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