The Fourth of July is about to light up the skies across the U.S.
No matter where you are in the country, you can almost certainly find a fireworks display nearby – whether it’s the backyard variety or a red, white and blue municipal event.
We went looking for the best fireworks displays in America to help you with your holiday planning whether you’re traveling, thinking about a road trip or simply celebrating close to home. And we found a Travel Channel story, as well as one at Attractions of America, that will surely spark your mood for an Independence Day party from Addison, TX, to the Northeast to Nashville, Lake Tahoe, Houston and San Francisco.
Here’s a rundown of the 12 most spectacular fireworks displays, according to these sources and others:
Addison, TX – Kaboom Town! is the largest display in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with more than 1,500 pounds of fireworks. “This Texas-sized party has been recognized by the American Pyrotechnics Association as one of the top 10 fireworks displays in the country.”
Atlantic City – The popular New Jersey resort destination features fireworks that are visible over a one-mile stretch of the boardwalk and beach.
Boston – The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular attracts a half-million visitors to the Charles River, although “many locals argue that the best viewing spot … is across the river in Cambridge.”
Chicago (Navy Pier) – Grab a Chicago-style hot dog and find your spot to watch the fireworks light up over Lake Michigan.
Houston – Freedom Over Texas proves “everything is bigger in Texas with the country’s largest land-based fireworks show.”
Lake Tahoe, CA – Lights on the Lake, recognized by the “Today Show” as one of the country’s top displays, can be viewed from all over town, but watching from the beach is best.
Nashville – The Country Music Capital turns up the Independence Day celebrations with a FREE live concert in downtown. Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th! features performances by Brad Paisley, Ben Rector and more.
New York City – Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks soar from barges along the Hudson River as America’s largest city offers the largest pyrotechnic show to music by The New York Pops Orchestra and Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Philadelphia – Of course the city of the Declaration of Independence is on the list. In fact, the Wawa Welcome America Festival in the City of Brotherly Love celebrates over eight days.
Rose Bowl, CA – AmericaFest offers free music, vendors and one of the largest fireworks displays in Southern California, all with the backdrop of the iconic stadium, make for an amazing experience.
San Francisco – The fireworks, which are launched from Municipal Pier, are visible along the waterfront.
Washington, D.C. – Fireworks launched from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool light up the sky to spectacular effect behind the Washington Monument.
No doubt other cities would stake claims to places on the list – such as Idaho Falls, ID, which annually hosts the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, “The largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi based on the number of shells fired into the night’s sky,” according to one comment on the Travel Channel story.
Really, the best fireworks show is wherever you happen to be watching.
Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
