Benjamin Franklin’s Grave

The basics

Visit on your own or join a guided tour, some of which explore the haunted history of Philadelphia, to learn more about the burial ground and Franklin’s grave. The actual Christ Church is about three blocks to the east of the grounds, a 5-minute walk, and is also an important piece of American history as the first Protestant Episcopal Church in the US and the worshiping place of many people who helped establish the nation.

Things to know before you go

• Visitors have been known to toss pennies at the grave for good luck—a nod to Franklin's adage, "a penny saved is a penny earned."

• John Dunlap, who printed the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence; composer and poet Francis Hopkinson; and medical pioneers Dr. Benjamin Rush and Dr. Philip Syng Physick are also buried here.

• Maps of the burial ground highlighting notable people buried there are available for a nominal fee.

How to get there

Christ Church Burial Ground sits at the heart of Philadelphia’s historical center, at the intersection of 5th and Arch Streets, just minutes from the Liberty Bell and across the street from the US Mint. The site is accessible via public transit including SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line (exit at the 5th Street/Independence Hall Station), several SEPTA bus routes, and PATCO rail (exit at the 8th & Market Street Station).

When to get there

The Christ Church Burial Ground is open from March through fall, depending on weather, from mid-morning to late afternoon daily. It’s closed in December, January, and February, as well as on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Services take place at the church on Sundays and Wednesdays. Visit the Christ Church website for the most up-to-date information.

The history of Christ Church

Known as “The Nation’s Church,” Christ Church hosted members of the Continental Congress during the American Revolution as well as presidents George Washington and John Adams. The site is also significant to Philadelphia’s history of slavery, as it was within walking distance of the waterfront where thousands of Africans arrived during the transatlantic slave trade.