Add These 10 New Attractions to Your 2026 Travel Plans
Travelers won’t need to look far for something fresh in 2026. The past year brought new museums and even entire theme parks that are already reshaping itineraries. These attractions are timely and ready for travelers seeking something different. This list pulls together the best of what opened recently or will debut this year.
Sperm Whale Reserve
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Dominica is creating the world’s first protected reserve dedicated to sperm whales. The zone will cover an estimated 500 square miles along the island’s west coast. Boats, divers, and researchers will follow strict rules designed to limit stress on the resident pods. Travelers can join regulated whale watching trips and support conservation efforts that fund local jobs.
Atlas9
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Atlas9 in Kansas City feels like stepping inside a lost video store dream. Visitors enter a fake ‘90s movie theater and discover stories spilling into real space. Actors guide guests through secret missions, strange film plots, and puzzle rooms spread across 45,000 square feet. A retro arcade anchors the experience.
Cirque du Soleil ʻAuana
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This is Hawaii’s first-ever resident Cirque du Soleil show. Set near Waikīkī, ʻAuana features local folklore and traditional movement with Cirque’s signature visual punch. Expect storytelling rooted in Polynesian legend. The performers are trained with cultural experts and island dancers to get the details right.
Octagon Earthworks
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It’s not every day that a two-millennia-old structure gets global recognition, but the Octagon Earthworks in Newark, Ohio, just made UNESCO’s list. Built by the Hopewell people, this precise geometric site accurately tracks the lunar cycle.
Kanal Pompidou
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Brussels welcomes a new cultural heavyweight with the opening of the Kanal Pompidou. The museum rises inside a former car factory beside the city canal. Gallery spaces focus on modern and contemporary art, as well as design and architecture archives. The project strengthens Brussels’ creative reputation beyond comics and chocolate.
EXP Rosemont
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Guests travel through ancient Egypt, the Cambrian period, and distant futures using headset-guided simulations. The experience mixes science lessons with game-style interaction. Sessions run on a timed-entry system, so everyone has a fair chance.
Peppa Pig Theme Park
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If your traveling companions are under four feet tall and answer only to Peppa, this one’s for you. The new Peppa Pig Theme Park in Texas scales everything down to preschool level. The rides are gentle, and the whole place is geared for kids who don’t like waiting in long lines. There’s even a “muddy puddle” water play area.
The Tide Pool
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The Florida Aquarium added a hands-on tide pool filled with coastal species. Educators guide visitors through safe touch encounters with sea stars and crabs. The habitat mirrors real shorelines and supports ongoing research. Kids learn how small actions affect ocean health. Everyone gets a clear view of the underwater activity.
Fallen Fruit Installation
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Fallen Fruit created murals and projections based on local plants and pollinators. An outdoor edible garden connects to the indoor artwork. Visitors walk through color-soaked rooms that highlight food systems and community sharing. The exhibit changes with the seasons. Workshops and talks expand on-site programming during 2026.
Dr. Jane’s Dream
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Tanzania’s Arusha is best known as a jumping-off point for safaris, but in late 2026, it gained a new landmark: a conservation center honoring the life and legacy of Jane Goodall. Set beside the city’s cultural heritage complex, the space will host exhibits about primates, climate, and environmental action. It’s a museum, a learning hub, and a gentle nudge for travelers to think beyond the tour van window.