Travel Dispatch: America’s Big Birthday

July 4, 2026

Bathers at Walden Pond, near the homesite of Brister Freeman, a formerly enslaved Revolutionary War veteran, in Concord, Mass. Lucy Lu for The New York Times

Dear Travel Fan,

Happy July 4th! I hope that wherever you are, you’re enjoying the day and staying cool.

Since May, we have been bringing you weekly “Revolutionary Journeys” stories in which we explore America’s semiquincentennial through the lens of travel. This week’s installment is about Black soldiers from New England who fought on the American side, many of them enslaved men who returned to bondage after their service. I found it enlightening and informative, and I think you will, too. (We have one more Revolutionary Journey coming next week.)

Philadelphia was one of the most important cities during the Revolution and our 36 Hours column appropriately stops there this week, to explore the city’s incredible history and, of course, its exciting restaurant scene.

Lionel Boyce, a star of the TV series “The Bear,” which just completed its final season, took us on a whirlwind tour of his five favorite places in Copenhagen. Last but not least, we explore the club scene in Warsaw, where the all-weekend parties rival those of the better-known Berlin scene.

On the advice front, we asked people like roofers, lifeguards and glassblowers, whose jobs routinely require them to face high temperatures, for suggestions on how to deal with the current heat wave in the U.S. And if you’re traveling with an infant or young child, how to solve the car seat issue can be a dilemma. We’ve got solutions.

There’s more:

Flights between the U.S. and Venezuela have been suspended after the deadly earthquakes there. Here’s what you need to know.
A crocodile killed a swimmer in the popular Mexican resort of Puerto Vallarta.
Airbnbs and B&Bs have seemed like they’ve been converging, but the bed and breakfast crowd is leaning into their differences.

Finally, here in New York we’re seeing the convergence of the World Cup tournament, the 250th celebration and a celebrity wedding at Madison Square Garden. We’ve got a report from the streets as the city approaches peak tourism.

Wishing you safe and happy travels,
Amy Virshup

OPEN UP YOUR WORLD

A woman in 18th-century garb, including a white cap and a petticoat, holds an early version of the American flag. Seated on a red-brick ledge next to her are two men in modern attire, both with small dogs.

Hannah Beier for The New York Times

36 Hours

36 Hours in Philadelphia

Philadelphia may be the birthplace of American democracy, but its world-class museums and thrilling dining scene are just as revolutionary.

By Regan Stephens and Hannah Beier

A person walks down a dirt road surrounded by trees. A field is behind a row of bushes.

The Fight to Fight: Black Soldiers in the Revolutionary War

Across New England, a writer traveled down dirt paths and into historic homes to find the forgotten stories of the enslaved men who fought for freedom on two fronts.

By Lizzie Skurnick and Lucy Lu

D.J. Clara Cuvé, with magenta hair and headphones, stands at a D.J. console, facing a large, purple-lit crowd. Many people in the crowd have their hands raised.

Anna Liminowicz for The New York Times

Feel That Thumping Bass? You May Be in Warsaw.

A scrappy electronic dance music scene, fueled by young collectives and buzzy D.J.s, is putting the Polish capital on the global nightlife map.

By Christine Chung

Mathias Eis for The New York Times

5 favorite places

‘The Bear’ Star Lionel Boyce’s 5 Favorite Places in Copenhagen

On the show, the aspiring pastry chef traveled to Denmark’s capital for culinary training and fell in love with the city. The actor behind the role did, too.

By Gerald Narciso and Mathias Eis

THE CHANGING WORLD OF TRAVEL

Ye Fan for The New York Times

Soccer, Swifties, Semiquincentennial: Is Summer Tourism Peaking in New York?

A series of major events is unfolding in New York this week, sprinkling the city with soccer tees, fireworks and, perhaps, love — though not record visitor numbers.

By Ryley Ober and Ye Fan

A wide view of a beach with many people and breaking waves near a boat. A coastal town with buildings rises up a distant mountain.

Daniel Becerril/Reuters

Man Killed by Crocodile at a Popular Resort City in Mexico

The government described the rare fatal attack in Puerto Vallarta as “deeply unfortunate, unusual and isolated.”

By Gabe Castro-Root

An illustration shows a man wearing a yellow hat and a green shirt, carrying a brown bag, pointing toward a yellow taxi with a checkered pattern on its side. The man is carrying a blue car seat strapped to his back, and inside it, a toddler is showing a thumbs-up gesture.

Philip Lindeman

travel 101

How to Travel When Your Toddler Needs a Car Seat

Cumbersome car seats are a perennial headache for parents who take trips with their little ones, but the right gear and a little creativity can ease the burden.

By Brian X. Chen

A grey aircraft with "MARINES" on its side is on an airfield. Several people in camouflage gear walk on the tarmac, carrying packs and blue jugs.

Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

What Travelers Need to Know About Flights to Venezuela

Six days after powerful back-to-back earthquakes, air travel in and out of the country remains severely restricted.

By Gabe Castro-Root

An illustration shows four houses, three green with curly orange designs on the front, and one smaller and orange with a person standing on the doorstep waving. Two people, one with a rolling suitcase, walk along a yellow path that leads to the doorway of the orange house.

Davide Bonazzi

No Doilies Here: In the Age of Airbnb, Bed-and-Breakfasts Are Coming Into Their Own

Traditional bed-and-breakfast inns are doubling down on unique décor, personalized service and flexible policies, as they seek to distinguish themselves from vacation rentals.

By Elaine Glusac

Feedback, thoughts, tips? Email the Travel desk at travel@nytimes.com.

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