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Independence Seaport Museum Admission

Highlights

Explore two historic vessels recognized as National Historic Landmarks.

Walk aboard Cruiser Olympia, the oldest steel warship still afloat and famed for its role in the Spanish-American War.

Visit the WWII and Cold War era Submarine Becuna to see submarine technology and hear stories of naval courage.

Enjoy a family-friendly experience with exhibits spread over two floors showcasing maritime history.

Engage with interactive displays that bring the history of Delaware River ports to life.

Discover Philadelphia’s Maritime History

Step aboard living history at the Independence Seaport Museum, located on Penn’s Landing. As the premier destination for Philadelphia’s maritime heritage, the museum features interactive exhibits, the citizen science lab, and two iconic historic warships: the Spanish-American War cruiser Cruiser Olympia and the World War II submarine Submarine Becuna. Whether you are looking for an educational family day out or a deep dive into naval history, your adventure starts on the Delaware River waterfront.

About Independence Seaport Museum

Founded in 1960 on Penn’s Landing, the Independence Seaport Museum serves as the premier gateway to Philadelphia’s rich maritime heritage and the ecology of the Delaware River. The museum features a dynamic mix of interactive indoor exhibits, such as River Alive! and Patriots & Pirates, alongside two floating National Historic Landmarks: the Spanish-American War cruiser Olympia and the World War II submarine Becuna. By bridging hands-on naval history with modern watershed science, the destination offers an immersive, educational experience for families, history buffs, and student groups alike.

Why Visit the Independence Seaport Museum?

Step Aboard Living History: Explore two rare, floating National Historic Landmarks—the Spanish-American War cruiser Olympia and the World War II submarine Becuna—and experience life on deck exactly as naval crews did over a century ago.

Immersive, Hands-On Exhibitions: Walk through massive galleries featuring life-sized ship models, authentic artifacts, and multimedia displays detailing everything from early American privateers to the birthplace of the U.S. Navy.

Interactive Watershed Science: Discover the secrets of the Delaware River at River Alive!, a 4,000-square-foot interactive ecology exhibit featuring large-scale games, live science displays, and hands-on water labs.

Prime Waterfront Location: Situated directly on Penn’s Landing, the museum offers a perfect anchor point for a day out in Philadelphia, blending historic discovery with excellent views of the Delaware River.

Hours & Planning: Maximize Your Experience

Opening Hours

Daily Operation The museum and its historical vessels are open seven days a week from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Final Admissions The final entry to the main museum building and the last boarding call for the historic cruiser Olympia occurs at 4:30 PM daily.
Holiday Closures The entire facility is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, with early closures typically scheduled for Christmas Eve.

Best Times to Visit

Beat the Crowds Weekday mornings between 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM offer the quietest gallery spaces, providing unobstructed access to interactive exhibits like River Alive!.
Avoid School Tour Peaks Field trips and student groups predominantly visit between mid-morning and early afternoon from April through June. Booking a weekend visit or a late afternoon weekday slot ensures a more relaxed, self-paced tour.
Seasonal Waterfront Perks While the indoor galleries are fully climate-controlled year-round, visiting during late spring, summer, or early autumn allows you to combine your museum admission with seasonal outdoor waterfront activities along Penn's Landing.

Location & Getting Here

Address

Independence Seaport Museum

211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Find Your Route

By Subway
By Bus
By RiverLink Ferry
By Car

(SEPTA Market-Frankford Line)

Take the Blue Line to the 2nd Street Station. From there, head east across the pedestrian bridges toward Penn's Landing. The museum is a scenic, 5-to-10-minute walk from the platform.

(SEPTA routes)

Multiple local bus routes drop off directly along Columbus Boulevard and near Old City. Key lines servicing the area include Routes 12, 21, 25, and 42, which offer direct access to the Penn's Landing waterfront area.

If you are traveling from New Jersey, the RiverLink Ferry provides seasonal service connecting the Camden Waterfront directly to Penn's Landing, dropping passengers off just steps from the museum entrance.

For drivers arriving via I-95 or I-676, convenient paid parking is available adjacent to the building at the Penn's Landing Walnut Street Parking Garage, as well as nearby open-air surface lots operated by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC).

Dining Options & Waterfront Eateries

On-Site Refreshments The museum gift shop features a small selection of quick grab-and-go snacks, light refreshments, and bottled water.
Penn's Landing Dining The museum sits in the heart of the Delaware River waterfront destination, meaning multiple casual open-air eateries, seasonal food trucks, and permanent waterfront restaurants are located directly adjacent to the building, offering full lunch and dinner options overlooking the river.
Old City Neighborhood Dining A short 5-to-10-minute walk west across the pedestrian bridges leads straight into Philadelphia's historic Old City district, which features dozens of local cafes, bistros, sandwich shops, and family-friendly dining spots.

Accessibility Guidelines

Main Museum Building The primary facility is entirely ADA-compliant. The main indoor museum galleries, ticketing desks, elevators, and public restrooms are fully accessible to visitors utilizing wheelchairs, motorized scooters, or strollers.
Historic Ships Access Due to their authentic naval engineering and National Historic Landmark preservation status, the historic cruiser Olympia and the World War II submarine Becuna are not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
Service Animals Fully trained service animals protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are welcome inside the main building and across all indoor museum galleries. For safety reasons regarding steep naval ladders, exercise caution if bringing a service animal onto the historic ships. Emotional support animals are not permitted.

Know Before You Go: Quick Tips for Your Visit

Book Tickets in Advance: Purchase your timed-entry tickets online to secure your preferred date, guarantee admission to the historic ships, and bypass the ticketing lines at the main entrance.

Wear Appropriate Footwear: Exploring the historic cruiser and submarine requires climbing steep, vertical shipboard ladders and navigating narrow metal corridors. Closed-toe shoes with good traction are highly recommended.

Plan for Construction Adjustments: Active regional construction on the new park at Penn’s Landing has closed some traditional pedestrian walkways. Follow posted detour signs along Market, Spruce, or South Streets to access the building safely.

Review Ship Accessibility Restrictions: While the main museum galleries are fully ADA-compliant, the historic vessels are not wheelchair or stroller accessible due to their authentic naval design.

Allow Plenty of Time: Plan for at least 2 to 3 hours to fully explore the indoor galleries, hands-on science exhibits, and both historic vessels without rushing.

FAQs

What are the operating hours for the Independence Seaport Museum?

The museum and its historic vessels are open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The final admission to the main building and the last boarding call for the ships occurs at 4:30 PM. The entire facility is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Is the museum accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?

The main museum building, including all indoor galleries, ticketing desks, elevators, and restrooms, is fully ADA-compliant and accessible. However, due to their historic naval architecture, the cruiser Olympia and submarine Becuna are not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

What should I wear when visiting the historic ships?

Because navigating the historic cruiser and submarine requires climbing steep, vertical shipboard ladders and walking through narrow corridors, you should wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes with excellent traction.

Are there places to eat nearby?

Yes. While the museum gift shop only sells light grab-and-go snacks and bottled water, there are numerous permanent waterfront restaurants and seasonal eateries located directly adjacent to the building on Penn's Landing. Dozens of local cafes and bistros are also within a 5-to-10-minute walk in the historic Old City neighborhood.

What is the best way to get to the museum via public transit?

The easiest subway option is the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line to the 2nd Street Station, followed by a short walk east toward the river. You can also take SEPTA bus routes 21, 25, or 42, or ride the seasonal Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop directly to the waterfront.

Where can I park my car?

Convenient paid parking is located immediately next door at the covered Hilton parking garage. Additionally, several open-air surface lots operated by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) are available nearby along Christopher Columbus Boulevard.

How does the local waterfront construction affect my visit?

Ongoing municipal construction on the new Park at Penn's Landing has closed direct pedestrian access via Chestnut and Walnut Streets and reduced lanes on parts of Columbus Boulevard. Visitors walking from Center City should use Market Street, Spruce Street, or South Street to reach the museum safely.

Are service animals allowed inside the museum?

Fully trained service animals protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are permitted inside the main building and all indoor galleries. Because of the steep, vertical ladders on the historic ships, guests should exercise extreme caution if bringing a service animal on deck. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

Why should I buy tickets online in advance?

Purchasing your tickets online allows you to select your preferred date, guarantees your admission slots for the historic vessels, and saves you time by letting you bypass the main ticketing lines at the entrance.

Is this the venue’s official website?

No. This website offers official tickets to the Independence Seaport Museum but is not the venue’s official website.