Mark DiOrio had been to Philadelphia’s Independence Mall before, but had never gone on a tour of Independence Hall. So, after dropping off family members at Philadelphia International Airport recently, the Bridgewater, Somerset County, man stopped on his way home to take the tour.

“I just got done reading 1776,” (by David McCullough), said DiOrio, 45. “I figured I’d stop off and put it in perspective. I was never in this building before. It’s a first time for me.”

This year marks the first time in many years that construction is not impeding the view along Independence Mall. Visitors can see from Independence Hall north to the National Constitution Center, along with the U.S. Mint and Liberty Bell Center.