Plan a Philadelphia Field Trip That Brings Civics to Life
Interactive school experiences in the heart of Historic Philadelphia.
Located steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the National Liberty Museum invites students to explore First Amendment freedoms, civic participation, and what liberty means in their own lives.
Choose a guided experience led by a trained Museum Educator or explore the Museum at your own pace with a self-guided school visit.
Why Bring Your Students to NLM?
More Than Another Stop on a History Tour
Historic Philadelphia gives students the opportunity to learn where American ideals were written and debated. The National Liberty Museum adds another dimension, asking students what those ideas mean, how they have evolved, and how liberty continues to be practiced today.
Through interactive exhibitions, guided discussion, hands-on activities, and contemporary examples, students explore First Amendment freedoms, civic participation, critical thinking, and their own role in their communities.
Choose Your Experience
Every school group is different. The National Liberty Museum offers both guided and self-guided school visits, allowing educators to choose the experience that best fits their students, schedule, and learning goals.
Guided Museum Experience
Give students a more structured and interactive visit led by a trained Museum Educator.
Guided experiences use the Museum’s exhibitions as a starting point for facilitated discussion, inquiry, critical thinking, and hands-on activities. Rather than simply moving students through the galleries, Museum Educators help students make connections between history, First Amendment freedoms, civic participation, and the issues they encounter in their own lives and communities.
Guided Tour Pricing: $7 per youth / $14 per adult
Forgotten Freedom: American Assembly
This inquiry-based experience explores the freedom of assembly and the role it has played in American civic life. Students examine how the right to peacefully assemble has evolved, consider its relevance today, and participate in guided conversations and activities designed to encourage civic reflection and discussion.
Self-Guided School Visit
Prefer to lead the experience yourself? Self-guided visits give teachers and group leaders the flexibility to explore the Museum at their own pace and connect the exhibitions directly to their own curriculum, classroom discussions, or broader Philadelphia itinerary.
Recommended for grades 4–12, self-guided groups can explore exhibitions focused on liberty, civic values, First Amendment freedoms, and the people and ideas that continue to shape those conversations today.
Educators can also use NLM’s classroom resources before or after the visit to extend the experience beyond the Museum.
Self-Guided Pricing: $6 per youth / $13 per adult
Booking Details
Plan your visit to the National Liberty Museum using the information below.
Timing & Availability
Groups should plan to spend approximately 90 minutes at the Museum.
School tours are available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Availability for a specific date and time is subject to the Museum’s schedule and existing group reservations.
To ensure a high-quality experience, visits are limited to 75 participants per hour. Larger groups may be scheduled across multiple reservation times.
Group Pricing
Group rates apply to groups of 10 or more.
Guided Tours
$7 per youth / $14 per adult
Self-Guided Visits
$6 per youth / $13 per adult
Chaperones
1 complimentary adult for every 6 youth
Advance Planning
School-group reservations should currently be made at least two weeks in advance. Popular dates may fill sooner, so earlier planning is encouraged whenever possible.
Location
321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
In the heart of Old City, just steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
Build a Full Old City Field Trip
Make NLM Part of Your Historic Philadelphia Day
The National Liberty Museum is located in the heart of Old City, making it easy to incorporate your visit into a larger Philadelphia field-trip itinerary. Just steps from many of the city’s most recognizable historic and educational sites, NLM can serve as either a key destination or part of a full day of exploration.
Teacher Resources
More Than a One-Day Field Trip
Use NLM’s educator resources to connect the museum experience back to the classroom with ready-to-use lessons, discussion guides, and activities that help students continue exploring civics and First Amendment freedoms before and after their visit.
Ready to Plan Your Field Trip?
Tell us a little about your school, preferred visit date, and group size, and the National Liberty Museum team will help you plan the experience that works best for your students.
Whether you are interested in a guided Museum experience or a self-guided visit, submitting this form is the first step toward checking availability and planning your trip.
Submitting a request does not immediately confirm your reservation.
A member of the Museum team will follow up to review availability, answer any remaining questions, and finalize the details of your visit.
Please allow up to one week for our team to respond.
If you do not hear from us within that time, please call (215) 925-2800.
Still Have Questions?
We’ve gathered answers to some of the most common questions about scheduling, pricing, programs, group logistics, accessibility, and what to expect before and after your visit.
Planning & Scheduling
Q: How long should we plan for our visit?
A: School groups should plan approximately 90 minutes for their National Liberty Museum experience.
This provides time for arrival and orientation, the Museum experience, restroom needs, and other basic group logistics.
Q: When are school tours available?
A: School tours are available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Availability for a specific date and time is subject to the Museum’s schedule and existing group reservations.
Q: How far in advance should we schedule our field trip?
A: The National Liberty Museum is a popular destination for school tours and field trips. The Museum is typically busiest from October through December and from March through April.
School-group reservations should currently be made at least two weeks in advance. Popular dates may fill sooner, so earlier planning is encouraged whenever possible.
If your preferred dates are not available, the Museum team will work to find the best available time for your visit.
Q: Is there a minimum group size?
A: Current group rates apply to groups of 10 or more.
Q: How large a school group can the Museum accommodate?
A: The recommended maximum is 75 participants per hour.
For groups larger than 75, please submit an inquiry so the Museum team can determine whether multiple arrival times or another arrangement may be possible.
Q: What happens after I submit a Field Trip Request?
A: Submitting the Field Trip Request begins the planning process but does not immediately confirm your reservation.
A member of the National Liberty Museum team will follow up by email to review availability, answer questions, and finalize the details of your visit.
Please allow up to one week for the Museum team to respond. If you do not hear from the Museum within that time, please call (215) 925-2800.
Group Logistics & Accessibility
Q: How many chaperones should we bring?
A: The Museum provides one complimentary adult admission for every six student tickets.
We request one chaperone for every 10 students.
Q: Where should buses drop off and pick up students?
A: Please contact the National Liberty Museum in advance for current school-bus drop-off, pickup, parking, and waiting instructions.
Q: Is there a place for our group to eat lunch?
A: Please contact the National Liberty Museum in advance for current information about lunch-space availability, outside food, and nearby lunch options for school groups.
Q: Is the Museum accessible for students with disabilities?
A: The National Liberty Museum provides wheelchair access to the facility.
For other accessibility needs or special requests, please contact the Museum in advance so the team can discuss what may be possible for your group.
Q: Is the Museum close to other Historic Philadelphia attractions?
A: Yes. National Liberty Museum is located at 321 Chestnut Street in the heart of Old City, just steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
Its location makes it easy to incorporate the Museum into a larger Philadelphia field-trip itinerary. Nearby educational attractions include Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, Carpenters’ Hall, Museum of the American Revolution, Science History Institute, Franklin Court, National Constitution Center, and the U.S. Mint.
Q: Who can I contact if I have a question before submitting the form?
A: For questions about school tours, educational programming, accessibility needs, or special requests, contact:
Programs & Learning
Q: What ages and grade levels are National Liberty Museum school visits designed for?
A: National Liberty Museum school experiences are designed for upper-elementary, middle-school, and high-school students.
Self-guided museum visits are currently recommended for grades 4–12, while individual guided programs may be designed for specific grade levels.
Q: What types of school visits are available?
A: Schools can choose between guided tours led by trained Museum Educators and self-guided visits that allow teachers and group leaders to explore the Museum with students at their own pace.
Guided experiences combine Museum exhibitions with facilitated conversation, inquiry, and hands-on activities. Self-guided visits give educators greater flexibility to connect the exhibitions with their own classroom learning and lesson plans.
Q: What is the current guided school-tour experience?
A: The Museum currently offers The Forgotten Freedom: American Assembly Tour, an inquiry-based experience exploring freedom of assembly and its role in American civic life.
Students examine how the right to peacefully assemble has evolved, explore its relevance today, and participate in facilitated discussions and hands-on activities designed to encourage critical thinking and civic reflection.
The current program is recommended for grades 4–12.
Q: What will students learn at the National Liberty Museum?
A: NLM school experiences encourage students to explore liberty as an ongoing civic practice rather than simply an idea from the past.
Through exhibitions, discussion, activities, and real-world examples, students examine First Amendment freedoms, civic participation, critical thinking, and the ways individuals can engage with their own communities.
The Museum’s broader education program is designed to help students develop civic knowledge and skills and connect civic concepts to their lived experiences.
Q: Are classroom resources available for teachers?
A: Yes. National Liberty Museum offers classroom-ready educator guides, lesson materials, discussion resources, and activities that can help teachers introduce concepts before a field trip or extend learning after the visit.
Q: Are school programs aligned with curriculum or academic standards?
A: NLM’s education programs are built around civic knowledge, First Amendment freedoms, critical thinking, discussion, and civic participation.
The Museum’s learning guides meet current Pennsylvania curriculum standards.
Pricing & Policies
Q: How much does a school field trip cost?
A: Guided Tours
$7 per youth
$14 per adult
Self-Guided Visits
$6 per youth
$13 per adult
The Museum provides one complimentary adult admission for every six student tickets.
Q: When is payment due?
A: Please contact the National Liberty Museum to arrange payment for your school visit.
Q: What is the cancellation or rescheduling policy?
A: Please contact the National Liberty Museum for current cancellation and rescheduling information.
