Free Fun Friday | Day 17

So if you want something fun (and super educational and patriotic!)  to do, and you’re up for a little traffic, a lot of people, and maybe a crazy expensive parking tab ($18 for the day), you should head downtown.

I mean, really. What trip to Philadelphia would be complete without a stop to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall where our Declaration of Independence was signed?!

So this is the room. Like, the exact room! And that’s the chair that George Washington sat in. Crazy cool. 

When you go down there, stop in at the Visitor Center and get your timed pass to enter the house. It’s a free ticket, but when you get the timed entry pass, you are able to be guaranteed a 30 minute tour and maybe you’ll get this incredibly smart history buff park ranger who was an great guide.

Inside the Visitor Center, you’ll find some special guests dressed in period costumes with some really neat props. This guy was demonstrating the art of the time – all ink and quill pens. Kami was able to join in on the fun and make 7 bookmarks. She also was super curious about all of his costume accessories. The people were super helpful and patiently answered all of the girls’ questions.

If you’re up for spending a little cash, take a carriage ride. The 30 minute tours are $35 for a whole carriage load (up to 6 people) and hit most of the major historical spots. These people are history experts first, carriage driver second.

Make sure you stop for silly face photos. It’s a must.

It was so fun having my mom, Nana, here with us! She really helped us get around town and navigate the crazy rush hour stuff we ended up in. And she made the Liberty Bell even more beautiful! The girls loved their special assignment of finding out what made the crack in the bell. 

Be ready to walk! While most of the history stuff is in about a square mile downtown, if you want to get to all of it, you’ll walk close to 2 miles at least. I did it all in my favorite Southern style – barefoot. Sorta. 

And lest you think my girls were super perfect about walking all over the city and endless moments of history lessons that they barely understood….here’s what they do too. iPhones and nose picking. But Kami promised “I won’t eat it this time, Mommy.  So, is that fine with you?”