All eyes are on Washington, D.C., as the nation marks its 250th anniversary and semiquincentennial celebrations fill the capital. The city has spent more than a decade preparing to commemorate the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence, and there has never been a better time to visit.
“This is truly a milestone year for more than just the nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination DC, the city’s official destination marketing organization. “In 2026 we’re also celebrating the 75th anniversary of Arena Stage; the 50th anniversaries of the National Air and Space Museum and the Art Museum of the Americas; the 10th anniversary of the National Museum of African American History and Culture; and the 50th anniversary of go-go music, with the new Go-Go Museum and Café in historic Anacostia.”
Throughout the year, Washington will host major openings, free exhibitions and seasonal events across 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 on proud display at the National Archives Museum, but visitors also come to experience how that document’s legacy plays out across the district’s neighborhoods, museums and public spaces.
“Washington, D.C., is known for its monuments, memorials and museums, but there’s so much more to explore,” Ferguson added. “You’ll find vibrant neighborhoods, lively waterfronts, an internationally acclaimed culinary scene, beautiful parks and architecture, and a diverse community of about 700,000 residents who help shape the city’s unique character.”
Underground moving walkway at National Gallery of Art © Jon Bilous | Dreamstime.com
Although Washington is the seat of the federal government, it is also a global city shaped by residents from around the world. More than 180 embassies are located here, and many diplomats, staff and international chefs make the city their home after their postings, enriching the cultural and culinary landscape.
The spirit of celebration is evident in museums, restaurants and hotels across the city. Many hotels are offering special packages and anniversary promotions: Waldorf Astoria Washington DC features a Discover the Legacy package and themed afternoon tea; Conrad Washington, DC launched a 1776–2026 celebration package that pairs a three-night stay with curated capital experiences and an American whiskey tasting; and The Jefferson, Washington, DC continues to roll out programs and offerings throughout the year. The Jefferson’s location places it within walking distance of the White House and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream.
“There is incredible momentum in D.C.,” Ferguson said. “Following the fall 2025 debuts of the Milken Center and the National Archives Museum renovation, 2026 brings new openings and major renovations, including a museum beneath the Lincoln Memorial, the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, the African American Civil War Memorial Museum, updates to the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, an expansion of the National Air and Space Museum, an overhaul of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and a new concourse at Dulles International Airport.”
The city’s cultural calendar is full of noteworthy exhibitions — such as “Dear America” at the National Gallery of Art through Sept. 20 — and it offers plentiful opportunities for gatherings, meetings and special events tied to this historic year.
“Washington, D.C.’s meetings and conventions calendar remains strong, and planners continue to see new product coming online,” Ferguson explained. Several new and renovated hotels are set to open, including Tempo by Hilton Washington, DC Downtown in June 2026, while major cultural institutions like the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the National Archives will offer enhanced event spaces. Those venues provide distinctive options for conferences and gatherings that are uniquely Washingtonian.
“As the nation prepares for America’s 250th anniversary, Washington, D.C., will serve as center stage for that milestone,” Ferguson noted, “allowing meetings to align with a moment of national significance. Our Connected Campus model, which groups hotels, venues and cultural assets into walkable neighborhoods, continues to deliver a flexible, strong environment for meetings and conventions.”
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park © Zrfphoto | Dreamstime.com
SCENIC DRIVES
If you want to escape the city for a half-day or weekend, scenic drives from Washington offer memorable landscapes and historic stops. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is about an hour and 15 minutes away and combines charming streets, hiking and shopping. The drive itself is the highlight: urban views quickly give way to farmland, rolling pastures and mountain scenery. A short detour to Sugarloaf Mountain, a Registered Natural Landmark, provides a picnic-ready overlook with panoramic views.
About 1.5 hours from the capital, Shenandoah National Park is northern Virginia’s outdoor gem. The park’s nearly 200,000 acres feature family-friendly trails, more challenging hikes and Skyline Drive, which traces the Blue Ridge Mountains’ crest and offers spectacular vistas. A few hours farther west, the historic Greenbrier resort sits among the Allegheny Mountains. Once the site of a secret Cold War-era bunker designed for members of Congress, the Greenbrier today is a refined weekend destination where visitors can enjoy historic springs, elegant accommodations and storied hospitality.