If sitting for hours in bumper to bumper traffic just to get to an overcrowded beach is not how you want to spend this Fourth of July, then take a short drive to historic Philadelphia, and celebrate our nation's birthday with some fun, educational and inexpensive experiences the whole family can enjoy. Here are a few historic sites and fun activities to check out this July 4 weekend in Philly.
Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed, and the Liberty Bell Center will be open July 4 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you aren't planning on spending the entire day, then I suggest you visit these two locations first. Both locations offer countless exhibits and artifacts that will pique the interest of any patriot, young or old.
Tickets for Independence Hall are free; however, if you reserve tickets ahead of time, there is a $1.50 fee per ticket. If you decide to get your tickets on the day of your visit, it's best to arrive between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. so that you have the greatest choice of tour times. The Liberty Bell Center does not require tickets.
Travel back in time with a colonial reenactment of the reading of the Declaration of Independence on Independence Mall next to the Visitor Center. There will be two re-enactments each day, one at noon and one at 2 p.m. July 4. This re-enactment will also include a fife-and-drum marching procession.
At the National Constitution Center, beginning July 1, there will be a brand-new exhibit called Discover the Real George Washington, where you and your family can learn all about Washington's personal life and his roles as a farmer, entrepreneur and businessman through maps, art, manuscripts and architectural models. Tickets for adults are $15, and children 12 and under are free for the summer.
The Civil War Road Show will be making a stop at Franklin Square through July 4 and will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, this traveling exhibition will use sound, images and interactive multimedia to tell the stories of the men, women and children affected by the Civil War both on and off the battlefield.
