Best Fourth of July Celebrations

Choosing between the nationwide Fourth of July celebrations can be difficult, with over 16,000 options. According to Julie L. Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, you want to look for three things with your fireworks show, "a beautiful backdrop, unique choreography and a carefully chosen, exhilarating barrage of shells." She personally recommends the Boston 4th of July festival, which houses the second largest show in the nation with more than 30,000 exploding shells timed to the sounds of the Boston pops orchestra. However, if standing with 500,000 other people isn't your idea of fun Fourth of July activities, then there are more low-key options too.

The first place Americans think of when it comes to Fourth of July celebrations is our nation's capital, Washington D.C. There is much to do around town during this exciting week. The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which runs until July 6th, along the National Mall features artists, performers and craft makers. If the parade Fourth of July festivities appeal to you, then head to Constitution Avenue, where an enormous parade of impressive floats, bands, balloons and military personnel walk past stately national monuments. At nightfall, you can head to the West Lawn of the Capitol Building to listen to the National Symphony Orchestra and watch fireworks illuminate the Washington Monument.

Boston, home to the American Revolution, makes another obvious Fourth of July celebrations hotspot. Each year, 500,000 spectators clamor to see tens of thousands of fireworks blast off over the Charles River for 23 minutes. The Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra provides the accompaniment for this awe-inspiring show. In addition to the luminary display, there are over 200 Fourth of July events during the week-long Boston Harborfest. In historic downtown Boston, there are many free concerts, kid's events, tours and food festivals, like the Boston Chowderfest, which attracts 12,000 people each year. The Declaration of Independence will be read from the balcony of the Old State House, whale watch cruises will depart, 18th Century artifacts will be on display, gun drills and walking actors like Paul Revere will all be part of the Boston 4th of July festivities.

For families, amusement parks often offer the best Fourth of July celebrations. Sea World in San Antonio, Texas is renowned for its 20-minute fireworks show over Water Ski Lake. The explosions are all less than 250 feet in the air, so it feels like the display is just right above your head, with thunderous booms, cracks and sparks. Jet sparks and spinning sparks may be just fifteen feet from you, giving audiences a more intense display. Disneyworld, of course, is noted for having expensive nightly fireworks displays and their Fourth of July decorations are no exception. While the show may only last thirteen minutes, it's like a continuous grand finale with fireworks launched from 24 different locations to surround spectators. When you're not watching fireworks, you can visit the "America" section of Epcot to walk through the Hall of Presidents, take in the sounds of the America Fife and Drum Corps and eat a good old-fashioned cheeseburger at the Liberty Inn Restaurant.