A Fourth of July 250 Years in the Making
June 16, 2026 | A250, Property Spotlights
In a few weeks, the United States will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The milestone, celebrated nationwide as America250, has been building all year. For Guest Services, a company that has spent more than a century welcoming guests to America’s parks, monuments, and public lands, this Fourth of July carries special weight. “We never viewed ourselves simply as operators in these spaces,” wrote CEO Nico Foris when we shared our vision for the celebration this spring. “We viewed ourselves as guests entrusted with something far bigger than our business.”
Now the vision is becoming real. Properties across the country are ready with events, special offers, and commemorative experiences for the anniversary weekend and beyond. Here is where to find the celebration.
Paddle Under the Nation’s Fireworks
There may be no better seat for the country’s 250th birthday fireworks than a kayak on the Potomac River. On the evening of July 4, Paddle Under the Fireworks launches from Key Bridge Boathouse and Thompson Boat Center in Washington, DC. Guides lead a leisurely sunset paddle as the city lights up, ending in one of the best viewing spots on the water as the fireworks burst overhead. The tour welcomes all skill levels and includes equipment and instruction. Boats are limited, and this one sells out, so reserve early.
The launch point carries history of its own. Key Bridge Boathouse sits at the foot of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, steps from the site of the Georgetown home where Key lived when he wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.” On the nation’s 250th birthday, you will be paddling the same stretch of the Potomac the anthem’s author once called home.
Barbecue and Fireworks at Bear Mountain
In New York’s Hudson Highlands, the Bear Mountain Inn kicks off the holiday season early with an Independence Day Celebration BBQ on June 26. Beginning at 4 p.m., guests can fill a plate with slow-smoked brisket, ribs, and pulled pork alongside mac and cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, and cornbread, then settle in for an evening fireworks display over the mountain. Come early, eat well, and stay for the show.
Few of our properties sit closer to the Revolution itself. Bear Mountain State Park holds the ruins of Fort Clinton, where American defenders made their stand against a British assault on the Hudson in October 1777. The park made history again in 1923, when the first completed section of the Appalachian Trail opened here, and the Inn itself has welcomed travelers since 1915.
A Fee-Free Fourth in the Everglades
Everglades National Park is waiving entrance fees for the entire holiday weekend, July 3 through July 5. That makes it the perfect window to explore Flamingo, the park’s southern outpost on Florida Bay, where boat tours, glamping, and the marina put the wildest corner of Florida within reach. Pair the free entrance with our America250 offer below and the weekend gets even sweeter.
The Everglades holds a milestone of its own in the American story. When President Harry Truman dedicated the park in 1947, it became the first national park created to protect a living ecosystem rather than a scenic landmark, a turning point in how the country thinks about conservation.
Save 25 Percent With Code AMERICA250
The celebration is not limited to a single weekend. Throughout 2026, the promo code AMERICA250 unlocks commemorative offers at participating properties from coast to coast:
- Keepsake lodging packages at lodges including Bear Mountain Inn, Big Sur Lodge, The Lodge at Breckenridge, The Lodge at Lake Guntersville, Flamingo Everglades, and the Wakulla Springs Lodge. Each package includes co-branded America250 souvenir swag plus a one-time 25 percent dining discount during your stay.
- 25 percent off boat tours and paddle craft rentals at participating Florida locations, from the springs of Weeki Wachee and De Leon to the mangroves of Oleta River.
- 25 percent off the Postcard Tour at Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures.
- Houseboat savings on Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and Lake Roosevelt, where select houseboat vacations are 25 percent off.
The commemorative gear is already arriving on property. At The Lodge at Wakulla Springs, exclusive America 250 merchandise has hit the shelves, with patriotic hats, tees, and water bottles inspired by classic Americana.
See our full lineup of America250 offers at Adventures Unbound, organized by state and property with booking links for each one. Select dates, locations, and restrictions apply, so check each offer’s details before you book.
A Celebration That Lasts Beyond the Fourth
America250 began for us in January, when we reflected on our role in America’s story and committed to bringing the celebration to life through culinary, retail, and on-site experiences all year long. The Fourth of July is the centerpiece, but the commemoration continues through December with themed menus, co-branded merchandise, and property activations still to come.
For Nico, that is exactly the point. “These parks are more than destinations,” he wrote. “They are classrooms, gathering places, and living reminders of our shared history and values.” His ambition for the year reaches past the fireworks: “If we do this right, America 250 won’t just be a moment of reflection. It will be a turning point that inspires lifelong appreciation, responsibility, and pride in our public lands and in what it truly means to be an American.”
Wherever the summer takes you, there is a place in the celebration waiting. We hope to see you out there.