Red, White and Boom: The Best Destinations to Catch 4th of July Fireworks
Eating hot dogs, drinking beer and celebrating our great country’s independence with family and friends are all primary parts of the Fourth of July tradition. Of course, so is igniting the candles – or, should we say, the Roman candles aka fireworks – for the top of Uncle Sam’s birthday cake. Seriously, is there anything better than a shower of colorful explosions illuminating the night sky to cap off your Independence Day?
No matter where you rent an apartment, a fireworks show will most likely be nearby. It’s never too early to start planning for your Fourth. If you really want to catch some explosive eye candy on America’s 242nd Independence Day, you need to visit – or even live in – these seven metropolitan areas that truly know how to make a bang.
Dallas
We all know “everything is bigger in Texas,” but when it comes to Independence Day celebrations, The Big D and its surrounding cities truly live up to the state’s self-congratulatory mantra. Fair Park Fourth abounds with family-friendly fun including rides, games and an extensive collection of 1930s art and architecture. Plus, the illuminated Texas Star Ferris wheel makes a pleasant complement alongside the booming fireworks. Baseball fans can head out to Globe Life Park in Arlington to catch the Texas Rangers in action, then stick around for the post-game fireworks.
But the event you should not overlook is Addison Kaboom Town! Located in the small town of Addison just outside of Downtown Dallas, this free spectacle attracts over 500,000 guests nationwide and is often cited as one of the best fireworks shows in the country because of its mesmerizing 30-minute display that uses over 1,500 pounds of explosives. Be sure to show up early to grab a good seat and catch the high-flying air show featuring a variety of historic warplanes.
Ready to call Dallas home? We’ve got an apartment for you.
Washington, D.C.
With fireworks bursting and booming against the capital’s iconic memorials and monuments, the National Mall Fourth of July Celebration is one of the nation’s most patriotic and dazzling sights to behold. While the National Mall is the best spot to view the fireworks, it’s obviously the most crowded. From rooftop bars to the banks of the Potomac River, there are several alternative vantage points in the D.C. area if you’re not up to join the barrage of revelers gathered at the Mall.
Looking to avoid this extravaganza all together? Try heading out to one of the less populated events in Virginia or Maryland. Situated about an hour away from D.C., Frederick’s 4th of July offers an array of activities before the big show, including a bathtub race across Culler Lake. Lake Fairfax Park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts since the venue boasts a campground where you can enjoy the glittering display from the comfort of your tent.
If you’re planning on making a move to Washington, D.C., today, tomorrow or anytime in the future, it’s time to make a Greystar apartment community your next official residence.
Seattle
There is a laundry list of things Seattle is known for – coffee, rainy weather, grunge music, Frasier Crane – and Fourth of July festivities should be included, too. The biggest event among them all is Seafair Summer Fourth at Gas Works Park.
Boasting a 21-minute fireworks display over the downtown-adjacent Lake Union, Seafair utilizes 8,500 pounds of fireworks to light up the night sky for thousands of spectators. Stevi Boskovich, Seafair’s director of marketing and media relations, hints, “This year’s opening show sequence will feature a unique water-based component beginning with hundreds of white strobes that float directly on the water’s surface. As the music builds in intensity, this sea of strobes will erupt into a series of twirling silver tourbillons coupled with this same effect in the sky.”
To step up your Independence Day jaunt, hop aboard an Argosy Cruise starting from Elliot Bay and ending under Seafair’s bombardment of glittering bursts and booms.
Another noteworthy patriotic blowout includes the Bellevue 4th of July Fireworks Celebration, which is located east of Seattle in Bellevue Downtown Park. The event draws about 60,000 guests each year for its marvelous fireworks show, family-friendly activities and live performance by the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Fall in love with Seattle and call it your next home. Contact our friendly team of leasing agents for details.
New York City
The City That Never Sleeps definitely does not take a cat nap when America’s birthday rolls around. Now in its 42nd year, the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks is always a total blast to witness, from the pre-show performances by chart-topping acts to the 50,000 pyrotechnic effects used during the 25-minute extravaganza. It’s no wonder why over 3 million people watch the spectacle in person and on national television. If you’re planning to be in the Big Apple, there are multiple locations you can stake out: South Street Seaport in Manhattan, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Brooklyn Bridge Park and Long Island City in Queens.
Macy’s isn’t necessarily the be-all, end-all of Independence Day commemorations in the NYC area. Travel to Coney Island for a glistening fireworks show right on the beach. Better yet, make sure to arrive early to experience gluttony at its finest – Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. You can also make a trek to Jersey City, the home of the Freedom and Fireworks Festival. This patriotic party nestled along the Hudson River has become one of New Jersey’s biggest Fourth of July events thanks to its live music, amusement rides and delectable selection eats and drinks.
Greystar offers a host of apartment communities across the New York City area where you can rest and relax after the fireworks and the other 364 days a year.
Boston
There’s no shortage of historical significance in Boston, and the same can be said for Independence Day revelry. The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is the most epic way to celebrate America’s birthday in New England. Situated along the 3-mile Esplanade of the Charles River, this 40-plus year celebration is anchored by a rousing performance by the renowned Boston Pops Orchestra, followed by a sparking display featuring over 10,000 fireworks reaching as high as 1,500 feet. For the best vantage point, the Hatch Shell – where the Boston Pops Orchestra performs – is the place to be, but you can also get great views from the Harvard and Longfellow bridges, as well as anywhere along the 3-mile Esplanade.
If you’re looking to escape the overwhelming crowd, which well exceeds over 500,000 attendees, drive about 15 miles outside of Boston to the Marblehead Fireworks & Harbor Illumination. With its wide array of live music, appetizing bites, art and children’s activities, Marblehead serves as a perfect alternative to Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.
After the red, white and blue celebration, go green and make a move to the Boston area. Greystar has a place you can call home.
Philadelphia
It’s where Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock and 53 of our other founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, so you better believe a healthy dose of patriotism will be coming your way in the City of Brotherly Love. The largest free concert in the country, Wawa Welcome America isn’t just a one-day Fourth of July celebration but a week-long onslaught of top-shelf music performances, outdoor movie screenings, community events and multiple fireworks displays. To view the grand finale fireworks show, which is set against the Philadelphia Museum of Art, claim your spot along Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Outside of this mega festival, you can also witness a grand fireworks display over the Delaware River at Independence Seaport Museum. Arrive early so you take a tour of the museum, which holds one of the largest maritime collections in North America. If that’s not your cup of tea, maybe a lucky night a SugarHouse Casino might tickle your fancy. After playing your cards right, snag a spot on the outdoor patio and enjoy the Delaware River spectacle.
Our Philadelphia apartments provide a great foundation for life in the birthplace of America. Start living out your dreams in Philly now.
Nashville
Music City always gets a little louder when America’s birthday arrives on the calendar. Slip on your boots and head down to Let Freedom Sing!, Nashville’s premier Independence Day celebration chock full of electrifying performances from up-and-coming artists to country radio mainstays such as this year’s headliner Lady Antebellum. The festival’s fireworks display leaves nothing to be desired, either. Boasting more than 35,000 pounds of explosives, the awe-inspiring spectacle is seamlessly choreographed to a live set from the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony. Riverfront Park, the east side of Cumberland and anywhere along Broadway are your prime viewing positions.
Before slamming hot dogs and ice-cold beer down your throat, kick off your Independence Day by participating in the Music City Four on the 4th. It’s a 4-mile run/walk that’s a great way to burn off some calories and take in the sights and sounds of Nashville.
Make music in Nashville year-round when you call the city your next home. Greystar has a studio, one-, two- or three-bedroom apartment just for you.
Looking to step up your BBQ game this Fourth of July? We’ve got a few tips that will help you become a master griller.
The information presented on or through this Website is made available solely for general information purposes. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such materials by you or any other visitor to this Website, or by anyone who may be informed of any of its contents. Any reference to amenities, services, rules, policies, or procedures at a Greystar apartment community is general in nature, and each Greystar apartment community may have amenities, services, rules, policies, and procedures that differ from those referenced on this Website. Please consult with your Greystar apartment community for the exact amenities, services, rules, policies, or procedures applicable.
This Website may include content provided by third parties, including materials provided by other users, bloggers, and third-party licensors, syndicators, aggregators, and/or reporting services. All statements and/or opinions expressed in these materials, and all articles and responses to questions and other content, other than the content provided by Greystar, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity providing those materials. These materials do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Greystar. We are not responsible, or liable to you or any third party, for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties.
