Category Archives: A250

A Fourth of July 250 Years in the Making

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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.

Ring In the Fourth on Washington’s Waterfront

There may be no better seat for the country’s 250th birthday fireworks than a kayak on the water, and our Adventures Unbound Boathouses (formerly Boating in DC) have a paddle waiting in Washington, DC. The holiday lineup looks a little different this year, with river closures in place from July 2 through July 4, so here is where to find the celebration on the water.

Key Bridge Boathouse is the place to be on the river for the Fourth. It stays open for rentals through the weekend with one change for the holiday. From July 2 through July 4, all rentals launch north of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which shifts the route and viewing area for its 4th of July Fireworks Paddle.

The boathouse carries history of its own. It sits at the foot of the bridge, steps from the site of the Georgetown home where Francis Scott Key lived when he wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.” On the nation’s 250th birthday, you will be paddling the same river the anthem’s author once called home.

If you would rather celebrate on land, Thompson’s Boat Center has its rentals and water access closed from July 2 through July 4, though the building stays open for ice cream, drinks, and more, and the team is hosting a Land Party on the Fourth. For the full rundown across every location, see the list of river closures and changes for July 4th.

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.

Jet Skis and Live Music on Lake Mohave

Out west, Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina is hosting one of the liveliest celebrations of the weekend. Set on the shores of Lake Mohave just one hour south of Las Vegas, our Lake Mead Mohave Adventures team has lined up a full day of festivities for Saturday, July 4. Five-time world champion free rider Mark Gomez of JETEFX headlines two jet ski shows, a high-action freestyle performance at 5:30 p.m. and a red, white, and blue LED laser show at 7:30 p.m. Guests can watch from the marina or call ahead to reserve a spot in the coveted splash zone. An all-American BBQ dinner runs from 6 to 8 p.m., and the Velvet Moon Band takes the stage at 6 p.m.

The patriotic spread carries through the long weekend, with red, white, and blue pancakes, BBQ hot dogs, and souvenir specials priced at $2.50 to mark the nation’s anniversary. “Cottonwood Cove is the best kept secret for both locals and visitors alike this Fourth of July weekend,” said Lisa Duncan, Senior Director of Operations for Lake Mead Mohave Adventures. “Guests can escape the summer heat by spending the weekend cooling off in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Mohave before enjoying live music, an all-American BBQ and a thrilling jet ski stunt show featuring world champion Mark Gomez.” Lakeside rooms at the Cottonwood Cove Motel and RV sites with full hook-ups are still available for anyone who wants to stay the weekend.

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.

A Centennial Company Meets a 250-Year-Old Nation

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On July 4, 2026, the United States will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The national commemoration, known as America250, is a multi-year celebration reaching every corner of the country. For Guest Services, a company that has stewarded America’s national and state parks for more than a century, the moment is deeply personal. “We never viewed ourselves simply as operators in these spaces,” wrote CEO Nico Foris. “We viewed ourselves as guests entrusted with something far bigger than our business.”

A Celebration Already in Motion

Chris Bloyer, Vice President of Operations, has seen the energy firsthand. When our team opened a new food service operation at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, South Carolina, they turned the launch into a full America250 activation. “We needed local government and client approval to use A250 on our uniforms, menus, and signage, staff buy-in to proudly wear the new uniforms, and management buy-in to produce the menus and signs and take full advantage of all the opportunities available,” Chris said. Everyone got on board, and the opening became a showcase for what the celebration can look like when a whole property commits.

That momentum is building across the organization. Corporate partnerships with America250 and the administration’s Freedom 250 program are opening new doors. “The list of major corporations participating in A250 and F250 is extraordinary and growing every day,” Chris said. Existing relationships with our partner-vendors now include America250 product lines, and new partners like Ace Specialties have come on board to provide co-branded merchandise. Events are scheduled nationwide all year, giving our properties more opportunities to participate.

Nico grounded the opportunity in the company’s heritage. “From the very beginning, hospitality was core to who we were,” he wrote. That foundation evolved into trusted partnerships with the National Park Service and state park systems, built on consistency. “We lead with integrity, honesty, and fairness, and we treat everyone with dignity and respect. Over time, that consistency has been the foundation for earning, and keeping, their trust.” Today, our teams serve more than 30 million visitors annually.

Creative Activations from Coast to Coast

Laura Sherman, Vice President of Hospitality, outlined programs already rolling out across properties. A retail contest is challenging managers and cashiers to promote America250 and drive sales while showcasing property-specific logos. Properties are receiving logoed souvenir cups for specialty drinks created by staff, doubling as keepsakes for guests. America250 uniforms are going out to select locations to spark conversations about the anniversary. And Adventures Unbound is building lodging and recreation packages tied to the celebration, with Central Reservations agents ready to share the story with guests.

Brandy Frederich, Vice President of Hospitality, developed a toolkit of creative activation ideas for properties to adapt to their local settings. She recommended using the America250 Quick Reference toolkit to help teams “highlight local stories, cultures, flavors, art, and landscapes with respect and accuracy, connecting guests to the places we operate in.” Her concepts include:

  • Celebration Sips: Cocktails and mocktails named for local landmarks, like the Fort Fire Old Fashioned (“smoky warmth recalling campfire nights”) or the Trailhead Refresher mocktail.
  • Creative Merchandising Displays:  Use tasteful props and themed visual merchandising to create displays that draw guests in, spark curiosity, and connect merchandise to the local story. Rather than simply shelving products, build small scenes that reflect the heritage, industries, adventures, and landscapes tied to the property. Themes such as mining, gold foraging, and mountaineering equipment can create memorable focal points, with simple talking points that connect products to local stories, history, and the spirit of exploration.
  • Decade Dinner Specials:  Feature rotating specials inspired by different eras of the past, tied to each property’s unique history

Every Property Has an American Story

“Everywhere we operate and every client we serve has its own American story to tell,” Chris said. “We need to uncover what makes each one special and highlight it as part of what makes America.” His advice to unit teams: look at what you already offer and find the history behind it.

Serve chocolate chip cookies? Tell guests about Ruth Wakefield, who invented them at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts in the 1930s, one of the most iconic American food creations. Offer kayak rentals? Share the story of Greg Barton, who was born with two club feet and went on to win America’s first Olympic gold medals in kayaking at the 1988 Seoul Games, taking two golds in a single day by one-hundredth of a second. “America created National Parks,” Chris added. The stories are already there.

Brandy emphasized making the celebration personal for team members, too. She recommended property newsletters and communication boards with prompts like: “Who here carries a family tradition tied to this town or state?” and “Share a favorite person in history whose work helped shape this park.” When team members feel connected to the story, guests will too.

A Turning Point for the Next Generation

For Nico, the stakes go beyond 2026. “These parks are more than destinations,” he wrote. “They are classrooms, gathering places, and living reminders of our shared history and values.” He sees America250 as a chance to shape how the next generation connects with public lands: “When done right, hospitality becomes a powerful tool for conservation, helping ensure these parks remain accessible, respected, and preserved for future generations.”

He continued, “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.”