This is the place where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were written. It’s the most important building in American history.

The tour was nice and quick, so the kids could deal with it. It was basically in three rooms. The first room was the main Philadelphia courthouse in 1776. The guide told a great story that my son Calvin loved: In colonial times, the Coat of Arms of King George III hung prominently behind the judge’s bench. Then, after the Declaration was signed, it was torn down in a raucous ceremony and dragged through the streets of the city!

While in the courthouse, our tour guide also talked about the history of the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Then we went to see the room where both documents were created and signed. We saw the seat where George Washington sat.

It was a good time to bring Calvin. He had just studied the early history of the US government in 5th grade.

Independence Hall is a must-see for anyone visiting Philadelphia. And it’s important that older kids understand the significance of the building where the country was born. It’s also good for them to understand how the quality of thought and debate at that time remains unsurpassed in the nation’s history.

The tour was short enough that the kids tolerated it. My 4 your old daughter actually fell asleep in her stroller, so we were lucky.