It's America’s 250th Birthday — Here Are a Few Ways to Celebrate Across the Country

The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, and that makes this Fourth of July America’s 250th birthday. In celebration of the milestone, festivities around the country are planned, and travel demand is up — a clear reflection of the excitement building around the year.

According to data from HotelPlanner, hotel bookings for Independence Day weekend have surged up to 108% compared to the same time in 2025. Specific cities seeing increased bookings include Philadelphia (which leads the pack with an 81% increase in bookings year over year); Williamsburg, Virginia (up 62%); and Washington, D.C. (up 8%).

Here are a few ways travelers might get in on the celebratory fun — it’s not an exhaustive list, but it’s certainly an inspiring one.

How States Are Celebrating

This summer, Nashville is set to host the Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th event, a free, two-day celebration featuring global headliners alongside the Nashville Symphony and a large firework show. Historic attractions that travelers might visit while in town include Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Fort Nashborough, Tennessee State Museum and Historic Travelers Rest.

Washington, D.C. is hosting related museum exhibitions and celebrations all year long, including the Salute to America on July 4, which will feature major speeches, flyovers, headline performances and fireworks. In August, there’s the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. This will be the first-ever Indycar race held in the capital, and the race circuit will highlight iconic city landmarks. Admission is free.

"No matter when you visit Washington, D.C. in 2026, you’ll feel a part of the year-round commemoration for the nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination DC. “Explore the city’s vibrant local neighborhoods, discover its unique role as the nation’s capital and home to 700,000 residents and better understand all facets of our nation’s history in the city where stories come alive.”

Meanwhile, Wyoming is joining the fun with a series of arts and heritage initiatives designed to bring history to life. Highlights include Trailblazer Days – Opening the Last Frontier, a multi-day June event with historical demonstrations and interpretative park tours. There’s also the Heritage of the Cowboys event, a two-day fete in July that celebrates America’s 250th anniversary through traditional cowboy music and poetry.

Colorado is celebrating both 150 years of statehood and 250 years of American independence in 2026. There are new 2026 lodging offerings to highlight, including Kindred Resort, White Elephant Aspen and Boundary by Terra Vi. Other notable things to see include the Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation, an exhibit running from May 28 to June 14 at History Colorado Center that showcases documents from America’s founding. An original engraving of the Declaration of Independence and a draft of the U.S. Constitution are part of the collection. Then, from September through December, a series of patriotic drone shows is planned.

From Jul. 3-9, New York City and New Jersey will host Sail4th, bringing together the largest international fleet of tall ships ever assembled in New York Harbor. The event will feature fireworks, an International Aerial Review headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, culinary festivals and an amplified Fleet Week.

In Delaware, Separation Day is an annual celebration commemorating the state’s independence from British rule and Pennsylvania in 1776. This year, the event will consist of Revolutionary War reenactments, living history demonstrations, colonial-era music, historic tours of New Castle’s cobblestone streets and fireworks along the Delaware River. Another stand-out event in Delaware is Rumble in Rodney, an outdoor boxing event in downtown Wilmington's Rodney Square. The event honors Caesar Rodney, the statesman who rode overnight through a thunderstorm in 1776 to secure the state’s support of the Declaration of Independence.

For travelers looking to dig further into U.S. history this year, City Experiences offers unique tours across the East Coast. There’s the New York Grand Central Official Tour, the New York Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour, tours of the Statue of Liberty's crown and pedestal, the Lighthouses and Tales of Boston Harbor tour, a Mount Vernon Excursion Cruise and more.

RELATED: Holland America Line Announces Special America's 250th Anniversary Cruise

Another venture to know about is the U.S. 250 Freedom Tour, which launched in January is hitting all 50 states across a year-long journey. The traveling patriotic festival features stages for national and local performers and offers engaging activities and interactive educational exhibits. Families will want to visit Liberty Kids America, a pavilion with face painting and opportunities for kid-friendly lessons about America’s history and traditions.

Brand Partnerships and Themed Tours

America250, the national nonpartisan organization leading the commemoration, has announced American Airlines as the official sponsor and partner of the nationwide celebration. Celebrating its own centennial year in 2026, the airline will paint two aircrafts in the official America250 livery and serve as the official airline of America Innovates, a traveling showcase of U.S. creativity and progress.

Another notable partnership? The U.S. Travel Association (USTA) has teamed up with The Great American Road Trip, a nationwide storytelling initiative. Through this collaboration, the USTA will amplify events coordinated by The Great American Road Trip in cities across the country, highlight the importance of travel to local communities and elevate the travel industry’s contribution to America's story.

Building on the momentum, Railbookers has launched its new Stars and Stripes collection, a series of vacation itineraries through its Amtrak Vacations brand. The collection invites travelers to experience the history of the country by train.

“Our company’s roots are deeply tied to showcasing the United States, and that makes it especially meaningful to share our new Stars and Stripes Collection with the world,” said Frank Marini, president and CEO of Railbookers Group. “From coast to coast, every part of America has a story worth celebrating, and with Amtrak Vacations, travelers can appreciate them seamlessly. This collection shines a light on the best of the U.S. while continuing our mission to deliver unforgettable travel experiences for our guests and travel advisors.”

Then, Global travel company Globus is bringing history to life with the new 10-day Celebrating America: 250 Years Strong itinerary. The trip takes travelers through cities key to America's founding, such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Set activities include a walk on Boston’s Freedom Trail, a cruise on Boston Harbor, a visit to Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, a Statue of Liberty visit and more.