Anniversaries are celebrations of how far we have come—socially, professionally, and personally. America has come a long way in 250 years, and that’s something worth honoring in a major way. But, with this semiquincentennial anniversary comes a slew of other, lesser-known anniversaries to be aware of, too. After all, each one warrants a celebration of its own—perhaps not as widespread as America’s 250th, but still deserving of special recognition.
As you and your tourgoers honor this landmark year, don’t forget to celebrate and support the other destinations and attractions that have come a long way since their respective starts. History doesn’t always happen on a grand scale; sometimes, it unfolds in a microcosm of its own. And those microcosms often hold a special place in the hearts of many.
From beloved national landmarks marking milestone birthdays to cultural institutions quietly celebrating decades of community impact, the next few years offer countless opportunities to weave meaningful commemorations into your itineraries. These anniversaries invite travelers to look closer, honor the past, and carry on those legacies for generations to come.
JOURNEYS & DESTINATIONS
Celebrating 100 years of history this year is America’s Mother Road: Route 66. Though the route was formally decommissioned and removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985, its legacy lives on in the form of commemorative museums, kitschy roadside attractions, and historical stops that serviced thousands of travelers every year.
Stretching from Illinois to California, special events and exhibits are slated to take place throughout this year following the official National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration in April. These events include family-friendly festivals, screenings of a new documentary, live musical performances, art installations, and caravan-style road trips along the historic route.
Colorado, aptly nicknamed the Centennial State, is another destination with its own reason to celebrate this year. Colorado gained its statehood in 1876, a century after the United States declared its independence from Great Britain. In tandem with the U.S. Semiquincentennial, Colorado has reached its sesquicentennial—150 years of statehood.
To celebrate this anniversary, the state has established an America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission. The goal of the commission is to encourage Coloradans and visitors to “pause, reflect upon, and honor” the state’s history. The commission is featuring 12 signature initiatives that will continue to unfold throughout the year. Those initiatives include adding 150 new and revised historic sites to the State Register, various history exhibitions, a series of drone shows, and so much more.
This year also marks a big year for Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As the city celebrates 180 years of history, the Wisconsin State Fair—hosted just outside the city—also turns 175. To learn a little more about Wisconsin’s biggest city (and beyond), groups can visit the Milwaukee Public Museum or the Milwaukee County Historical Society.
Credit: Paisley Park Enterprises
LASTING LEGACIES
In Chanhassen, Minnesota, the Paisley Park museum is commemorating the passing of a musical legend. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Prince’s death. Paisley Park, once the private estate of Prince, opened to the public in 2016 following his passing earlier in the same year. While the museum honors the famed musician every year—and, truly, every day—this year’s Celebration of Life will carry with it a decade of shared grief, love, and appreciation.
Museum Collections Manager Makayla Elder says Prince wanted to establish a creative sanctuary near his hometown of Minneapolis, noting that he often said, “It’s so cold, it keeps the bad people out.” That dream was accomplished in 1987. Paisley Park includes four recording studios that allowed Prince to record whenever he was feeling that creative spirit. The property also includes a three-story soundstage, leisure areas, and the NPG Music Club, where Prince would do late-night performances.
Elder says the museum always commemorates Prince’s life on the anniversary of his death, April 21, with the annual “A Day 2 Reflect and A Night 2 Remember.” The celebration features a variety of tours, tributes to the late rock star, a remembrance fence setup, a candle lighting, and the NPG Music Club is opened to the public for free on that day, allowing people to pay their respects without purchasing a ticket.
“It’s a very emotional event,” Elder says. “It has a lot of emotions, a lot of tears, but there’s also a lot of happiness. It’s a way for guests to be together and not be alone on this day, and they all can share in Prince’s legacy and what he left.”
According to Elder, who spoke with Heritage + History prior to this year’s celebration, the event does typically draw larger crowds as people feel the need to come and honor Prince. “A lot of people are so thankful for what he contributed to their lives, and they feel that they should do that. … There’s usually not a dry eye that day, but I feel like we will see a little higher number this year.”
For tourgoers looking to explore Paisley Park as it celebrates the past decade, the museum offers private, guided tours for groups. There also is an option to add on a two-hour reception at the end of the private tour, allowing guests to stay a little longer, socialize, and visit the museum cafe. Other tour options include the general “Paisley Experience,” the “VIP Experience,” and the “Ultimate Experience.” Just note: The museum does not allow guests to bring in their phones or cameras!
ICONIC VENUES
Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry turned 100 near the end of 2025, marking a century of live musical performances in Music City. The venue will continue to celebrate this milestone anniversary throughout this year with an ongoing “Opry 100” series of shows that honor the past, present, and future of country music, as well as an elevated “Opry Backstage” tour option that features exclusive photos and memorabilia.
The venue also released an “Opry 100” album after compiling a list of the 100 greatest country songs of all time, according to fans. The album was released to highlight 20 of those tracks in the form of never-before-released live performance recordings from the Opry stage.
“There is nothing more authentic and iconic than the Grand Ole Opry,” says Kristi Driver, senior international sales manager at the Opry. “A night at the Opry blends a variety of music, storytelling, and tradition in a way that gives guests the rare chance to enjoy multiple performers in one unforgettable evening—an experience they’ll be talking about long after the trip is over.”
The Opry offers discounted rates for groups of 15 or more for tours and shows. Driver says the venue will continue to announce special events and surprise guests throughout the year as the centennial celebration continues.
Credit: Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board
MORE TO EXPLORE
The celebrations don’t stop there. Pennsylvania’s Valley Forge National Historical Park turns 50 this year, as the land was gifted to the American people by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to honor the U.S. bicentennial. In celebration of the anniversary, visitors will find commemorative exhibits and stories all around the park, on social media, and on the National Park Service app. From July 3-5, the park will host an opening ceremony followed by a weekend of festivities that include musket and cannon demonstrations, live music, reenactments, and more.
Colonial Williamsburg, in Virginia, is celebrating 100 years of history in tandem with America’s 250th this year. In celebration of both anniversaries, the park will feature special programs, world-class musical performances, and new exhibits.
Keep an eye out for upcoming celebrations in the next few years, as well. New York City’s Museum of Modern Art will turn 100 in 2029. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, facilitator of the annual Pennsylvania Flower Show, will celebrate its 200th year in 2027.
As America marks 250 years, it’s the perfect reminder that history is not just a single milestone. It’s a collection of stories, places, and people that continue to shape who we are. Each anniversary celebration offers travelers a deeper connection to the communities they visit. By weaving these meaningful anniversaries into your itineraries, you give tourgoers the chance to not only witness history but also to actively participate in it.
By Maedline Fuerstenberg
Main Image: Route 66 Motoporium, Route 66, Seligman, Arizona; Credit: Adobe/Jon_Chica
