Head to Washington, D.C. This Year for America’s 250th Birthday

America is celebrating a big one this year. It’s been 250 years since it became a country, and the party is going to last all year long, especially in places like Washington, D.C. There are celebrations planned all year long, so if you can’t make it for the actual birthday on July 4, there are still plenty of ways for the family to celebrate and enjoy the fun.

Hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions and more will be hosting events and activities throughout the year, and the capital will be welcoming a number of new openings and re-openings showcasing the country’s identity that dates back to before it was even officially a nation. The National Mall will be home to ongoing activations, while celebrations that happen year after year, such as Presidents’ Day (Feb. 16), Memorial Day Festivities (May 23–25), the annual Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20–April 12) and Veterans Day (Nov. 11) will continue as usual, but with a lot of extra oomph and expanded programming to commemorate the nation’s birthday.

During a visit to the capital, you’ll want to stop at the National Archives to see first-hand the country’s founding document, the Declaration of Independence. While this is a must in any year, the significance of the document carries quite a bit of weight during such an important year for the nation.

You’ll also want to visit spots like the Lincoln Undercroft, the space underneath the Lincoln Memorial. Expected to open in July, this space will be home to exhibits showcasing the history of the Lincoln Memorial and will be an all-new experience for the city. This year will also see the opening of the National Geographic Museum of Exploration (opening this summer) and the reopening of attractions like the Galleries at the National Air and Space Museum, which has recently undergone an extensive renovation, and the Smithsonian Castle, which will reopen temporarily from May 22 to Sept. 7 to welcome visitors for the country’s semiquincentennial.

Hotels and restaurants around the city will also be offering special deals and experiences throughout the year, but the big event will take place on Independence Day. This year’s parade and fireworks extravaganza at the National Mall is sure to be an epic celebration worthy of an epic birthday.