"I still remember the chills I got during all of that."
I still get chills and a tear in my eye, just READING the Declaration, or even an excerpt.
Even tho I'm a Virginian (by choice, not birth), and agree with Corin, a trip to Philadelphia and Independence Hall should be required for all Americans (that is, after they've visited Jamestown, Williamsburg, St. John's Church in Richmond, Mt. Vernon, Gunston Hall, Monticello, etc)
Don't forget the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, Carpenter's Hall, the Graff House (where TJ wrote the DOI), Benjamin Franklin House, Benj. Franklin's Grave ( throw a penny) at Christ's Church where Benjamin Rush is also interred. St Peter's Church where Stephen Decatur and Geo. Dallas are buried (for all of you who do not know history Decatur is the Shores of Tripoli Decatur and Dallas Texas was named after Geo. Dallas), St Mary's where Commodore Barry ( father of the navy) and Jackie Kennedy's great great great great grandfather are buried, and Old St.Joseph's Churhc where Lafayette used to go to mass.
Don't forget City Tavern where Jefferson, Washington and even Paul Revere used to hang out and you can still get an excellent meal, Tun Tavern ( the brithplace of the US Marines), Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War, the first 'White House' known as the Executive Mansion, the first Supreme Court and the new National Constitution Center the only museum devoted to the Constitution of the US.
There are tons more places to see and do as well.