USA Guide
The Mid-Atlantic
Independence National Historic Park
The Independence National Historic Park, or INHP ( 
215/597-8974 or 215/965-2305, 
www.nps.gov/inde ), "America's most historic square mile," can take more than a day to explore in full.
Free tours set off from the rear of the east wing of Independence Hall, the single most important site. Built in 1732 as the Pennsylvania State House, this was where the Declaration of Independence was prepared, signed, and, after the pealing of the Liberty Bell, given its first public reading on July 8, 1776.
The Liberty Bell hung in Independence Hall from 1753, ringing to herald vital announcements such as victories and defeats in the Revolutionary War. Stories as to how it received its famous crack vary but one thing's for sure; it rang publicly for the very last time on George Washington's birthday in 1846. Later in the century, the bell's inscription from Leviticus, advocating liberty, made it an anti-slavery symbol for the New England abolitionists – the first to call it the Liberty Bell. The iconic lump of metal now rests in the new multimedia Liberty Bell Center.
Next door to Independence Hall, Congress Hall, built in 1787, is where members of the new United States Congress first took their places, and where all the patterns for today's US government were established. The First Bank of the United States, at 3rd and Chestnut streets, was established in 1797 to formalize the new union's currency and in 1774, delegates of the first Continental Congress – predecessor of the US Congress – chose defiantly to meet at Carpenter's Hall, 320 Chestnut St, to air their grievances against the English king. Directly north, Franklin Court, 313 Market St, is a tribute to Benjamin Franklin on the site of his home.
The must-see National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St (Sun– Fri 9.30am–5pm, Sat 9.30am–6pm; $12; 1-866/917-1787 or 215/409-6600, www.constitutioncenter.org ), a modern, interactive, and provocative museum dedicated to the nation's best-known document, offers a wealth of information on the venerated document.
Opening time: Daily 9am-5pm
Price: Free