The year 2026 has been a huge one for the USA, with the World Cup taking over host cities in June and the country marking 250 years of independence on the Fourth of July. Between the two, it’s easy to see why little else got a look-in.
But there’s plenty more to the year than those headline moments. Route 66 turns 100, Louisiana has declared its own Year of the Outdoors and two states are making big strides in accessible travel. Dinosaur hunters can follow a brand new bone trail through Utah, bookish kids can walk in Tom Sawyer’s footsteps in Missouri and theme park fans have ride overhauls to look forward to at Disney.
Road trip, beach break or city stay, here’s why 2026 still deserves a spot on your family’s travel wish list, World Cup and anniversary aside.
Chicago, Illinois
Route 66 turns 100
Unplug your devices and take to the open road as 2026 marks the centenary of America’s most iconic road trip, Route 66.
At 2,448 miles, snaking through eight states – Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California – Route 66 serves Americana at legendary stops such as the blue whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma, Cadillac Ranch, with its painted half-buried cars, and the Big Texan in Amarillo, Texas, famed for its statues.
Route 66 also takes you to natural attractions such as Arizona’s Grand Canyon and California’s Mojave Desert, where you can explore indigenous history at Mohave Museum of History and the Arts in Kingman.
Cool Springs Station, near Kingman, Route 66
Louisiana’s Year of the Outdoors
Louisiana declared 2026 the “Year of the Outdoors”, so step out to take in a state rich in natural beauty and myriad adventures. The 180-mile Creole Nature Trail, from Sulphur to Lake Charles, has many scenic overlooks, with chances to spot alligators, spoonbills and more in wetlands and marshes. Explore the bayous, or take an airboat tour of America’s largest river swamp, the Atchafalaya Basin.
The state’s incredible music and culinary scenes pepper adventures with fun and flavour, with trails dedicated to Mather Point lookout in the Grand Canyon National Park, historic music sites, Louisiana boudin (a local sausage) and even gas station eats. Yes, you can sample excellent, affordable, local food when you top up your tank.
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Oregon
Accessibility wins in Oregon and New York
Oregon recently became the first state to be Accessibility Verified by accessible tour operator Wheel the World. It brings inclusivity to people with visible and non-visible disabilities by highlighting accessible features of hotels, outdoor adventures, cultural attractions and culinary experiences on their sites.
Inclusivity is also a feature in New York State, where Letchworth State Park’s first-of-its-kind Autism Nature Trail has stations supporting sensory engagement, reflection, play and social interaction on a mile loop. Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks is unveiling Zip Coaster, a thrilling rollercoaster-zipline hybrid flying riders of varying abilities through its rugged scenery. Then take to Tanglewood Nature Center’s Canopy Treetop Walkway in Finger Lakes. This elevated, fully accessible wooden trail rises 70ft into the forest canopy and opens to panoramic views.
Utahraptor State Park
Utah’s bone-hunting trail
Track dinosaurs along Utah’s 500-mile Dinosaur Diamond Highway loop from Salt Lake City to Moab’s newest park. Utahraptor State Park has prehistoric remains beneath its surface. Nearby, Dalton Wells has one of the largest dinosaur bone beds in North America – 5,500 bones of more than 10 dinosaur species have been recovered here. You can also do ATV, hike and mountain bike its trails.
Meanwhile, Under Canvas, recognised as the world’s first official Dark Sky certified resorts, has new safari-style kids’ tents in Moab, with wooden decks, starry night nightlights, and enchanting string lights, creating a magical, celestial family setting.
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Charleston, South Carolina
Storybook stops for mini culture lovers
Mark Twain’s most famous novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, is 150 years old this year, and its fictional town St Petersburg is based on Hannibal in Missouri, Twain’s childhood home.
Many places in his novels can be found in Hannibal, from Cardiff Hill to MacDougal’s Cave. The National Tom Sawyer Days festival took place there on 27 June this year, with something for all ages, from fence painting to frog jumping (made famous by Twain), fireworks over the Mississippi, plus a carnival and live music.
While the country celebrates 250 years of independence this year, it has a much longer history. Head to Chickasaw Heritage Center, opening in autumn, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to explore indigenous history through a state-of-the-art educational experience.
Charleston, South Carolina, is home to one of the world’s biggest names in art festivals, and this May, Spoleto USA marked its 50th year. Expect whimsical children’s shows and workshops for kids to release their own creativity.
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Entrance, Universal Epic Universe, Orlando
From Theme Parks to Corgi Beach Days
While the launch of Universal’s Epic Universe brought five new immersive worlds and more than 50 rides to Universal Orlando last year, there are no major developments for 2026, but still plenty to enjoy if you haven’t visited in a while.
Over at Disney, you’ll find updates to rides including Star Wars Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run at both Orlando’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland in California, which coincides with the new film Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu in May. Similar overhauls will be carried out on Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom.
Charleston’s Boone Hall is home to April’s Lowcountry Strawberry Festival, with music, a petting zoo, hayrides and a truck of strawberry treats.
For wacky fun, hit Huntington Beach Pier in California for a day of tail-wagging entertainment. Corgi Beach Day, which was on 4 April, features corgis from around the country taking part in best-dressed, loudest bark and eating contests in a day focused on pet rescue, education and community.
The USA is a melting pot of adventure, great food, music, history and fun discovery brewed by the myriad of people and cultures that form this incredible nation. With the huge number of anniversaries and events this year, it’s well worth adding it to your travel plans.
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