Liberty Bell, Philadelphia, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Liberty Bell is a large bronze bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the best-known symbols of freedom in the United States. Ordered in 1751 for the Pennsylvania Assembly, it is famous for its inscription, its crack and its later role in the abolitionist movement. It is displayed in the Liberty Bell Center on Market Street, close to Independence Hall.

The story behind it

The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered the bell in 1751 to mark the 50th anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, the document that guaranteed religious freedom in the colony. Penn had founded Philadelphia in 1682. The bell was first cast at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London and shipped across the Atlantic. It cracked when it was first tested in Philadelphia, so local metalworkers melted it down and recast it.

The famous crack came later. The bell was repaired in 1846 by widening the damage so the edges would not rattle against each other, a method called stop drilling. The repair did not hold and the bell has not been rung since. In the 1830s, anti-slavery campaigners adopted the bell as a symbol of liberty, and the name Liberty Bell stuck. Its inscription, from the Book of Leviticus, speaks of proclaiming liberty throughout all the land.

What to look for

• The long crack running up the side of the bell, which is the result of the failed 1846 repair attempt rather than the first crack from the test ringing.
• The inscription around the crown of the bell, where Pennsylvania is spelled "Pensylvania", a spelling that was in use at the time and not simply a mistake.
• The names of the Philadelphia founders who recast the bell, which appear on its surface alongside the date.
• The view through the glass at the end of the display hall, where the bell is framed against Independence Hall.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the bell and the exhibits that explain its history, more if the queue is long.
• Go early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the busiest crowds, especially in summer.
• Independence Hall, where the bell once hung, is just across the street, so plan both together. Check current entry arrangements for each before you go.
• The Liberty Bell Center is indoors, so it works well in rain, and the surrounding Old City streets are easy to explore on foot afterwards.

See it on a quest

Philadelphia Old Town: Solve the Case brings you to the Liberty Bell on foot as one stop of a longer route through the historic centre. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group.

Franklin’s Time Agents: Founding Philly suits anyone who wants the story of the city's founding woven into the walk. You move from place to place, hear about each one on the spot and solve a puzzle as you go. One ticket covers the whole group.

Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Old City, Philadelphia is a good pick if you prefer a mystery to a museum visit. You walk the streets of Old City, learn about each place as you reach it and work out a puzzle at each one. One ticket covers the whole group.