Philadelphia has been busy transforming America's most historic square mile over the past three years. Newest and most prominent is the $12.9 million Liberty Bell Centre, home of the nation's most valued symbol of freedom. Sixth and Chestnut Streets, tel: 215 597 8974, nps.gov/inde.

The National Constitution Centre was conceived to celebrate the US Constitution. 525 Arch Street, tel: 215 409 6600, www.constitutioncentre.org.

Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed and later the Constitution was adopted, features guided tours that begin in the courtyard. Chestnut Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets, tel: 215 597 8974.

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, constructed as a grand promenade from Centre City Philadelphia to Fairmount Park, mimics Paris' Champs-Elysees. The Rodin Museum, located on the parkway between 21st and 22nd Streets, houses the largest collection of Rodin works outside Paris. Tel: 215 563 1948.
The Franklin Institute Science Museum is full of computers and high-tech gadgets, and the ever-popular walk-through model of the human heart. 20th and the Parkway, tel: 215 448 1200.

The Citizens Bank Park, professional baseball's newest ballpark and the playing field for the Philadelphia Phillies, opens for its first season of Major League Baseball action in April. 10th Street and Pattison Avenue, tel: 215 463 5000, philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com.

This opening comes on the heels of last summer's debut of Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, at 10th Street and Pattison Avenue, tel: 267 570 4000, www.philadelphiaeagles.com.