Independence Seaport Museum

The Independence Seaport Museum sits on the Delaware River in Philadelphia's Penn's Landing area, offering a deep dive into the region's maritime heritage. The museum's centerpiece is the 1892 cruiser USS Olympia, Admiral Dewey's flagship during the Spanish-American War, and the 1908 submarine USS Becuna. Visitors can explore both vessels, climbing through cramped quarters and imagining life at sea. Inside the museum, hands-on exhibits cover shipbuilding, navigation, and the port's role in trade and immigration. The workshop, where wooden boats are built and restored, provides a living link to traditional crafts. The museum's location along the riverwalk makes it easy to combine with a stroll or a meal at nearby restaurants.

Don't miss

• Tour the USS Olympia, the oldest steel warship still afloat, and see the spot where Commodore Dewey stood during the Battle of Manila Bay.
• Explore the USS Becuna, a World War II-era submarine with original equipment and narrow passageways.
• Try your hand at knot-tying, signal flags, and other interactive exhibits in the main gallery.
• Watch craftsmen build wooden boats in the workshop; you can even take a class to build your own.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Independence Seaport Museum

Cheapest way inHistoric Sites of Philadelphia Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour4.5★ · 30 travelers1–2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$9 per personSee dates →Most bookedRevolution and the Founders: History Tour of Philadelphia4.9★ · 3,512 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$29 per personSee dates →Top ratedPhiladelphia Old City Historic Walking Tour with 10+ Top Sites4.9★ · 2,223 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$44 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Allow extra time for the ship tours; they are self-guided and can take 45 minutes each.
• Wear comfortable shoes with good grip for climbing ladders on the ships.
• Photography is allowed, but flash may be restricted in some areas.
• Combine with a visit to the nearby Philadelphia's Magic Gardens or the Museum of the American Revolution for a full day.

A bit of history

Founded in 1961 as the Philadelphia Maritime Museum, it merged with the Penn's Landing Corporation in 1995 to become the Independence Seaport Museum. The USS Olympia was saved from scrapping in the 1950s and has been a museum ship since 1957.