Visiting the Liberty Bell

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is home to a number of sites of historic importance to the United States, including the Liberty Bell. Officially the bell of the Pennsylvania State House, it rang on important occasions, including the public reading of the Declaration of Independence. While the bell was created in 1753, it wasn't until over 90 years later in 1846 that the famous crack began to appear. As of 2011, the Liberty Bell is housed at Independence National Historic Park, run by the National Park Service, in the heart of the city's downtown. Plan a visit to Philadelphia with the services of a bus, coach bus, party bus, mini bus, passenger coach or school bus chartered from Bus Company Philadelphia.

Plan your transportation to the Liberty Bell Center at 526 Market St. Park at the Independence Visitor Center at Arch and Market streets. The underground garage provides an alternative to on-street parking, which often is hard to find. Choose public transportation to avoid parking charges. Take the Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) regional rail line to the Market-East Station and walk several blocks to the park. Public buses and taxicabs offer other transportation options, use a charter bus from Bus Company Philadelphia as an alternative.

Visit the Liberty Bell between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The site closes at 5 p.m., and is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. No admission fee or ticket is necessary. Utilize the restroom at the Independence Visitor Center, on the park's grounds, since there are no facilities at the Liberty Bell Center. The visitor center also houses a cafe, gift shop, educational displays about Philadelphia's history, wireless Internet access and free maps of the area. Take advantage of the services of the friendly staff at Bus Company Philadelphia to help plan your stay in the city.

When visiting the Liberty Bell Center, bring only small bags to speed up the screening process, which is required of all visitors. The center houses the bell, along with exhibits in video, written and pictorial form, that chronicle its history and significance. Charter bus visitors can view the bell in its location in a large, glass-enclosed chamber, which faces Independence Hall. Visitors walk into the chamber and can stand within a few feet of the Liberty Bell.

Charter bus visitors can visit the other sites of the park, such as Independence Hall or the National Constitution Center. The National Parks Service offers free ranger-led tours of the Liberty Bell Center and major sites within the park. Make advance reservations for Independence Hall from March through December. Admission is free. The National Constitution Center charges an admission fee. Independence Hall, considered the birthplace of the United States, is where legislators, such as Thomas Jefferson, signed the Declaration of Independence. At the National Constitution Center, you can learn about the impact this important document has on present-day life.

Historic Philadelphia has something for everyone on a charter bus visit. GIve Bus Company Philadelphia a call and let them help you organize all your charter bus transport needs.