Holiday guide. July.
Where to go for Fourth of July
The biggest fireworks night of the year and the busiest summer travel week. Go to the celebration, or go somewhere cool enough to enjoy it.
The straight answer
The best places to spend the Fourth of July are Washington DC, Boston, New York City, and Bristol, Rhode Island, for the celebrations, or Alaska, Maine, and Glacier National Park for cool, long days in their best season.
The best Fourth of July trips are the classic American celebrations done right: Washington DC on the National Mall, Boston for the Pops on the Esplanade, New York for the Macy's fireworks, and Bristol, Rhode Island, for the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration in the country. If you would rather escape the heat, Alaska, Maine, and the Northern Rockies are at their very best in early July.
The Fourth is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. Airfares, rental cars, and lake and beach houses all hit peak rates, and the heat is real: Washington DC runs highs near 89F (32C) with serious humidity, and the Southwest is well over 100F (38C). Plan the fireworks night itself carefully, because the big shows draw hundreds of thousands and the best spots are claimed by mid afternoon.
If you have flexibility, the smarter move is to celebrate at home and travel the week after the Fourth. The week after the holiday has the same summer weather with noticeably softer airfare. Homeschool families can do even better by traveling in June, when the northern parks are open and the national summer rush is still building.
The world, ranked for Fourth of July
Each pick opens its July page, with weather, crowds and what is on.
Book Alaska for Fourth of July.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for July
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in AlaskaOpens a hotel search for Alaska in July, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in AlaskaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in AlaskaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Alaska for July. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Closer to home
The US picks for this week, from a long weekend drive to a national park.
Washington, DC
The National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue, the A Capitol Fourth concert on the Capitol's West Lawn, and fireworks over the National Mall. Expect highs near 89F (32C) with heavy humidity, and long security screening lines; arrive early with water.
Boston
Massachusetts
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River Esplanade is one of the country's great Fourth traditions, plus the Declaration of Independence reading from the Old State House balcony.
New York City
New York
The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks is the largest display in the country. The launch location changes from year to year, so check the announced viewing areas before you plan.
Bristol, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Home of the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration in the country, dating to 1785, with a parade that draws crowds far larger than the town. Red, white, and blue center lines run down Hope Street all year.
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell on the day itself, plus the city's multi-day Wawa Welcome America festival ending with a concert and fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Reserve Independence Hall tickets early.
Glacier National Park
Montana
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is often fully open over Logan Pass by early July in a normal snow year, and the wildflowers are starting. Check the park's current vehicle reservation rules.
Acadia and the Maine coast
Maine
Highs near 75F (24C), lobster shacks in full swing, and small-town parades and fireworks up and down the coast. Bar Harbor is busy; book early.
Lake Tahoe
California
Alpine lake, highs near 80F (27C), and fireworks over the water. Among the busiest weekends of the year at the lake, so book lodging early.
Skip this week
- The Desert Southwest. Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Death Valley run highs of 105F to 120F (41C to 49C) in early July. Fireworks are often restricted for wildfire risk, and hiking is dangerous.
- Orlando. Hot, humid, and packed. Early July is peak summer at the parks, with daily thunderstorms and highs near 92F (33C).
- Rome, Athens, and Seville. Southern Europe in July is at its hottest and most crowded, with heat waves pushing past 100F (38C). If you are going to Europe on this week, go north.
- Thailand and Vietnam's north. Monsoon season means heavy rain and humidity across much of mainland Southeast Asia. Bali is the dry-season exception.
The booking playbook
- 01Book Fourth of July flights by mid spring. The days right before July 4 and the Sunday or Monday after it are the most expensive of the summer.
- 02For big-city fireworks, pick your viewing spot in advance and plan to arrive by mid afternoon. Road closures and subway crowds after the show can take an hour or more to clear.
- 03Book lake houses, beach rentals, and national park lodging as early as possible; many renters book the Fourth a year ahead.
- 04Consider flying on the Fourth itself. Airports are often quieter on the holiday than on the days around it.
- 05The best value is usually the week after the Fourth. Same weather, softer airfare, and the holiday crowds gone home.
With kids in tow
- Big fireworks shows are loud and late. For young kids, bring ear protection and pick a viewing spot on the edge of the crowd with an easy exit.
- Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington DC turn the Fourth into a living history lesson: Independence Hall, the Freedom Trail, and the National Archives, where the Declaration of Independence is on display.
- Homeschool families: consider visiting the historic sites in June or September instead, when you can actually see the Liberty Bell without a long line, and save July 4 for the fireworks at home.
- In the heat, plan outdoor time for early morning and evening, and build a museum or pool into the middle of the day.
Fourth of July, quick answers
Where is the best place to spend the Fourth of July?
Washington DC for the parade, concert, and fireworks on the National Mall, Boston for the Pops on the Esplanade, and New York for the Macy's fireworks. For small-town tradition, Bristol, Rhode Island, has the oldest continuous celebration in the country.
Where should I go for the Fourth of July to escape the heat?
Alaska, Maine, the Pacific Northwest, Glacier National Park, and the Canadian Rockies all sit in the 60s and 70s F (16C to 26C) in early July. Seward, Alaska, adds a famous Fourth of July mountain race.
Is it expensive to travel over the Fourth of July?
Yes. It is one of the busiest travel weeks of the summer. Flying on the Fourth itself or traveling the week after is usually cheaper.
What are the best Fourth of July fireworks in the US?
The Macy's show in New York is the largest, while the National Mall in Washington DC and the Boston Pops on the Esplanade are the most famous traditions. Many cities and small towns have excellent local shows with far smaller crowds.
Where should I travel abroad over the Fourth of July?
Go north: Iceland, Norway, Scotland, and the Canadian Rockies have long cool days. Canada adds Canada Day on July 1 and the Calgary Stampede and Quebec City's summer festival in early July.
Other holiday weeks
Summer Vacation
June, July, August
Ten weeks, one country on vacation, and half the world too hot or too rainy. Go north, go high, or go south of the equator.
Memorial Day Weekend
May
The unofficial start of summer, and the first weekend the national parks and beach towns fill up. Pick a place that is fully open but not yet full.
Labor Day Weekend
August, September
Summer's last long weekend, and the first week of the best travel season of the year. Just keep an eye on the tropics.
Honeymoon Seasons
May, June, September, October
The right honeymoon depends less on where you want to go than on when your wedding is. Match the place to the week.
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