Library Hall
Library Hall
105 S. Fifth Street
 

The two main buildings of the American Philosophical Society - Library Hall and Philosophical Hall, home to the Museum of the American Philosophical Society - are located in Independence National Historical Park (INHP), around the corner from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

While there is no on-site parking at the American Philosophical Society, a number of garages and lots can be found in close proximity to the APS, and on-street parking may be available to the south.

Getting to the APS by car

Philosophical Hall
Philosophical Hall
104 S. Fifth Street
 

The American Philosophical Society is easily reached via Routes I-95, I-76 and I-676.

From the south:
Taking I-95 north, follow signs for "Central Phila./I-676." From I-676, exit south onto 6th Street and follow signs to the Independence National Historic Park (INHP) area. The APS is located in INHP near the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets.
From the west:
Exit from the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) at interchange 24 (the Schuylkill Expressway, I-76). Take the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) to the exit for I-676 "Central Philadelphia." Take I-676 to the 8th Street exit and follow the signs for Independence Hall and the INHP area. The APS is located in INHP near the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets.
From the north:
Take the N.J. Turnpike to exit 4, Route 73. Take Route 73 north to Route 38. Take Route 38 west to US 30. Follow US 30 west over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and at the base of the bridge follow the signs for 6th Street. Take 6th Street south and follow signs to the INHP area. The APS is located in INHP near the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets.

By train

Philadelphia is served by Amtrak which operates rail service along the Northeast Corridor (Boston to Washington and Atlantic City, N.J. to Harrisburg, Pa.). Inter-city service is provided to many points south and west. The Amtrak Station in Philadelphia is located at 30th and Market Streets, which is a convenient hub for public transit.

By bus

For intercity travel, the Greyhound Terminal is located at 10th and Filbert Streets, within walking distance of the APS: walk two blocks south to Chestnut Street and five blocks east to 5th Street. For travel within Philadelphia, SEPTA operates a large fleet of buses and streetcars through the city and suburbs. The Phlash is another bus service connecting several attractions throughout the city.

By public transit

SEPTA offers "regional rail" lines that connect the city and many of its Pennsylvania suburbs, and PATCO offers a similar service for many of the New Jersey suburbs. SEPTA also operates streetcars and elevated trains throughout the city. The most convenient El line to the APS is the Market-Frankfort Line, which stops at 5th and Market Streets, one block north of the APS.

View SEPTA's Philadelphia Transit Map, showing subway, EL, and bus routes in Center City.

Map of the APS and Independence Hall area

Map of the area around the APS.

The buildings of the American Philosophical Society are shown in red:

  • Philosophical Hall, the "original" APS building (entrance on 5th Street) = 10
  • Library Hall (entrance on Library Street side) = 11
  • Franklin Hall, site of APS meetings (entrance on Chestnut Street) = 25

Map Key

 
EXECUTIVE OFFICE & MUSEUM GALLERIES | 104 South Fifth Street | Philadelphia, PA 19106-3387 | 215.440.3400
LIBRARY | 105 South Fifth Street | Philadelphia, PA 19106-3386 | 215.440.3400

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