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    Recommended Reviews - Fort Mifflin

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    Dana S.

    Can't beat a free museum day- and what's not to love about learning about some badass military fort? I'm a huge military lover and learner so this museum was a lot of fun for me! Actually didn't know this museum existed and used to do my Army drills at Fort Mifflin but in a different part- unaware that there was some history behind its name. The museum consisted of a bunch of buildings to walk in and their were a bunch of artifacts of and mines and things like that. To anyone who loves to learn about military history- this is the place for you! There was even a moment where a guy dressed like a colonial soldier was showing us how to set off the cannon. The cannon going off brought me back to some memories of my basic training days- and just from the smell of the gun powder burning I had a bunch of flashes remembering the time I went to the grenade range and shot my weapon for the first time. There's so much history in Philadelphia that I didn't even know existed and to me this was a really great experience. They also have haunted tours which I think would be really cool to go to-- just prob won't see me there cause I'm a wimp- but good for people who are into possibly seeing ghosts.

    Christopher C.

    Fort Mifflin or originally Fort Island Battery or Mud Island Fort was commissioned in 1771 but did not actually get completed until 1775(6). The fort eventually was named for General Thomas Mifflin, who later became governor of Pennsylvania and was known for standing up against Virginia slave catchers even though he was quite squirrly while Governor. From the website: "The Americans had secured a British built fortification, sitting on Mud Island, just below the city and across the river from New Jersey's Fort Mercer in 1775. By the fall of 1777 approximately 200 men were garrisoned at this fort, now known as Fort Mifflin, charged with the duty of holding the British off "to the last extremity" so that Washington and his exhausted army could successfully move into winter quarters. It was here, on the frozen, marshy ground within the walls of a stone and wood fort, the American Revolution produced a shining moment. Cold, ill and starving, the young garrison of (now) 400 men at Fort Mifflin refused to give up. The valiant efforts of the men at Fort Mifflin held the mighty British Navy at bay providing Washington and his troops time to arrive safely at Valley Forge where they shaped a strong and confident army. This battle escalated into the greatest bombardment of the American Revolution and one that many say changed the course of American history. For nearly six weeks in the fall of 1777, American troops in Fort Mifflin and Fort Mercer frustrated British naval attempts to re-supply their occupying forces in Philadelphia. Early in the morning on November 10, 1777, the British took definitive action to reach Philadelphia via the Delaware. Daybreak brought a rain of cannon fire upon Fort Mifflin beginning the largest bombardment of the Revolutionary War. Under the direction of French Major Francois de Fleury, an engineer and tireless worker, the Americans worked each night to repair the damage of the day. On November 15th, finally clear after days of rain and high tides, the British sailed the Vigilant and the Fury, with nineteen cannon up the back channel to the west of Fort Mifflin. In the main channel of the Delaware three ships armed with 158 cannon anchored directly offshore of the fort, while to the east three additional ships armed with 51 cannon completed the naval assault. Against this show of force, Fort Mifflin could respond with only ten cannon. It was reported that during one hour, 1000 cannon balls were fired at the fort. As the battle progressed, British Marines climbed to the crow's nest of the Vigilant and threw hand grenades at the soldiers in the fort. Exhausted, cold and out of ammunition, Major Simeon Thayer evacuated Fort Mifflin's garrison to Fort Mercer with muffled oars after nightfall on November 15. Forty men remained at the fort and set fire to what was left before making their way across the Delaware to join their comrades. They crossed to New Jersey around midnight leaving Fort Mifflin ablaze, but the flag still flying." Summary of importance: During the American Revolutionary War, the British Army bombarded and captured the fort as part of their conquest of Philadelphia in autumn 1777. The United States Army began to rebuild the fort in 1794 and continued to garrison and build on the site through the 19th century. It housed prisoners during the Civil War. If you go: Finding the fort itself isn't terribly difficult. It's very close to 95 and then you just snake along the outer perimeter of PHL airport. It will almost feel like you're about to enter into some kind of secure area where you'll be met by police, keep going, it's worth it. Eventually you make a left turn at an almost unmarked road which takes you to the fort. Parking is on a small stone/gravel lot that has room for twenty or so cars. We went in September on the Smithsonian Free Museum Day. Sign up on their site, pick a museum and you're good for free access for two people. I had three with me and I was expecting to have to a pay for my third except the dude behind the register just waived me on and said don't worry about it. Pretty much if you had the paper for the free day, everyone was free regardless of group size. Note that if you have time, Bartram's Gardens and Heinz Wildlife Refuge are both only a few minutes away. Each place is an excellent B-List stop that is worth a visit. The fort is open to the public from March through Mid-December, Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm. General Admission Fees: Adults - $8 Seniors - $6 Children (6 to 12) and Veterans - $4 Children 5 years and younger - Free Special Event Admission - Living History Events Adults - $10 Seniors - $8 Children (6 to 12) and Veterans - $6 Children 5 years and younger - Free Cash is preferred but credit/debit is accepted. www.google.com/maps/place/Fort+Mifflin/@39.8753727,-75.2134089,187m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x691c8731535a4633!8m2!3d39.8751747!4d-75.2131962?hl=en

    Knut K.

    I've been wanting to visit here since I moved up to Philly a few years ago and I finally found the time last weekend. As others have said this place is kind of in the middle of nowhere, if I didn't know about the Fort from historical sources I would have never known it was there. I really enjoyed the experience at the fort, when I was there it was almost empty with only about 7 or 8 other people. I found the most interesting part of the Fort to be the underground casements which served as a prison during the civil war. In some sections of the fort you can still see some graffitti on left by previous inhabitants. The fort was very enjoyable, I would suggest leaving about an hour to see everything.

    Aerial shot of the landscape of Fort Mifflin
    Rachel K.

    This place is so close to Philadelphia and the Navy Yard. I went here right before heading to Join Heinz Nature Preserve which is about a 7 - 10 minute drive! It's incredibly beautiful and interesting. If you live in the city, you don't need to go all of the way to Valley Forge to see amazing historic locations.

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    Ask the Community - Fort Mifflin

    Review Highlights - Fort Mifflin

    Incredible views of the Delaware River and of planes landing at Philadelphia International Airport.

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    Liberty Bell Center

    Liberty Bell Center

    4.2(750 reviews)
    6.1 mi

    What can I say about the Liberty Bell? I've been to Philadelphia many times and each and every…read moretime, I have to stop to see it! It's a little bit like the Mona Lisa, were it's not as gigantic as you think when you get up close to it (the Mona Lisa is TINY in person!) But it's still as impressive as you think when you are ten feet from it (the closest you can get, I think). It's located in the Independence National Historic Park, and there is a lot to see there too - not just the Bell. You can see Declaration Hall where the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was drafted, the first meeting place of the Continental Congress, and even Benjamin Franklin's burial place. I'm sure you know that there is a TON of historical stuff to see in Philadelphia, but I would definitely recommend making one of those stops Independence Hall and specifically, the Liberty Bell!

    This place is very cool! I've been wanting to visit since I saw National Treasure back in the day…read more I was worried though when I arrived and saw a long line outside the venue. However, I saw how quickly it was moving and took a chance. Fairly soon I was in through the doors and finding myself in a small museum that provided details and background about the Liberty Bell. My only complaint was the very start of this area was super congested and would do well to guide people through this area in a way where it's less crowded and people can actually get close to the infographics. Otherwise, the Liberty Bell, small as it is, was well appointed in a mostly glass room, roped off but easy to take pictures of and with, somehow. Definitely enjoyed visiting this piece of history! Oh, and it's FREE!

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    Liberty Bell Center
    Liberty Bell Center
    Liberty Bell Center - Inside

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    Inside

    Edgar Allan Poe House

    Edgar Allan Poe House

    4.3(97 reviews)
    6.9 miSpring Garden

    Small, easy, short touristy trip. Another great free thing to do in the city when you have friends…read moreor family from out of town. I live in Nolibs, so this is an easy walk from my house. Parking is plentiful nearby, too!

    Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site - Philadelphia, PA…read more Boomsauce Score: BS +++ (Amazing location! now that's boomsauce!) Even mid-renovation, this place hits different. Stepping into Poe's former home is like walking through the pages of Gothic literature. The art installations and that surreal raven sculpture outside? Straight out of a dream--or a fevered poem. It's eerie, poetic, and deeply moving. Though the house is currently closed for a utilities improvement project, you can still feel the weight of history pressing through the walls. Poe lived here during one of his most prolific periods, penning classics like The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart. The cellar even resembles the one described in The Black Cat, adding a deliciously creepy layer to the visit. If you're in Philly, this is a must-visit. It's not just a museum--it's a tribute to the tortured brilliance of one of America's greatest literary minds. And when renovations wrap, it'll be even more hauntingly beautiful. --- Boomsauce Scale | Rating | Meaning |---------|----------------------------------| | B | basura (trash) | | BS | basic (come on! Try harder) | | BS + | better (Yo! That's better) | | BS ++ | best (alright! Alright! Alrightttt!) | | BS +++ | Amazing location! now that's boomsauce! |

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    Edgar Allan Poe House
    Edgar Allan Poe House
    Edgar Allan Poe House

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    The President's House - Entrance

    The President's House

    4.3(11 reviews)
    6.2 mi

    I had an amazing experience at The President's House in Philly. From the moment I arrived,…read moreeverything about the visit felt meaningful, informative, and well done. The site is beautifully presented and offers a powerful look into an important part of American history. The exhibits are engaging and thoughtfully designed, making it easy to learn while still feeling emotionally connected to the stories being told. I really appreciated how the history was presented in a way that was both educational and impactful. The atmosphere is calm and reflective, yet very engaging--you can take your time, read, and truly absorb the significance of the space. It's a must-see if you're visiting Philadelphia or even if you're a local looking to experience the city's history in a deeper way. Overall, it was a memorable and enriching experience, and I'm really glad I took the time to visit. Highly recommend adding The President's House to your Philly itinerary.

    Visiting the President's House site in Philadelphia was unexpectedly powerful. It's just steps from…read morethe Liberty Bell, but the energy there is quieter--more reflective. At first glance, it's a series of open-air stone walls and glass panels, but as I read the stories etched into the displays, it hit me how layered the history really is. This was once home to George Washington and John Adams--but also to nine enslaved people who lived and worked there. The exhibit doesn't shy away from that fact. It honors their names, their stories, and brings humanity to a place often remembered only for power and politics. I stood for a while at the video screens, listening to voices speak the names of those enslaved here. It made the past feel personal and real in a way textbooks never could. A thoughtful, moving site that sticks with you long after you leave.

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    The President's House
    The President's House - Foundation

    Foundation

    The President's House - Foundation

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    Foundation

    Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden

    Bartram's Garden

    4.5(64 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    Came here for a 52 Firsts event during Spring Fest and it ended up being such a fun day. There was…read morea lot going on without feeling overwhelming. Live energy, little activity tables, and a small plant sale that was honestly very tempting. One of the coolest things I learned is that they have what's believed to be the oldest ginkgo tree in both North and South America. That alone made the visit feel a little special. I spent some time walking the trails and made my way around the water too. It's really pretty back there. Lots of flowers in bloom, open space, and quieter areas if you want a break from the crowd. I definitely liked the more shaded, tree-heavy sections the most. Some of the booths were set up fully in the sun and it got a bit intense after a while, so having those cooler, shaded areas made a big difference. Staff were very helpful and the trails are clearly marked, which made it easy to just wander without worrying about getting lost. Only downside is the location can be a little tricky to get to, especially if you're not driving. But once you're there, it's absolutely worth it. Overall just a really enjoyable, laid-back outdoor spot with a lot to explore. I'd come back, especially for another event.

    Had a few hours before my flight and was looking for something to do. I came across this garden…read moreand it was beautiful. Well maintained and relaxing. Plenty of trails and benches. The flowers were gorgeous. You get a nice view of the city from the boat dock and parking area. I spent a few hours here. Great if you're solo or with people.

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    Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden

    Bartram's Garden

    Bartram's Garden
    Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden -- 2025

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    Bartram's Garden -- 2025

    Fort Mifflin - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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