The Christ Church Burial Ground is a historic colonial-era cemetery located at 5th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This guide details current 2026 opening hours, admission fees, transport options, accessibility, and planning tips for visitors.
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This guide was last updated in February 2026 to reflect that the site is currently closed for its seasonal winter hiatus and will reopen on 1 March 2026 with the current two-tier pricing for self-guided and guided entry.
Quick facts for your visit
| Category | Information |
| Opening hours | Daily, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (March–November) |
| Ticket prices | Adults: $5.00 (Self-Guided) / $10.00 (Guided) |
| Address | 5th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Nearest transport | SEPTA Market-Frankford Line (5th Street Station) |
| Visit duration | 20 to 30 minutes |
Christ Church Burial Ground opening hours
The Christ Church Burial Ground opening hours are seasonal. From March through November, the grounds are open daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. During the month of December, hours are reduced to 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, weather permitting. The site is closed to the public during January and February, as well as on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
5 great things to do in Philadelphia
- 🥖 Taste the best of Philly on a food tour – including historic Reading Market.
- 🏛️ Get to know Philadelphia’s heritage sites – on a guided walking tour.
- 🍻 Go on a pub crawl – but learn the history between beers.
- 🎨 Let a guide show you Philadelphia’s best murals and street art – including Magic Gardens.
- 🌙 Discover Philly’s dark side – on an adults-only night tour.
Christ Church Burial Ground ticket prices
Christ Church Burial Ground ticket prices are divided into self-guided and guided options. For a self-guided tour, the cost is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children (ages 5–12). For a guided tour, the cost is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. Children under age 5 are admitted free of charge. A combo ticket for a self-guided tour of both the burial ground and the neighbouring Christ Church is available for $8.00 (adults) or $3.00 (youth).
The burial ground is included in the Go City Philadelphia Pass and the Philadelphia Sightseeing Pass. These city passes also cover entry to nearby attractions such as the Betsy Ross House, the Museum of the American Revolution, Independence Seaport Museum, and the Eastern State Penitentiary.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
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How to get to Christ Church Burial Ground
The cemetery is located at the intersection of 5th and Arch Streets in the Old City district. The most direct public transport is the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line to 5th Street/Independence Hall Station, which is a two-minute walk from the entrance. Multiple bus lines, including the 17, 33, and 48, stop within one block of the gates.
Parking at the Christ Church Burial Ground
There is no dedicated car park on the grounds. Metered street parking is available on Arch and 5th Streets but is limited and strictly enforced. The most convenient parking is at the Autopark at Independence Mall, an underground garage located directly across the street beneath the Independence Visitor Center.
How long to spend at the Christ Church Burial Ground
A typical visit for a self-guided walk-through lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. This allows time to locate the most prominent markers and read the interpretive signage. Visitors taking a guided tour should budget approximately 45 minutes to include the 20-minute presentation.
Accessibility at the Christ Church Burial Ground
Accessibility at the Christ Church Burial Ground is generally consistent throughout the site. The paths are made of level brick and packed gravel, which are navigable for most wheelchairs and prams. The entrance on 5th Street is at street level and does not require climbing steps.
What to see at the Christ Church Burial Ground
The most visited site is the grave of Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Deborah. Located in the northwest corner, the grave is marked by a flat marble stone. Visitors often observe the local tradition of tossing pennies onto the stone, a practice intended to honour Franklin’s famous aphorisms regarding thrift. (You can learn more about this Founding Father at the nearby Benjamin Franklin Museum.)
The grounds serve as the final resting place for four other signers of the Declaration of Independence: Benjamin Rush, George Ross, James Wilson, and Joseph Hewes. Each of these gravesites is identified by small flags or commemorative bronze markers.
The brick perimeter walls, dating back to the late 18th century, contain an iron viewing fence on Arch Street. This fence was installed to allow the public to view Franklin’s grave even when the grounds are closed.
There are over 1,400 markers in total, including those for military leaders, medical pioneers, and early American artisans. The cemetery layout is divided into quadrants, with clear signage helping visitors identify significant historical figures.
A small entrance kiosk provides a map and brochure included with the admission price. This map details the locations of the “Founding Fathers” and other notable Philadelphians buried across the two-acre site.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Advice |
| Tradition | Bring copper pennies if you wish to participate in the local custom at the Franklin family grave. |
| Entry | Access is through the gate on 5th Street; the Arch Street gate is for viewing only. |
| Timing | Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the high volume of foot traffic from nearby Independence Mall. |
| Facilities | There are no public toilets on the grounds; use the facilities at the Independence Visitor Center nearby. |
| Safety | Some older brick paths can be uneven; watch your footing during or after wet weather. |
Frequently asked questions about the Christ Church Burial Ground
| Query | Answer |
| Is the Christ Church Burial Ground suitable for children? | Yes, it is an outdoor educational site with simple paths and visible historical markers. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Christ Church Burial Ground? | No, tickets are available for purchase at the 5th Street gate. |
| Is the Christ Church Burial Ground open on Sundays? | Yes, it is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sundays during the operating season. |
| Are bags allowed at the Christ Church Burial Ground? | Standard backpacks are permitted, but there are no storage areas for large luggage. |
Things to do near the Christ Church Burial Ground
The site is located within a cluster of significant paid attractions in Philadelphia’s Historic District:
- National Constitution Center: Located directly across Arch Street.
- Betsy Ross House: A five-minute walk east on Arch Street.
- National Museum of American Jewish History: Located one block south at 5th and Market Streets.
- Museum of the American Revolution: A 10-minute walk south-east at 3rd and Chestnut Streets.
More Philadelphia travel
Other Philadelphia travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Review of the very weird Mutter Museum in Philadelphia.
- How Philadelphia’s historic attractions provide an introduction to America’s past.
- Guides to Philadelphia’s Parkway attractions – the Rodin Museum, the Barnes Foundation, the Franklin Institute and the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
- Why it’s worth taking a trip over the Delaware River to the Battleship New Jersey.
- 6 great reasons to visit Philadelphia.
