What’s old is new in South Carolina.
For the first time in recent memory, the destination is truly leaning into its place among America’s original 13 colonies.
The timing could not be better, nor is it coincidental. To mark America’s Sestercentennial, the South Carolina General Assembly chartered the state’s 250th Anniversary Commission in 2019 to prepare for increased interest in history-based travel.
“South Carolina really saw this early on as an opportunity for economic impact,” says Libby Imbody, principal and lead brand strategist for AuthentiCiTY Brand Strategies, the state’s agency of record for the 250th celebration.
While the entire country will mark the milestone moment for the Declaration of Independence, South Carolina and other East Coast destinations have a distinct advantage in playing up their historical significance.
New York, home of The Statue of Liberty, projects $2.85 billion in economic activity, including a net new economic impact of $730 million to the city. Massachusetts, site of the Boston Tea Party, Washington, DC, the nation’s capital, and Pennsylvania, where the Declaration was signed, also figure to draw huge crowds, particularly around July 4.
Yet there is only so much time off travelers can secure to see all the sites. It’s a competition among destinations to make the most of this unique opportunity.
“As an economic development organization, our job is to grow visitation to Washington, DC to benefit residents and local businesses,” says Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC. “The collective strength of the partners working together will draw visitors all year. No other city offers so many cultural experiences, many of them free.”
Storytelling
By virtue of iconic venues such as The White House and Smithsonian Institution’s many museums, D.C. regularly counts on its history to draw future visitors. The 250th celebration just happens to draw more attention to its historic and cultural relevance.
For other destinations, like South Carolina, the emphasis on America’s founding has rekindled lost flames.
Generally speaking, Imbody acknowledges the South is commonly associated with the Civil War while the Mid-Atlantic and North tend to be celebrated for the American Revolution.
Through its proactive campaign, including billboards, print and social media ads, influencer videos, and partnerships with tour operators, South Carolina is not rewriting history but is rather trying to adjust the spotlight.
Not only is the state promoting a different era than it had previously, the historical commission is seeking to capitalize on the interest in Charleston to encourage road trips and stops in all 46 counties, says Imbody.
The anniversary is pushing South Carolina to go above and beyond the norm, so much so that Imbody’s firm created a brand called “Beyond 250.” The tourism arm of the historical commission is funded through 2030 as a nod to the fact that this year is a building block. One billboard even features the tagline: “The Declaration was just the beginning.”
SouthCarolina250.com notes that there were more than 400 battles, skirmishes and events across South Carolina. As a result, there are dozens of historical markers, museums, and homes dedicated to the revolutionary era. Grant money has allowed for improvements to enhance the visitor experience, including more accessible paths and sites, and digital, interactive signage.
The website includes a variety of itineraries, as do the similar pages created by destinations elsewhere in the U.S.
Promotions and Activations
D.C. got an early start on its 2026 events when Dallas-based experience design agency 900lbs, in collaboration with LMG, DCE Productions, and Yellow Dog Party, transformed the Washington Monument into a patriotic canvas featuring a projection-mapped experience that started on New Year’s Eve and ended Jan. 5 with a fireworks display.
Along with promotions for the related programming at the National Portrait Gallery, National Archives, and elsewhere, Destination DC also launched a 30-second ad designed to capture history-minded visitors.
Nearby Alexandria, Virginia, is playing up that it is actually 276 years old. Of note, the suburb where Mount Vernon is located will host Sail250 Virginia. The event, the largest public event in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the 250th, will feature tall ship tours, free music, family activities, exhibits, public art, and more.
Boston has been prepping since 2014, when its commission, Revolution 250, launched. Some early 2026 events to watch for include the reenactment of Henry Knox's Noble Artillery Train from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston, and on March 17, the city will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Evacuation Day, when British forces left Boston after eight years of occupying the city.
“As we approach the major events of this summer—FIFA World Cup, Tall Ships, and a scintillating production of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular as a part of July 4th programming—Greater Boston tourism partners, led by Meet Boston, will continue to leverage the city's unique role in the creation of America to drive visitation both domestically and internationally,” declared Dave O’Donnell, vice president of strategic communication at Meet Boston.
Photo Credit: AuthentiCiTY Brand Strategies