The star-spangled planner: 50 awesome reasons to visit the USA in 2026
Still debating whether to take that big American adventure next year? Consider this your prompt. From historic celebrations to ‘you-just-gotta-see-it’ attractions, here are 50 of the best reasons to book your ticket today
Words: Zoey Goto
Illustrations: Ellice Weaver
02/07/2025
Next year is a blockbuster time to visit the USA, with the 250th anniversary of American Independence, FIFA matches kicking off nationwide, fabulous Barbie experiences, jazzy centennials and a Route 66 retro revival all thrown in the heady mix. And with British Airways – and its partner American Airlines – you can see more of North America than ever before. So, what’s coming up?
1. Salute America’s 250th anniversary in Boston
With 2026 marking 250 years of signing the Declaration of Independence, Massachusetts – the birthplace of the Revolution – is the place to be. Events run all year, but things really heat up in the spring. On 19 April, Lexington hosts a dramatic historical reenactment of the “shot heard round the world”, followed by Arlington’s Battle of Menotomy on 20 April, featuring costumed clashes.
2. Enjoy the thrill of Orlando’s Universal Epic Universe
Universal Epic Universe, which opened to much fanfare in May 2025, is the first major theme park to open in Orlando in 25 years. It’s a $7bn mega-park with five immersive worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe and Celestial Park. Fly into Orlando airport, now home to a brand-new Universal Epic Universe store, to kick-start the fun before you even hit the park.
3. Save big bucks on haute cuisine in New York City
Splurge season is year-round in NYC, but Restaurant Week is the sweet spot. Twice a year (between January and February or July and August), top restaurants slash prices on their prix fixe menus. Book a table at Gage & Tollner for a classic steakhouse spread or Aska for Nordic artistry. Big flavours, small(ish) bills – what’s not to love? For exact dates visit nyctourism.com.
4. Catch cherry blossom in Washington, DC
Each spring, Washington, DC trades power suits for petals. From late-March to mid-April, the National Cherry Blossom Festival drenches the capital in blush-toned beauty, with parades, performances and pink everywhere. While there, check into the recently opened Sixty DC, a sumptuous hotel with a slinky cocktail bar.
5. Discover Orlando’s surprising Michelin-starred restaurant
Gone are the days of solely deep-fried theme park fare. Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian holds a Michelin star, serving elevated tasting menus, crisp white linens and a regal wine list – just steps from the Cinderella Castle.
6. Get witchy in Salem
A new wave of witches is lighting up Salem. Snap your rainbow aura at Hauswitch, craft a broom at The Witchery, then crash at The Cove Hotel’s storybook-style witch’s cottage guestroom. Halloween’s a hoot, but there’s magic to be found here year-round.
7. Quit playing games in Las Vegas
There’s never a dull moment in the City of Lights, but 2026 really turns up the razzle-dazzle. Catch Cirque du Soleil acrobatics in KÀ at MGM Grand, Kelly Clarkson’s powerhouse vocals at Caesars Palace, and the Backstreet Boys lighting up Sphere – proving they’re back (all right!) and not just in your 1990s playlist.
8. Attend Sundance’s final Utah farewell
Sundance will soon bid farewell to its Utah roots, concluding its tenure in Park City and Salt Lake City before relocating to Boulder in 2027. From 22 January to 1 February 2026, expect 90 features, 50+ shorts, panels, workshops and industry events celebrating indie cinema.
9. Get closer to The King in Memphis
Elvis fans can now experience Graceland like never before with the new Presley for a Day tour. Ride the estate’s horses, stroke The King’s bejewelled jumpsuits and enjoy an exclusive after-hours tour of the mansion. It will leave you all shook up.
10. Let the kids run free in San Francisco
The recently opened Outpost Playground at Presidio Tunnel Tops invites kids to climb, build and explore with natural materials. Nearby, the Presidio Field Station offers hands-on activities such as clay modelling, birdwatching and landscape drawing. Best of all, both activities are free.
11. Take a foodie break in Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma, once a flyover city, is now a culinary destination with more James Beard-nominated chefs than you can shake a stick at – so arrive hungry. Must-visits include Nātv, a modern Native American eatery, and Doctor Kustom, serving up Indigenous Brazilian dishes such as the lip-smacking picanha sandwich.
12. Come on, Barbie, let’s go party in Kansas City
Mattel Adventure Park Kansas City opens in 2026 with Hot Wheels rides and Thomas & Friends play areas, but the star of the show is Barbie. A holographic dream closet, a Barbie-themed flying theatre and an outrageously pink restaurant and bar? It’s plastic, fantastic and as fabulous as a Malibu dream car.
13. Splash in muddy puddles in Dallas
Peppa Pig mania continues with the recent opening of America’s first standalone Peppa Pig Theme Park. Highlights include Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster and Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure, plus inclusive features such as wheelchair-accessible paths and quiet sensory spaces. Oink-tastic fun for all.
14. Sleep in a revived motel in Albuquerque
Revving up for Route 66’s 2026 centennial, motels lining the route are getting spruced up. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a wave of openings has turned mid-century motor lodges into stylish boutique stays. The Monterey Motel, Arrive Albuquerque and El Vado Motel have all been made hip for a new generation of road trippers.
15. Experience Mardi Gras, New Orleans style
There’s no better time to visit NOLA than during Mardi Gras in February, when the city bursts into a kaleidoscope of colour, beads and music. The Four Seasons offers VIP parade viewing packages, while the Catahoula hosts rooftop live jams. Plan early as rooms book with lightning speed.
16. Holiday like Hank Williams in Knoxville
Knoxville’s most storied building remerges as the Andrew Johnson Hotel in 2026 after a major renovation. The historic guest book is filled with signatures from Amelia Earhart, Jean-Paul Sartre and Hank Williams – check in, you’re in good company.
17. Join the country’s largest Day of the Dead festival in San Antonio
Also Known as Día de Muertos, San Antonio’s Day of the Dead is both a heartfelt tribute to the departed and a dazzling spectacle to behold. On 1 November, the city bursts to life with adorned altars, glowing boats on the River Walk and dancers in traditional dress filling the streets.
18. Two-step at Morgan Wallen Nashville’s honky-tonk
Nashville’s celebrity-owned honky-tonk lineup keeps growing. Garth Brooks’ Friends in Low Places, Eric Church’s Chief’s, and Luke Combs’ Category 10 are recent additions. Come 2026, Morgan Wallen joins the fray with This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen – a six-story mega music venue on Lower Broadway.
Take off to Nashville
19. Behold Memphis’ architectural renaissance
Bluff City is undergoing an architectural revival, highlighted by Tom Lee Park and Crosstown Concourse. In 2026, the spotlight turns to the new Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, featuring minimalist exhibition spaces and a rooftop deck overlooking the mighty Mississippi River.
20. Loop the loop at LEGOLAND
Hold onto your hats, as LEGOLAND will be rolling out two first-of-their-kind indoor coasters in 2026. The groundbreaking attractions, debuting in both Florida and California, will mark the parks’ first new coasters in more than two decades. A fresh twist on family entertainment awaits.
21. Eat like a prince at Louisiana’s gas stations
You don’t have to spend a fortune to eat like royalty in Louisiana, a state so proud of its gas station cuisine, that it’s created a trail for peckish tourists. Start in New Orleans and drive along scenic byways scoffing Natchitoches pies, Zwolle tamales and Mennonite-baked desserts.
22. Paddle into Indigenous culture in Seattle
Opening early 2026, the Northwest Native Canoe Center’s Carving House at South Lake Union will spotlight Pacific Northwest canoe culture. With live carving demos, storytelling and canoe launches, this is a hands-on exploration of the deep connections between culture, land and water.
23. Get far-out in San Francisco
Located in the bohemian heart of Haight-Ashbury, the Counterculture Museum examines San Francisco’s rebellious past. From the Beat Generation to the hippie movement, it’s a crash course in the shifts that rocked society – and continue to keep it gloriously weird today.
24. Savour Kansas City’s BBQ Museum
Kansas City, Missouri – a BBQ powerhouse since its first slow-cooked joint opened in 1908 – is now home to the world’s first Museum of BBQ. Tuck into ten interactive exhibits, a kid-friendly bean pit, and a sauce bar. Hungry for more? Don’t miss Barbacoa’s delicious Mexican-American BBQ fusion.
25. Score big with FIFA in Atlanta
Take your pick of US destinations hosting FIFA matches in June and July - Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle. But Atlanta’s taken things next level with Centennial Yards: a sparkling new hub with hotels, shops and a plaza for exuberant fans to congregate in. Football’s coming home, y’all!
26. Graze the smorgasbord in Portland
Set to open in late 2025, the James Beard Public Market will be Portland, Oregon’s new foodie haven. Picture a vibrant space filled with local vendors offering fresh produce, cheeses, flowers, spices, and baked goods, all with the irresistible aroma of coffee wafting in the air.
27. Go electric on Route 66 in Chicago
Illinois is gearing up to celebrate 100 years of Route 66 with events honouring the iconic Mother Road. Start in Chicago with a photo at the Route 66 Begin Sign, then head to Pontiac’s Hall of Fame and Springfield’s restored Neon Park. With new EV chargers along the route, this classic road trip has been given a green twist.
28. Raise a glass to Gatsby in Austin
The Roaring Twenties hit Texas as The Great Gatsby musical shimmies into Bass Concert Hall next March. There’ll be glitz and Champagne-soaked drama in this Tony-winning Broadway extravaganza based on F Scott Fitzgerald’s tale of love, wealth and heartbreak.
29. Brush up on the arts in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is buzzing with new cultural hotspots in 2026. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, co-founded by movie maker George Lucas, opens in Exposition Park. Meanwhile, LACMA adds a new wing, and things will take a turn for the trippy with Meow Wolf’s psychedelic art experience, promising a mind-bending journey.
31. Tie the knot in Las Vegas
Weddings in Sin City just got a glow-up. The newly unveiled Sure Thing Chapel features an Instagenic backdrop and officiants dressed as Elvis or burlesque showgirls. The Little Vegas Chapel offers an Elvis package, while the Neon Museum hosts photogenic ceremonies among dreamy vintage signage.
32. Ditch the car in Los Angeles
Bumper-to-bumper traffic is a classic Tinseltown complaint, but change is up ahead. From January 2026, LAX debuts the Automated People Mover: a free, 24/7 electric train linking terminals, ride shares and Metro lines. With LA’s transit network expanding city-wide, gridlock could finally get a rewrite. Hollywood ending? Don’t rule it out.
33. Meet Minions in Texas
Quick, tell the kids: Universal Kids Resort is set to open in Frisco, just in time for the summer holidays. It’s the first Universal theme park created specifically for families with younger children (measuring up to 46 inches tall). There’ll be six themed lands featuring Shrek, Trolls, SpongeBob and more, plus a colourful 300-room hotel.
34. Attend the ultimate Lone Star party in Houston
Everything’s bigger in Texas – and Houston proves it. Its Wild West extravaganza takes over NRG Park stadium in March, with three weeks of barrel racing, meaty BBQ battles and big-name musical acts. New rides will debut at the fairgrounds, including four giant coasters. Dust off your Stetson and join the fun.
35. Journey through Washington, DC
Budding adventurers, take note: the National Geographic Museum of Exploration opens in mid-2026 in downtown Washington, DC. Step through a soaring statue of the magazine’s yellow border, then explore galleries packed with wildlife, landscapes and global cultures.
36. Get jazzy in New York City’s Harlem
2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, a pivotal movement that shaped African American culture. Era monuments still stand, including the Apollo, a legendary theatre hosting comedy and concerts. Nearby, Minton’s Playhouse is a hopping jazz joint, while the Studio Museum in Harlem is a slick gallery opening in late 2025.
37. Take pride in New York City
NYC’s long-awaited landmark opens in 2026: the American LGBTQ+ Museum, tucked inside the New York Historical Society. The permanent and evolving exhibits will chart the fight for Queer freedom and equality. Bonus: the museum’s own rainbow flag wine drops in time to toast Pride in June.
38. Hit it out of the park in Miami
Baseball goes global in Miami as the World Baseball Classic hits LoanDepot Park in March. Catch the semifinals and finals, then swing by the baseball exhibits at History Miami Museum or throw a curveball by joining Little Havana’s post-game street celebrations. Batter up!
39. Dropkick into New Orleans
For an all-American spectacle, head to Caesars Superdome in April for WrestleMania 42. The Super Bowl of professional wrestling spans two nights packed with Spandex, mullets and larger-than-life personalities. If you’re not hollering and high-fiving strangers by the end, did you even experience it?
40. Tap into the world’s first AI Museum in Los Angeles
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying artificial intelligence is here to stay. Delve into the ethics and creativity of AI at Dataland, near the Museum of Contemporary Art. The high-tech museum opens late 2025 unless, of course, there’s a technical glitch.
41. Discover New York State’s latest outdoorsy trail
New York’s latest rail-to-trail gem is the Adirondack Rail Trail. Spanning 34 miles through leafy wilderness, it links Lake Placid, Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. Perfect for cyclists, hikers, birders and wheelchair users, it’s an all-seasons escape for adventurers of every stripe.
42. Jump aboard the Mardi Gras train
Resuming in June 2025, following a 20-year hiatus, Amtrak’s three-hour train ride connects New Orleans to Mobile. Just beyond the window are scenic views of Cajun country and coastal Mississippi – perfect for a dose of Southern charm.
43. Keep the hits coming in Detroit
Reopening summer 2026 after an expansion to the tune of $75m, Detroit’s iconic Motown Museum – aka Hitsville USA – returns bigger and better. Featuring hands-on exhibits, a café, recording studio, and a performance theatre, all spotlighting the game-changing label that gave us countless soulful hits during its 1960s heyday.
44. Score a ticket to The Big House in Michigan
Want a true slice of Americana? Skip the Super Bowl scramble and head to Michigan Stadium, known as The Big House. With 109,000 roaring fans, marching bands, cheerleaders and fighter jet flyovers, the Michigan Wolverines season plays out in autumn. It’s college football cranked up to the max.
45. Bask in Palm Springs Cool
Design lovers hit Palm Springs each February and October for Modernism Week, featuring 350+ events, house tours and glittering pool parties. Turning 21 in 2026, the festival is peak retro fabulous. Book early to snag a room at the Trixie Motel, a drag queen-owned mid-century hideaway.
46. Watch the beautiful game in Miami
Miami Freedom Park is on track to become the must-visit football – or rather soccer – stadium of 2026. Costing a cool $1bn, this 25,000-seat stadium for Inter Miami is situated near the airport and surrounded by green parks and stylish restaurants. If you’re lucky, Becks may even be in attendance.
47. Catch a Broadway show in New York City
Broadway’s got bite in 2026. The Lost Boys brings teenage vampires to life, while the legendary Studio 54 revives Richard O’Brien’s classic The Rocky Horror Show. Both premieres hit in the spring, so book well ahead to do the time warp again.
48. Blast off in Washington, DC
July marks half a century since the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, launched. Visit to see treasured artifacts such as the Wright brothers’ plane and Apollo 11 module, plus new galleries including the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall, Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight exhibit and a new wide-screen IMAX theatre.
49. Celebrate America’s semiquincentennial in Philadelphia
Throughout 2026, Philly will make every day feel like the 4th of July, as it commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. There’s a packed schedule of events, including the Wawa Welcome America Festival, historic exhibits, parades, fireworks, and the Red, White & Blue To-Do on 2 July.
50. Have the time of your life in Virginia
With the Dirty Dancing sequel out in late 2025, now’s the time to book into Mountain Lake Lodge – the onscreen Kellerman’s Lodge. Just a couple of hours from Charlotte, it’s hosting Dirty Dancing weekenders throughout the summer. Think film screenings, dress-up contests and, of course, dance classes. Because nobody puts baby in a corner.
Fly to the USA with British Airways and IAG partner American Airlines and tick off all the country’s unmissable experiences.
