{"id":163309,"date":"2026-03-14T14:27:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T14:27:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/163309\/"},"modified":"2026-03-14T14:27:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T14:27:58","slug":"whats-new-in-u-s-cities-for-2026-and-how-to-experience-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/163309\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s new in U.S. cities for 2026\u2014and how to experience it"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).<\/p>\n

When it comes to travel to the US, cities are set to steal the show in 2026. From Los Angeles\u2019 long-awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a 27,871sq-metre space that will draw from a 40,000-strong collection, to the Hip Hop Museum, set to give the genre a permanent home in its hometown of the Bronx, there\u2019s something to discover coast to coast. We round up organised tours and independent itineraries that take in some of the most exciting new openings, landmark anniversaries and fresh experiences.<\/p>\n

Follow the legacy of the Underground Railroad in Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Once a steel mill giant, Pittsburgh is revamping its image. The\u00a0Andy Warhol Museum<\/a> is undergoing a multi-million-dollar expansion, while Arts Landing \u2014 a downtown city park with performance spaces \u2014 is set to open in the spring. It\u2019s prime time to discover the city\u2019s diverse cultural scene and the legacy of the Underground Railroad \u2014 a network of covert routes that provided escaped enslaved African Americans safe passage \u2014 creates a natural trail to follow. Start at the Strip District\u2019s\u00a0Heinz History Center<\/a>, where the permanent From Slavery to Freedom exhibition tracks the city\u2019s Black narratives through time. Continue to the Cultural District\u2019s\u00a0August Wilson African American Cultural Center<\/a>, which champions Black talent. It\u2019s named after 20th-century playwright August Wilson, who twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for chronicling the African American experience in the city. End your visit at the Hill District, a historically Black neighbourhood where he grew up. Here, the\u00a0Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company<\/a> exclusively performs work by local writers, with shows taking place in the Carter Woodson Redwood Theater.<\/p>\n

While here: Organised every four years by the\u00a0Carnegie Museum of Art<\/a>, the Carnegie International returns from May for 2026. It\u2019s the longest-running international art exhibition in North America, and the 59th edition will be the most collaborative to date, featuring 61 artists and collectives.<\/p>\n

Cruise Marilyn Monroe\u2019s Los Angeles<\/p>\n

If Marilyn Monroe were alive in 2026, she\u2019d be blowing out 100 candles on a birthday cake. Mark this centennial with a themed journey through Los Angeles, the city where she transformed from budding actor into Golden Globe-winning superstar. Classic Experiences<\/a> offers a four-hour private tour that showcases Monroe\u2019s life in all its widescreen splendour. Opt for the vintage convertible \u2014 ideal for coasting along the palm-lined boulevards before stopping for tea at the Hotel Bel-Air, just like Monroe used to. The route explores both luxury hotels, where the star was photographed poolside, and quiet streets in Brentwood, where she lived out her final chapter in near seclusion. You\u2019ll also pay respect to the legend at her final resting place, Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park. After all, this is La La Land, where even endings are part of the show.<\/p>\n

While here: See the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art<\/a>, co-founded by Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas and set to open in the second half of 2026. Expect a close-up of visual storytelling, from posters charting the history of African American cinema to self-portraits by Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville is country music\u2019s longest-running live radio show.<\/p>\n

Photograph by Paul McKinnon, Alamy<\/p>\n

Sing along with Nashville\u2019s women<\/p>\n

Country music\u2019s longest-running radio show, the Nashville-based Grand Ole Opry<\/a> marks its 100th year throughout 2026. Extra broadcasts \u2014 open to the public and featuring live shows \u2014 have been added to its calendar. But for a change of tune, book its backstage tour focused on the women of country, from Loretta Lynn to Carrie Underwood. Discover the stories behind their tear-jerking songs and stop for a selfie in the dressing rooms.<\/p>\n

While here: Sleep at the Songteller Hotel<\/a>, a new Downtown address jointly owned by Dolly Parton, which hosts regular performances celebrating her enduring influence. Expect a generous scattering of glitter throughout.<\/p>\n

Beatbox around the Bronx<\/p>\n

In autumn, hip-hop will get a forever home with the opening of The Hip Hop Museum<\/a> in the Bronx, widely recognised as hip-hop\u2019s birthplace. Over a decade in the making, the centre will feature immersive galleries and a 300-seat theatre for live performances. Next, swing by The Bronx Museum of the Arts<\/a>, whose revamped south galleries are set to open in 2026 following an overhaul. It showcases contemporary art that reflects the borough\u2019s diverse communities, and it acts as an incubator for emerging talent. Round off your visit at the Bronx Music Hall<\/a>, the first new independent music venue to open in the borough in over 50 years. Since launching in 2024, the 250-person space and adjacent outdoor amphitheatre have become a home for the Bronx\u2019s musical legacy, from jazz and rumba to reggae and, of course, hip-hop.<\/p>\n

While here: Head to Studio Museum in Harlem<\/a>, a recently relocated museum highlighting more than 200 years of artistic achievements by artists of African descent. Sprawling across seven floors, the sleek creative space also includes a cafe and rooftop terrace with Big Apple views.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The Bronx is the spiritual heart of hip-hop culture and features an abundance of graffiti art to explore.<\/p>\n

Photograph by Wirestock, Inc., Alamy<\/p>\n

See Washington, DC through a new lens<\/p>\n

The US capital\u2019s mighty museum scene gains a new landmark this summer with the opening of the National Geographic Museum of Exploration<\/a> on the Society\u2019s historic campus. A sculptural version of National Geographic magazine\u2019s iconic yellow frame greets guests at the entrance, setting the tone for a visit rich in exploration and storytelling. Drawing from the brand\u2019s vast archive, the museum focuses on the craft of documenting the world. There\u2019s a display of some of its most powerful images, while a theatre screens original productions. At dusk, large-scale projections and surround sound bring subjects, like the mysteries of the ocean, to life \u2014 an all-encompassing cinematic experience. Feel inspired? Book one of Washington Photo Safari<\/a>\u2019s guided photography tours of the city. They\u2019re especially popular during the cherry blossom bloom in March.<\/p>\n

While here: From May, the Photographic Memory exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery<\/a> explores the art and history of the medium, from early shots to digital portraiture. It\u2019s a must-see for anyone fascinated by the power of a single frame.<\/p>\n

Paint Memphis red<\/p>\n

Tennessee\u2019s largest art gallery is about to get bigger. In December, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art<\/a> will relocate from Midtown\u2019s Overton Park to a Downtown location along the Mississippi River. Renamed Memphis Art Museum, the new 11,300sq-m venue will expand the institution\u2019s space by half, putting more of the 10,000-strong collection \u2014 spanning from African ceremonial masks to American Impressionism \u2014 on show. Designed by the architects behind London\u2019s Tate Modern gallery, the building aims to blur the line between indoors and outdoors, with a glass facade letting passersby see the art within. Design your own tour to and through the galleries, starting from the waterfront promenade, which links urban parks, and ending in the museum\u2019s rooftop sculpture garden.<\/p>\n

While here: Book the new Presley for a Day experience at Graceland<\/a>, Elvis\u2019s more-is-more mansion. You can\u2019t talk about culture in Memphis without talking about music, and this after-hours tour of the house allows fans the rare chance to caress the star\u2019s bejewelled jumpsuits.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Graceland, Elvis Presley\u2019s former home, has recently added new tours exploring the life of the iconic singer.<\/p>\n

Photograph by Nikreates, Alamy<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

San Francisco\u2019s Counterculture Museum is an ode to the city\u2019s alternative movements and subcultures.<\/p>\n

Photograph by Dennis Hearne<\/p>\n

Mellow out in San Francisco<\/p>\n

The recently opened Counterculture Museum<\/a> in Haight-Ashbury offers the perfect excuse to explore San Francisco\u2019s offbeat underbelly. Visit the space, which explores the 20th-century movements that shaped the Bay Area, from the Beat Generation to LGBTQ+ liberation. Then, hop aboard San Francisco Love Tours<\/a>\u2019 VW campervan, decked out with psychedelic murals, shag carpets and beaded curtains. Tours take in city icons like the Golden Gate Bridge and Painted Ladies, a row of Victorian houses in rainbow hues.<\/p>\n

While here: Catch a show at The Castro Theatre<\/a>, an LGBTQ+ icon, which reopened in February after a two-year renovation. In June, the theatre will host the 50th annual San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival.<\/p>\n

Get inspired in Chicago<\/p>\n

The Obama Presidential Center<\/a> is opening in June within Jackson Park in Chicago\u2019s South Side, offering sweeping views\u00a0over Lake Michigan. Four floors of galleries examine the former president\u2019s life and work within the wider context of democracy and civic engagement, aiming to inspire visitors to uplift their own communities \u2014 there\u2019s even a fruit and vegetable garden. To explore further afield, join a bus tour with South Side Tours<\/a>, where passionate Chicagoans share stories of the area Obama called home for 20 years.<\/p>\n

While here: Visit the South Side Sanctuary<\/a>, a former neglected lot in Bronzeville turned community hub. It opened in 2024 as a space for open-air performances, farmers\u2019 markets and more. Last year, it won the MacArthur Creative Places Award for projects that harness arts and culture to drive social change.<\/p>\n

Published in the USA guide, available with the Jan\/Feb 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).<\/p>\n

To subscribe to\u00a0National Geographic Traveller\u00a0(UK) magazine click here<\/a>. (Available in select countries only).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). When it comes to travel to the US, cities…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":163310,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[67350,67349,128,67353,67352,9,24,63,129,131,130,67351,67346,67343,67348,67344,67347,67345],"class_list":["post-163309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-the-bronx","tag-best-museums-in-us","tag-best-us-cities-to-visit-in-2026","tag-bronx","tag-elvis-presley-museum","tag-marilyn-monroe-experiences-in-la","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-the-bronx","tag-the-bronx-headlines","tag-the-bronx-news","tag-us-anniversary","tag-what-to-do-in-chicago","tag-what-to-do-in-la","tag-what-to-do-in-memphis","tag-what-to-do-in-nyc","tag-what-to-do-in-pittsburgh","tag-what-to-do-in-washington-dc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=163309"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/163309\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/163310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=163309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=163309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=163309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}