In 2026, the Party’s in the USA. Here’s Where to Celebrate

Whether you’re a history buff, sports nut or road warrior, there are compelling reasons to visit the United States in 2026. That’s because the nation will celebrate its 250^th birthday, soccer will crown its world champion and America’s Mother Road turns 100. So there’s plenty to celebrate in 2026.

Here’s where to find the party.

America for History Buffs

Washington D.C.

The nation’s capital always throws itself a rockin’ birthday party. But you only turn 250 once, so the 2026 Fourth of July party promises to be the biggest yet.

Aside from the July 4th celebration, there are plenty of reasons to visit D.C. Topping that list are the 17 Smithsonian museums and galleries, all of which are free to visit (along with the National Zoo, home to those cute and cuddly pandas). So, while a hotel room likely will set you back thanks to high demand for a July 4, 2026, visit, you won’t have to spend a lot on entertainment once you arrive.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Stay close to the action at one of these family-friendly Washington D.C. hotels.

Philadelphia

Philly is, quite literally, the birthplace of American democracy. Philadelphia’s Independence Hall is the room where it happened – “it” being the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

In addition to history, this Pennsylvania city will debut the Ministry of Awe. It’s a former bank, now owned by a group of artists who have turned the six-story building into a traversable immersive work of art where you can make a deposit or a withdrawal of awe. How cool is that?

For film buffs, 2026 also marks the 50^th birthday of the first “Rocky” movie, so there will be Rocky-themed tours. And, of course, you’ll want to run up the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Here’s how to spend a weekend with girlfriends in Philadelphia. And here are fun things to do with kids in Philly.

North Dakota

This is the state on my to-do list for 2026. It will be my 50^th state.. And the reason to visit: The opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library honoring the nation’s 26^th president.

I’m a sucker for a good presidential library. I love seeing the way their actions are portrayed in a positive light. (If you don’t believe me, stop by the Herbert Hoover presidential library in West Branch, Iowa. It makes the president who presided over the Great Depression look like a great leader.)

I was surprised to learn that Teddy, a strong leader and fierce conservationist who created five new National Parks, never had a presidential library. But, as the library notes on its website, “The world needs Theodore Roosevelt now more than ever.”

SheBuysTravel Tip: Check out these fun things to do in Medora, ND.

America for Sports Fans

FIFA World Cup

Known as football to the rest of the world, the premier soccer championship will take place in North America, with games set for Canada, Mexico and the U.S. American host cities are:

• Atlanta
• Boston
• Dallas
• Houston
• Kansas City
• Los Angeles
• Miami
• New York/New Jersey
• Philadelphia
• Seattle
• San Francisco Bay Area

Philadelphia gets bonus points on the sports scorecard. It also will host the National Football League draft, the Professional Golf Association championship and the Major League Baseball All-Star series in 2026 – all over the course of eight weeks next summer.

America for Road Warriors

Route 66, America’s legendary highway affectionately known as “The Mother Road,” hits the century mark in 2026. The iconic Route 66 winds more than 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. Immortalized in song, people have been getting their kicks on Route 66 since 1926.

Route 66 became the go-to path for classic American vacations complete with neon-lit roadside motels, giant roadside attractions, and diner milkshakes. The highway winds through eight states:

• Illinois
• Missouri
• Kansas
• Oklahoma
• Texas
• New Mexico
• Arizona
• California

Though it was officially retired from the U.S. Highway System in 1985, Route 66 never really went away. Instead, it became a living time capsule, lovingly preserved by fans, travelers, and small towns that keep its magic alive.

Now, the road is gearing up for a coast-to-coast birthday bash. Expect vintage car parades, live music, food fests, and probably more than a few Elvis impersonators.

SheBuysTravel Tip: When you want an affordable room for the night, choose a Signature Inn.

Will You be Welcomed to the US?

There are two ways to answer this question: from the perspective of America’s political leaders and from the perspective of its people.

While the message from the White House is that not all visitors are welcome here, the destinations that were represented at IPW in Chicago in June 2025 made it clear that they welcome everyone, regardless of color or creed.

And, of course, the people of America are warm and wonderful. Take, for example, the Mexican man in Chicago’s heavily Hispanic Little Village neighborhood. He spoke little English, but when an Australian writer needed a ride to catch her bus, he stepped up. And, when he realized she had left her hat in his car, he again went out of his way to return it to her. That’s Midwest nice and a warm American welcome.