michigansandzilla wrote:
DrewE wrote:
Do be aware that getting into the constitution house, seeing the liberty bell, and a few other things in Philly require obtaining a (free) timed ticket in person beforehand. It's probably unrealistic to expect to get into those areas if you're only stopping for a few hours.
Really? That's disheartening. The only reason we're even going to Philly is to see the Liberty bell. If we're there around noon we won't be able to get in all day?
I don't mind getting a ticket and waiting as we will get lunch and see Battleship New jersey or find something to do.
Do you have to be in line by 8?! How do tourists manage to see this?
After a bit of research, I see I misremembered a few details. Tickets are required for Independence hall, but apparently only a security screening is needed for the liberty bell and congress hall, but not a timed ticket. Most of the other things to see in the area are self-guided sorts of things. Tickets for independence hall may be obtained for free in person on the day of the visit, or may be reserved ahead of time online or by phone for a $1.50/ticket fee.
How long you have to wait and how quickly the tickets disappear would presumably depend on how many other people are there at the same time, on your arrival time, etc. According to the national park website, on busy days the walk-up tickets for the whole day may be gone before 11 AM (the booth opens at 8:30).
