Hey there, Americans–looking forward to a three-day weekend to celebrate Independence Day? Where will you plan to travel on July 4? Here are five of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the U.S.A.
1. A Capitol Fourth, The Mall, Washington D.C.
What’s Special? You’re kidding, right? It is THE place to be–the seat of government, with an all-American entertainment program featuring John Philip Sousa marches and thousands of red, white and blue clad celebrants gathered on the grassy lawn in the middle of all those imposing marble buildings. Right there where the laws are made and administered and judged. And watching fireworks arc over the Washington Monument would give any patriot a thrill.
Although I’ve never been in Washington in person for July 4th, we never miss watching this celebration on PBS. The people in the audience can be as much fun as the show on stage. Jimmy Smits and Steve Martin headlined in 2011.

What’s Special? Mostly the magnificent Boston Pops Orchestra, but also the serene setting by the historic Charles River. The music is a tad classier, and so is the crowd, compared to Washington D.C., but it is still a heck of a show.
Now in its 38th year, Boston presents the famous Boston Pops orchestra on July 3 and July 4 and fireworks over the Charles River on the Fourth. For a real thrill, see the Boston July 4th show from the Charles River. I’ll be stopping over in Boston briefly in August, and loved our visit there a couple of years ago.
3. Macy’s Fireworks Celebration, Hudson River, New York City

Setting off fireworks from barges on the Hudson River is a long time tradition in New York City, perhaps remembering the fireworks of revolutionary battles with the British fought in this area. Back then New York City was a rural village with cobblestone streets, and you can still see the cobblestones on the very southern tip of Manhattan in front of the Fraunces Tavern where George Washington gave his farewell address to the troops. In 1976, the bi-centennial of the Declaration of Independence, one of the grandest celebrations in the land took place here, and the tradition continues.
Fireworks have been cut from a lot of city budgets, but Macy’s, who in the past have been firmly associated with Thanksgiving, because of the Thanksgiving parade, now own July 4th in NYC as well. Thank you Macy’s for one of the best events in New York, a city I love to visit.
4. Navy Pier, Chicago
What’s Special: Well, to tell the truth, I love Chicago, but the city is not funding any big fireworks shows this summer. Instead, people can trot on out to Navy Pier and see there usual 15 minute show. When I say usual–they do this fireworks display every night during the summer. It is a crowd pleaser, there will be live music, and the Pier’s a cool place to be on a hot summer night, but it doesn’t hold a Roman candle to the extravaganzas in the other cities.
5. Big Bay
Big Bay Boom, San Diego

What’s Special?San Diego has a gorgeous bay and the night views looking back toward the city or out across the lighted Coronado Bridge always take my breath away. Now add tons of exploding color being fired off from barges circling the bay–sounds incredible. View them from outdoors at Shelter Island or Seaport Village or grab a 9:00 p.m. reservation window seat at one of the hundreds of restaurants with views on the bay. Yum!
(If budgetary woes weren’t enough to slow down the fireworks shows, in California a judge questioned whether San Diego’s fireworks are environmentally safe. Only in California!The latest ruling allows the big show to go forward in San Diego, so you can safely book your trip.)
Can you afford to get out of town for the long weekend?
My favorite provider of travel bargains, Travel Zoo, sends a weekly newsletter with their bargains and on June 17 they listed a BUNCH of July 4th bargains. If you don’t subscribe to Travel Zoo, do.
Don’t dispair if you can’t get out of town, the D.C. Capitol Fourth will be covered on Public Television, and you can curl up with one of the books we have recommended in the past.
The fireworks photos above come from CheapoAir. The video comes from the folks at the Capitol Fourth, though. Travel Zoo was mentioned without incentive. I just happen to like them.
Where will you be on July 4th? Do you have any special family traditions?
A follow up to Sarah Henry’s comment re San Francisco, possibly the best place NOT to view firewords. In 1976, the bi-centennial year, we lived in SF and with many other people lined the top of a hill overlooking the Bay and Alcatraz, from which the most spectacular display ever was about to be set off. Then the fog rolled in. Someone exploded a million dollars worth of fireworks, and to my knowledge, absolutely no one saw any of them!
Libbie
I’d be interested in your view. In Australia, people are starting to reach fireworks fatigue – trying to outdo the last effort and performed regularly enough that there is little surprise. I feel that the number of fireworks in Australia has slowed to try to arrest the fatigue issue.
I don’t notice that in the U.S. I live in southern Arizona where many years (like this year) the fireworks are cancelled because of wildfire dangers, so we can’t wait to actually see some. Ball parks still use fireworks shows, Disney Land and Disney World have magnificent fireworks at the end of each evening. And many other attractions, like Navy Pier in Chicago, mentioned in the article, have nightly fireworks. So, no, Americans don’t seem to be tired of things that go boom.
Waterfire in Providence, Rhode Island, is fire lighting rather firworks so much, but it is spectacular too. takes place several times over the summer as well as around the fourth.
Thinking about catching the fireworks over the lake in McCall!
My grandest 4th of July experience was driving from San Francisco to Napa on the 4th of July. Fireworks were exploding over every little town the entire way. It was awe inspiring! -r
Richard that sounds fantastic and reminds me of one year that Ken flew on a route that took him down the coast of California on the evening of July 4th. Talk about spectacular!
Thank you for letting me know the Boston fireworks will be shown on Public television- I’m going to check out when that will be. Maybe one year I’ll be able to travel over there and get to see them in person.
Afraid I misled you on that one. They are on TV, but not on Public TV. I’ve corrected the error in the article. So sorry, Connie, and I hope the Fourth on the Charles is carried by one of your network shows.
It’s usually so foggy in the San Francisco Bay Area that you can’t see the fireworks anyway. Give me Sydney fireworks on New Year’s Eve any night. Spectacular.
Sarah, I was thinking of Edinburgh at hnew year’s myself when reading this. that’s an event too, complete with bell ringing and bagpipes to go along with the fireworks.
we’re always up at our cottage, in northern michigan. and, we always head to lake michigan to see the fireworks. there’s nothing more magical than the fireworks reflected in the big lake. extra bonus – our daughter’s birthday is the 3rd – so cake and ice cream, too!
what a great list. 🙂
Your daughter must love that the whole country celebrates her birthday with fireworks and parties and parades!
There are some good viewing spots for the NYC fireworks just across the river in Hoboken and Jersey City – you get to see the display AND the skyline!
Oooo, you can be my guide if I ever get to NYC for July 4.
ANYtime you’re in NYC, you better let me know!
you got it