The First Bank of the United States is one of the quieter stops around Independence National Historical Park, but it is worth a look if you care about early American architecture. The blue marble facade and temple-like pediment make a bold statement about the new republic's financial ambitions.
The bank was chartered in 1791, backed by Alexander Hamilton, and helped define the argument over federal power that shaped the young United States. Even when the interior is closed, the exterior is an easy detour between Independence Hall and the Delaware riverfront.