United States Mint — Attraction in Philadelphia

We just so happened to be in the area after seeing the Liberty Bell, so in we went.

PARKING: No idea. We were staying in the area so we walked from our hotel. I didn't see any street parking so they must have a private lot.

TICKETS: It wasn't busy at all so advanced reservations aren't needed, if they even offer them. Admission is free, and it's a self-guided tour. I for one can't stand using communal equipment (yuck) and listening to audio guides while herding along like cattle, so we stuck to visual aides. I'm sure we would've been better informed but that's the chance we took.

THE TOUR: The entire tour was a stroll in an enclosed catwalk that spans the length of the building and overlooks the manufacturing areas, with information signs & displays along the way. Even though we went on a Tuesday, absolutely nothing was going on downstairs in the production areas. We saw lots of dormant machines and thingamabobs, and a few workers walking around. The rest was left up to our imaginations. It was so droll. Allow yourself about an hour to get through. No photos allowed inside.

GIFT SHOP: The gift shop sold all kinds of unique items, including untouched coins which my spouse bought a set of that are nicely encased in plastic containers and. that are still sitting in the shopping bag it came in, in the corner of our closet. Also when we were here, they were just winding down on the 50 State Quarters Program, and I was missing the Alaska & Hawaii quarters, so I knew for sure I'd be able to snag some. Wrong! Huh? Are we not at the Mint where they're made? LOL. The worker was nice enough to "check her drawer" for some, but none were found. Oh well, the excitement was fun while it lasted.

OVERALL: Free tour! You take your chances on whether you'll see production activity though, even...

I was disappointed I work in City government in which we employ youth ages 14 to 17 during the summer. We took the youth on a trip to the US Mint, we thought it would be very interesting and exciting for them to see how the money they earned is made. Me and my supervisor spoke with someone at the mint trying to request a guided tour but they told us all tours are self guided. First, we had 2 buses and the mint did not allow us to be dropped off at the front door but another bus of seniors pulled up and they let them get out at the front door. 2nd we get in the mint and I am still confused. Me, my colleagues, and the youth didn't know what to do or where to go. Also the seniors had a guided tour. Really, I was told we couldnt get a guided tour. I think that the experience for all if us wouldve been so much more if we wouldve had a guided tour. Please consider a guided tour in the future for our young people. We want our young people to gain of wealth of knowledge and learn and grow. We as adults have to teach them we just cant throw information at them. My suggestion the mint should have arrows like most museums pointing to where to go next. Also we never saw anyone making coins. I will say that officer Kitchen and offer Bonjourno were very nice and it was a pleasure talking to them, honestly I learned more talking to those two officers while I was waiting to go in rather than when I actually...

In the Heart of Philadelphia, The Downtown Neighborhood "Center City" The Philadelphia Mint is great, the guards at the front door can be rude and bitchy at times. PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT ALLOWED AT THIS LOCATION. It is a "Federal Building" Philadelphia Mint is really nice. Free tour, and awesome gift shop. Go visit when there is no school trips around saves you the time. It's a free tour. Through the tour you'll be able see from a nose bleed level by looking down in the process less then 10 minutes by watching the coins in process. Not able to see the Federal Reserve Notes printing through the Philadelphia location. At the Washington, DC location you are able to. At times you'll be able to see coins get stuck in the machine and make a little explosion of coins. (I've seen it happen many times, pretty cool I'll say). There's always a coin machine for the lastest coin minted with the Philadelphia "P" mark fresh from that location.

At the corner of the Mint on Arch Street make a respectful visit to Mr. And Mrs Benjamin Franklin grave. Throw a penny for good luck.

Don't forget to visit The Federal Reserve across the street free tour in...