admission & hours of operation
Admission & Hours of Operation
Planning a trip to the Independence Seaport Museum but don’t know where to start? Start here!
Scroll down to learn about when we are open, admission packages, tour times for Becuna, special offers, accessibility, and more!
HOURS OF OPERATIONS ANd GUIDED TOUR TIMES
The Independence Seaport Museum and our historic ships are open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM* (last admission entry/boarding is 30 minutes before closing).
* Please note that the museum and historic ships are closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas, and close early on Christmas and New Year’s Eve (open until 3 PM, with last entry/boarding at 2:30 PM).
Guided tours of Becuna, a World War II-era submarine, are offered daily at the following times:
Becuna: 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM and 3 PM
* Please note that, for the safety of our visitors and staff, the historic ships may close without notice during inclement weather.
Summer tour schedule
From Friday, May 23, through Labor Day Weekend, the Museum is offering more options on when visitors can tour Becuna, a World War II-era submarine, plus the seasonal return of the Olympia Engine Room tour.
Olympia Engine Room Tours (offered Fridays – Saturdays, does not include GA or access to Becuna, scroll down to purchase a ticket): 11 AM, 2 PM, 4 PM
GENERAL ADMISSION & ADD-ONS
Each general admission ticket comes with a self-guided experience among the Museum’s award-winning exhibits and aboard the historic ship Olympia.
Access to Becuna is considered an add-on option to the general admission ticket. If you would like to visit the submarine, please select the “Submarine Package.”
*Standalone Ticket, Does Not Include GA or Becuna Access
PRICING
Package Descriptions
Spend time at the Museum with this package that includes self-guided access to our building (home to award-winning exhibits) and Olympia and a guided tour of Becuna.
This option is available for visitors that are 3 years of age or older.
Purchase tickets for the Submarine package here.
Groups larger than 10 people should book their tickets through group sales. To learn more about our group offerings, please click here.
Looking for a tried and true way to visit ISM? Consider purchasing this option which provides you with self-guided access to our building (home to award-winning exhibits) and Olympia.
This option is available for visitors of all ages.
Purchase tickets for the General Admission package here.
Groups larger than 10 people should book their tickets through group sales. To learn more about our group offerings, please click here.
Olympia engine room tour
This is for the gearheads! Back in a new, seasonal capacity, guided tours of Olympia’s Engine Room will take visitors below deck to learn how the cruiser steamed through history.
These tours will be offered Fridays – Saturdays at 11 AM, 2 PM. and 4 PM.
Tickets are $25 per person, and FREE for ISM members!
*Must be at least ten (10) years of age or older to participate. Please note GA and Becuna access are not included with this ticket. They must be purchased separately.
Personal Care Assistants & Service Animals
Visitors with disabilities may be accompanied by paid Personal Care Attendants (PCA) at no additional cost during their visit. This applies to all ticketed events, general admission and special exhibits that the visitor is attending. This also applies to membership and group sales tickets. Service animals are always welcome but must obey the same policies as all other visitors.
Special Offers
$2 ACCESS Cardholders on-site only with valid card and photo ID. Present your ACCESS/EBT card and receive admission for up to four family members at $2 each. Admission includes self-guided exploration in the Museum’s building and aboard Olympia. To tour Becuna, it would be an additional $4 per person. Not valid for special events, festivals, programs or with any other offer or group discount. ACCESS Admission is a city-wide initiative led by Art-Reach.
Enjoy $2 off your admission ticket to the Museum when you present your valid SEPTA TrailPass, TransPass, One Day Independence Pass, SEPTA Key, or SEPTA Employee ID. On-site only. Cannot be combined with other offers. Not valid for special events.
Accessibility
The main building of Independence Seaport Museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible, including our restrooms. Our historic ships, Olympia and Becuna, are not currently ADA accessible.
Strollers are welcome in the Museum and may be parked in our self-service coat room.
Parking
Designated parking spaces are available in the Hilton parking garage next door. It can be entered at Walnut Street and Columbus Blvd.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located on the ground floor of the Museum’s main building, down the hall from the lobby.
Wheelchair Accessibility
- Wheelchairs are available in adult sizes, free of charge, at the Admissions desk.
- Our elevator serves both floors of the Museum.
- All bathrooms and water fountains are wheelchair accessible.
RECIPROCAL MEMBERSHIP ADMISSIONS
Independence Seaport Museum participates in reciprocal membership programs with NARM, CAMM, and Battleship New Jersey. Please note the museum no longer participates in the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC).
North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association
North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association Qualifying member of a museum or organization outside a 15-mile radius that participates in NARM (institution cannot be located in Philadelphia). Must have the NARM logo preprinted on the card or a NARM sticker. Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) CAMM membership or membership card from a participating institution. Battleship New Jersey Current Membership at the Contributing, Sustaining, Benefactor, or Admiral’s Circle level.
Click here to learn more.
Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM)
CAMM membership or membership card from a participating institution.
Click here to learn more.
Battleship New Jersey
Current Membership at the Contributing, Sustaining, Benefactor, or Admiral’s Circle level.
Click here to learn more.
- Free admission to the Museum and Cruiser Olympia for up to two named adults and up to four children under 18 (guests not included).
- 10% off Museum Gift Shop
- Guided tours of Submarine Becuna ticket ($15 per person add-on).
- Member pricing at Paddle Penn’s Landing.
- Member discount on programming, special events, and workshops.
Community Pass
Visiting with a Community Pass through your library or community organization? Community Pass tickets cannot be reserved online in advance. Please present the membership card from your library or organization at the front desk upon your visit.
- General admission to the museum and Olympia for up to two adults and four children.
- Free public programming included with general admission.
- 10% discount in the Museum Gift Shop.
- $5 discount on guided ship tour tickets.
- Guided tours of Becuna and/or Olympia’s Engine Room (guests can purchase add-on tours on-site the day of their visit.)
- Admission to ticketed special events.
- Paddle Penn’s Landing member discounts.
- Access to ISM member events.
Additional Visitor Information
Looking for More Things to do in Philadelphia?
Independence Seaport Museum is a member of Philadelphia’s Historic Neighborhood Consortium, a group of more than 50 attractions within walking distance of the Liberty Bell. To learn more, visit their website.
The Philly PHLASH is the quick, inexpensive, easy connection to key destinations throughout Center City, Philadelphia.
visit the seaport museum
Immerse yourself in award-winning exhibitions and climb aboard the Olympia, a nineteenth-century cruiser, and the Becuna, a World War II-era submarine.
