Visit Historical Philadelphia in the Summer

How best to celebrate the Fourth of July and the signing of the Declaration of Independence than to travel where it happened, the City of Philadelphia. Historical sites abound in Philadelphia -- Independence Hall, Constitution Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House and Christ Church, as well as the National Constitution Center which opened in 2003. Throughout the year, historical walking tours take you to sites where liberty began, and you will be entertained and well fed during the ten-day Welcome America Festival, held during Fourth of July week.

WELCOME AMERICA FESTIVAL: The annual "Welcome America Festival," sponsored by local concerns, offers a week of music and dance, food, blockbuster movies, concerts, a parade, and educational activities for all ages. Click on this link to be directed to the home page of the "Welcome America Festival," which begins a week before the Fourth of July and into the following weekend.

Welcome America Festival Events: "Go 4th and Learn" events are sponsored by institutions such as The Franklin Institute and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Local personalities read at "Historical Story Time" at Franklin Square, which is followed by face painting, crafts and interactive games. Concerts featuring big name entertainers and "Philly At the Movies, which presents blockbuster films, are held at Penn's Landing and on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Fireworks follow the concerts, and Ice Cream Festivals are held at Penn's Landing on selected days. The Taste of Philadelphia, the Welcome America culinary signature event, highlights local cuisine throughout the Festival run. Visit this site for the Festival Schedule of Events, locations, dates and times.

HISTORICAL TOURS OF PHILADELPHIA: Start your visit to Philadelphia at the Liberty Bell, wander over to Independence Hall, go next door to Constitution Hall and don't miss Ben Franklin's print shop down the street. Christ Church's Burial Ground is the resting place of several signers of the Declaration of Independence, John Dunlap, who printed the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and Benjamin Franklin and his wife Deborah. (Despite rumors as to his demise, however, Benjamin Franklin always seems to make an appearance in Philadelphia around the Fourth of July. You're liable to run into him anywhere, so keep your camera ready.)

Visit the Betsy Ross House, but those over 5'7" beware of low doorways! The neighboring houses on this cobblestoned street have retained their colonial charm and are privately owned residences. Take a virtual tour of the house here, and visit this site for location, ticket prices and tour schedules.

Walking Tours: If you'd like a more organized tour of historical Philadelphia, visit U.S. History.org here for a map of the historical areas, and seven walking tours through Fairmount Park, Independence Hall area, Historic Market Street North area, the Parkway, Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill and Washington Square.

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER: Within sight of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center is the only museum solely devoted to the U.S. Constitution. Features include daily screenings of "Freedom Rising" on a 360 degree screen, "The American Experience" exhibit, consisting of 100 interactive and multimedia exhibits highlighting the history of the Constitution, and "Signer's Hall," home to 42 bronze statues of the 39 signers of the Constitution and the three dissenters. Changing exhibits are held in the Freedom Exhibit Gallery throughout the year. Visit this site for entrance fees, hours, tickets and parking information.

FAMILY FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS IN PHILADELPHIA: Twelve Philadelphia hotels participate in the "Philly Family Fun Package" program, offering one or two-night accommodations, tickets to popular attractions, hotel pool, room service and free parking. Chose "Play and Stay,""Fish and Ducks," "Historical Philadelphia" or "Philly Overnight." Visit this site to choose your hotel, package and make reservations.

If you can't have fun in Philly, after we went to all this trouble . . . well, then, shame on you.

Sources: Visit Philly.com; National Constitution Center;Mission and History of the Constitution Center