However, even if you're not a literary scholar it proves to be a great way to spend a couple of hours. They have thousands of original drawings and manuscripts from Maurice Sendak - Where the Wild Things Are. They also have lots of things you might not have a chance to see anywhere else. Journals of poetry written by slaves, Nathaniel Hawthorne's personal copy of Moby Dick. All in a very gracious (and eclectic) townhouse filled with interesting antiques. See how the other half lived.

OK, writing this, it doesn't really sound like the destination of choice for a young hipster. But, ponder this. It's Sunday morning in Philadelphia and you were out enjoying the nightlife until the wee hours.

Clean yourself up (please) and wander a couple blocks from your hotel to this very conveniently located and manageable museum for a tour of the house. The museum docents are learned and funny and helpful. You can learn without even trying, you lucky dog. And emerge a little more erudite than you went in. All before you could probably decide on where to have brunch. You clever clogs. The museum is free on Tuesdays and $8USD for adults other days. Closed Mondays.

2008-2010 DeLancey Place Philadelphia, PA 19103;
tel: (215) 732-1600;
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 10am-5pm Wednesday 10am-8pm Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm Closed Mondays and national holidays;
www.rosenbach.org

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Philadelphia is where the US Constitution was written and signed, making it a major tourist attraction not just for school parties. The area around Independence Hall, where it was actually signed, is devoted to telling the history of the site and the constitution. Most attention is focused on visiting the Liberty Bell and being guided around the historical buildings, but I enjoyed the museum devoted to the constitution much more.

'Museum' makes it sound dusty and antiquated, but what this is, is a multi-media festival, charting the history of the United States through the constitution, its upholders and detractors, and the battle to amend it. The experience starts with a live-action show, telling visitors about the circumstances that led up to the signing of the Constitution. You then go up to the gallery, where interactive displays allow visitors to be sworn in as President or become a Supreme Court Justice, and there are sound and visual displays alongside more traditional glass cases of artefacts. The story is told through the battles of the times - about slavery and states' rights, votes for women, prohibition, desegregation and civil rights, the Equal Rights amendment, right up to the present-day debate about gay marriage.

After travelling through the displays, visitors get a chance to add their names to the constitution, in the giant visitors' book, standing among the statues of the original signers. I can't think of a UK museum that so powerfully demonstrates the impact of politics and political decisions. This is a must-see on any visit to Philadelphia, for adults and children alike.

www.constitutioncenter.org/

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