Philadelphia: History, Zoo and Fairmount Park

Philadelphia offers many different reasons to explore: the National Constitution Center focuses on the Constitution of the United States, while the Liberty Bell is known for its association with freedom and civil rights. There are also animal exhibits at the Philadelphia Zoo and expansive parkland. You can tailor your stay to your interests, focusing on history, animals or outdoor activities.

Constitutional history and historic sites

The National Constitution Center is the first and only museum dedicated to the Constitution of the United States. Its Signers’ Hall features 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers. This distinctive display makes the signers a tangible part of the museum visit. The Center is located in Historic Philadelphia, just a few steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. If you are interested in the history of the Constitution, you will find a clear guide to these three named sites here.

The Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site offers another historical perspective: visitors can enter the world’s first penitentiary, a significant 19th-century experiment in criminal justice reform. You can choose from different types of visits. Admission includes an audio tour, a guided tour and a self-guided exploration. This lets you choose between a guided experience and exploring independently. Eastern State Penitentiary is accessible by public transportation.

Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell

Independence Hall is a National Historic Landmark, recognized worldwide for its influence on freedom and democracy. Free guided and self-guided tours are offered there. Nearby, the Liberty Bell Center’s exhibits explain how the Liberty Bell became an international symbol of freedom and civil rights. Admission to the Center is free; tickets do not need to be obtained in advance. The two offerings are therefore easy to distinguish when planning your day: Independence Hall offers tours of the historic site, while the Liberty Bell Center’s exhibits focus on how the bell developed into a symbol.

Animals and outdoor trails

The Philadelphia Zoo spans a 42-acre campus with a variety of animal exhibits. These give visitors and their families an up-close experience with the animals. One of the zoo’s distinctive features is Zoo360: a campus-wide network of see-through mesh trails gives animals additional opportunities to roam above and around visitors. The animal exhibits and this network offer different perspectives on a zoo visit, without limiting it to individual enclosures.

For outdoor activities, Fairmount Park offers a different kind of destination. It covers more than 2,050 acres and is divided primarily into East Fairmount Park and West Fairmount Park. The 4.5-mile multi-use Trolley Trail runs through West Fairmount Park. Walkers, runners and cyclists use it.

This makes it easy to decide which experiences matter most for your stay.

For the broader travel overview: Philadelphia.