Independence Seaport Museum
Explore Delaware River exhibits, cruiser Olympia, and a separately guided historic submarine.
Artwork inspired by William Trost Richards
This museum interprets Philadelphia through the Delaware River: maritime labor, naval technology, trade, and waterfront communities. The preserved cruiser Olympia can be boarded with general admission. Nearby submarine Becuna reveals a very different world of confined space and specialized wartime work, reached by a separate guided-tour package.
Begin inside to understand the river's civic role, then go aboard Olympia and compare its decks, equipment, and crew spaces with the museum's exhibits. If Becuna is a priority, buy the submarine package and arrive on time for its scheduled tour. The historic ships have steep passages and are not wheelchair accessible, although the main museum building is. Leave enough time to move between the galleries and waterfront rather than treating the ships as quick photo stops.
- Ship
- Cruiser Olympia
- Submarine
- Becuna add-on
- Access
- Ships have steep passages
Quick guide
- Board Olympia
- Compare a preserved steel cruiser with the river exhibits inside.
- Book Becuna separately
- Submarine access is a timed guided add-on, not part of basic admission.
Know before you go
- Start with the river
- Map Philadelphia's trade and waterfront communities.
- Walk Olympia
- Trace how a steel warship was crewed and operated.
- Choose the add-on
- Becuna tours have fixed departures and separate admission.
- Consider mobility
- Museum access does not extend to the historic vessels.
Good to know
Basic admission includes Olympia, not Becuna. Historic ships have steep ladders; the museum building itself is accessible.
Notice these
- Cruiser Olympia
- Submarine Becuna
- Delaware River exhibits