Who’s ready for barbecues, fireworks, and a whole lot of red, white, and blue? It’s the Fourth of July, and each of our nation’s 50 states has some great plans for the country’s birthday (236 years old and still lookin’ good, USA!). We compiled a list of the best places to be on the Fourth this year from west coast to east, from “Kaboom Town” to a colonial town to a Big Apple concert with Katy Perry and Kenny Chesney.
1. Best Views for Fireworks: Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe boasts the largest synchronized fireworks display in the western United States with Lights on the Lake, a spectacle in Tahoe South that is launched from the South Shore. While the show can be seen from all over the town, one of the best places to see it sparkle is on the water itself on a Lake Tahoe cruise. If a cruise is out of your price range, you can always watch the spectacle from the beach.
2. Most Western: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat Springs has been celebrating the Fourth for more than 100 years with a western flair. Their event’s highlights include a parade that ends in a street dance party and the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series, where you can get a great view of the fireworks display.
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3. Most Explosive: Addison, Texas (Kaboom Town)
Any Fourth of July firework display dubbed “Kaboom Town” is sure not to disappoint. Addison’s famous firework show has been chosen as one of the best places to watch fireworks in the US by the American Pyrotechnics Association, Travel + Leisure, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. The 30-minute-long spectacle can be seen from anywhere in Addison and will follow musical performances by Zane Williams Band, Studio 54, and the Dallas Wind Symphony.
4. Most Country: Nashville, Tennessee
The Music City July 4th celebration, whose motto is “Let Freedom Sing!,” is the ultimate Independence Day destination for country music lovers. The show will feature live music performances by The Mavericks, Craig Morgan, Sarah Darling, and the Music City Hit-Makers. Nashville is also home to the largest fireworks show in the South, which will be set to music performed by the Nashville Symphony.
5. Most Historical: Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia [http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/]
Want to step right into living history on our nation’s birthday? Celebrate the Fourth in Colonial Williamsburg, where you can take a walking tour and see what our country was really like during the 18th century. Colonial Williamsburg’s Fourth of July celebration also includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a firework display, and concerts by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Heritage of America Band.
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6. Most Patriotic: Washington, D.C.
What better place to celebrate our nation’s birthday than in our nation’s capital? D.C.’s legendary Fourth of July celebration includes America’s National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue, a reading of the Declaration of Independence by four descendants of the original signers at The National Archives, and a fireworks show at the National Mall. Another can’t-miss event is A Capital Fourth, a concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol followed by a fireworks show. The concert, which will be aired live on PBS, will include its traditional performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” by the National Symphony Orchestra followed by live cannon fire by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery.
7. Most Musical: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
If you want to celebrate the Fourth with some great music, don’t miss Philadelphia’s Philly 4th of July Jam, the “Largest Free Concert in America.” The concert will feature musicians such as The Roots, Queen Latifah, Joe Jonas, Daryl Hall, and Common. Philadelphia’s “Welcome America!” celebration also includes three fireworks displays, a day-long Party on the Parkway with activities, games, food and three music stages, and the Philadelphia Independence Day Parade, which is made up of hundreds of participants all over the U.S. The week-long party is a fitting July Fourth celebration for the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed!
8. Most Star-Studded: New York, New York
The Big Apple really goes all out for the Fourth. Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks 25-minute show is the largest fireworks display in the United States with more than 40,000 fireworks. But the fireworks won’t be the only stars lighting up New York City that night—Katy Perry and Kenny Chesney will perform during the spectacle. Another famous NYC July Fourth tradition is the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest at Coney Island, which will air live on ESPN. Last year more than 1.95 million people tuned in to watch Joey Chestnut (who ate 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes) win the men’s eating contest, and Sonya Thomas (who ate 40 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes) win the first-ever women’s hot dog eating contest.
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9. Oldest Celebration: Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol boasts the oldest Fourth of July celebration in the nation, with the first event having been celebrated in 1785 when the USA was just a wee nine years old. The event includes a fireworks show, a parade featuring bands and drum corps from all over the country, and the Rockwell Amusements Carnival on the Bristol Town Common from June 28 through July 4.
10. Most Classic: Boston, Massachusetts
The American Revolution began here with The Boston Tea Party, so it’s only fitting that Boston would have one of the best Fourth of July celebrations in the country. The city goes all out with the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, a concert on the Charles River that features the Boston Pops Orchestra’s traditional performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” with some help from howitzer cannons, church bells, and fireworks. This year, Jennifer Hudson, Michael Chiklis, and the United States Navy Sea Chanters will also perform.
Where will you be celebrating July 4th this year? Leave a comment!
Photo Credits:
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