making it an ideal stop on a walking tour of Historic Philadelphia.

Visitor tip: Pair your Independence Hall tour with a visit to the nearby National Liberty Museum. Together, the two attractions connect America’s founding principles with the ongoing experience of liberty. Check the National Park Service website for current tour and ticket information.

The Liberty Bell Center is one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable historic attractions and an essential destination for visitors interested in American history.

Once housed in the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell became an enduring symbol of freedom and the struggle to expand liberty to all Americans.

Visitors can view the original bell up close and learn about its famous crack, its historical significance, and its evolving role in American civic life.

While visitors cannot ring the original Liberty Bell, the National Liberty Museum offers a nearby interactive alternative.

After seeing the original, walk to the Museum at 321 Chestnut Street and experience a full-size, ringable Liberty Bell replica.

See it there. Hear it here! Combining both stops gives visitors a memorable opportunity to experience the history and symbolism of the Liberty Bell in two different ways.

Learn more about NLM’s Ring the Bell Experience.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is among the city’s most celebrated cultural destinations, featuring collections that span centuries, continents, and artistic traditions.

Visitors can explore extraordinary paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and other works by influential artists, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Marcel Duchamp.

Highlights include Duchamp’s groundbreaking Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 2) and major works from the Museum’s renowned collections of European, American, and Asian art.

Beyond the galleries, the Museum is famous for the steps featured in the movie Rocky. Visitors can recreate the iconic run up the steps and take a photograph near the Rocky statue.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a movie fan, or simply looking for memorable things to do in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art offers an experience combining culture, history, and one of the city’s most famous views.

Looking for family-friendly places to visit in Philadelphia? The Franklin Institute is one of the city’s best-known science museums, offering interactive exhibitions and educational experiences for visitors of all ages.

Named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, the Museum encourages curiosity and discovery through hands-on experiences exploring science, technology, engineering, and the natural world.

One of its signature attractions is the Giant Heart, a walk-through model that allows visitors to experience the human circulatory system from an entirely new perspective.

The Museum also offers a planetarium and a variety of changing exhibitions, making it an engaging destination for families, students, and lifelong learners.

If you’re planning a museum-focused day in Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute offers a science-centered complement to the history, art, and civic experiences found elsewhere throughout the city.

One of the advantages of visiting Philadelphia is how many important attractions are located within walking distance of one another, particularly in Old City and the Independence National Historical Park area.

For a memorable day exploring American history and liberty, consider this itinerary:

1. Start at Independence Hall. Explore the site where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the Constitution was drafted.
2. Visit the Liberty Bell Center. See one of America’s most enduring symbols of freedom.
3. Walk to the National Liberty Museum. Explore exhibitions on liberty, American assembly, history, art, and sports.
4. Ring the Liberty Bell replica. Add an interactive, photo-friendly experience to your visit.
5. Explore Old City. Enjoy the neighborhood’s historic streets, restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Franklin Institute are located farther west along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and make excellent additional stops for a longer visit or a second day of sightseeing.