Washington Square

Activity Overview

Washington Square is a historic city square in Philadelphia that is part of Independence National Historical Park. This beautiful 6.4-acre park managed by the National Park Service is best known for its beautiful tree-lined paths, two monuments, and its famous moon tree, which was grown from seeds taken to the Moon in 1971. It's a great place to take a relaxing stroll before or after visiting Independence Hall, the Benjamin Franklin Museum, and other popular attractions within Independence National Historical Park.

Things to Do

• Visit the beautiful Washington Grays Monument, which depicts a member of the historic Washington Grays volunteer regiment that served in the Civil War.
• Spend some time at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, a memorial which honors the many soldiers who died in the Revolutionary War.
• View the sycamore moon tree, which was planted in 1975 using a seed that had been taken into space by astronaut Stuart Roosa during the Apollo 14 mission, which was the third NASA mission to land on the Moon.

Washington Square Insider Tips

• Bring along a picnic lunch to eat in the park between visits to other attractions within the National Park.
• Learn about all of the exciting historical attractions you can visit within the park, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, at the National Park Service website.
• Don't miss the chance to visit the new Benjamin Franklin Museum, which features a variety of interactive exhibits related to the fascinating life of Benjamin Franklin.