The home of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and other shrines of U.S. history just got a grander visitor center. Located at 6th and Market streets, the 50,000-square-foot, $38 million Independence Visitor Center is the first building to open as part of the redevelopment of Independence Mall.

Blending Philadelphia's historic past with contemporary tourism, the center will provide information about more than 500 attractions, exhibits and visitor sites throughout Philadelphia, the southern New Jersey, Delaware River waterfront and Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Visitors can make hotel and restaurant reservations and buy tickets for area attractions. The center includes a coffee bar, gift shop and theaters showing free orientation and historical films.

For more information, call (215) 965-7676 or visit www. independencevisitorcenter.com. For information about traveling to the region, visit www.gophila (http://www.gophila) .com.