The Liberty Bell vs Independence Hall

In 2001 a man, after taking the tour of the Liberty Bell, took out a hammer, ran at it screaming, and attacked the bell with all the strength he could muster. Why he said “God lives on!” while doing so is unknown, but any good Philadelphian would tell you that if there’s one bell that’s provoked an attack, it was this one. How this broken bell of negligible historic value became the symbol of liberty in America is a mystery, and the tour is far too dull to explain. The Liberty Bell tour is free, and yet the price is still too much.

Instead, take a glance at the bell from its street view (and perhaps more interestingly, the very long line of tourists tricked into seeing it) and walk across the street to Independence Hall. There, on July 4, 1776, representatives from the thirteen American colonies gathered to sign the document that would establish the United States as its own country, thereby declaring war against the Brits. Hear the story of the political struggles that led to the signing while touring the room in which the decision was made. The tour is free, though if you want to reserve your ticket ahead of time the fee is $1.50 per person. But if you go ahead unscheduled and have some time to kill, just catch some shade in the beautiful park to the rear. It’s a great place for a picnic, and out of site of the Liberty Bell.