What’s New in 2025 – 25 American Experiences for 2025

|Published on: Jan 15, 2025|Categories: Dollywood, Food, music, New Year, Sport, Star gazing, Travel & Lifestyle|

Canyon Ranch Desert

This year will be full of new experiences, festivals, big sporting events, new trails and new routes along with some milestone anniversaries across destinations we represent in the US

 

  • Visit the World Heritage Center in San Antonio – Opening in February 2025, the new World Heritage Center will serve as a gateway to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. It will provide educational opportunities and information on the history, art and culture of the community around the missions, and will be an inspirational place for San Antonio residents and visitors alike to gather.
  • Birthday Celebrations for two Kings – 2025 marks Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday and B.B. King’s 100th The Mississippi Blues Trail features both Elvis Presley’s Birthplace Tupelo and the B.B. King Museum. Located in the heart of the Delta in Indianola, the B.B. King and Delta Interpretive Center, tells the story of B.B. King’s life and music. For visitors travelling through this region, it provides insight into the events of B.B. King’s time and explains how Mississippi became known as “The Birthplace of America’s Music”.
  • Watch the Super Bowl at Caesars Superdome – New Orleans will host the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ Super Bowl in 2025 and the city is already getting prepared. The game is scheduled to be played on 9th February 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. It’s a great time to visit this beautiful city rich with culture and food.
  • New Eateries in Downtown San Antonio – Local favourite Chef Jason Dady is opening his seventh dining concept, Mexico Ceaty, in San Antonio early 2025. This immersive dining, entertainment and shopping experience will honour the culinary history and culture of both Mexico and San Antonio.
  • Mexican Food Exploration in Tucson – 2025 also marks 10-years as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for Tucson. The city’s culinary scene has evolved from thousands of years of agricultural history, and a border that encompasses distinct Mexican and Native American traditions that led to its designation as the United States first UNESCO World City of Gastronomy in 2015, and its reputation as “America’s Best Mexican Food.”
  • Stargazing in Tucson – Tucson is also known for its Dark Sky and Astro Tourism. The Headquarters of Dark Sky International (formerly known as International Dark Sky Association), in the greater Tucson area has long been a haven for stargazers and astronomers alike. Visit Flandreau Science Center & Planetarium, Steward Observatory that celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2025 to learn about the university’s astronomy missions and other projects.
  • 25th Anniversary of Gilmore Girls – Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Gilmore Girls by visiting the places that inspired the fictional town of Star’s Hollow. The towns of Washington, New Milford, Bantam and Litchfield in Connecticut along with New England’s charming Bed and Breakfast Inns served as an inspiration for the writers of the show.
  • Visit Morgan’s Wonderland – San Antonio is home to Morgan’s Wonderland. The park is celebrating its 15th Anniversary in 2025. It is the world’s first ‘ultra-accessible’ theme park, devised to make everyone feel included and bring people of all ages and abilities together. The theme park has attracted almost 3-million guests from all 50 states and more than 120 other countries since the grand opening in 2010.
  • Grand Ole Opry 100 – The Grand Ole Opry is the world’s longest running live radio show and is credited for being the show that made country music famous and is turning 100 in 2025. In celebration of this iconic anniversary, the Grand Ole Opry will have more shows on their calendar than ever before in 2025, giving visitors more opportunities to see a performance live and in person all year long.
  • Dollywood’s 40th Anniversary – Dollywood Parks & Resorts marks its 40th season in 2025. Dollywood has special events, new celebrations and several returning favourites planned to commemorate the milestone anniversary
  • Ride the new Amtrak – An Amtrak passenger service along the Gulf Coast will begin service again in 2025. It will connect New Orleans, Louisiana to Mobile, Alabama with four stops in Mississippi – Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula. It will be the first time that passenger trains have rolled along the Gulf Coast in more than 18-years with the route expected to debut in Spring 2025.
  • Tupelo’s Celebrations for Elvis’ Birthday – Tupelo, Mississippi, is set to honour Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday in 2025 with the 27th Annual Tupelo Elvis Festival, taking place from 4th – 8th Hosted by the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association, this vibrant festival will bring together Elvis fans from around the world to celebrate the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in his hometown. A highlight of the festival will be the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition, where talented performers will compete for exciting prizes, including cash, a guitar, a prestigious statue trophy and more.
  • Visit accessible city Mesa – The celebration of the five-year anniversary kicked off with the “Live Life Limitless” event held earlier last month and will run through April 2025, culminating with Autism Acceptance Month. In addition to autism-related programs, Visit Mesa supports a variety of initiatives aimed at improving the travel experience for all individuals with disabilities.
  • Boston Public Art Triennial – From May to October 2025, the inaugural Boston Public Art Triennial will present 15 compelling commissions dotted across the city. Each visionary local, national, and international artist will produce sculptures, interactive exhibits, or performance-based and community-led activities with an emphasis on East Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, ensuring equitable representation and access.
  • Tucson Rodeo Parade – The 100th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade will take place on 20th February 2025. During the past 100-years, the Tucson Rodeo has become the largest outdoor winter rodeo and one of the top 25 rodeos in the United States.
  • The Boston Landing Hotel – This hotel will feature 175 inspiring guest rooms with incredible views of downtown Boston and the Charles River, as well as a restaurant, bar and meeting space for groups. The hotel will be within steps of a Boston Landing Commuter Rail stop as well as an assortment of restaurants and retail on the doorstep.
  • New Lake Estate in New Hampshire – Experience the serenity of lakeside living along the quiet ambience of the calm waters of Lake Winnisquam. The Lake Estate on Winnisquam is a new resort property and a modern reincarnation of the splendour assured at the grand dame resorts of New Hampshire popular with the Gilded Age families of the last century. The property will include beautiful landscapes, a full spa, a choice of restaurants and luxurious rooms.
  • New Hotel in Connecticut, New England – Opening early 2025, Belden House in Litchfield, Connecticut is a two-acre estate being transformed into a 31-room house hotel and mews. Amenities include dining and wellness services, a seasonal pool, plus lawn games.
  • Doris Duke Theatre, Massachusetts – Jacob’s Pillow is excited to announce new building plans for the reimagined Doris Duke Theatre that is set to open its doors in 2025. The new design creates year-round space of approximately 20,000 sq. ft and the new building includes state-of-the-art technology and a second indoor space for programming.
  • New flight from Edinburgh to Boston – JetBlue has announced the launch of a new flight route from the Scottish capital to ‘America’s Walking City’ in May 2025
  • Visit Graceland to celebrate Elvis’ 90th – Fans from around the world will gather at Graceland, in Memphis early January to celebrate Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday. Elvis achieved legendary status, leaving a legacy that still resonates, and Elvis’ 90th Birthday Celebrations will include live concerts, panels, special tours, and much more!
  • New flight from Dublin to Nashville – Exciting news for Tennessee as Aer Lingus announced their first direct Irish route to Nashville from Dublin, launching in April 2025.
  • 250th Anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord – 19th April 2025 marks the first battle of the Revolutionary War in Massachusetts as part of their MA250. The first shots of the American Revolution would lead to the birth of a new nation. As John Adams said, the Battle of Lexington “changed the instruments of warfare from the pen to the sword.”
  • Weidmann’s 155th Anniversary – Mississippi’s longest operating restaurant, Weidmann’s, will celebrate its 155th anniversary in 2025, marking over a century and a half of culinary tradition and Southern hospitality. Established in 1870, Weidmann’s became a time-honoured establishment for locals and visitors alike, known for its signature dishes blending traditional Southern flavours with contemporary flair.
  • 40th Annual Balloon Festival in Natchez – Established in 1986, the Natchez Balloon Festival is an annual fall tradition during October that paints the sky with a kaleidoscope of colour, featuring vibrant hot air balloon displays and a host of family-friendly activities. Rosalie Mansion begins the festival with a sunrise balloon flight along the banks of the Mississippi River, accompanied by arts and crafts vendors and a variety of Mississippi’s delicious local cuisine.

And finally a Lagniappe (A Louisiana custom to always serve something additional) 

 Celebrate the Year of Food in Louisiana – Year of Food in 2025 will celebrate Louisiana’s food culture including the flavours and traditions that make Louisiana a food lover’s paradise. It highlights the regional food trails, restaurants and culinary experiences in Louisiana.