While nearly half of the year is over as we approach America’s 250th birthday, here’s a list of my thoughts on ways to celebrate our country, Texas style. The signing of the Declaration of Independence, which took place 1/4 of a millennium ago, is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Texans know how to celebrate, and so do the communities they call home. Enjoy this milestone for the good old USA!
Visit Texas’s Presidential Libraries and Historic Sites
Texas is home to 11 sites dedicated to past American Presidents, including three presidential libraries, historic sites, and a museum that chronicles the life, legacy, and assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I’ve selected two libraries and a historical park for this post, but I encourage you to check out all of the locations. Visiting them is a way to connect with the stories, challenges, and achievements that have shaped our country.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Located in the Texas Hill Country, the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park preserves the birthplace, home, ranch, and final resting place of America’s 36th President. The official LBJ Presidential Library is located in Austin. The park offers a glimpse into LBJ’s life, from his humble beginnings to his years in the White House.
George H.W. Bush Library in College Station
The campus of Texas A&M University in College Station is home to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Chronicling the life and service of the 41st President, it features exhibits on his military service in World War II and his diplomatic and political career.
George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas
Located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the George W. Bush Presidential Center offers a look into the presidency of the 43rd President of the United States. The museum provides insight into major moments such as 9/11 and global diplomacy. Visitors can also explore a full-scale replica of the Oval Office and experience the decision-making process in the “Situation Room.”
Enjoy a Parade
Texas parades are a feast of patriotic floats, marching bands, and local flavor. Dress in red, white, and blue to join the fun or simply watch and soak in the energy.
Crape Myrtle Festival in Waxahachie
Waxahachie offers a colorful twist on Independence Day with its annual Crape Myrtle Festival. The celebration kicks off with a parade featuring vibrant floats, decorated bikes, and plenty of hometown spirit. Having just visited Waxahachie, I can attest to its patriotism.
Fourth of July Parade: Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary in Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg pulls out all the stops for its Fourth of July Parade. For America’s 250th, the celebration in this German town promises to be bigger than ever. Main Street fills with classic cars, marching bands, and festive floats.
Coolest 4th of July Festival in Fort Davis
Set in West Texas, the Coolest 4th of July Festival in Fort Davis lives up to its name. With the scenic Davis Mountains as a backdrop, families can enjoy the festive atmosphere of this community. We happened to be RVing on the 4th one year and got to experience the parade and fun activities.
Attend a Texas-Sized Fireworks Show
Nothing says celebration quite like a Texas fireworks show. Cities like Fort Worth, San Angelo, and Houston, among a few, light up the sky with massive displays, some even synchronized to music. Bring a blanket, grab some snacks, and enjoy the spectacle under the wide Texas sky.
Freedom over Texas in Houston
Houston’s “Freedom over Texas” is one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in the country. This event features top-tier live music, family activities, delicious food, and patriotic tributes. As night falls, the city’s skyline becomes the backdrop for a fireworks spectacular. It’s a must-experience celebration in Texas’ largest city.
San Angelo’s July 3rd Pops Concert & Fireworks
I loved this event when I lived in San Angelo. The lawn by the Concho River fills up with picnicking families as they await the free concert and fireworks the day before Independence Day. It includes a Pops Concert on the Bill Aylor Sr. Memorial River Stage followed by fireworks by the river. Food vendors and family-friendly activities set the stage for a memorable night.
Fort Worth’s Fourth
Set along the banks of the Trinity River, Fort Worth’s Fourth is a tradition that draws crowds from across North Texas. The festival offers everything from live music and local food trucks to water shows and children’s activities. Fort Worth’s Fourth is a quintessential Texas way to celebrate America’s birthday.
Host a Classic Texas Barbecue
Gather your friends and family for a backyard cookout. Whether you make a Texas favorite like slow-smoked brisket or go easy on yourself and grill hot dogs, it’s a time to come together and celebrate. You can make s’mores for dessert or go with homemade peach or blackberry cobbler topped with Blue Bell Ice Cream. You’ll have a true Lone Star celebration for our country.
Explore Texas’s National Parks and Monuments
From the dramatic peaks and desert landscapes of Big Bend National Park to the sprawling dunes of Padre Island National Seashore, Texas’s national parks are ideal for celebrating the USA’s 250th birthday while enjoying the outdoors. Take a scenic hike, paddle along wild rivers, spot native wildlife, or camp beneath a sky full of stars. Visiting these parks lets you honor America’s natural heritage and experience the rugged beauty that makes Texas unique.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is one of the most spectacular and remote national parks in the U.S. It’s also one of my favorite escapes in Texas. Located in far West Texas along the border with Mexico, it covers over 800,000 acres of remote desert landscapes, river canyons, and rugged mountains. You’ll see hikers, campers, stargazers, and others, like me, simply there to unplug and enjoy the natural beauty.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
At Waco Mammoth National Monument, you can see the remains of a nursery herd of Columbian mammoths that roamed Texas over 65,000 years ago. I loved visiting this monument. It truly made me appreciate that we are just a speck on this planet and a small dot in the history of the world. As the only site of its kind in the nation, it offers a unique perspective on America’s ancient natural history.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, protecting 70 miles of pristine coastline, dunes, prairies, and tidal flats along the Gulf. It’s a sanctuary for wildlife, including hundreds of bird species. As an amateur birder, I love it. The park offers camping, fishing, kayaking, and beachcombing.
Step into History at Texas State Historic Sites
Texas’s state historic sites are where the story of American freedom and identity comes alive. Visiting these locations is a perfect way to celebrate America’s 250th while connecting with the events that shaped Texas and the nation.
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site marks the area where, in 1836, Texas forces led by General Sam Houston won a stunning victory over the Mexican army in the Battle of San Jacinto. This battle secured Texas’ independence. It also set the stage for Texas to become part of the United States just nine years later, shaping the nation’s expansion westward.
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
Known as the “Birthplace of Texas,” Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is the location where delegates signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. I was visited the site during my Texas Independence Trail Region Road Trip. The Texas site is literally the place where Texas became Texas!
Goliad State Park and Historic Site
Goliad State Park and Historic Site is connected to the events of the Texas Revolution. The state park preserves Mission Espíritu Santo and tells the story of the region. Visiting the park and surrounding historic sites is a reminder of the courage and resilience that helped shape Texas and the nation.
Experience Texas’ World-Class Museums
Texas boasts an incredible array of museums that bring history, science, and culture to life. Museums offer hands-on exhibits, world-class collections, and experiences that connect you with America’s story in unforgettable ways. There are far too many to list here, so I’m sharing three of my favorites.
Space Center Houston
Step into the heart of America’s space exploration story at Space Center Houston, the official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center. This Houston museum offers hands-on exhibits, real spacecraft, and immersive experiences that capture the excitement and challenges of space exploration.
The National Museum of the Pacific War
Located in Fredericksburg, the National Museum of the Pacific War is dedicated exclusively to the Pacific Theater of World War II. Through exhibits, artifacts, and personal stories, the museum honors the sacrifices and strategies that shaped the war’s outcome. It’s a wonderful tribute to the Greatest Generation.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the nation’s most visited museums. It explores the wonders of the natural world. I got to do a brief visit a few years ago, and I couldn’t believe how large the museum was. The vast collection includes towering dinosaur skeletons, beautiful gems, planetarium shows, and hands-on science labs.
Anniversary
Get Your Kicks on Route 66
2026 marks not only America’s 250th birthday, but also the centennial of Route 66, the Mother Road. Explore the stretch of Route 66 that crosses the Texas Panhandle. Dine and explore at from Shamrock’s art deco U-Drop Inn. Grab some spray paint and leave your mark at Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch and other attractions, and celebrate at the midpoint of the route in Adrian. Celebrate two milestones at once as you discover roadside attractions, classic diners, and the vibrant history of this legendary highway. I recently drove the entire route with my aunt, and we had a fantastic time celebrating this legendary road.
From fireworks to food, national parks to presidential libraries, Texas offers endless ways to make America’s 250th birthday an event to remember. Happy 4th!
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Until next time from Texas…safe travels!