Where to Go for July 4th Fireworks Displays
If you’re thinking about taking a special trip for a July 4th fireworks display but have yet to decide where to go, we have a list of 18 locations for you.
California
Trippy user,
Angelo DeGuzman from LA, asked:
Where have you watched fireworks for Fourth of July?
Here are the locations in
California suggested by Trippy users:
1. A great place is in Del Mar, just East of Interstate 5. You can drive up to the bluff off Del Mar Heights Blvd and High Bluff Drive and look down on the Del Mar Fairgrounds Fireworks...bring chairs and plenty of red cups...
2. Island Prime - C Level provides dinner and a view of fireworks
3. The Cross at the top of Mount Soledad Southern Slope is a great vantage point because it can get as many as 4-5 different firework shows on 4th of July
Three of the above mentioned are in the
San Diego area. If you’re looking for locations in
Los Angeles we suggest:
4. July 4th fireworks spectacular with Pentatonix at
Hollywood Bowl
5.
Long Beach Independence Day Fireworks on the Beach
Pennsylvania
Did you know that the first Fourth of July fireworks display was in
Philadelphia? It was set off on July 4th, 1777 and according to
PBS:
The custom eventually spread to other towns, both large and small, where the day was marked with processions, oratory, picnics, contests, games, military displays and fireworks. Observations throughout the nation became even more common at the end of the War of 1812 with Great Britain.
This year Philadelphia is celebrating America’s 241st birthday on a grander scale from June 29 to July 4 with free concerts, four dazzling fireworks shows, the Philadelphia’s Historic District Block Party, parades, patriotic ceremonies and kids’ activities.
Places to watch fireworks in
Philadelphia:
6.
Philadelphia Museum of Art starting at 9:30 p.m. on July 4th
7. Delaware River Waterfront on June 30th and July 1st
Florida
Florida is known for its theme parks, top beaches, cruise ports, Daytona 500, Kennedy Space Center, laid-back towns, the keys and South Beach in Miami. Whether you choose to celebrate 4th of July at a beach, at a theme park or in South Florida, you won’t be far from the party and the fireworks.
8.
Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Key West
The annual Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of the Florida Keys Fourth of July Picnic started in 1984 as an annual fundraiser to provide hospice care to those in need. For 33 years, it has been the biggest annual fundraiser party in
Key West providing guests with live local music and dancing on the beach, the All-American picnic, games, contests, raffles, silent auction, and fireworks display at 9 p.m.
For tickets and more information go to
VNA/Hospice’s website.
9. North Shore Bandshell Park in
Miami Beach
Celebrate all day at the park location on Collins Avenue and 73rd Street starting at 9 a.m. with free entertainment, kids’ activities, and fireworks display at 9 p.m.
10. Clearwater
Enjoy one of the best beaches in Florida and watch the largest fireworks show in the Tampa Bay area at Coachman Park in downtown
Clearwater. The July 4th celebration will include family-friendly activities, entertainment, local vendors, food and the fireworks will begin at 9-9:30 p.m.
11. Disney World theme parks, Orlando
Those who are visiting
Disney World theme parks on July 3rd and 4th will get to see the yearly Fourth of July events like patriotic parades, live music, and fireworks displays in the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood and the Animal Kingdom. If you must choose just one theme park to celebrate and see fireworks in the park, we recommend Epcot.
If you don’t have the admission tickets to the park, you can still view the fireworks from Capa Steakhouse and Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Orlando, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the beach at Polynesian Resort and Top of the World Lounge at Contemporary Resort.
12. Independence Celebration at Mount Dora
For a small town Fourth of July celebration, go to
Mount Dora, a town about 33 miles north of Orlando. Join the Freedom on the Waterfront party at 5 p.m. on July 3rd for live music and firework and July 4th traditional parade at 10 a.m.
New York
13.
New York City
Trippy user
D. Murchison from California asked:
What's the best hotel to see fireworks from the room for my husband and I? We plan on being in New York City for 1 week for a 60th birthday.
This year, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will launch from five barges spread out on the East River between 24th and 41st Streets. The 25-minute show will kick off at 9:25 p.m. and is visible miles away from Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.
Best hotels to see fireworks are: Wythe Hotel in
Williamsburg Brooklyn, Z NYC Hotel in
Long Island City, Queens, and 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.
Macy’s has a list of places for unobstructed views of the fireworks in NYC neighborhoods you can check out on their
website.
14. Niagara Falls NY
Niagara Falls in Niagara County New York (not to be confused with Niagara Falls in Canada) has a nightly fireworks display every Monday through Friday from June 12 to September 4, 2017, at 10 p.m. But for July 4th celebrations, an additional fireworks display will take place on July 1 and 2 (Saturday and Sunday).
Washington D.C.
15. Washington D.C.
Watching a fireworks display in
Washington, DC is different from anywhere else in America. At the nation’s capital, you can see fireworks surrounded by national monuments and memorials along the National Mall, Potomac River, and the U.S. Supreme Court Plaza.
Perhaps the best way to celebrate at least once in your lifetime is to attend
A Capitol Fourth Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. It’s a free concert, and no tickets are necessary.
Also, check out the
list of 13 best spots to view fireworks in Washington D.C.
Texas
16. Austin
In
Austin, you’ll get to enjoy the H-E-B Austin Symphony 41st Annual July 4th Concert and Fireworks. Performance starts at 8:30 p.m. and the fireworks display is at 9:30 p.m. The event is free. h
The best spots to watch fireworks are:
- Juniper Street
- Barton Creek Square Mall
- Austin Downtown rooftop lounges
- At the parks - Zilker Park, Shoal Beach, Sand Beach Park, Butler Shores, Rock Island, Lamar Beach and Deep Eddy Park
- Lady Bird Lake Trail
- St. Edwards University
- Congress Bridge
- Lady Bird Lake
If you’re looking for things to do in Austin besides watching fireworks like Trippy user
Rachel Elizabeth who asked:
Coming with a group 7/3-7/6.... looking for anything going on for the 4th and anything we should definitely check out.
Terry Lipford replied:
If you like BBQ, then you are going to seriously love the Austin area, and I would highly recommend Salt Lick BBQ - the original location is outside the city, but the BBQ there is awesome !
Or if you are looking for good Mexican Food, try Isalia's Tex-Mex Restaurant or Las Trancas both are good.
Like to pub crawl? Sixth Street on a weekend night, is "pedestrian only" and there are great music pubs and piano bars all up and down that area!
Be sure to visit The University of Texas at Austin, the Texas State Capitol.
Refreshing plunge on a hot day? Try Barton Springs Pool the water in that huge pool is seriously cold ! Or try Hamilton Pool for it's scenic beauty.
Like to Kayak? Try Zilker Park where you can paddle up & down the river that flows by the southern edge of Austin.
Have fun, because Austin is a great place to visit!
Washington
17. Seattle
Trippy user
Ashley Eric Perez asked:
Fourth of July in Seattle- where to see fireworks?
I will be in Seattle for the Fourth of July with my family (2 toddlers and a teenager) and would love to know the best place to see the fireworks and really have a great experience! Thanks !!
Trippy users Matt McMonagle and Valerie Stimac suggested:
Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park is the ultimate place to view the fireworks, but you'll need to buy tickets in advance. It will be sunny, there will be crowds, and you should bring food, drink, and sunscreen. Also, some toddler entertainment wouldn't go amiss, as the fireworks show isn't until 10:20 pm.
Illinois
18. Chicago
A question came in from
Lloyd Marshall of Glasgow:
4th of July in Chicago- where can I see fireworks?
We will be staying at the Thompson Hotel in East Bellevue place on the 4th of July.
Where is the best place to see any 4th of July fireworks near this spot?
Trippy user Crystal Leturno suggested:
If you want the closest location to seeing Chicago's fireworks from your hotel, your best bet is to walk from your hotel to the Lakefront Trail. To access the trail use the pedestrian and bicycle underpass by Oak Street. When you come out on the other side of the highway, you will be at Oak Street Beach. You could walk south and be with the hoards at Navy Pier, but I recommend walking north until you get to North Avenue Beach. There will still be crowds, but not quite as claustrophobic as the pier.
Tim H. offered this advice:
The fireworks will happen over Navy Pier which is close. You could walk there and be with the crowds. I think you can walk around the corner onto the lakefront from the hotel and get a great view only a couple of blocks from where you are staying. I'd think about one of the rooftops. The outside deck at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicagohas a fantastic view down the river. Only a ten minute walk from you. Get a reservation! Expect crowds, but it's a fun night here!
I’ve seen Fourth of July fireworks at the Busch Gardens parking lot in
Tampa, at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, Clearwater Beach in Clearwater, Disney’s Epcot and an obstructed view from my apartment’s balcony now in NYC. My favorites have always been Epcot, Clearwater and Bellevue Hospital in NYC.
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Photos and article by Claudia Looi