The National Liberty Museum is a museum dedicated to American liberty, civil discourse, and civic values, located at 321 Chestnut Street in the Old City neighbourhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking options, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
To skip the detail and just book tickets, head this way. The National Liberty Museum is also included in the Go City Philadelphia Pass – a big money-saver if you’re planning to visit several Philadelphia attractions.
Updated February 2026. From Friday 6 March 2026, the National Liberty Museum changes to seven-day opening with extended evening hours on Wednesdays through Fridays, and introduces new higher admission prices. Tickets purchased before 6 March will not be accepted after that date. Guides and aggregator pages written before this announcement will show out-of-date hours and prices.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Current opening hours (until 5 March 2026) | Wed–Mon: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. / Tuesday: Closed |
| Opening hours from 6 March 2026 | 7 days a week; Wed–Fri: 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. / Sat–Mon & Tue: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Adult ticket (until 5 March 2026) | $10.00 |
| Adult ticket (from 6 March 2026) | $15.00 |
| Children under 5 | Free |
| Nearest public transport | SEPTA Market-Frankford Line, 2nd St or 5th St station |
| Parking | Street parking on 2nd St; public garage on 4th St between Market and Chestnut |
| Typical visit duration | 1–1.5 hours |
National Liberty Museum opening hours
Until 5 March 2026, the National Liberty Museum is open Wednesday through Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on Tuesdays. From 6 March 2026, the museum opens seven days a week, with extended evening hours until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; Saturday through Tuesday hours remain 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated February 2026.
National Liberty Museum ticket prices
Current prices (valid until 5 March 2026):
| Visitor type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $10.00 |
| Senior (65+) | $8.00 |
| Student (with valid ID) | $6.00 |
| Youth (ages 6–17) | $4.00 |
| Child (under 5) | Free |
| Museum Member | Free |
Prices from 6 March 2026 (new pricing — previously purchased tickets not valid after this date):
| Visitor type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $15.00 |
| Senior (65+), Military, Teacher (with valid ID) | $12.00 |
| Student (with valid ID) | $10.00 |
| Youth (ages 6–17) | $8.00 |
| Child (under 5) | Free |
| Museum Member | Free |
The new pricing structure adds a combined senior, military, and teacher discount tier not previously listed separately. Museum membership includes free admission for all visits and a 15% discount on Museum Shop purchases. The National Liberty Museum is also part of the Go City Philadelphia pass scheme.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated February 2026.
Why book the Go City Philadelphia All-Inclusive Pass?
- 🎟️ 30+ Top Attractions: Gain entry to Philadelphia’s best sites, including the Adventure Aquarium, Philadelphia Zoo, and the Museum of the American Revolution.
- 💰 Huge Savings: Save up to 50% on admission costs compared to purchasing individual tickets at each attraction gate.
- 🚌 Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: Includes a 1-day Big Bus tour, providing a convenient way to navigate between historic landmarks like Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
- 📱 Instant Digital Pass: No need to wait for physical tickets; simply scan your digital pass from your smartphone for quick and easy entry.
- ⏱️ See It All at Your Pace: Choose a 1, 2, 3, or 5-day pass and visit as many attractions as you like, giving you total control over your Philly itinerary.
How to get to the National Liberty Museum
The National Liberty Museum is located in Old City Philadelphia, two blocks from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and is well served by public transport. The SEPTA Market-Frankford Line (the MFL subway) stops at 2nd Street and 5th Street stations on Market Street, both within a short walk of the museum on Chestnut Street. SEPTA Regional Rail lines serve Jefferson Station nearby. Multiple SEPTA bus routes serve the area, including routes 5, 9, 17, 21, 33, 38, 42, 44, 48, 57, and 121. The PHLASH visitor trolley, which circulates between major Philadelphia attractions, stops on Chestnut Street near the museum.
By car from I-95 South, take Exit 22 (Historic Area) and proceed straight on 2nd Street toward Chestnut. From I-95 North, take Exit 20 (Washington Avenue), join Columbus Boulevard, follow signs to Market Street, and turn left onto 2nd Street. From I-76, take I-676 East to the Independence Hall/8th Street exit, turn right onto 8th Street, left onto Market Street, and right onto 4th Street.
Parking at the National Liberty Museum
The National Liberty Museum does not have its own parking facility. Street parking is available on 2nd Street between Market and Walnut Streets. A public parking garage is located on 4th Street between Market and Chestnut Streets; if this garage is full, an additional garage is available on 2nd Street. Parking in Old City Philadelphia can be limited on weekends and during events; public transport is the more reliable option on busy days.
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.
How long to spend at the National Liberty Museum
A self-guided visit to the National Liberty Museum typically takes between one hour and 90 minutes. Guided group tours last approximately one hour. Field trip visits, which include orientation, coat check, and restroom time, are planned for approximately 90 minutes. There are no timed-entry restrictions for general admission visitors.
Accessibility at the National Liberty Museum
The National Liberty Museum is a fully wheelchair-accessible facility. Visitors who require special assistance or have specific accessibility needs are encouraged to contact the museum in advance at (215) 925-2800 or [email protected] to arrange appropriate accommodation.
Inside the National Liberty Museum: what to see
The National Liberty Museum occupies a building in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic district and focuses on the values of liberty, freedom of expression, and civic responsibility through exhibitions and art.
The current headline exhibition, The Forgotten Freedom, explores the right of free assembly — one of the least publicly discussed of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. The exhibition is presented across three connected components: Showing Up Since 1776, which covers the history of assembly and protest in America; In the Arena, which examines the intersection of sports and public assembly; and The Art of Free Assembly, which presents artistic responses to the theme.
The museum also holds a permanent collection that includes a replica of the Liberty Bell, a substantial collection of Dale Chihuly glass artwork, and works by other artists whose pieces address themes of liberty, heroism, and human rights.
Additional regularly changing on-view exhibitions are listed at libertymuseum.org/exhibitions/on-view-now ahead of a visit.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prices and hours change on 6 March 2026 | If you have already purchased tickets before 6 March, note that previously purchased tickets will not be accepted after that date. Purchase new tickets through the official website for visits from 6 March onwards. |
| Tuesdays are closed (until 5 March 2026) | The museum is currently closed on Tuesdays. From 6 March 2026, it will be open seven days a week. |
| The museum is within walking distance of multiple other historic sites | The Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, and National Constitution Center are all within a two-to-five-minute walk, making it straightforward to combine multiple attractions in a single visit. |
| Group and field trip bookings require advance notice | Group tours should be booked in advance. Field trips must be booked at least two weeks ahead. Groups larger than 75 people may be asked to split across multiple reservation times. |
| Street parking is limited | Old City parking fills quickly at weekends. Using SEPTA or the PHLASH trolley avoids this. The nearest SEPTA subway stop (2nd Street on the Market-Frankford Line) is a short walk from the museum. |
Frequently asked questions about the National Liberty Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the National Liberty Museum suitable for children? | Yes. Reduced admission is available for youth aged 6–17, and children under 5 enter free. The museum is used regularly for school field trips and has exhibits accessible to younger visitors. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the National Liberty Museum? | Advance booking is recommended via the official website but is not mandatory for individual visitors. Group visits and field trips must be booked in advance. |
| Is the National Liberty Museum open on Sundays? | Yes. Sunday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Is the National Liberty Museum open on Tuesdays? | Not currently. Tuesday is the weekly closure day until 5 March 2026. From 6 March 2026, the museum will be open on Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Is the National Liberty Museum included in Philadelphia CityPASS? | No. The National Liberty Museum is not currently listed as a CityPASS. It is included in the Go City Philadelphia Pass, however. |
| Is there a gift shop at the National Liberty Museum? | Yes. A Museum Shop is on site. Members receive a 15% discount on purchases. |
Things to do near the National Liberty Museum
The museum is located in Old City, Philadelphia’s most concentrated historic district. The following paid and free attractions are within easy walking distance:
- Liberty Bell Center — The Liberty Bell and its exhibition are located approximately two blocks from the museum, on Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets. Free admission; operated by the National Park Service.
- Independence Hall — Located on Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets, approximately two blocks from the museum. Free entry to the exterior grounds; guided tours of the building are ticketed and bookable through the National Park Service.
- National Constitution Center — Located on Independence Mall, approximately three blocks away. A paid museum covering the history and meaning of the US Constitution.
- Museum of the American Revolution — Located at 3rd and Chestnut Streets, approximately one block from the National Liberty Museum.
- Independence Seaport Museum — Located on Penn’s Landing, approximately a 10-minute walk from the museum, at Columbus Boulevard and Walnut Street. Paid admission; houses historic ships and maritime exhibits.
- Franklin Institute — A science museum in central Philadelphia, approximately 1.5 miles from the museum in Logan Square.
More Philadelphia travel
Other Philadelphia travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Discover Benjamin Franklin’s life in the Benjamin Franklin Museum and his resting place in the Christ Church Burial Ground.
- Review of the very weird Mutter Museum in Philadelphia.
- How Philadelphia’s historic attractions provide an introduction to America’s past.
- Learning how Australia’s highest mountain got its name at the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial.
- Why it’s worth taking a trip over the Delaware River to the Battleship New Jersey.
