Any Tips on Visiting the Liberty Bell/Philadelphia?

The bell itself is pretty much nothing special to look at. there's a line of people and there's a bell with a crack on it. Independence Hall is another story - the artchitecture if beautiful and it's so very cool to think that this band of rebels met in that very room and signed the constitution. If the Parks guide is good he'll tell you the interesting stories about drawing he curtain during soem of the meetings so no one could see who was inside, about who sat in which chair, etc. If you haven't seen the movie, National Treasure you should see that first becuase that adds another dimension to looking at the buidlings, etc. (Just make sure your kids understand it's fiction.)

The Reading Terminal market is alot of fun and a great place for lunch that's an adventure and not too costly.

Franklin Institute (science museum) is a must-see for kids. It's on the other side of town BUT - it's a great way to spend a day. My kids were middle and elementary school at the time and while the libery bell bored them to death they loved the science museum.

I can't comment on any outdoor acitivities because when we were there (around 5 years ago I think) there was a record amount of snow on the ground and it was bitter cold so we did mostly indoor activities. There are also some great smaller museums we went to that were nice - and the riverside has a tall ship I believe and htere's an aquarium on the NJ side of the river that I'm told is awesome.

No matter what you'll have fun. With one kid in college and another in HS we don't get those get away times as much any more and I really miss them!

The Liberty Bell and surrounding area should take the few hours you have there. I would think to do anything else, you would need to spend the night.

If you have time, go to Reading Terminal Market and the Franklin Institute. With that and waiting in line at the Liberty Bell (and Independence Hall area), you'll pretty much fill your day. These things aren't free, but they're worth it.

My kids also love just sitting in Rittenhouse Square and people watching (actually dog and people watching).

ETA. Depending on how old your kids are and if you're up to doing something creepy, Eastern State Penitentiary might be something to try. You can google it for more info.

I assume that, when you say "Liberty Bell", you also mean Independence Hall and the entire park that's there. There's a lot to see and absorb beyond just the displayed bell.

That whole area is loaded with colonial type homes - friends of mine lived on Spruce Street between 4th and 5th streets (all the streets in one direction are trees, the cross streets are numbered). You'll find a lot of brick and cobblestone, and very narrow 4 and 5 story houses. If you go down the alleys in between, you'll see people's "back yards" which are often gated courtyards. You definitely want everyone in comfortable walking shoes or good sneakers for this part of the city!

There's a pizza place that got a lot of news & talk show coverage because the owner encourages patrons to kick in an extra $1 and then the homeless can eat for free. Your kids might enjoy eating there and helping others. There are many links if you Google "Philadelphia pizza shop feeds homeless" or something like that. Here's one of them: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2015/01/14/377033772/phi...

The Philadelphia Art Museum has the big stairway that was featured in the movie "Rocky" - a lot of tourists (especially kids) like to repeat that scene, running up and raising their arms in the air. There are some fun exhibits too that kids will enjoy.

Philly is famous for the Mummers Parade on New Years Day, and there's a museum devoted to their costumes and performances. I've heard it's good.

South Street is a section of fun shops and restaurants that's an enjoyable place to walk, eat and browse.

They've done a lot of work on the waterfront as well, making it very visitor-friendly. See how the weather is though before you get out in the open on the water!

Depends a lot on your kids' ages and historical interests. We spent most of a week in the city, staying in a city center hotel, and that was worthwhile because we could walk to the main historic area (right past Ben Franklin's grave, in fact). If you have not ever done the classic Independence Hall tour, do it -- it is across the street from the Liberty Bell.

Both are part of the National Park Service's Independence National Historical Park. Search it at their web site, www.nps.gov -- they have great ideas. There is an NPS visitor's center that you should hit first, to get tickets (timed ticket tours only inside Independence Hall but well worth any wait!). Be aware that the Liberty Bell's museum gets pretty crowded--we had to wait in a bit of a line to walk up to it. There are lots of exhibits about the bell's history to look at, though.

The Franklin Institute is the city's science museum and is great for kids of all ages. They can walk through the chambers of a giant heart (cheesy but fun!), build a space rover, and more. There are also changing exhibits at the Franklin -- we saw an amazing one about Cleopatra with artifacts from Egypt that were extremely rare, and we loved it. Check their site to see what visiting exhibit will be there when you are in town. Be aware: The visiting exhibits cost extra and you will need to get timed tickets, and times do sell out, but it is WELL worth checking. And you can go to the Franklin without doing the extra exhibits. (There is another science museum close to the Franklin but it's the Franklin you want if it's a first-time trip with kids.)

There is an amazing market in the city center -- I can't recall the name but it's one of those old covered markets in a huge building and it contains hundreds of kiosks for food vendors. Fascinating and pretty old-world. Good place to grab food though you should set your kids' expectations that it's not a sit-down kind of place at all!

If you have time I would also spend a night out of Philly and go to Valley Forge if the weather is good. You want the National Park Service site, again. There is a museum you should see to set the scene, then you can walk around the reconstructed barracks etc. It is the kind of place that does require kids to have some imagination about what they're seeing, so if your kids are good at that -- try it.

If you are thinking day trip, well, you could do just the LIberty Bell and Independence Hall, but I would stay at least one night and go to the Franklin the next day, though the Franklin can take an entire day and I'd probably stay at least two nights! We were there a week and had plenty to do!

I don't know if you're willing to drive farther (do you have an extra day?), but if you drove up to Tarrytown, you'd have a wonderful time at Sleepy Hollow. Admittedly, I went there up in October from my same trip to the Liberty Bell (which is what made me think of Sleepy Hollow), and they are really "into the spirit" in October. But I think that they do their Sleepy Hollow thing all year.

While we were in Philly we visited the Art Museum - it's wonderful! So is the Ben Franklin Museum. There is also a zoo that's really good too. I don't think you can do all of these plus the Liberty Bell in one day.

ETA - oops - I just saw that you are requesting info on free things to do. The Art Museum, zoo and Ben Franklin Museum aren't free. Sorry about that. If you have a membership to anything remotely related, look to see if your membership has a reciprocal agreement with them so that you can get in free.

Btw, Diane, I asked my husband if he knows the name of the market in city center that you're talking about - he said it's called Reading Station...

We are also going to Phila soon. I am taking my kids to the Phila mint. Its free. My middle child has a coin collection. I believe there are maps available. They definitely have information for a self guided tour. Phila's China town is about 4 blocks away.
If you do some research before you visit you might be able to find info about his the great flu epidemic of 1918 effected Phila. Out of all the US cities. Phila had the largest number of deaths from it. On a personal note my great great grandfather succumbed to it. He was helping his neighbors remove their dead relatives.
Also this is not advertised but if a museum is public...payment is optional . For example many parts of the Franklin Museum can be free. There us extra exhibits you can pay for. Private museums payment is expected.

http://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house/what-to-... We had fun at the betsy ross museum. Not free, but not expensive either.

M. Poppins is another resource-
http://philly.mommypoppins.com/

You might ask AAA for ideas and suggestions.

If money is tight, I'd opt to stay in DC, or pick a closer destination. There is no shortage of history for you to see. Plus a total of 7+ hours of driving in any one day is enough to leave everyone cranky.

Best,
F. B.