What’s New in the USA for 2026

|Published on: Nov 25, 2025|Categories: Food, music, New Year, Travel & Lifestyle, Uncategorized, Welcome|

What’s New in the USA for 2026

Our USA clients have plenty of exciting events, new hotel openings and anniversaries to celebrate next year.  See below for more on planned 250th Anniversary Commemorations, FIFA Soccer World Cup ideas and some of the recent UNESCO and Michelin awards.

Louisiana

The Pelican State is inviting visitors to get active and venture off the beaten track as it celebrates 2026 as its Year of Outdoors.

  • The year-long initiative will showcase the natural beauty, rich flora and fauna, and myriad recreational opportunities that lie alongside Louisiana’s world-renowned culinary and musical scenes. Areas in the spotlight include airboat and kayak tours on the Atchafalaya Basin, America’s largest river swamp; ancient landmarks such as Poverty Point UNESCO World Heritage Site; Louisiana’s network of state parks; and the Audubon Golf Trail.
  • Explore Louisiana is encouraging visitors to get off the interstate and explore its scenic byways such as the 187-mile long Creole Nature Trail, spanning bayous, marshes and beaches. This All-American Road offers the perfect introduction to Louisiana’s ‘outback’, home to untouched wetlands, wildlife viewing, including excellent birding and small fishing communities offering fresh seafood.
  • Foodies can enjoy the Louisiana Hot Sauce Trail. The gourmet trail visits sites such as The Louisiana Pepper Exchange and celebrates local manufacturers such as Tabasco, on Avery Island. Visitors can also check in at different stops along the trail to earn points to redeem for prizes.

https://www.explorelouisiana.com/

Boston

Next year will see Boston own the spotlight for the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Celebrations commence with the inaugural year of dazzling winter activations across the city. These events will be followed by a summer of celebrations to welcome the world to this revolutionary city.

  • Frostival programming will reimagine winter in Boston, taking the iconic seasonal experiences that the city is known for – holiday lights, ice skating, tree lightings, Winter sports at TD Garden like Ice Hockey (Boston Bruins) and Basketball (Boston Celtics), and supplementing them with first-time events such as spectacular weekly drone shows over Boston Common starting November 29, an experiential winter activation at Copley Square, a Ferris wheel on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Femme Fête Wine Festival. Taking place on February 28 at the Cyclorama this will feature women-owned wineries, wine makers, and sommeliers from across the globe. Hotel partners are also developing dedicated overnight packages for all Boston Frostival programming.

“Winter in Boston has always been magical, and now we have more programming to entice visitors to come see for themselves,” said Martha J. Sheridan, President & CEO of Meet Boston. “Boston Frostival represents our commitment to redefining the city’s winter appeal – not just during the holidays, but throughout the entire season.”

  • FIFA World Cup – Boston will host seven thrilling matches during the tournament, with Group Stage play kicking off at the Boston Stadium on June 13, culminating on July 9 when Boston hosts a Quarter Final. Boston will set up fan zones and watch parties throughout the city.
  • Tall Ships will return to Boston Harbor as part Sail Boston® which will be the largest maritime celebration ever to visit the USA. Boston is the fifth and final port in the US that will host Sail 250®. Running from July 11 – 16, over 100 majestic ships from dozens of countries will take part in a Parade of Sail through Boston Harbor, which is wide enough to provide ample viewing areas yet narrow enough to afford great proximity and spectacular views.

https://www.meetboston.com/

Maverick Helicopters 

  • Maverick Helicopters is set to expand its operations in California with the launch of flight operations at Santa Monica Airport, making travel across Southern California seamless and luxurious.
  • The Santa Monica terminal, located within Atlantic Aviation, will serve as the exclusive departure point for the Hollywood & Beyond experience, a 30-minute aerial adventure showcasing the most iconic landmarks in the Los Angeles area. The terminal will also offer custom private charter services and direct helicopter transfers to Catalina Island.
  • Meanwhile, the operator is also preparing to make an exciting announcement regarding its operations in Hawaii.

https://www.maverickhelicopter.com/

Tupelo, MS

The birthplace of the King of Rock and Roll has new offerings and anniversaries that celebrate the rich history of the city.

  • Tupelo Hardware turns 100 and also marks the 80th Anniversary of Gladys, Elvis’ mother, purchasing his first guitar for his 11th birthday at the store. Visitors are welcome during the store’s regular hours to listen to tales told by store employees, whilst standing in the spot where Elvis first strummed a guitar.
  • The new Chickasaw Heritage Centre is being built in Tupelo, the historic center of the Chickasaw Nation. In a symbolic return to the Homeland, the Chickasaw Heritage Center (CHC) will be located off the Natchez Trace Parkway three miles south of the Natchez Trace Visitors Centre.

https://www.tupelo.net/

New England

New hotels, new movie locations and ski season welcome you to the New England region this new year.

  • Maine : A Residence Inn and Moxy Hotel by Marriott, opens its doors in Portland. This opening in 2026 marks the first hotel complex to be built at Thompson’s Point, Portland’s pre-eminent entertainment venue for concerts, events and seasonal ice skating.
  • New Hampshire: Cranmore Mountain Resort is introducing Cosmic Tubing for the 2025/2026 season. Cranmore will be the first ski resort in New Hampshire to offer this ‘enhanced tubing experience’ a great après-ski activity complete with funky lights and music.
  • Massachusetts: Jiminy Peak Becomes Ikon Pass Bonus Mountain – Jiminy Peak Jiminy Peak has joined the Ikon Pass as a Bonus Mountain for the 2025/2026 winter season. Ikon Pass holders are now able to ski/ride Jiminy Peak, 2 days during the 25/26 winter season (blackout dates apply).
  • Rhode Island : Remain, a supernatural thriller new movie set to release in autumn 2026 is currently shooting in the Ocean State. The film stars Hollywood actor Jake Gyllenhall and will feature sites across the state including Tavern on Main in the historic village of Chepachet, Glocester, RI.
  • Connecticut – 2026 welcomes the 30th annual International Festival of Arts & Ideas from April to June in New Haven.  VersoFest ’26 takes place March 26-29 in Westport at ‘The hippest damn library in the whole country’ – according to Chris Frantz of Talking Heads. As well as the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival on the New London waterfront in September 2026.
  • Vermont – Retro chic Sun & Ski Inn and Suites, Stowe is adding an addition 62 rooms, ready for visitors in the new year. Amenities at the Sun & Ski Inn include the Stowe Bowl indoor bowling alley and the Stowe Mini Golf Park.

https://discovernewengland.org/new-england-news/

New Orleans

The newest UNESCO Creative City of Music invites all to enjoy its culinary, sporty and musical offerings.

  • As the USA prepares to celebrate its 250th Anniversary in 2026, New Orleans will be the first stop on Sail 250. This major spectacle, backed by fireworks, ship tours and events including a welcome parade, will see a flotilla of tall ships – reputedly the largest the world has ever seen – descend on the port city, from May 28 to June 1, before continuing around the coast towards New York.
  • Fresh from having been designated a Creative City for Music by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in November – one of only 10 US cities to hold the distinction – New Orleans is set to welcome the Rockin’ 1000 next year. Featuring 1,000 musicians, the concert at the Caesars Superdome on January 31 will mark the act’s North American debut. From pounding drums to soaring vocals, this global music phenomenon is bringing its stadium-shaking sound to the birthplace of jazz.
  • Visitors are encouraged to check out the city’s three new Michelin Star restaurants, as announced on November 3. The illustrious trio, which all feature in the new Michelin Guide American South, comprise Emeril’s, which received Two Michelin stars, along with Saint-Germain and Zasu, both of which earned One Star. Emeril’s, with its modern take on Creole cuisine, was opened 35 years ago by legendary local chef and TV personality Emeril Lagasse, and it’s currently helmed by his son E J Lagasse who, at 22 years of age, is the youngest ever chef to lead a Two Michelin Star restaurant.
  • And with North America set to welcome the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer, New Orleans is preparing to welcome an influx of global visitors via its excellent flight, rail and road connections to many of the host cities.

https://www.neworleans.com/articles/post/whats-new-in-new-orleans-in-2026/ 

Mississippi

Join the celebrations in every part of Mississippi in 2026 with milestone anniversaries and fun festivals.

  • The 60thanniversary celebration of Margaret Walker’s “Jubilee” are in planning stages to be held on September 25, 2026. The celebration will include refreshments, readings, and words from notable Margaret Walker scholars and community members. The new exhibit, “Margaret Walker & the Power of Words,” located on Jack State University’s Campus will also be available for tours.
  • Festivals Galore – The Vicksburg Hipstoric Fine Art Festival is set to take place the last weekend of 2026 with 3 days of live music, fine art, kids activities and more. At Jackson, the  JXN Food & Wine Festival returns from March 20-22 expanding to a 3 day event. Elsewhere in Coastal Mississippi, Cruisin’ the Coast returns for its 30th year.

https://visitmississippi.org/

San Antonio

With new sustainable and inclusive initiatives, San Antonio is transforming travel in 2026…

  • Morgan’s Hotel™ coming Autumn 2026 – Located at the renowned Morgan’s Wonderland Ultra-Accessible™ theme park, this new hotel aims to transform the hospitality industry with its Ultra-Accommodating™ approach. By combining intentional design, advanced technology, and a highly responsive staff, the hotel goes beyond standard ADA requirements to deliver a thoughtful, personalised experience for guests of all ages and abilities. Founded by Gordon Hartman, Morgan’s Hotel™ will feature more than 90 spacious, accessible rooms, digital room keys, voice-activated controls and more.
  • The new 200-room, 17-storey boutique hotel located at Hemisfair has officially been named The Monarch San Antonio, in reference to the Monarch butterfly that migrates through the San Antonio region each autumn as the Dia de los Muertos festivities take place. The hotel is designed to be a convergence point for visitors and locals alike, drawing people together through enlivened interiors that reflect the journey of the butterfly.
  • Opening in late 2026, the new “Nature Playscape” is a 2-acre, nature-inspired, inclusive play area for children and families on the north end of Brackenridge Park, bordered by the San Antonio River. Designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, it will feature slides, swings, climbing towers, water play, a riverbed canyon theme, and sensory/creative play spaces.

https://www.visitsanantonio.com/

Tennessee

  • Hot properties – Set to open June 2026, the SongTeller Hotel in downtown Nashville will celebrate the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, complete with a museum, rooftop bar, live entertainment, and immersive storytelling elements. Meanwhile, over in the idyllic Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm, the sumptuous Relais & Châteaux resort in Walland, celebrates its 50thanniversary next year.
  • Marking Milestones – Staying in Nashville, Loveless cafe will celebrate 75 years as a beloved local institution, known for its Southern comfort food. Throughout the year, Loveless will host special celebrations and activations around the city to honour this milestone. This as The Union Station Nashville Yards, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, prepares to mark its 40th
  • Make it Memphis – The National Civil Rights Museum will unveil its new Legacy Building in early 2026, offering deeper context and a contemporary lens on one of the most important movements in modern history. Next year will also see the opening of an exciting new outdoor music venue in the city called Grind City Amp.
  • Food for thought – Meanwhile, January will see Tennessee Tourism build on the excitement around the November 3 announcement of the ratings for the new Michelin Guide American South with a new culinary campaign pairing local songwriters and chefs. Watch this space for more details!

https://www.tnvacation.com/

Tucson

Renovations, restorations and new resorts welcome you to Tucson in 2026.

  • Tucson’s downtown has been a focal point of revitalisation during the past few years. One of Tucson’s downtown neighbourhoods, Barrio Viejo, is currently seeking the National Historic Landmark designation and is the largest barrio in the U.S. There has been a renewed focus on Barrio Viejo and its historic buildings, including the restoration of Teatro Carmen, a 300-seat theatre, and the adjoining building, the one-time home of the Black Elks Club. Teatro Carmen’s renewed patio is slated to open in 2026 to the public and will feature community events, live music and outdoor dining.
  • New Properties – The Castle -Allure of the Desert is a new premier, clothing-optional, wellness resort for gay men coming to Tucson in early 2026. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the AAA Four-Diamond JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort began a new $70 million renovation that will continue over the next four years. The 575 guest rooms and over 100k-square-feet of meeting space will receive an extensive facelift with an estimated completion date of May 2026.

https://www.visittucson.org/

North Carolina

  • New flight route – Aer Lingus will launch its new flight service from the UK to Raleigh-Durham International Airport in April 2026. This exciting new route will connect with 13 regional UK destinations via Dublin, Ireland.
  • Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, enjoys close proximity to some beautiful vacation spots, and visitors can take advantage of the new route by planning road trips to the nearby towns of Durham, New Bern, Wilmington and more.

https://www.visitnc.com/

Additional images for the above stories, can be found here https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/tSJacyGBNJ

Ends

For more information on the above destinations, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk

For media enquiries, more information, hi-res images or video, please contact:

 Caroline Donaldson-Sinclair, PR Account Director: caroline@ttmworld.co.uk

For Meet Boston, Discover New England, and Visit San Antonio

 Jennie Jordan, Senior PR Account Manager: jennie@ttmworld.co.uk

For Visit Mississippi

 Karl Cushing, PR Account Manager: karl@ttmworld.co.uk

For Explore Louisiana, Tennessee Tourism, New Orleans & Company and Maverick Aviation

 Anisha Hegde, PR Account Executive: anisha@ttmworld.co.uk

For Visit Tucson

 Maxine Hanson, PR Executive: maxine@ttmworld.co.uk

 Kirsty Dillury, Chief Communications Officer kirsty@ttmworld.co.uk

For any other enquiries, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk, email ttmoffice@ttmworld.co.uk or

call +44 (0)208 313 1717