Five Great Spots for 4th of July Fireworks

The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks display in New York City is the largest and most intense fireworks show in the entire nation. Six barges on the Hudson River between 18^th and 43^rd street shoot up over 40,000 shells into the night sky! Its 26-minute display means that over 1,500 shells per minute are blasting off along the two-mile stretch of West Side Manhattan. And the biggest party to witness the ignited skyline is on the West Side Highway between 22^nd and 59^th street. The area will be closed to traffic and transformed into one massive block party for the masses.

For a more unique viewing experience, go to the Frying Pan, an old vessel transformed into a restaurant/bar on the Hudson waterfront at Pier 66. The top deck will provide envious views of the fireworks, but make sure to arrive early in the day, because this limited-seating option is sure to fill up fast. 

It may be touristy, but there is a reason why 250,000 locals and visitors alike descend upon Fisherman’s Wharf for Pier 39’s Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration. Audiences here are up close and personal to one of the nation’s biggest fireworks displays; a barge just offshore launches rounds over the San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

The event kicks off at 2pm, where concerts featuring popular bands are organized alongside the usual bunch of street artists and entertainers. Get down to the mile-long stretch early and enjoy the music, shopping, and a delicious bread bowl of fresh clam chowder. 

Every neighborhood in Los Angeles seems to have a fireworks display of some kind, from Dodger Stadium to The Coliseum to Culver City to the beach towns. But for those looking for the most bang for their buck should head over to Pasadena for Americafest – Southern California’s biggest fireworks show. Hosted at the historic Rose Bowl stadium, the event has been going strong for over 85 years.

It’s an all day extravaganza, starting at 2pm and going into the night with live music and performances, entertainment, and of course, the finale – the dazzling fireworks spectacle that trumps the rest in the city. 

Those in Boston looking to see some explosions in the sky need look no further than New England’s biggest Fourth of July event at the Boston Esplanade. This picturesque park, dense with trails, fields, trees, and outdoor activities runs for six miles along the gorgeous Charles River.

Every Independence Day, half-a-million onlookers travel to the Esplanade to enjoy the free concerts, events, and most importantly, the spectacular fireworks display that ignites over the Charles River. Even though the festivities don’t start until later in the evening, it’s best to arrive early and make an all day picnic out of it to ensure the best viewing spots along the waterfront. 

For the quintessential patriotic Fourth of July experience, there’s nothing quite like watching the fireworks show at Washington, DC’s National Mall.

Independence day kicks off with a parade down Constitution Avenue, and is followed by festivities that include free music and entertainment. The fireworks might not start till 9pm, but you’ll need to arrive much earlier if you dream of watching the brilliant rockets explode over the Washington Monument and sparks shimmering down onto the Reflecting Pool.