‘Philadelphia Freedom, shine on me…’

As I walked through the small park beside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, in the final days before the city marked America’s 250th anniversary, one melody felt impossible to escape: Elton John’s Philadelphia Freedom. The song was constantly playing in my mind. Released just ahead of America’s 1976 bicentennial celebrations, the song was embraced by the birthplace of American independence and gradually became an unofficial soundtrack for the city. Fifty years later, that connection still echoes through civic spaces, public celebrations and ceremonial moments that continue to link Philadelphia with the idea of freedom. Ironically, Elton John never wrote the hit as a patriotic anthem for the city, but as a tribute to his friend Billie Jean King and her tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms. One of life’s little quirks.

The official Celebration of Freedom ceremony for America’s 250th anniversary had just taken place in the very same area where I stood, bringing attention once again to the place where the American story began. Standing inside Independence Hall, I felt a surge of excitement imagining Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin debating and shaping America’s future. George Washington was not there at all, already preparing with his army for the fight that would turn those words into independence.

Two and a half centuries later, Philadelphia continues to build on that historic legacy, investing heavily to ensure the city remains at the center of America’s national story.

According to Philadelphia City Controller Christy Brady, the city identified approximately $620 million in budget commitments supporting preparations for America’s 250th anniversary and the major events surrounding 2026. The investment reflected the extraordinary scale of a year in which Philadelphia stood at the center of global attention, hosting major national celebrations and six FIFA World Cup  matches. The tournament alone had been projected to generate some $770 million in economic impact for the region.

Early expectations for Philadelphia’s hotels were surprisingly subdued, with advance bookings lagging forecasts and room rates softening ahead of the World Cup. But as the tournament unfolded and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations  reached their July 4 climax, the narrative changed dramatically. Visitors poured into the city, hotel demand strengthened and Philadelphia’s streets and public spaces filled with an energy rarely seen on such a scale. “It’s been really exceptional,” said Meg Kane, Host City Executive and CEO of Philadelphia Soccer 2026, capturing a remarkable turnaround for a destination that ultimately proved its ability to shine on the global stage.

I had felt that excitement myself while visiting just before the celebrations. Standing in front of the nearby Liberty Bell, I experienced a quiet sense of awe, imagining how this enduring symbol of freedom has witnessed generations of hope, struggle and the pursuit of independence.

Walking through Philadelphia’s Old City and landmarks such as Elfreth’s Alley – America’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street – felt like stepping into living history. Cobblestone lanes, red-brick colonial buildings, churches and hidden courtyards evoke the world of the merchants, craftsmen, shipbuilders, politicians and prosperous colonial families who once lived and worked here.

Not to be missed is the Museum of the American Revolution. Through immersive galleries, personal stories and rare artifacts, the museum brings America’s struggle for independence vividly to life. One of its most memorable experiences is a dramatic audiovisual presentation revealing George Washington’s original wartime tent.

In front of the Washington Monument at Eakins Oval and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we reached the legendary Rocky Steps. The grand staircase became world-famous in the Rocky motion picture when Sylvester Stallone’s underdog boxer triumphantly ran to the top during training.

Nearby stands the iconic Rocky statue, originally created for Rocky III and donated by Stallone to Philadelphia. Today, it is one of the city’s most photographed landmarks, where visitors line up to recreate Rocky’s famous victory pose.

Dating back to William Penn’s original 1682 city plan, Rittenhouse Square was another favorite discovery. Considered the elegant heart of central Philadelphia, this leafy urban square is surrounded by handsome architecture, cafés, restaurants and the rhythms of everyday city life. Penn, the English founder of Pennsylvania, envisioned Philadelphia as a city built on religious tolerance and thoughtful urban planning.

Another beloved landmark is Reading Terminal Market, a vast indoor food hall filled with the aromas, sounds and energy of Philadelphia. It is the perfect place for lunch and a taste of the city’s culinary character.

Walking along the mighty Delaware River promenade felt like discovering a Philadelphia suspended between history and renewal. Old shipping piers that once powered colonial trade have been transformed into lively public spaces, connecting the city’s historic waterfront with its modern skyline.

Directly on the riverfront, in the area known as Penn’s Landing and named after William Penn’s arrival in the late 17th century, stands Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, an inviting convention hotel overlooking the Delaware River. It was impressive to see how the hotel embraces the city’s maritime heritage, honoring generations of American sailors and military service connected to the river through historic photographs, subtle nautical design elements and an enduring waterfront atmosphere. Our guest room was comfortable, but the view — oh, the view. We were left almost speechless watching the river scenery unfold through the windows, where the Delaware seemed to become part of the room itself. And the bathroom? Quite simply, the best view I have ever experienced from a hotel washroom facility.

Modern Philadelphia rises far beyond its colonial image, with sleek glass skyscrapers, illuminated high-rises and bold contemporary architecture standing beside the red-brick streets where the American story began.

Looking back now, having experienced the city just before the anniversary celebrations unfolded, what stayed with me most was not the anticipation itself, but the feeling that Philadelphia never stopped telling its story. Here, history is not simply preserved behind glass. It breathes, evolves and quietly reminds visitors that freedom remains a living idea.

Millions felt it again on TV screens and inside the stadium during 250th anniversary celebrations, surrounded by thousands of people sharing a rare sense of unity, pride and excitement. In that moment, freedom felt like more than a chapter in America’s past. It felt alive, celebrated by a new generation and carried forward into the future. And as Elton John sings: “Oh, Philadelphia freedom, shine on me…”