If you want to go all out in celebrating the Fourth of July this year, perhaps even combining a nice vacation with a spectacular celebration, there are some destinations that offer amazing opportunities to really do it right this Independence Day. From breathtaking fireworks displays to fabulous festivals and more, these are some of the best vacation destinations in the country for watching Fourth of July fireworks.
Seattle, Washington
Not only does Seattle offer a ton to do all year round, but for the Fourth of July, visitors and locals alike can join the massive celebration at Gas Works Park. The annual event features food, vendors, live entertainment, games, and beer gardens. It’s suited for kids and adults, culminating with a spectacular fireworks show. If you happen to have a boat or know someone who does, you’ll have the best viewing place of all, right on the lake. If not, just bring a blanket and stake out a spot – you really can’t go wrong. Before or after the big day, take a ferry out to Bainbridge Island, looking for marine life like orca whales and dolphins along the way, visit Pike’s Place Market to watch the fishmongers toss the fresh catch of the day, and be sure to take in the panoramic view from the top of the Space Needle.
San Francisco, California
If you like to get up on your feet, San Francisco’s Fourth of July Celebration at Pier 39 is one of the best. It buzzes with live music that makes it almost impossible not to dance, while fireworks are launched over San Francisco Bay from two different locations, synchronized to a custom soundtrack. The dazzling show can be seen anywhere from Pier 39 to Aquatic Park. While you’re at the pier, be sure to watch for the sea lions – easily found by following the loud barks – and, enjoy a variety of interesting acts by street performers. Some can’t-miss things to do in San Francisco include taking a stroll across the legendary Golden Gate or a cruise to Alcatraz or enjoying scenic hikes at nearby Muir Woods National Monument.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff offers a wonderful respite from the searing heat down south with its cooler mountain climate dotted with ponderosa pines. Visitors also enjoy the area’s frontier spirit along with easy access to the Grand Canyon. The town also puts on quite the celebration for Independence Day, with its highlight including a parade downtown. It also features a concert by the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, a fun run, “Flagstaff Art in the Park,” an art and fine crafts show in downtown Wheeler Park. And, of course, a spectacular display of fireworks after dark. Just a half-hour south of town, one of the best things to do near Flagstaff is swimming in the cool refreshing waters of the famous creek at Slide Rock State Park.
Navy Pier, Chicago
Millions of visitors and locals gather along the shoreline and promenade at the historic Navy Pier in Chicago on the Fourth of July. The Windy City hosts a dazzling fireworks display synchronized to music over Lake Michigan from the Pier, which also features the waterfront Pier Park, including a musical carousel, lots of eateries, and the chance to sample warm, sugary fried dough. You’ll enjoy street entertainers, lots of shopping, free live music and even two sandy beaches nearby. If you want the best vantage point for the big show, see it from the 150-foot Ferris wheel. While you’re in Chicago, enjoy shopping the Magnificent Mile, browsing art galleries, visiting world-class museums, and much more.
Bend, Oregon
This mountain town just east of the Cascades is known for its community pride, which makes its creative Fourth of July celebration even better. This all-day party takes place in Drake Park and features hula-hoop contests, old-fashioned gunny sack races, and a pet parade. The parade, which dates back to the 1930s, includes costumed kids and pets marching or riding in wagons. This area also offers a ton of fun things to do, especially for outdoor adventure lovers, from fantastic fishing and mountain biking to hiking, rafting, camping, bird watching, golfing, and more.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Thousands arrive to watch the fireworks along the shores of Waikiki and Ala Moana as well as at 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. Pack a picnic, sit back, relax and wait for the light display. Of course, Hawaii offers a ton of other things to do too, from learning to surf and enjoying fantastic snorkeling to luaus, hula shows, or just relaxing and soaking up the sun and the sand.
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii
Over in Lahaina on the island of Maui, enjoy celebrations that include a potluck on the beach like Aloha Mixed Plate offering the islands’ diverse variety of delicious comfort foods like fried Mochiko chicken, Kalua pork and Korean short ribs. After the sun goes down, the night sky will light up with a spectacular fireworks show visible from along the sea wall on Front Street. It typically shoots from a barge just across from Front Street – by heading to the Hard Rock Café, you can hear the synchronized music that accompanies the display. If you’d like to take in the view from the water, both the Pacific Whale Foundation and Alii Nui Maui offer dinner cruises for viewing the show.
Port Townsend, Washington
If you’d like to enjoy some beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery along with your Fourth of July celebration, and some fantastic fiddle music, head to Port Townsend on the northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula. This Victorian seaport community hosts “Fiddles on the Fourth” at Fort Worden State Park along Admiralty Bay. The area offers the chance for a wide array of activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and whale watching tours. You’ll find lots of unique shops and eateries in town serving meals based on fresh, local ingredients. Fireworks kick off at dusk from Fort Worden over the water. In addition to the light show, on a clear day you’ll be able to see Mount Baker, the Cascade Mountain Range, and even Mount Rainier.
Marblehead, Massachusetts
This charming, historic harbor town surrounded by water offers beautiful beaches and a great time for the Fourth. It’s jam-packed with food vendors, art, music, and family-friendly activities. As it tends to get crowded and parking is at a premium, arrive in the morning. You’ll also want to stake out a good spot in Chandler Hovey Park to watch the fireworks display over Marblehead Light Tower – or bring a blanket and lay it across the grass at Crocker Park or Fort Sewall. After the show, The Landing Restaurant on the harbor is an ideal spot for a drink and great people-watching.
Estes Park, Colorado
Not only is this gateway town to Rocky Mountain National Park renowned for its gorgeous scenery, but it’s well-known for its huge fireworks display and festival. In addition to one of the best light shows in the state, the village offers an array of family-friendly activities and events just for the holiday. On July 4th, head out on a scenic hike or mountain bike trail, go paddle boating, play miniature golf, and check out a cool car show with more than 100 steam-to-electric vehicles as well as street rods, electric cars, muscle cars, stock cars, sports cars, and vintage vehicles. Fireworks start around 9:30 p.m. over Lake Estes – look for a grassy spot at Stanley Park or along the Lake Estes Trail.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
There’s lots to do in Myrtle Beach 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, dine on summer favorites, including tasty barbecue – some of the best can be found at the local favorite, Little Pigs Bar-B-Q. Grab a pulled pork sandwich and 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 some family-friendly fun at the Surfside Beach celebration.
Rockaway Beach, Oregon
The northern Oregon coast town is one of the most breathtaking destinations any time of year, but for the Fourth of July holiday, you can also enjoy one of the largest celebrations in the region. Thousands of spectators head to this tiny town for the fireworks. A parade kicks off the festivities and you can also take part in an old-fashioned bake sale and watch Dachshund races. The Rockaway Lions Club invites everyone to join them for games, races, treasure hunts, hot dogs, and more. After dark, which isn’t until around 10 p.m. here, fireworks launch over the ocean. Your best view can be found at the Wayside or on the shore in Rockaway Beach.
Whitefish, Montana
If you’re looking for beautiful Montana mountain scenery, this Flathead Valley town offers an entire holiday weekend filled with fun, including fireworks. This is the time of year for the annual Whitefish Arts Festival which features metal sculptures, woodworking, photography and more. You can also enjoy traditional Fourth festivities at Whitefish Lake’s City Beach, which includes live music and fireworks over the water. If you want to enjoy some tasty pie with the show, stop by Loula’s Café, famous for its award-winning huckleberry-peach pie.
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island’s Fourth of July festivities attract thousands to this picturesque island. The fireworks display will begin after sundown and can be seen from anywhere around Great Dunes Park or the convention center. You’ll find plenty of open space for parking, ideal for campers and RVers who want to tailgate. You can also bring a blanket and just get a great spot at Great Dunes Park. While you’re here, you can watch the sea turtle release too. In addition to the holiday celebration, look forward to hanging out on miles of idyllic beaches, playing a round at any one of the award-winning golf courses, and exploring the historic landmark district.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, one of the nation’s oldest cities, boasts an annual fireworks display that brings more people to the historic downtown area than any other event all year long. Be sure to come early and enjoy the city before the show, taking a stroll to visit antique shops and dine in excellent restaurants before catching The All Star Orchestra’s performance in the evening. For the best view of the fireworks, stake out a spot along the Bayfront between the Bridge of Lions and the ancient Castillo de San Marcos. When the show begins, you can watch the lights reflect off the waters of Matanzas Bay.
San Diego, California
There are six port parks in San Diego that are ideal for watching the city’s jaw-dropping fireworks display. The best spots are along La Jolla Shores and nearby Kellogg Park, where you can also enjoy a day at the beach. Be sure to arrive early and stake out your spot – the fireworks are launched from four barges in San Diego Bay. The best viewing locations include Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and the Coronado Ferry Landing in Coronado. Of course, San Diego is a popular vacation destination year-round, with major tourist attractions like the San Diego Zoo and the safari park as well as Sea World, destination spas, wineries, and more.
Newport, Oregon
This beautiful town on the central Oregon coast is renowned for its great seafood, including Dungeness crab, as well as romantic oceanfront eateries and the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, a one-mile-long headland at the north end of Newport full of awe-inspiring wildlife viewing, including seals, sea lions, seabirds and more. Yaquina Bay also hosts one of the largest fireworks shows in the area, which begins at dusk over the water. You can also watch the Fourth of July Parade on Gleneden Beach. For the best view of the fireworks, head to the Bayfront or South Beach. Or, if you’ve got access to a boat, enjoy it from the water.
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 – and, with two holidays. These Caribbean isles celebrate their own Emancipation Day on July 3, which commemorates the end of the slave trade, and the islands 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.
