Visiting the National Constitution Center: Family Friendly + Special Needs Review
We have been to the National Constitution Center more times than I can count. I even thought it was so amazing, I was an ambassador for them for a few years. If your child has disabilities, I’m sure I experience the same anxieties in these situations that you’ve experienced.
You’re worried about parking, how far to walk, food, noise, lights, crowds, bathrooms and so many other things. So no more worries–I’m sharing everything I’ve learned after many trips to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Let me start with getting there, especially if you take I-95 and get off at Callowhill. Listen, I go into the city often, and that is my usual route and even after having done it hundreds of times, it stresses me out.
If you’re not paying attention and you take Callowhill to a left on 6th…..you can very easily end up on the bridge to New Jersey! Yes, if you’re not paying attention and in the correct lane, you’ll be in a “must exit” lane that puts you on the Ben Franklin bridge and you’ll be in New Jersey. Don’t worry about the people behind you beeping, stay near the center or to the right, and stay on 6th. Do not get on 676–even though intuitively, it looks like the Constitution Center is right there.
- The Best Family Farms Within an Hour of Philadelphia (Do on a different day, not close to the city)
- The Ultimate Guide to Sensory-Friendly Philly: 50 Spots You and Your Kid Will Love (some on the list are in Old City)
- Fun and Free Things to Do in South Philly (can be done same day as Constitution Center, but you’ll have to drive and park again)
National Constitution Center: Where to Park
So starting out with parking, this is where I dropped the ball the first time we went. I knew where the National Constitution Center was, but the first time I went, I didn’t plan out where I was going to park ahead of time.
I found a nice spot, just a block away, and it was for handicapped only, on-street parking. Problem was, you still had to pay a kiosk. That’s not a big deal, except it had a 2-hour limit. So midway through our visit, I had to run out and pay again.
I later realized that there is ample parking, and presumably ample accessible parking, right underneath the building. Just look for the big P signs for parking if you want to pay for a lot or parking garage. Most on street parking will be metered. And, you know the tv show ‘Parking Wars?’ Listen, the Philadelphia Parking Authority does not play–they WILL tow your car.
Ask me how I know (once in center city). Do not park in a place where it says no parking or you’ll be towed. You will.
Our spot was right next to Ben Franklin’s tomb and the US Mint, so not all was lost. We visited both afterward and threw a penny on Ben’s grave.
Is the National Constitution Center free?
No, there is an admission fee. There are a few days each year that they offer free admission. I think two of them are for the MLK day activities and Constitution Day (September). Check the website to be sure. And, know that on the free days it is much more crowded.
However, there are ways to save money on your outing and plenty of other things to do that are free.
The National Constitution Center is a non-profit, but it is not a national or state park. People often mistakenly think that it is, so they think their disability national parks pass may work here. It won’t, unfortunately. But, children and other groups get a discounted rate.
Plus, you can pack a lunch to eat outdoors on Independence Mall if the weather permits.
Nearby Free Attractions: National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center sits at one end of the Independence Mall/Park, in the historic district also called Old City. There are many other things to do in the area that are free, including looking at the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the US Mint (which is actually pretty interesting!) and numerous historic graveyards to name a few.
In fact, just catty-corner from the NCC is Ben Franklin’s grave. It’s a tradition to throw pennies on it, so you can’t miss it. Throw a few pennies in your pocket before you go, so you don’t feel left out.
National Constitution Center-Exhibits
We have seen so many of the special exhibits there. There was a Justin Dart and Disability Rights exhibit several years ago that was really interesting. We saw the George Washington one and the one on prohibition. I really enjoyed the rock music one featuring Bruce Springsteen, but my kids were too young to appreciate it.
They vary and each one lasts a few weeks to a few months, depending on how long the artifacts are loaned to the NCC. In my experience, they are worth viewing.
How long does it take to go through the National Constitution Center? Without stopping for a food break, I’d plan on 2-and-a-half to 4 hours. There are short films to watch and several exhibit areas to walk through. The kids (or heck, even the adults) can play a few trivia games and pretend to be a Supreme Court justice.
National Constitution Center-Accessibility
It’s a newer facility, so everything is wide doorways and button openers, which is nice. The main lobby/vestibule area is wide open. It’s a bit noisy and the sounds echo. In the lobby, they had kids activities set up, crafts and stuff.
Kevin is ambulatory, but does use a wheelchair. He doesn’t have great endurance for walking all day. It helps him if he’s fatigued, and it definitely serves as his comfort zone when he gets stressed.
Right now we have a convaid, for those of you familiar with that brand of wheelchair. It fit everywhere we needed to go.
My son requires hand-over-hand for most things, but I always welcome the opportunity to do so in a setting that isn’t so forced. When the NCC hosts crafts and activities for kids, I like for him to be able to try things.
They also had some candle-making which the older kids seemed to be enjoying.
National Constitution Center: Sensory Friendly
The special exhibits are usually on the lower level and it’s in the back. This was a nice change from the lobby. The lights are dimmed and there’s virtually no talking because they offer iPod narrated tours. I decided against that, and just read the signs with the displays.
But it had a very calming effect on K after the hustle and bustle of the city and the lobby. He was very content in the stroller and my other son actually enjoyed the exhibits. There are guns, cannons, replicas of horses and all sorts of interesting things.
After that, we went upstairs and walked around a bit. It’s bright, airy, and again the sounds echo. K really wasn’t bothered by it though. They both liked running around in the open space and looking out the windows.
National Constitution Center-Food
The cafeteria has choices that you would expect for a lunch menu. They allow you to bring food in. At least, they checked my bags (for security) when I went in and didn’t say anything about me bringing in a lunchbox.
There is an outdoor patio upstairs if you choose to eat out there. We ate out front, in the grassy area in the shade.
We walked around the Independence Mall area after we ate. I found the whole area to be pretty accessible. Every curb/corner had an entry, sidewalks are wide and so on. The restrooms were clean, had wide doorways, wide stalls and an area for baby-changing.
There are benches throughout the building if you need to rest. There also are nooks and corners and little places to get away, should you need a few minutes to regroup.
There are two sets of elevators. I found that the doors didn’t stay open very long and we missed it the first try.
Restaurants Near the National Constitution Center
I don’t live in the city, but visit often enough that I can kinda sorta call myself a local. I live 30 miles away, so actual city residents may not agree.
But when you’re at the NCC, you’re in the historic area known as Old City. You’re also very close to center city, Chinatown and Penn’s Landing. There are just too many restaurants to name. And too many prices ranges and cuisines.
You can find just about anything to eat in these areas. My recommendation, if you have time, is to do the 15-minute walk to Reading Terminal Market. RTM has literally hundreds of food vendors, so everyone can find something they like. Plus, it’s a Philly icon not to be missed anyway.
National Constitution Center-Review
All in all, it’s a very stress-free place to visit if you have kids or kids with special needs. I wouldn’t hesitate to visit again. I wouldn’t expect any unforeseen disasters. If your child has a lot of trouble processing lots of visuals with competing sounds, I would keep them out of the main exhibit area of the NCC.
But there are plenty of benches around and other things to do, so you and a spouse could take turns going in to see it because it is definitely worth seeing.
I was a bit reluctant to go the first time because I thought that the content might be a bit too mature for my kids, and yeah, overall, it was. I mean, my then 2-year-old couldn’t even say Constitution Center (though hubby and I laughed as he tried!). Let alone learn what it’s all about.
But they enjoyed the mascots, the displays, the dioramas and just the fun of the hustle and bustle of being in the city. And hopefully, it will give them a reference point for the future, for when they visit with their schools and can comprehend the material.
Every time we go, I leave feeling inspired.
This was written several years ago. We have been back several times since then and enjoy it more each time. I highly recommend this attraction. This post is periodically updated to check its accuracy.