plan your visit
Discovery Awaits at the Seaport!
Dive into River Alive!, an award-winning exhibition that brings the wildlife, science, and wonder of the Delaware River to life. Climb aboard the oldest floating warship in the world on Cruiser Olympia and submerge yourself aboard the World War II-era Submarine Becuna. Immerse yourself in special interactive exhibits while visiting the largest maritime art and artifact collections in North America. In warmer months, join us for a paddle in our boat basin or use your experience to get out onto the river with a kayak excursion. With so much to explore, Independence Seaport Museum is the premier, family-friendly destination on the Penn’s Landing waterfront.
What are you waiting for? Plan your trip today!
Wondering What You’ll Sea?
Cruiser Olympia
Climb aboard the oldest steel floating warship in the world during your visit! Launched in 1892, Olympia is one of only two ships left from World War I (the other being Battleship Texas). History comes alive as guests walk the open-air decks, inspiring a new generation of naval and history enthusiasts.
Submarine Becuna
Learn about this World War II-era submarine including what life was like aboard (did you know potatoes were stored in the showers?) and her service record in both World War II and Cold Wars. Access to “Becky” is provided through guided tour only and is considered an add-on to our current general admission combo ticket.
Patriots & Pirates
Do you know the story about how the United States Navy was founded? OR the role the city of Philadelphia played? Learn all that and more in our exhibit Patriots & Pirates! Uncover the story as you walk through the gallery, seeing rare artifacts and items from our collection that haven’t been on public display previously. Make sure you also save time to climb aboard Schooner Diligence, a replica of an 18th-century ship that would have served in the early United States Navy. Diligence was hand-crafted right here in our very own Boat Shop by staff and volunteers.
The Seaport Boat Shop
Visit the Museum’s The Seaport Boat Shop, where maritime tradition meets creativity and community. Watch as they restore wooden vessels, educate the next generation on boatbuilding, and captivate guests with their craft.
River Alive!
Did you know that 15 million people drink water from the Delaware River? That’s 5% of the United States population! Dive into all things water in this award-winning exhibit to learn what lives in and around the Delaware River Watershed. Visitors can find out what river hero they are by taking an interactive quiz and even use exhibit resources to plan trips to other local outdoor destinations. Come sea how the river is truly alive and how it impacts our daily lives!
Liberty Point
While the Independence Seaport Museum doesn’t have a café on the premises, adjacent to the building is the brand-new Liberty Point restaurant! Opened in May 2022, Liberty Point is Philadelphia’s largest outdoor restaurant showcasing unobstructed, panoramic waterfront views. With a capacity of 1,400 people, the restaurant offers three levels of food, drinks, and live entertainment, with a spectacular backdrop.
Diners can make a reservation to dine at the third-floor Sky Bar or walk into the first-floor bar and dining area.
Photography and Videography Policy
By entering the Independence Seaport Museum, you authorize museum staff to photograph or film you for future marketing and public relations campaigns. Examples of such usage include but are not limited to, signage, printed collateral, and online for any purpose (commercial or otherwise).
What Can Guests Photograph or Film?
The Independence Seaport Museum encourages guests to take photos and videos to remember their visit to the waterfront. However, we have a few guidelines all guests are required to follow:
· Photography: It’s encouraged, but make sure it’s without a flash to help protect our collections!
· Videography: Please be considerate of other visitors and try not to capture them while recording, as they haven’t provided consent to be captured on personal footage.
· Museum staff is not to be photographed or filmed unless they provide consent.
If you are looking to do a professional photoshoot or capture footage for a potential project, please contact our Director of Strategic Communications for approval and guidance.
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.
