Philadelphia is the city where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated, and its compact historic core lets you cover that story on foot in a single day. Beyond Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the city offers the Reading Terminal Market for lunch and the Philadelphia Museum of Art for an afternoon, so the day mixes history with food and art rather than being a single-stop trip. As a day trip from Wilmington it works well because the historic district, the market, and the art museum are all within a short cab or walk of each other.
| Distance | 30 miles north of Wilmington; 115 miles north of Rehoboth Beach |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 25-45 minutes from Wilmington |
| Getting there | Amtrak: Wilmington to Philadelphia 30th Street (25 min, $15-40, book at amtrak.com); Car: I-95 north (~35 min from Wilmington in off-peak traffic); SEPTA R2: Wilmington to Philadelphia (40 min, $7.50) |
| Address | Independence Hall: 526 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
How to get there
- Amtrak from Wilmington Station
- SEPTA R2 regional rail
- Car via I-95 north
Location
Independence Hall: 526 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
39.9489, -75.1500 View on map
Highlights
- Independence Hall - where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were both debated and signed
- Liberty Bell Center - the cracked bell itself, with exhibits on its symbolism
- Reading Terminal Market - a long-running indoor market for a sit-down or grab-and-go lunch
- Philadelphia Museum of Art - the museum behind the 'Rocky steps', worth two to three hours for its collection
- Elfreth's Alley - one of the country's oldest continuously inhabited residential streets