Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary in Washington, D.C.

Travel Writers
Sat, 21 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0800
Lifestyle

By Candyce H. Stapen

Washington, D.C., is not just any city. It's the nation's capital — and that makes all the difference. No other place will celebrate America's 250th anniversary quite like it will be celebrated here. Many of the District of Columbia's world-class museums, including 17 Smithsonian facilities, renowned art galleries and the National Mall, are blooming with exciting exhibits and special events for this most significant occasion.

The idea of freedom is what launched this country, and at the National Archives Museum visitors can view America's three foundational documents — the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In preparation for the big birthday, the facility debuted two new exhibits. In "American Story," see George Washington's edited copy of the Constitution, use AI to search 2 million historic records on topics of interest to you, and get a sense of the past through videos and oral histories. In the Discovery Center, kids and families can play games to learn history.
Updated: Sun Feb 22, 2026

By Candyce H. Stapen

Washington, D.C., is not just any city. It's the nation's capital — and that makes all the difference. No other place will celebrate America's 250th anniversary quite like it will be celebrated here. Many of the District of Columbia's world-class museums, including 17 Smithsonian facilities, renowned art galleries and the National Mall, are blooming with exciting exhibits and special events for this most significant occasion.

The idea of freedom is what launched this country, and at the National Archives Museum visitors can view America's three foundational documents — the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In preparation for the big birthday, the facility debuted two new exhibits. In "American Story," see George Washington's edited copy of the Constitution, use AI to search 2 million historic records on topics of interest to you, and get a sense of the past through videos and oral histories. In the Discovery Center, kids and families can play games to learn history.

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History's "In Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness" — key Declaration of Independence concepts — features 250 objects that flesh out how the new nation fought for and interpreted those ideals. Among the artifacts displayed are the 1776 gunboat Philadelphia, the only surviving vessel of the rebels' fleet, and the desk Thomas Jefferson used to draft the Declaration. The exhibit opens May 14. When visiting, don't miss the flag that still flew over Fort McHenry in 1814 despite a major British bombardment. The sight inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner," which became the U.S. national anthem.

To celebrate two big July birthdays — America's 250th and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's 50th — the popular Mall attraction reimagined 20 galleries, several of which debut July 1. Find out how American innovation in flight contributed to the nation's defense, economic growth and pride. Learn about spectrographs, special microwave probes and other complex tools that led to new understandings of the cosmos. Get insights on the Hubble Space Telescope, satellites, missiles and the living conditions aboard Skylab, America's first space station. Allow time for museum favorites such as the planetarium and IMAX theater shows.

Don't overlook the Library of Congress. View Abraham Lincoln's handwritten Gettysburg Address and Jefferson's rough draft of the Declaration of Independence at the David M. Rubinstein Treasures Gallery starting July 3.

Along with grand ideas and great heroes, the American fiber is also woven by artists, craftspeople and ordinary citizens. The National Gallery of Art's "Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience" presents more than 100 prints, photographs and drawings themed around land, community and freedom. Artists include Ansel Adams, Richard Avedon, Margaret Bourke-White and others. The exhibit opens April 11.

Dedicated to American craft and decorative arts, the Renwick Gallery, a Smithsonian facility, presents "State Fairs: Growing American Craft." Admire portraits of Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift created from seeds and grasses, size-96 cowboy boots crafted for a 55-foot statue and that state-fair staple, a life-size cow sculpted from butter. Then mosey on over to the National Mall to experience the Great American State Fair, featuring crafts, performances, a pie-eating contest and favorite state food from Maine lobster rolls to Texas-sized steaks between June 25 and July 10.

Take time to smell the roses, magnolias, orchids, and other state and territory flowers at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, an often-overlooked find, as is the 2-acre Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens across the street.

A stroll of the Mall and the surrounding monuments is a must in the District of Columbia. On July 4 the iconic Lincoln Memorial will debut the Lincoln Undercroft. In the pillar-lined space underneath the monument, a 15,000-sqare-foot exhibit details the memorial's construction and its significance as the site of civil rights and other peaceful protests.

In town for the Fourth of July weekend? Then don't miss the sheer fun of the Capitol Fourth concert on the Capitol's West Lawn. The National Symphony Orchestra, military band and chorus plus guest artists will perform patriotic and popular music. Then head to the nearby Mall for the piece de resistance: extravagant fireworks, a 17-minute display of booming and colorful bursts.

Washington, D.C., is the place to be for America's 250th birthday celebration. As an added bonus: Events and most museums are free.

WHEN YOU GO

washington.org

DC250.US

National Archives Museum: To reserve free tickets or pay $1 for time-entry tickets: archives.gov/visit/tickets.

National Museum of American History: americanhistory.si.edu. Admission is free. No tickets are required.

National Air and Space Museum: airandspace.si.edu. Reserve free timed-entry passes. Obtain paid tickets to IMAX shows and free and paid tickets to the planetarium shows ahead of time.

Library of Congress: loc.gov

Renwick Gallery: americanart.si.edu/visit/renwick

U.S. Botanic Garden: usdg.gov

National Gallery of Art: nga.gov

Washington, D.C.'s, spectacular fireworks light the sky with the Washington Monument and the Capitol in the distance. Photo courtesy of Big Stock and Destination DC.

From the Lincoln Memorial visitors can see the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument. Photo courtesy of Adobe and Destination DC.

Murals and mosaics adorn the Library of Congress, which showcases Thomas Jefferson's rough draft of the Declaration of Independence for the America 250 celebration. Photo courtesy of Destination DC.

Candyce H. Stapen, www.greatfamilyvacations.com, is an award-winning travel writer, editor and author. Follow her on Instagram @CandyceStapen and on Twitter and Facebook @FamilyitripsDiscover www.HennysKids.org, Stapen's nonprofit that brings educational materials to rural schools in Africa.