Historical Sights in Philadelphia

Once the capital of the United States, Philadelphia was at the center of America's early democracy. It all happened here, from the drafting of the Constitution to the sewing of the first American flag. See below for ways to see all the top sites.

What to See

• Independence Hall— where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed

• The Liberty Bell— a 2,080-pound (943-kilogram) bronze bell that was rung to announce the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence

• Old City— which is packed with landmarks and considered the nation’s most historic square mile

• Eastern State Penitentiary— a spooky prison that held inmates such as Al Scarface" Capone in solitary confinement, driving many of them insane

How to Visit

• String together the major sites in and around Old City on a walking, biking, or Segway tour.

• Pair history with a little booze on a BYOB trolley tour or an educational pub crawl.

• Book a combo tour that includes stops at both Revolution-era sites and the haunted Eastern State Penitentiary.