Independence Hall is open to tourists year 'round, hours vary seasonally. RELATED LINKS Philadelphia City Guide

Even the most apathetic student of U.S. history should spend some time walking the cobbled lanes and cozy corridors of Philadelphia’s historic district, following in the hallowed footsteps of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and other giants of the American Revolution.

When delegates to the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the city’s commercial and residential districts were largely concentrated in what is now the eastern edge of downtown Philadelphia. Today, an astonishing number of colonial-era buildings remain standing in the area between 8^th Street and the Delaware River waterfront. Many historic structures still serve as shops and residences, while dozens more — including some 20 buildings in several city blocks designated as the Independence National Historical Park — are open to the public as monuments and museums.

Begin with a stop at the Independence Visitor Center
at 6th and Market to collect maps and information about the district. This is also where you can pick up tickets to see the Liberty Bell Pavilion and Independence Hall, which can only be visited on guided tours operated by the National Park Service.

Other significant sites in the area require no reservations, including Carpenter’s Hall, where the First Continental Congress gathered in 1774 to air grievances against King George III; Christ Church, an active parish where you can attend Sunday services under the same roof where George and Martha Washington once worshipped; the nearby Christ Church Burial Ground, where Benjamin Franklin and other prominent Philadelphians are buried; Elfreth’s Alley, a narrow lane lined with exceptionally well-preserved colonial-era row houses; and the National Constitution Center, an impressive museum and educational center dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution.