When I walked into the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the first thing that caught me off guard was how theatrical it all felt. This isn’t a stuffy museum with artefacts behind glass and lengthy text panels – though there are plenty of both. Instead, you’re plunged into immersive galleries where life-sized figures argue about independence, videos play on multiple screens simultaneously, and a two-storey replica of the Liberty Tree looms overhead. It’s more experiential than I expected, which makes sense given it only opened in 2017.
Quick overview
General admission costs $25 for adults (online) or $27 (walk-up), $21 for seniors, students, military, and teachers, and $14 for youth aged 6–17 (children 5 and under free). Tickets are valid for two consecutive days, which is genuinely useful if you don’t manage to see everything in one visit. It’s a big museum and one of the top reasons to visit Philadelphia.
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults $25–$27; youth (6–17) $14; under-5s free | Daily: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | 101 South Third Street, Philadelphia, PA (corner of Third and Chestnut) | Children 5 and under, SNAP/EBT cardholders, School District of Philadelphia high school students | 5:00 p.m. |
How much does the Museum of the American Revolution cost?
The pricing structure rewards advance planning – buying tickets online via the museum website saves you $2 per adult ticket compared to turning up at the door.
Admission prices
| Ticket type | Online price | Walk-up price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | $25 | $27 | Ages 18–64 |
| Seniors | $21 | $21 | Age 65+ (ID required) |
| Students | $21 | $21 | Valid student ID required |
| Military | $21 | $21 | Active duty or retired (ID required) |
| Teachers | $21 | $21 | Valid teacher ID required |
| Youth | $14 | $14 | Ages 6–17 |
| Children | Free | Free | 5 and under |
Family Four-Pack: $64 (online only) – includes two adult general admission tickets and two youth general admission tickets. This works out slightly cheaper than buying individually if you’re a family of four.
Audio guide add-on: Available in English, Spanish, and French for an additional fee when booking online (typically around $4–5 per person).
All tickets are timed admission and valid for two consecutive days – the day you visit and the following day. This two-day validity is genuinely handy if you realise halfway through that you’re museumed out and want to come back tomorrow to finish.
Is the Museum of the American Revolution free to enter?
No, though there are several free admission categories worth knowing about:
- SNAP/EBT cardholders (Pennsylvania ACCESS cardholders): Free admission through the Museums for All programme – just present your card at the front desk
- School District of Philadelphia high school students (grades 9–12): Free with valid student ID
- Children 5 and under: Always free
Discount opportunities:
- Show your SEPTA Key card at the front desk for $2 off admission
- Present a ticket stub from the African American Museum in Philadelphia for $4 off admission
- Blue Star Museums programme offers free admission to active duty military and their families from mid-May through early September (Armed Forces Day to Labour Day)
- Philadelphia CityPASS includes museum admission and can save up to 51% on multiple attractions
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.
What time does the Museum of the American Revolution open?
Daily: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Election Day
Cross Keys Café: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
The museum follows a straightforward schedule – same hours every day it’s open, which makes planning easier than attractions with complicated seasonal variations.
Do I need to book Museum of the American Revolution tickets in advance?
Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets are timed and sold on a first-come, first-served basis. You can book online, or purchase at the museum, though buying online saves you $2 per adult ticket.
During busy periods – school holidays, weekends, summer months – the museum can sell out specific time slots. Booking ahead guarantees your preferred entry time and saves you potentially wasting a trip.
If you’re a member of a NARM-participating museum (North American Reciprocal Museum Association) located more than 15 miles away, you can get free general admission by presenting your membership card with the NARM logo at the front desk. Unfortunately, you can’t book these tickets in advance online or by phone – it’s walk-up only.
History
The museum opened its doors on 19 April 2017 – Patriots’ Day, marking the 242nd anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord that sparked the Revolutionary War. But the journey to opening took far longer than that. The project began in earnest in 2000 when a group of collectors, historians, and history enthusiasts founded what would become the Museum of the American Revolution.
For years, the collection existed without a permanent home, touring nationally whilst organisers raised funds and searched for the perfect location. Philadelphia was the obvious choice – the city where the Continental Congress met, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, where the Constitutional Convention drafted the U.S. Constitution. The museum sits in Old City, literally steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
The building itself is a modern structure designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects. At 118,000 square feet, it houses galleries, two theatres, a discovery centre for children, and climate-controlled storage for the collection. The design deliberately contrasts with the colonial-era buildings surrounding it – all glass, steel, and contemporary lines – whilst incorporating brick as a nod to historic Philadelphia architecture.
The centrepiece of the collection is George Washington’s headquarters tent, which had been privately owned for over two centuries before being acquired for the museum. This is where Washington slept and made command decisions during the Revolutionary War. It’s considered one of the most important surviving artefacts from the Revolution.
Inside the Museum of the American Revolution
The museum follows a chronological path through the Revolution, organised into themed galleries that tell the story from pre-war tensions through independence and beyond.
Prelude to Revolution (1760s–1775) explores how British subjects in the American colonies gradually became revolutionaries. You’ll see protest materials, political cartoons, and objects that illustrate growing tensions – including a replica of the Liberty Tree, a massive elm in Boston where colonists gathered to protest British policies. The museum’s version is two storeys tall and dominates the first gallery.
Declaring Independence (1775–1776) covers the outbreak of war and the decision to declare independence. Interactive displays let you compare different perspectives – Loyalists who remained faithful to Britain, Patriots who supported independence, and people caught in between. There’s a recreation of an 18th-century privateer ship you can climb aboard, giving a sense of maritime warfare during the Revolution.
The Darkest Hours (1776–1778) examines the military low point when American forces nearly collapsed. This section includes original weapons, uniforms, and personal items from British, American, French, and Hessian soldiers. The displays are honest about how close the Americans came to losing.
Winning Independence (1778–1783) follows the war to its conclusion, including the crucial French alliance and the final victory at Yorktown. There are life-sized figures representing the diverse people who fought – not just white American men, but Black soldiers, women, Native Americans, and others whose roles are often overlooked.
The highlight is Washington’s War Tent Theater, where a multimedia presentation builds to the dramatic reveal of Washington’s actual headquarters tent behind glass. The tent is displayed in carefully controlled conditions to preserve it – you can’t get close, but the presentation makes it feel significant rather than distant. Showings happen every hour on the hour starting at 11:00 a.m., with the final showing at 4:40 p.m.
Revolution Place is a hands-on discovery centre for younger visitors (though adults enjoy it too), recreating four spaces from 1770s Philadelphia: a military encampment with a soldier’s tent, an 18th-century church, the Three Tun Tavern showing everyday colonial life, and an 18th-century parlour complete with a recreated privy (outhouse). Children can try on period clothing, handle reproduction objects, and explore freely.
The museum also houses two theatres – the Lenfest Myer Theater on the first floor and the Alan B. Miller Theater on the second floor – both showing films and programmes throughout the day. The daily programme schedule lists what’s showing when.
The Declaration’s Journey, a current exhibition, explores how the Declaration of Independence became one of history’s most influential political documents, tracing its impact from 1776 to today.
What’s included with your ticket?
With general admission:
- Entry to all permanent and special exhibitions
- Access to Washington’s War Tent Theater (timed presentation)
- Revolution Place hands-on discovery centre
- Theatre films and daily programmes
- Maps and guides (available in English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, and Japanese)
- Two consecutive days’ admission
Available for additional cost:
- Audio tours in English, Spanish, or French
- Guided tours and special programmes (check daily schedule)
- Old City Walking Tours (separate ticket, exploring the historic neighbourhood)
On-site amenities (free access):
- Cross Keys Café (food and drink for purchase)
- Museum Shop (gifts, books, and reproduction artefacts)
- Free Wi-Fi
Things to do near the Museum of the American Revolution
Liberty Bell Center (150 metres, 2-minute walk) – Houses America’s most iconic symbol of freedom, the Liberty Bell with its famous crack. The centre provides historical context about the bell’s role in American history and includes exhibits about its symbolism in the abolitionist and civil rights movements. Free admission (no ticket required), though queues can be long during summer.
Independence Hall (200 metres, 3-minute walk) – The birthplace of American democracy, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. You can see the Assembly Room where George Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief. Free admission, but timed entry tickets are required and available from the Independence Visitor Center. Book ahead in summer – they go quickly.
National Constitution Center (400 metres, 5-minute walk) – Interactive museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution and American democracy. Highlights include “Freedom Rising,” a theatrical multimedia production, and Signers’ Hall with life-sized bronze statues of the 42 men who signed the Constitution.
Betsy Ross House (450 metres, 6-minute walk) – The home where seamstress Betsy Ross is said to have sewn the first American flag in 1776. The colonial-era house has been restored and includes period furnishings and an upholstery shop.
Elfreth’s Alley (500 metres, 6-minute walk) – America’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street, dating from 1703. The 32 houses along the cobbled alley house shops, a museum (Elfreth’s Alley Museum in houses 124 and 126), and private residences.
Many of Philadelphia’s historic attractions cluster in the Historic District. Other options include the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and the Benjamin Franklin Museum.
Elsewhere in the city, highlights include the gory Mutter Museum and the riveting Eastern State Penitentiary. Several key attractions line the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including the Franklin Institute, the Barnes Foundation, the Rodin Museum and Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Practical tips
- Location: Corner of Third and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia’s Old City, steps from Independence Hall
- Getting there: SEPTA Market-Frankford Line to 2nd or 5th Street stations (both nearby). Multiple bus routes serve the area. No on-site parking – use nearby garages or public transport
- Time needed: Most visitors spend 2–3 hours. The museum is large and information-dense, so allow enough time
- Photography: Allowed throughout for personal use. No tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks
- Accessibility: Fully ADA compliant with lifts, ramps, and accessible facilities. Manual wheelchairs available free at Reception Desk (first-come, first-served)
- Food: Cross Keys Café serves meals and snacks. Outside food not permitted inside
- Children: Very family-friendly with interactive elements and Revolution Place specifically for younger visitors. Suitable for ages 6+ generally, though younger children enjoy the hands-on areas
- Crowds: Weekdays during school term are quietest. Weekends, holidays, and summer get busy
- Two-day ticket: Take advantage of the two-day validity if you’re feeling overwhelmed or tired
- Daily programmes: Check the schedule for films, talks, and special activities
FAQs
How long does it take to see the museum?
Most visitors spend 2–3 hours, though you could easily spend longer if you watch all the films, attend programmes, and read every exhibit text. With the two-day ticket validity, you don’t need to rush – come back tomorrow if you run out of time.
Is it suitable for children?
Very much so. The museum is designed to be family-friendly with interactive elements throughout. Revolution Place is specifically for younger children with hands-on activities. Recommended for ages 6 and up generally, though younger children will enjoy parts of it.
Will I see George Washington’s tent?
Yes, but it’s displayed behind glass in climate-controlled conditions as part of a multimedia presentation. The “Washington’s War Tent” film shows every hour on the hour starting at 11:00 a.m., with the final showing at 4:40 p.m. Don’t miss it – it’s the museum’s signature experience.
Can I visit on the same day as Independence Hall?
Absolutely. They’re two minutes apart. Most visitors combine both. Independence Hall requires timed tickets (free but must be reserved), so coordinate your timings.
Is there parking?
No on-site parking. Nearby public garages include the Independence Visitor Center garage and several private lots within walking distance. Public transport is recommended – the museum is very accessible by SEPTA.
Are audio guides included?
No, audio guides cost extra (around $4–5) and must be added when booking. They’re available in English, Spanish, and French.
What’s the best time to visit?
Weekday mornings during school term are quietest. Avoid summer weekends if possible. Book timed tickets for your preferred slot.
Can I bring a backpack?
Yes, though bags may be subject to security checks. There’s no cloakroom, so don’t bring large luggage.
Is food allowed inside?
No outside food or drink in the galleries. The Cross Keys Café sells food and beverages.
More Pennsylvania travel
Other Pennsylvania travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Understanding Abraham Lincoln in Gettysburg.
- Drake Well: The birthplace of the oil industry.
- What to expect at the Flight 93 National Memorial.
- 4 great reasons to visit Pittsburgh.
- Planning a visit to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.
