The Best Places to Visit for the Fourth of July

Are you looking for the best places to visit for the Fourth of July this year? I’ll give you all my top pics!

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There are of course TONS of massive celebrations everywhere across the United States to celebrate the Fourth of July.

You don’t have to look far to find amazing fireworks displays, parades, and all kinds of patriotic celebrations across the country.

I’ll break down some of the best whether you like big city parties, beaches, or more of a small-town feel – here are some of the best places to take a little vacation this year.

Here are all the best places to visit for the Fourth of July!

Best Places to Visit for the Fourth of July!

1. Washington, D.C.

Of course, first on the list has to be the nation’s capital – Washington, D.C.! T

They have a massive parade in the morning, The National Independence Day Parade, right on Constitution Avenue. You’ll see huge floats, military and specialty units, balloons, marching bands, and so much more!

In the evening you can check out the A Capitol Fourth Concert at the U.S. Capitol where you’ll see live performance and then get to watch an amazing firework display over the National Mall!

The National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue features marching bands, floats, and military units. In the evening, the A Capitol Fourth Concert at the U.S. Capitol brings live performances before a spectacular fireworks display over the National Mall.

Top Experiences:

Visit the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence (Click here to book!)
Explore the Smithsonian museums (Click here to book!)
Watch the fireworks from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
Where to Stay: Click Here for a list of places to stay – from luxury to more affordable options as well.
There are tons of other great tours and activities! (Click here to check them out!)

2. New York City, New York

Another huge Fourth of July celebration that takes place every year is the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks celebration in New York City! You can watch along the East River where there will be thousands of people gathered to see the display!

I always love visiting New York City – I try to go at least once a year if not more. And you know they love to celebrate in NYC so of course it’s a top pic!

Top Experiences:

Take a Fourth of July cruise for a unique fireworks view (Click here to book!)
Watch the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island
Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (Click here to book!)
Where to Stay: Click here to start searching for where to stay
There are tons of other great tours and activities! (Click here to check them out!)

Also, check out my blog post: 17 of the Best Free Things to Do in New York City

3. Boston, Massachusetts

One of my favorite vacations I have ever taken was to Boston, Massachusetts!

I love it there for so many reasons – a lot of them involving water and amazing seafood.

But another huge thing they sure have a lot of is American history – making it an incredible place to spend the Fourth of July.

The main event is The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular which is right on the Charles River. You’ll get to see live music and a huge fireworks show!

Top Experiences:

Walk the Freedom Trail to see historic landmarks
Cruise the Boston Harbor on a sunset cruise (Click here to book!)
Visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum (Click here to book!)
Where to Stay: Click here to start choosing where to stay
Tour Options: Find more fun things to do here!

For more good ideas of things to do, check out my blog post: 8 of the Best Things to do in Boston, Massachusetts

4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As the birthplace of America, of course, Philadelphia has to be on the list! The Wawa Welcome America Festival lasts for days and includes concerts, free museum admissions, and fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The festival lasts 16 days – starting on Juneteenth and ending on the fourth. So even if you can’t travel on The Fourth of July is a great celebration you could attend before the actual 4th of July!

Top Experiences:

Visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
Explore the Museum of the American Revolution (Click here to book!)
Watch fireworks at Penn’s Landing
Where to Stay: Philadelphia hotel deals on Booking.com
Things to Do: Historic tours on Tripadvisor.com

5. Nashville, Tennessee

Next up – my hometown!

I’ve done downtown to see the fireworks and take part in the 4th of July festivities more times than I can count.

It’s always a great time and they do an amazing job putting it on.

The main event is the Let Freedom Sing! festival. There’s always live country music (of course!), the Nashville Symphony, and one of the biggest fireworks displays in the whole country.

They really go all out and I’ve always had a great time celebrating the Fourth of July in Nashville.

Top Experiences:

Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame (Click here to book!)
Enjoy live music on Broadway
Take a scenic boat ride on the Cumberland River
Where to Stay: Click here for all the best hotels in Nashville on Booking.com
Rental Cars: Find a rental car in Nashville on Rentalcars.com

If you need more ideas of how to spend your time in Nashville, check out my blog post: The Ultimate 3-Day Nashville Itinerary for First-Timers

6. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston also has a great Fourth of July celebration! The Patriots Point Fireworks Blast offers waterfront fireworks, historic sites, and beautiful beaches. It’s also one of the biggest celebrations in the area.

Top Experiences:

Explore historic Fort Sumter (Click here to book!)
Walk through Charleston’s historic district
Relax on Folly Beach
Where to Stay: Book a cozy Charleston rental on Vrbo

7. San Diego, California

San Diego’s Big Bay Boom is one of the largest fireworks shows on the West Coast – so of course it had to make the list!

You’ll get to see fireworks right over the San Diego Bay. So many cities can be super hot during July, but San Diego’s weather makes it one of the best places for an outdoor celebration that won’t have you super overheated!

(I highly recommend bringing a lawn chair or blanket for watching fireworks! But if you have a boat you can even watch from the water!)

Top Experiences:

Visit Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo (Click here to book!)
Enjoy a beach day at La Jolla or Coronado
Watch the fireworks from a boat cruise (Click here to book!)
Where to Stay: San Diego hotels on Booking.com
Things to Do: T ours on Tripadvisor.com

8. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada

If you want something that’s not as much of a city vibe – head to Lake Tahoe for the Fourth of July!

Their Lights on the Lake is a breathtaking fireworks display over the water. You can watch from the beaches or take a boat out for an unforgettable view.

Top Experiences:

Go hiking or biking in the Sierra Nevada mountains
Enjoy water activities like kayaking or paddleboarding (Click here to book!)
Take a scenic drive around the lake
Where to Stay: Lake Tahoe vacation rentals on Vrbo

9. New Orleans, Louisiana

Another one of my favorite places to visit is New Orleans!

As you would expect they do a great celebration – with tons of live music and a great firework show over the Mississippi River.

Their main event is Go 4th on the River. As part of the event they have a famous fireboat, the General Roy S. Kelley that does a waster show with plumes of red, white, and blue fountains. It’s amazing to see!

Top Experiences:

Stroll through the historic French Quarter
Take a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi (Click here to book!)
Enjoy amazing seafood and jazz music
Where to Stay: Hotels in New Orleans on Booking.com

To find more things to do in New Orleans check out my blog post: 11 of the Best Things to Do in New Orleans!

There are so many options to choose from when choosing the best places to visit for the Fourth of July. I hope this post helped you find the perfect one for you!

The Best Places to Visit for the Fourth of July