Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Minutes from Center City, Fort Mifflin is one of the country's only completely intact Revolutionary War battlefields. Site of the greatest bombardment of the American Revolution, the Fort was reconstructed beginning in the late 18th century and in use until decommissioning in 1954. Fort Mifflin answered every call to service: garrisoned for the War of 1812, a federal prison during the Civil War and a munitions depot in the 20th century. Living history events including tactical battle demonstrations and interactive activities bring the Fort's incredible term of service to life. Riverfront picnic area, nature trail. Scout camping, paranormal investigations and programs, school and group tours year-round!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
77 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
29
Average
14
Poor
4
Terrible
1
David S
West Chester, PA1,326 contributions
Oct 2020
October 2020
We came here for a ghost tour and it was more of a history tour and less of a ghost tour. Very intriguing history and the tour guide was very knowledgeable, so I give it 5 stars for the historical aspect, but it was not very good in terms of what you expect from a ghost tour. Nonetheless, I do plan to go back during daylight hours to tour the grounds again and take in more than what I learned during the ghost tour.
We came here for a ghost tour and it was more of a history tour and less of a ghost tour. Very intriguing history and the tour guide was very knowledgeable, so I give it 5 stars for the historical aspect, but it was not very good in terms of what you expect from a ghost tour. Nonetheless, I do plan to go back during daylight hours to tour the grounds again and take in more than what I learned during the ghost tour.
Written March 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer G
Ottawa, Canada94 contributions
May 2022
I love the paranormal, and older things to see in cities. Especially if they are renown to have some haunting etc. Even if im a sceptic and never had a experience of the paranormal myself, i absolutely enjoy going to visit places that might have had those experiences in the past. For the price it is definitely worth stopping here and having a look. Beth was great in giving me some background and also showing me pictures of some of the oddities caught on camera. The grounds are well kept and you are able to just visit at your paces, my favourite was the above ground cave.
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steakbelly
Howell, NJ166 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
Off the beaten path outside the city. A little run down but don't let this stop you. I've been to other forts such as this with a tenth of the access. You are free to roam and explore. Lots of history here and who knows, without the bravery and fortitude of the men in 1777 we might be singing God Save The Queen. Small fee to enter. After you've seen the sites that everyone has heard of, see the one that helped gain freedom for US All.
Written November 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin W
Lindenwold, NJ108 contributions
Sep 2012 • Family
The Fort has been there since The Revolutionary War. My husband and I took our 9 year old Grandson to Fort Mifflin today.
I packed a picnic lunch as I called ahead and they don't sell food of any kind.
It's just a place that you walk around on your own and tour.
You can see the Delaware River and buildings built in the 1800's.
A lot of cool stuff for a little boy to wander around and look at.
We had a good day enjoying a piece of History that didn't cost a fortune to look at!
I packed a picnic lunch as I called ahead and they don't sell food of any kind.
It's just a place that you walk around on your own and tour.
You can see the Delaware River and buildings built in the 1800's.
A lot of cool stuff for a little boy to wander around and look at.
We had a good day enjoying a piece of History that didn't cost a fortune to look at!
Written September 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
madmax1965
Carmel, IN274 contributions
Nov 2010 • Solo
I mainly went to see this after seeing it on "Ghost Hunters". Unfortunately i saw no ghosts, but historically it was interesting, and fort is fairly well maintained. Good place to stop for historian buffs
Written October 2, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH10,915 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
On a full week’s vacation for the Wawa Welcome America Festival in Philadelphia, we paused for lunch one day at the Wendy’s on nearby Island Avenue en route to Fort Mifflin on the sponsored free admission.
In honor of the Wawa Welcome America Festival, the fort had a lot of special activities mostly for the youngsters.
Over by the original Infirmary, there were several cannon on display.
Entering the inside of the fort, we met a re-enactor who gave us some of the fort’s history. Since Independence Day was coming July 4th, the focus of the talk and activities centered on the American Revolutionary War period.
We learned that Fort Mifflin was one of the only intact Revolutionary War battlefields and the only fort in Philadelphia. After General Howe took Philadelphia, the British were surrounded on three sides. Only from the south could Howe get food and supplies for his troops. British ships were ordered up the Delaware River. At Fort Mifflin on November 15th, 1777, they met resistance from the 400 troops manning the fort. A massive bombardment of the fort ensued. The Patriots wound up abandoning the fort and retreating to Fort Mercer across the river. They set fire to Fort Mifflin as the last men left.
Inside the main building, we found a Ben Franklin re-enactor demonstrating how he conducted his experiment with lightning to produce electricity.
A woman in period dress discussed the use of herbs in Colonial times. She demonstrated how to make a lavender sachet to freshen clothes being stored. She also discussed the relaxing properties of the lavender scent. Several of us made small sachets. I’m using mine in my weekender suitcase.
Nearby, another woman in period dress demonstrated wooden toys of the day.
Items from the Revolutionary period on display included clothing, uniforms, replicas of coins, weapons, and tools as well as food, such as dried fish and baked goods
We toured the model Infirmary. The advances in medicine over the centuries was obvious.
Outside, youngsters were being schooled on soldiering skills with wooden rifles.
Nearby, there were re-enactor soldiers on horses. They were very popular with adults and youngsters alike.
There was an area where one could climb up to get a commanding view of the river.
Meanwhile, flights were taking off and landing at Philadelphia International Airport which was very close by. That kind of spoiled the step back in time to the Revolutionary War era.
We also visited the gift shop.
We were there for well over two hours.
We rate Fort Mifflin at 4.25 and highly recommend a visit.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
In honor of the Wawa Welcome America Festival, the fort had a lot of special activities mostly for the youngsters.
Over by the original Infirmary, there were several cannon on display.
Entering the inside of the fort, we met a re-enactor who gave us some of the fort’s history. Since Independence Day was coming July 4th, the focus of the talk and activities centered on the American Revolutionary War period.
We learned that Fort Mifflin was one of the only intact Revolutionary War battlefields and the only fort in Philadelphia. After General Howe took Philadelphia, the British were surrounded on three sides. Only from the south could Howe get food and supplies for his troops. British ships were ordered up the Delaware River. At Fort Mifflin on November 15th, 1777, they met resistance from the 400 troops manning the fort. A massive bombardment of the fort ensued. The Patriots wound up abandoning the fort and retreating to Fort Mercer across the river. They set fire to Fort Mifflin as the last men left.
Inside the main building, we found a Ben Franklin re-enactor demonstrating how he conducted his experiment with lightning to produce electricity.
A woman in period dress discussed the use of herbs in Colonial times. She demonstrated how to make a lavender sachet to freshen clothes being stored. She also discussed the relaxing properties of the lavender scent. Several of us made small sachets. I’m using mine in my weekender suitcase.
Nearby, another woman in period dress demonstrated wooden toys of the day.
Items from the Revolutionary period on display included clothing, uniforms, replicas of coins, weapons, and tools as well as food, such as dried fish and baked goods
We toured the model Infirmary. The advances in medicine over the centuries was obvious.
Outside, youngsters were being schooled on soldiering skills with wooden rifles.
Nearby, there were re-enactor soldiers on horses. They were very popular with adults and youngsters alike.
There was an area where one could climb up to get a commanding view of the river.
Meanwhile, flights were taking off and landing at Philadelphia International Airport which was very close by. That kind of spoiled the step back in time to the Revolutionary War era.
We also visited the gift shop.
We were there for well over two hours.
We rate Fort Mifflin at 4.25 and highly recommend a visit.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Written July 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donald W
2 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Wife and I did a ghost tour at Fort Mifflin around Halloween. Not only was it entertaining and scary, but we also learned a lot about the historic base.
Written October 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark R
Philadelphia, PA54 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
Immerse yourself and transport back to the pre war 1770’s, before America was a country. this was an American stronghold but was originally built (partially) by British as defense of colonial
Philadelphia. Then abandoned before completed. All grounds are accessible and well maintained. You can even cllimb and walk the grass covered fortress wall paths.
Philadelphia. Then abandoned before completed. All grounds are accessible and well maintained. You can even cllimb and walk the grass covered fortress wall paths.
Written October 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason432
Philadelphia, PA111 contributions
Sep 2017
I decided to venture over to fort mufflin one day. The last time I went there was with cub scouts years before. We were able to camp out. I recommend stopping in if you want some local history. It’s right in the river and next to the airport. Definitely stop by and see this place. Who knows how much longer it will be around. There is so much history packed in this small place but definitely worth the visit.
Written March 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C0rgiL0ver
Alton, IL200 contributions
Oct 2015
A probably much overlooked historical site within a few minutes drive of the Philadelphia International Airport. The mostly 19th century buildings are painfully run-down and mostly inaccessible. But the overall experience was worth the trip. Keep an eye out for ghosts. Recommended.
Written October 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie M
1 contribution
Can anyone comment on how age appropriate the candlelight ghost tours will be? Is this appropriate for my 8 year old?
Hello! The Candlelight Ghost Tours are appropriate for elementary age students. There are no creepy characters who will jump out, no scary Halloween decorations. What can make the tours a little scary is that we tell only true stories of unexplained activity, rooted in the site's history. Guides carry candle lanterns, but the site is generally pretty dark. Bring a flashlight if you like!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Mifflin
- Hotels near Fort Mifflin:
- (3.10 mi) Live Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
- (4.42 mi) The Gables Bed and Breakfast
- (5.06 mi) The Dwight D Hotel
- (5.55 mi) Cornerstone Bed & Breakfast
- (5.06 mi) The Rittenhouse Hotel
- Restaurants near Fort Mifflin:
- (3.76 mi) Ristorante Pesto
- (4.14 mi) The Victor Cafe
- (0.69 mi) Santangelo's Cafe
- (4.42 mi) John's Roast Pork
- (2.55 mi) Penrose Diner
Fort Mifflin Information
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Very Good Reviews | 29 |
Fort Mifflin Photos | 128 |