America250 is kicking off celebrations for the USA’s 250th birthday in 2026. Some ideas are so powerful, they travel the world. For 250 years, these are the places where they began. There’s no better time to reconnect with the icons of this vast country – rugged red rocks, multifaceted cities, peaceful shorelines, friendly small towns, world famous attractions and the people who bring each magical place to life.

Meet them in American Originals

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America 250

Join The Celebration

Plan your visit to experience 250 years of history, culture and connection

FREE A child taking a small American Flag from a collection of American Flags
Sail250 Virginia

Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250)

Town Point Park, 113 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, Virginia

08/23/1970 – 08/23/1970

FREE A bookshelf filled with old-looking volumes
“In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness” Exhibit

Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, District of Columbia

03/01/2026 – 03/01/2027

A scenic rolling hills landscape at dusk
Great American Horse Drive

America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission

Great American Horse Drive, 12900 County RD 8, Meeker, Colorado

04/28/2026 – 05/04/2026

FREE A bookshelf filled with old-looking volumes
Photographic Memory: Fifty Years of Photography at the National Portrait Gallery

Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, District of Columbia

05/15/2026 – 02/28/2027

FREE A child taking a small American Flag from a collection of American Flags
FREE A child taking a small American Flag from a collection of American Flags
The National Memorial Day Parade

Constitution Avenue, Washington, District of Columbia

05/25/2026

FREE
SAIL 250® NEW ORLEANS

Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, 1 Canal St, New Orleans, Louisiana

05/28/2026 – 06/01/2026

A child taking a small American Flag from a collection of American Flags
2026 Roughrider Days Fair & Expo

The North Dakota America250 Commission

Stark County Fairgrounds, 4024 ND-22, Dickinson, North Dakota

06/13/2026 – 07/04/2026

FREE A row of Revolutionary War reenactors firing their muskets in a field
RevCon 2026 Revolutionary War History Fair

4079 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, New York

06/13/2026 – 05/02/2026

FREE
Great American State Fair

National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia

06/25/2026 – 07/10/2026

A dark club with people dancing on the dancefloor under the lights
75th Annual National Square Dance Convention

Texas America250

100 Washington Ave ., Waco, Texas

06/26/2026 – 05/02/2026

FREE A scenic rolling hills landscape at dusk
Western Sky Balloon Festival/Deltarado Days

America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission

Confluence Park, 531 N Palmer Street, Delta, Colorado

07/02/2026 – 07/05/2026

FREE A woman holding lit sparklers
Prairie Pyro-Musical

The North Dakota America250 Commission

Location to be announced at a later date, TBD, Mandan, North Dakota

07/03/2026 – 05/02/2026

FREE An aerial view of the Annapolis Harbor at sunset
Sail4th 250 Parade of Sail: Class B Tall Ships

East River, Hell Gate Bridge, New York, New York

07/03/2026

Mt. Rushmore Fireworks

Americau2019s 250th South Dakota Commission

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 13000 SD Highway 244, Keystone, South Dakota

07/03/2026

FREE A scenic rolling hills landscape at dusk
GoPro Mountain Games

America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission

Town of Vail, 75 S Frontage Rd W, Vail, Colorado

07/04/2026 – 07/07/2026

FREE
Sail4th 250 International Parade of Tall Ships

Sail4th 250

Port of New York and New Jersey, Holland Tunnel, New York, New York

07/04/2026 – 07/08/2026

FREE
Salute to America: The Nation’s 250th Birthday Fireworks Celebration

National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia

07/04/2026

FREE
Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library Opening

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, 3410 Chateau Road, Medora, North Dakota

07/04/2026

FREE Fireworks at night behind a pergola
America. Made in Virginia. 250 Years of Forming a More Perfect Union

Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250)

Colonial Williamsburg, 101 Visitor Center Dr., Williamsburg, Virginia

07/04/2026

A scenic rolling hills landscape at dusk
El Paso County Fair

America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission

El Paso County Fair & Events Center, 366 10th St, Calhan, Colorado

07/11/2026 – 07/18/2026

VIRTUAL A scenic rolling hills landscape at dusk
NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission

Norris Penrose Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado

07/14/2026 – 07/18/2026

A child taking a small American Flag from a collection of American Flags
North Dakota State Fair

The North Dakota America250 Commission

Fairgrounds, 2005 Burdick Expressway East, Minot, North Dakota

07/17/2026 – 07/25/2026

A scenic rolling hills landscape at dusk
Douglas County Fair & Rodeo

America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock, Colorado

07/24/2026 – 08/02/2026

FREE A scenic rolling hills landscape at dusk
Moffat County Balloon Festival

America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission

Moffat county Balloon Festival, Loudy-Simpson Park, Craig, Colorado

07/31/2026 – 08/02/2026

A row of Revolutionary War reenactors firing their muskets in a field
USA 250th & Niagara County Celebration

NY

Old Fort Niagara, Fort Niagara State Park, Youngstown, New York

08/01/2026 – 08/02/2026

FREE A scenic rolling hills landscape at dusk
Palisade Peach Festival

America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission

Riverbend Park, 451 Pendleton St, Palisade, Colorado

08/21/2026 – 08/22/2026

FREE
Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.

National Mall, , Washington, DC

08/21/2026 – 08/23/2026

FREE A scenic rolling hills landscape at dusk
Colorado State Fair

America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission

Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo, Colorado

08/28/2026 – 09/07/2026

A woman holding lit sparklers
State Fair of Texas

Texas America250

3809 Grand Ave., Dallas, Texas

09/25/2026 – 05/02/2026

Born Here. Felt Everywhere.

American Originals goes to the source — the people, places, and moments where the things the world loves about America first took shape. From the pitmaster’s fire to the landscapes that defined a culture, these are the stories behind the icons.

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American Originals – Texas Barbeque

American stories, places, and heritage, celebrating the country’s cultural roots, historic traditions, and unique contributions that define the American spirit — showcasing people, landscapes, and traditions that make the United States distinct and beautiful.

Videos

American Originals – Monument Valley

American Originals – Texas Barbeque

Bountiful Ways to Explore

Stunning Backdrops

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site and California must-see with waterfalls, sequoias and granite peaks

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  • The second largest canyon in the USA – red rock vistas near Route 66 and Amarillo, Texas

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  • The USA’s oldest state park showcasing New York’s Niagara Falls via boat tours, cave hikes and scenic overlooks

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Blissful Getaways

  • Second largest Hawaiian Island with stunning beaches, the sacred ʻĪao Valley and marine life sightings

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  • More destination spas per capita than any other U.S. city, plus a stunning desert backdrop

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  • Upscale and historic Great Lakes summer retreat that has hosted former presidents

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Bucket-List Thrills

  • Water adventures via raft and jetboat await on Snake River and Salmon River

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  • USA’s oldest national park featuring Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and countless wonders

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  • U.S. Winter Olympics host featuring epic powder in and around Park City

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Beloved Family Fun

  • World-famous attractions including Walt Disney World, LEGOLAND and Universal Orlando

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  • New England’s renowned beach escape with Cape Cod National Seashore, quaint towns and historic lighthouses

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  • Smithsonian museums and National Mall monuments highlighting U.S. heritage

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The USA in its 250th Year

Browse the pins below to get to know each state through must-sees you may know – and those you’ll want to discover.

Regions States U.S. Territories
  • Northeast

  • Southeast

  • Midwest

  • Southwest

  • West

  • Pacific

Major International Airports

What’s New

Epic Debuts and Milestone Celebrations

Go Explore

01/05

Food & Drink

A U.S. Culinary Journey

Get to know the people, history and culture of the country through its food.

Go Explore

02/05

Culture & History

10 Must-See Sites

Connect to the USA’s past at these iconic cultural and historical sites

Go Explore

03/05

Entertainment

Hot Spots for Big Fun

Experience some of the country’s best theater, music, family fun and nightlife at these exciting epicenters.

Go Explore

04/05

Shopping

Fabulous Finds from Coast to Coast

Treasures await in the USA’s malls, outlet centers, boutiques, markets and more.

Go Explore

05/05

Design Your Dream Trip

Use the prompts below to start tailoring your next adventure to the USA – no matter your travel style.