group visits faqs
All the groups check in at the Admission desk, just inside the main entrance of the museum. The group leader should first check-in with a staff member by notifying them of the group’s name, provide a final group count (for both students and chaperones if applicable), and handle any remaining payment.
The bus drop-off entrance is located at Market Street and Columbus Boulevard. at Penn’s Landing. The bus driver should instruct the parking attendant at this entrance that they are dropping off for the Museum. The Museum is located at the southern end of the lot (at Walnut Street). Buses who wish to stay in this lot with be charged twice the daily car rate. There is also a Callowhill Bus Center with 43 parking spaces (on a first-come, first-serve basis) and a waiting area as a second option.
Independence Seaport Museum does not own any parking facility. Parking is available in both the Walnut Street lot and Hilton Parking Garage, on either side of the museum. There are also many metered spaces located near the museum, and in Old City along Front and Chestnut Streets, just a short walk away. This is often the least expensive option.
If you are running late or need to contact anyone at the museum the day of your visit, please call the Admission desk at 215-413-8655. Please be sure to tell the staff the name of the school or group from which you are calling.
Self-guided visits are entirely up to you, though most visitors spend about 45 minutes to an hour each inside the building and on Olympia. If you have booked the optional guided tour of Becuna, please expect the time of your visit to increase. The specifics will be based on each reservation. ISM’s Group Sales Associate will be able to provide more information at the time of booking.
Independence Seaport Museum does not have a cafeteria and most groups eat outside, weather permitting. There are plenty of outdoor eating areas along Penn’s Landing for your group to eat their lunch.
Please also note that food, especially gum and candy, is prohibited inside the museum and aboard the historic ships.
Photography is encouraged in the museum and on our historic ships. Post us to your favorite social media page (and tag us @phillyseaport!). Professional photographers or those needing images for media or publications can contact our Marketing Department.
If on the day of the trip there is a credit on the account it can be used for a future visit if it is booked within a week of the initial trip. Refunds will only be issued if the group has a credit of $200.00 or more on their accounted after the visit.
Yes! It’s the perfect place to stop at the end of your trip. The store features a selection of unique souvenirs and gifts many of which are produced by local Philadelphian artists and trades people.
The museum is wheelchair and walker accessible, though the Historic Ships are not. Please discuss options and information with our Group Sales Associate.
Chaperones play an important part in the success of every field trip. Independence Seaport Museum requires 1 chaperone (free) for every 10 children in your groups (for those visiting that are grades K-12). Additional chaperones will be charged the group admission rate. Please make sure chaperones know their group’s itinerary, students’ names, and remind them to stay with students throughout their visit. Many of our exhibits are available for students and adults to play and touch and we ask that chaperones encourage students to do so where indicated throughout the museum and on our Historic Ships.
Other Helpful Tips for Your Visit
It is advised that visitors wear comfortable shoes that can be worn on steep steps. Shoes with excessively deep heels are strongly discouraged for the safety of our visitors and the preservation of our ships.
Ship tours are self-guided. Along with interpretive signage placed throughout both vessels, shipskeepers are also aboard and more than happy to answer any question you might have!
The Independence Seaport Museum (ISM) strives to provide an inviting and educational environment designed to allow our visitors to explore the history of the Philadelphia region through the lens of the Delaware River. We want our guests to enjoy our exhibits, historic ships and other learning experiences. We appreciate your understanding of and cooperation with the policies we’ve established to maintain a safe and considerate atmosphere for all guests and staff. Courteous, respectful behavior is expected of all guests to ensure a great experience for everyone. This Visitor Conduct Policy applies across all museum property including the building, the docks, and our historic ships.
- Independence Seaport Museum does not tolerate physical, verbal, or written behavior that is unsafe, illegal, violence inciting, abusive, harassing, discriminatory, disorderly, disruptive, hostile or threatening to, or constituting hate speech directed at visitors, ISM staff, or others.
- Visitors are prohibited from wearing or otherwise displaying profane, obscene or injurious language, texts or graphics on clothing or elsewhere on the person that are deemed offensive or are making other guests and staff uncomfortable.
- Following rules (verbal or written), safety protocols, or instructions from staff on behavior and conduct on the historic ships, in the boat shop, near historic objects, or on the water is required.
- Weapons are prohibited at all times inside the museum, on the historic ships, and on the docks.
- Visitors must show common courtesy to other visitors and to museum staff by not engaging in any conduct that poses any risk to other visitors, the museum’s staff, or the museum’s collection. Running, rough play, and disruptive behavior is prohibited.
- Leafleting, signature gathering, picketing, merchandise sales, and press conferences by visitors are not permitted.
- Solicitation of business and unauthorized for-profit activity is not permitted.
- The unauthorized playing of music and video, unauthorized performances, and sound amplification and noisemakers (except for assistive-listening devices) is prohibited.
- Visitors are encouraged to take photos during their time with us. These photos are an essential piece of their memory-making experience. The same goes for video for personal use – especially in the age of social media where video is a huge component of those applications. However, we have a few guidelines all guests are required to follow:
- Please do NOT use flash photography!
- Please be considerate of other visitors and staff and try not to capture them while recording, as they haven’t provided consent to be captured on personal footage.
- Do not carry children or other guests on shoulders.
- Smoking or using electronic cigarettes is prohibited inside the museum, on the docks, and on the historic ships.
- Use of electrical outlets in the museum and on the historic ships is prohibited.
- For health and safety reasons, shirts and shoes are required.
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.