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Top 9 Destinations to Celebrate the 4th of July Outdoors

Looking to enjoy a warm Fourth of July where you can enjoy a host of fun activities under the sun? From the tropical shores of Hawaii to the California coastline and Florida’s oldest city, in these top-rated holiday destinations, you can catch an epic fireworks show, enjoy beautiful weather, and explore somewhere new. This year, consider heading to one of these popular 4th of July destinations to celebrate the red, white, and blue outdoors.

Honolulu, Hawaii Fireworks over Ala Moana Beach Park
Credit: Fireworks over Ala Moana Beach Park by © James Crawford | Dreamstime.com

Honolulu, Hawaii

What better place to enjoy the sun and fireworks than the islands of Hawaii? Thousands arrive to watch the fireworks along the shores of Waikiki and Ala Moana Center, where you can also listen to free live Hawaiian music from the afternoon and into the evening. One of the best places to take in the spectacular show, with the dazzling Pacific as the backdrop, is at Ala Moana Beach Park. Of course, while you’re on the island, you can enjoy all of the other things that it has to offer too, from learning to surf and snorkeling among tropical fish to luaus and hula shows like the Magic of Polynesia, as well as just relaxing and soaking up the sun and the sand.

San Diego, California San Diego 4th of July fireworks
Credit: San Diego 4th of July fireworks by bigstock.com

San Diego, California

San Diego is famous for its year-round mild climate and abundance of renowned attractions. It also puts on an impressive fireworks display, with six port parks to watch it from, including along La Jolla Shores and nearby Kellogg Park, where you can also enjoy a day at the beach. Just be sure to arrive early to stake out your spot. Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and the Coronado Ferry Landing in Coronado are outstanding vantage points for catching the display as well. Of course, San Diego is also a popular vacation destination boasting multiple major tourist attractions like the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, destination spas, wineries, and more.

Jekyll Island, Georgia Jekyll Island
Credit: Jekyll Island by bigstock.com

Jekyll Island, Georgia

One of the most popular Georgia barrier islands, Jekyll is wonderful to visit any time of year, but its Fourth of July festivities attract thousands and include a fun old-fashioned parade through the Historic District. Locals and visitors alike are invited to decorate their bikes, golf carts, strollers, pets, and themselves to join in, and even compete for prizes. The Village Green hosts an exciting day filled day with water slides, bounce houses, sidewalk sales, and live music too. Just after sundown, a fireworks display kicks off and can be viewed from anywhere around Great Dunes Park or the convention center.

Wilmington, North Carolina Cape Fear River in Wilmington
Credit: Cape Fear River in Wilmington by Carolina © Paul Brady | Dreamstime.com

Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington hosts a day of fun for the Fourth of July. Celebrate all day long with the live music, a wealth of food and drink, and more on Water Street before heading to your blanket or lawn chair along the riverfront to catch what’s considered to be the biggest show in the region. The dazzling display is set off from a barge in the Cape Fear River and can be seen at a number of points around town in addition to the riverfront – one of the best ways to do it without having to worry about crowds is to book a reservation at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts Provincetown in Cape Cod, MA
Credit: Provincetown in Cape Cod, MA by Bigstockphoto.com

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

With its beautiful beaches and wealth of fireworks displays, Cape Cod is a great place to be to celebrate Independence Day. There are boat parades, street parades, town picnics, and, of course, impressive fireworks displays over the harbors and bays. While you’ll have many options to choose from, one of the best spots to catch Fourth of July fireworks is in Provincetown, located at the tip of the Cape. You can watch from any bayside beach, but for the ultimate view, watch from the harbor. Dolphin Fleet offers whale watching plus fireworks cruises along with a fireworks-only cruise. Book early, as they fill quickly. While you’re here you can enjoy the more than 30 miles of beaches as well as the colorful downtown area lined with seafood shacks, fudge shops, art galleries, and more.

Charleston, South Carolina The Battery
Credit: The Battery by bigstock.com

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston was named one of the “Top 5 Independence Day Celebrations” by The New York Times, and the city draws a big crowd for its Fourth of July festivities and breathtaking fireworks display. The celebration kicks off in the afternoon with activities and attractions for the entire family. Take a tour of the historic U.S.S. Yorktown and hear the stories of veterans and hop on a horse-drawn carriage to tour the charming cobblestone streets before heading to the shore at Patriots Point at Charleston Harbor to catch the show where the colorful lights dance across the water.

U.S. Virgin Islands St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Credit: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands by bigstock.com

U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands, made up of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, may be the last place you’d think of for a Fourth of July celebration, but these U.S. territories actually pull out all the stops, celebrating two holidays. The Caribbean isles do it up for both their Emancipation Day on July 3rd, which commemorates the end of the slave trade, and they continue the festivities the next day by celebrating Independence Day. St. John is arguably the best of the three, as a tiny, breathtaking island that also features a parade on the holiday, though all of the islands will have something to offer. Just trade your typical picnic and beer for rum punch and fabulous fresh seafood. Heading here in the summer, the low season also means lower airfares and accommodation rates.

St. Augustine, Florida St Augustine, Florida
Credit: St Augustine, Florida by Bigstock.com

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is one of the nation’s oldest cities and the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in North America, and its annual fireworks display is considered one of its biggest events of the year. Be sure to come early and enjoy the city before the show. Many historic buildings still stand and can be visited today, like the Castillo de San Marcos, built in 1672, the historic city gate and the Plaza de la Constitucion. You can even walk in Aviles’ steps at the place where he came ashore near the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park just north of Castillo de San Marcos. For a good overview of St. Augustine, take the Old Town Trolley historic tour, and when you’ve had your fill of history before enjoying the fireworks. They are best viewed along the Bayfront between the Bridge of Lions and the ancient Castillo de San Marcos, where you can see the lights reflect off the waters of Matanzas Bay.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Credit: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina by Bigstock.com

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

There’s lots to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina too. In this popular summer beach town, thousands gather along the shore with blankets and chairs to watch the fireworks display that begins at dusk. A number of piers launch them, and they can be seen anywhere on the beach. During the day, play at the boardwalk. Opened in 2010, it stretches for over a mile and features a carnival-like atmosphere with souvenir shops, arcades, and rides like the 187-foot-tall Myrtle Beach SkyWheel. With its opening came a host of new restaurants too, though the favorite is still overwhelmingly Peaches Corner, an institution in Myrtle Beach since 1937, beloved for its root beer floats and foot-long hot dogs that are first deep-fried, and then grilled. Pick up some of your favorites, grab a blanket, then head to a spot on the sand. Other highlights over the holiday include the boat parade along Murrells Inlet, flyovers by vintage planes, and a cupcake-eating contest.

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