Categories: Travel

The Best Places To Celebrate 4th of July in the USA

Who doesn’t love the 4th of July? The lights, the colors, the sound, music, and fun. It’s all a big celebration of the day we came together and is considered the birth of America’s independence. It’s the date the Declaration of Independence was signed and the date we were unified as an independent country.

If you’re looking for ideas on where to go to get the most out of your 4th of July, you’ve come to the right place.

Boston, Mass

Boston Harborfest begins at the Downtown Crossing on July 1st. With most of the activities being free, it makes it a great place to celebrate on a budget. If you’d like, however, there are several events that you can purchase tickets to see just a little more of Boston. Those include the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum and Paul Revere’s North End walking tour, along with the historic pub crawl.

The history Boston has, because of the Revolutionary War, makes it a must-see for the 4th of July events. Boston’s 4th of July festival is the largest in the US, making it one of the best places to celebrate the fourth of July.

Coney Island, Brooklyn

You can visit the New York Aquarium while waiting for the fireworks. You can also enjoy the afternoon at the infamous Luna Park. Luna Park boasts rollercoasters, games, restaurants, go-karts, food stands, and an arcade. You can even ride the Cyclone Roller Coaster, a favorite of roller coaster enthusiasts around the world.

While you wait for the fireworks to start around 9:30 p.m., you can even stop by Nathan’s Famous for some fries and a hot dog. Coney Island is one of the most classic places to celebrate the fourth of July.

Bristol, Rhode Island

Bristol is where you go if you’re looking for a celebration that lasts WEEKS! Bristol starts the party on June 14, Flag Day, and concludes on the 4th of July. This is also America’s oldest continuous 4th of July celebration. It dates back to 1785.

Multiple events pepper the calendar from June 14 to July 4 each year. These events include the Drum Corps show, a concert series at Independence Park, and a 4th of July Ball on June 21st.

The Bristol Stomp Block Dance is held on June 15th. There is an Independence Rhode Race, contests for the best t-shirt design, a golf tournament, vintage baseball game, tennis, carnival rides, special dinners, an orange crate derby, and a kids obstacle course run.

Beginning at 10:30 am, the July 4 Military, Civic, and Fireman’s Parade is the oldest in the US. This event concludes the 2-week party that is Bristol, Rhode Island’s 4th of July celebration.

Bristol is one of the busiest places to celebrate the fourth of July.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach hosts an annual 5k and 8k starting at 7:30am at the Market Common.

There’s also a golf cart parade and the annual 4th of July parade in Pawley’s Island.

Murrell’s Inlet is the place to seek out if you’d like to watch a unique kind of parade. A boat parade!

The Salute from the Shore hosts the Shaw Air Force Base vintage F-16s from the 20th Fighter Wings at 1pm.

There are several fun events on the Surfside Beach pier including inflatable rides, fireworks, and a variety show. During the day you can watch the local baseball team provide post-game fireworks along with craft beer.

Myrtle Beach is one of the most fun places to celebrate the fourth of July.

New York City

New York City is the hub of the 4th of July fireworks. Macy’s hosts the event each year, which is launched along the East River in Midtown Manhattan. The show seems to get better each year, which isn’t surprising when there are incredible pyrotechnics and synchronized patriotic music involved. In 2017, over 60,000 shells and a 25-minute display were involved.

A New York Police Department helicopter flyover and Fire Department of New York water boat show will kick off the celebration at around 9:25 p.m.

There are multiple places you can watch the fireworks from in the city. Those locations include Williamsburg and Greenpoint waterfronts, FDR Drive, on rooftop bars, hotels, and on boats. You can even tune your radio to 1010 WINS-AM to hear the music the fireworks display is choreographed to!

While waiting for the fireworks to begin, you can visit some of New York’s Revolutionary War locations. St. Paul’s Chapel, which is downtown in the Financial District, is where George Washington frequently worshipped. (Including on his inauguration day!) Fraunces Tavern is where Washington bid farewell to his troops at the end of the war. Fort Tryon Park is uptown in Washington Heights and is the site of the Battle of Fort Washington. You can also take rides on the Staten Island Ferry for some beautiful views of Manhattan. Fort Wadsworth, which was captured by the British during the war, can also be seen.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

When we think of the places to celebrate the fourth of July and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we think of Philadelphia. This is where it was signed by our forefathers in 1776.

There are six days worth of festivities in Philidelphia, beginning on June 29. Visitors can enjoy free concerts, outdoor movies, free museum entry, parades, fireworks shows, patriotic ceremonies, kids activities, and Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party.

Starting on the 29th, there are a few consecutive days where museum entry is free, so you want to make sure you’re in town for those. You definitely need to hit the Philly Ice Cream Scoop, a showcase of all the city’s top ice cream makers.

The festivities starting on July 1 and 2 are a concert at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and fireworks following. The U.S. Army Band, Pershing’s Own, will play patriotic music. Starting o

From the 2nd through the 4th there are block parties, movie screenings (totally family-friendly!), Tony-award nominated performers like Susan Egan, and, of course, fireworks. Philidelphia is one of the most considered places to celebrate the fourth of July.

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New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans celebrates on a whole new level! Not only do they have one fireworks show, but they have two! And they do it from dueling barges on the Mississippi River. The two barges each have a phenomenal array of lights and sounds, each of which is synchronized to patriotic music. It’s a battle of the blasts!

The best places to watch this spectacular show include the Moon Walk, across the river in Algiers or Woldenberg Park. If you’d like a real close up view, you’ll have to treat yourself to a cruise on the Steamboat Natchez, the Creole Queen, or any other riverboat.

The General Roy S. Kelley fireboat is at the Port of New Orleans and will be brought out at 6pm for its famed water show including red, white, and blue fountains. The fireworks will follow.

While waiting for the show to begin, Crescent Park hosts a DJ dance party and food trucks from 5-10pm.

Chicago, Illinois

For daytime celebrations, the Navy Pier is the place to be. There is a live DJ, rides, including the Centennial Wheel and Wave Swinger, and a BBQ feast. There is also a mini-golf course. With a separate ticket, you can celebrate on the rooftop with great views of the lake and 9:30 p.m. fireworks.

From June 30 through July 3, there are the Eyes to the Skies Festival in the Lisle Park District with music, hot air balloons, food, carnival, and fireworks.

From 6:30-8:30, on July 4, there is a free concert at the Pritzker Pavilion.

Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington celebrates the 4th of July for nearly a week. Events include symphony shows, music, and fireworks. Locations range from the Wilson Center to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Downtown Wilmington Waterfront Park, which is where the fireworks will be shot off. Wilmington is just one of many places to celebrate the fourth of July.

San Diego, California

Patriotism runs thick in this area for the Big Bay Boom. Seeing as Southern California is home to thousands of service members, it’s no wonder why.

Fireworks are launched, simultaneously, from four barges located throughout San Diego’s North Bay. The most popular location to watch is the U.S.S. Midway flight deck, though you’ll have to purchase a ticket and they sell out fast. Live music, all-American concessions, and an exciting USO review add to the fun.

There are many locations to view the fireworks from, including Harbor Island, North Embarcadero and Marina District, Shelter Island, Coronado Ferry Landing, and Seaport Village.

Because of the number of those who served that now reside in the San Diego area, this is one of the most patriotic places to celebrate the fourth of July.

Where do you celebrate the fourth of July? Let us know in the comments!

Featured Image Credit: https://www.wtoc.com/2019/12/30/know-state-firework-laws-safety-tips-before-ringing-new-year/

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6 years ago

Tricia Appelgren

Lucky mom of three beautiful children ages 9, 11 & 12. I graduated with a double bachelor's degree in 2015 from Ashford University. One in Journalism and Mass Communications and the second in Public Relations and Marketing.