All eyes are on Washington, D.C., this year as the United States turns 250 years old, and the semiquincentennial celebrations continue rolling out across the nation’s capital. The city has planned for more than a decade to commemorate the historic 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence, and it’s never been a better time to visit the city.

“This is truly a milestone year for more than just the nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for Washington, D.C. “In 2026 we’re celebrating the 75th anniversary of Arena Stage, 50th anniversaries of the National Air and Space Museum and Art Museum of the Americas, and 10th anniversary of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It’s also the 50th anniversary of go-go music, a homegrown genre, and you can visit the new Go-Go Museum and Café in historic Anacostia.”

There will be exciting openings and free exhibitions and fun events planned for each season throughout the city, including the temporary reopening of the Smithsonian Institution Building (known as The Castle) between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The Declaration of Independence remains proudly displayed from its home inside the National Archives Museum, but it’s the chance to see the document’s impact play out in daily life that draws so many people to the district’s streets.

“Washington, D.C., is known for its monuments, memorials and museums, but there’s so much more of the city to explore,” said Ferguson. “You’ll find vibrant local neighborhoods; incredible waterfronts; an internationally acclaimed culinary scene; beautiful architecture and parks; and a city of 700,000 residents that embraces diversity and people of all types of backgrounds.”

Underground moving walkway at National Gallery of Art © Jon Bilous | Dreamstime.com

While Washington, D.C., is the heart of the federal government, it’s also the home of a diverse set of residents who provide a snapshot of the American experience. The city hosts more than 180 embassies, and many of those diplomats, employees and chefs choose to remain in Washington after their post, adding to its authenticity as a global hub.

The excitement to celebrate the American experience pulses through the city’s restaurants and museums. Hotels in the city have also prepared for the celebrations, with anniversary deals and specials offered at some of the top hotels in the city, including Waldorf Astoria Washington DC with its new Discover the Legacy package and themed afternoon tea offerings. Conrad Washington, DC launched its 1776 to 2026 celebration offer at the beginning of the year that combines a three-night stay with curated capital experiences and an American whiskey tasting. The Jefferson, Washington, DC plans to continue rolling out its packages and programs throughout the entire year, giving visitors ample time to make the most of the hotel’s prime location. The hotel lies within walking distance of The White House and the newly opened Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream.

“There is incredible momentum in D.C.,” said Ferguson. “Following the fall 2025 debuts of the Milken Center and National Archives Museum renovation, D.C. welcomes many new openings and major renovations this year, including a museum beneath the Lincoln Memorial, the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, African American Civil War Memorial Museum, Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, National Air and Space Museum expansion, overhaul of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and a new concourse at Dulles International Airport.”

The city’s calendar brims with inspiring exhibitions — such as the “Dear America” exhibition running through Sept. 20 at the National Gallery of Art — and also exciting chances to meet and gather in the capital during this momentous year.

“Washington, D.C.’s meetings and conventions calendar remains strong, and planners continue to see new product coming online,” Ferguson explained.

Along with new and renovated hotels in the pipeline — like the new Tempo by Hilton Washington, DC Downtown set to open June 2026 — several major cultural institutions will open or complete renovations this year to continue expanding the city’s meetings and events inventory. National Geographic Museum of Exploration, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and National Archives will all offer new or enhanced event spaces, providing planners with access to venues that are distinctly of the district.

“As the nation prepares for America’s 250th anniversary, Washington, D.C., will serve as center stage for that milestone,” Ferguson said, “allowing meetings to align with a moment of national significance. Combined with our Connected Campus model, which brings together hotels, venues and cultural assets within walkable neighborhoods, D.C. continues to deliver a strong, flexible environment for meetings and conventions.”

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park © Zrfphoto | Dreamstime.com

SCENIC DRIVES
A drive out to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, from Washington, D.C., only takes about an hour and 15 minutes. The town itself is charming, with great options for hiking and shopping everywhere, but the drive there proves the real gem of the journey. The route goes from city to farmland almost immediately, where rolling pastures and mountainscapes replace metros and business centers. A short detour off the interstate offers stunning views from Sugarloaf Mountain, a Registered Natural Landmark, where picnic tables set up at the top offer a scenic spot to snack.

Just a short 1.5-hour drive from Washington, D.C., explore Shenandoah National Park, northern Virginia’s pride and joy. Hiking and family-friendly trails wind through the park’s nearly 200,000 acres, while Skyline Drive remains the most scenic route as it follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A few hours farther to the west, the historic Greenbrier Hotel comes into view among the Allegheny Mountains. The hotel was once the secret bunker for members of Congress, selected due to its remote location and easy access to the nation’s capital. It’s now a great weekend jaunt from Washington to soak in its historical hot springs and lore.