Top places at the Marketplace, Knotts Berry Farm

The California Marketplace is located next to Knotts Theme Park, in Buena Park, California. There is no charge to vist the many places of interest in the Marketplace, as it is located outside the gates to the Theme Park, and to encourage visitors there is 3-hours of free parking, more than enough time to see these places of interest.

1. Independence Hall an exact brick-by-brick replica of the original "Independence Hall" in Philadelphia, was opened on July 4, 1966 by Walter Knott's. Due to it's accuracy the building was used in the 2004 film - National Treasure; fingerprints can be seen in the bricks, just as they appear in the original in Philadelphia; and the blueprints of the Replica, were used during the restoration of the original Independence Hall.

The Independence Hall, also serves as the center for Knott's Adventures in Education School Program, and is visited annually by over one- thousand elementary-school age children, who receive on-site lessons on American History, Science, and Nature. Inside the building one can enjoy -

a. An Audio presentation,, via speakers located in appropriate areas, of the "debate that led to the United States Declaration of Independence".
b. A replica of the 2075-pound Liberty Bell, which weighs only 5-pounds less than the original Liberty Bell.
c. The original Star Spangled Banner Flag -which flew over Fort Mchenry during a British attack in the War of 1812. The poem by the same name was penned by Francis Scott Key, and eventually became the National Anthem of the United States.

The Hall also offers exhibits, historical enactments, and the annual display of the "Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial" during Veterans Week.

Dining in the Marketplace is an experience that reflects the history of Knotts Berry Farm. The oldest and most memorable of these places:
a. Mrs Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant has been serving up Cordelia Knotts Fried Chicken, homemade biscuits, and boysenberry pies since 1934. It actually was the basis of the start of Knotts Berry Farm, and as it is located outside the main gate of the theme park there is no charge, except the cost of the meals, to visit.
b. At PINKS, the original hotdog for the stars, visitors can enjoy these famous hotdogs, without having to drive to Hollywood.
c. It is recommended to make reservations for the Champagne Brunch Buffet, served every sunday at the Marketplace, and themed to the seasons.

Shopping at the Marketplacecan be enjoyed at many venues, but the most popular is the Snoopy Headquarters store which features some of the most sought-after collectibles and merchandise, displayed in the 7,000-square foot "Red Doghouse". Collectors of Snoopy merchandise will not want to miss a visit to this store.

Another special store is the Berry Market which has the world's largest selection of Knotts Berry Farm's Jams and Jellies, as well as a large selection of flavoured coffee and other goodies.

At Virginia's Gift Shop, where there is a large collection of Lladro Figurines, be very careful, you know the old saying - if you break it, you just bought it. In addition there is the work's of Thomas Kinkade - "The Painter of Light"; imports from all over the world and the West's largest collection of decorative treasurers.

The Market place has fifteen shops and restaurants in all, include the above, for many visitors it is an attraction on it's own, apart from the Theme park, and with the free 3-hour parking, visitors sometimes come just to browse through the Marketplace. The Marketplace is open daily from 10am to 5pm; Phonr 714-220-5200

It is easy to get to the Marketplace which is only 10 minutes from Disneyland, thirty minutes from John Wayne Airport and downtown Los Angeles, and accessible from both the 5 and 91 Freeways.