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10 must-see fireworks spectaculars happening this summer
Best Place to See Fireworks (2023)
Fireworks may not have originated in the United States, but they're certainly a longstanding American tradition. The first Fourth of July fireworks display dates back nearly 250 years, and fireworks have long been a mainstay for a wide variety of other holidays and festivities as well.
Beyond being such a feast for the eyes, public fireworks displays are a shared experience that can bring a community together. Here are the 10 best places to see fireworks this summer.
Photo courtesy of LPETTET // Getty Images
No. 10: Go 4th on the River - New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans' unofficial Cajun motto, "laissez les bons temps rouler" – "let the good times roll" in English – applies to Independence Day as well as Mardi Gras. The Go 4th on the River celebration takes place along the Mississippi River waterfront of the French Quarter and the Marigny neighborhood. Live musical performances during the day in Crescent Park precede the fireworks show, which can be seen from both banks of the river.
Photo courtesy of San Francisco Travel Association
No. 9: San Francisco Fourth of July Fireworks - San Francisco, California
Even the sea lions on San Francisco's Pier 39 lift their droopy eyes skyward during the city's annual Fourth of July fireworks display. San Francisco's notoriously unpredictable weather may mean bundling up for the celebration even on a July evening, but the shops and restaurants on the pier are open to provide refuge from the chill, and there's live music during the day leading up to the show. If you don't want to watch from up close, San Francisco's famous hills provide alternative viewing points, like Bernal Heights Park.
Photo courtesy of ntn // Getty Images
No. 8: A Capitol Fourth - Washington, D.C
A bucket list destination for generations of Americans, the annual fireworks show on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to the nation's capital for a 35-minute display launched from both sides of the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Fireworks can be seen from a variety of locations, but "across the Potomac River or on a river boat offers the best views," says expert Nicky Omohundro.
Photo courtesy of YinYang // Getty Images
No. 7: Fair Saint Louis - St. Louis, Missouri
Stars as diverse as Elton John, Martina McBride and Nelly have taken the stage at St. Louis' annual 4th of July weekend party, which is free of charge to attend. The climactic fireworks display takes place above the Mississippi River, framed by the Gateway Arch, in a show that can last as long as 30 minutes.
Photo courtesy of YinYang // Getty Images
No. 6: Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular - Boston, Massachusetts
Fireworks displays are often choreographed to music, but not typically to a full live orchestra. The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular recaptures the spirit of the Boston Pops' famous Bicentennial performance, with fireworks and cannon blasts as the finale. The concert and fireworks display take place at Boston's historic Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, the ribbon-like park alongside the Charles River.
Photo courtesy of Photographer: Alan Poizner
No. 5: Let Freedom Sing! - Nashville, Tennessee
You'd expect Fourth of July fireworks in Nashville to be accompanied by country music, and Music City does not disappoint. Nashville's annual Let Freedom Sing! celebration not only pairs a patriotic party with downtown concerts by established and rising country stars, but also synchronizes its climactic fireworks display with a live classical performance by the Nashville Symphony.
Photo courtesy of Joseph Kaczmarek
No. 4: Wawa Welcome America July 4th Fireworks - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What better place to celebrate the Fourth of July than the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776? The City of Brotherly Love's Welcome America festival runs for more than two weeks, starting on Juneteenth and culminating in a free concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The entire festival is free of charge; the July Fourth fireworks are best viewed from the parkway between Eakins Oval and Logan Circle.
Photo courtesy of gilaxia // Getty Images
No. 3: Addison Kaboom Town! - Addison, Texas
Every Independence Day weekend, the Dallas suburb of Addison, Texas is transformed into "Kaboom Town," with up to half a million visitors arriving to enjoy an air show at the Addison Airport followed by an impressive fireworks display. Visible from anywhere in town, the air show and fireworks can also be enjoyed at a variety of locally organized "watch parties" as well as Addison Circle Park.
Photo courtesy of PORT OF SAN DIEGO
No. 2: Big Bay Boom - San Diego, California
Billed as a salute to military members and their families in a city that hosts the U.S. Navy's second-largest surface ship base, the 18-minute fireworks display can be seen from anywhere in San Diego's North Bay, including the Embarcadero, the Marina District, Shelter Island and Harbor Island.
Photo courtesy of ®Nick Uliveri Photography
No. 1: Navy Pier - Chicago, Illinois
One of Chicago's secret pleasures is that you can enjoy fireworks at the iconic Navy Pier almost any time of year, including shows twice a week during the summer and when welcoming in the new year with a blast every December 31. That said, the annual Independence Weekend fireworks display is something special, with a 10-minute bombardment. In addition to viewing from the pier itself, pyrotechnic lovers can watch the show from charter boats on Lake Michigan, hotel rooftops, Maggie Daley Park or along Chicago's Lakefront Trail.
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The Experts
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She... Read More
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Wendy O'Dea
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O’Dea... Read More
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O’Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic and never-ending drought, there’s not much about California she doesn’t love. You can track her gallivanting ways on Instagram via @WendyTravels or at www.theinspiredtraveler.com.
Wendy O'Dea
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O’Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic and never-ending drought, there’s not much about California she doesn’t love. You can track her gallivanting ways on Instagram via @WendyTravels or at www.theinspiredtraveler.com.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.