Sponsored Content
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Washington, D.C., invites groups from across the country to celebrate a milestone year by exploring the places where the nation’s long path toward freedom took shape. Experiencing these sites together offers a meaningful way to understand the Civil War era, the fight for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equality, all leading up to a spectacular Fourth of July finale with fireworks rising behind the Lincoln Memorial.
Begin your journey at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2026. This museum serves as a vital starting point for any group seeking to explore the history of freedom in the United States. Visitors move through powerful galleries tracing the African American experience from the nation’s earliest days through the Civil War and into modern times. Exhibits highlight contributions, struggles and triumphs that have long been overlooked, setting a strong foundation for the rest of your DC itinerary.
A visit to the Lincoln Memorial brings that history into an even sharper focus. Standing at the feet of Abraham Lincoln invites reflection on the immense challenges the country faced during the Civil War and the leadership that helped preserve the Union. This year also marks the public opening of the memorial’s long-hidden undercroft, adding a new layer of discovery to any visit. Groups often pause at the plaque marking where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, a reminder of the memorial’s role in the ongoing pursuit of equality. During the anniversary year, this meaning deepens, and on the night of July 4th, the memorial becomes the majestic backdrop for DC’s fireworks display, offering a breathtaking shared moment for any group.
Nearby, the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial connects the era of emancipation to the movement for civil rights a century later. Dr. King’s image, emerging from the Stone of Hope, faces the Tidal Basin with quiet strength. The surrounding inscriptions encourage visitors to reflect on justice, peace and the responsibility each generation bears in advancing freedom.
To understand the critical military role African Americans played during the Civil War, the African American Civil War Museum on historic U Street is a must-visit destination. While the museum undergoes renovations, the memorial statue and monument listing the names of Black troops remain open to the public. The museum honors more than 209,000 Black soldiers and sailors who served in the United States Colored Troops, and its location — just steps from local landmarks like Ben’s Chili Bowl — adds even more cultural resonance to the experience.
A short distance away, the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House adds another chapter to this journey. As the headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women, the home highlights Bethune’s leadership in education and civil rights, as well as her role in expanding opportunities within African American communities.
Adding a new dimension to your visit, DC will debut 51 Steps to Freedom, an augmented reality walking tour that leads travelers through neighborhoods and landmark sites. By downloading a mobile app, groups can unlock videos, music, artwork and archival audio that bring freedom stories to life. The pilot version, featuring the first 16 stops, has launched, and all 51 are expected to be available by July 2026.
Together, these sites create a powerful and inspiring path to July 4th, when the nation gathers on the National Mall and fireworks light the sky above the Lincoln Memorial, celebrating both the history we share and the future we choose to build. For more information about America’s 250th anniversary in Washington, DC, visit DC250.us.
