Top 4th of July Fireworks Displays in Iconic U.S. Cities: Best Viewing Spots
New York
Photo from Flickr by Anthony Quintano
Witness Macy’s iconic 4th of July Fireworks live in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn—beyond the NBC broadcast. Enjoy performances by Ed Sheeran, Kelly Clarkson, Flo Rida, Dierks Bentley, and more, plus Gloria Estefan debuting her original song "America" with the Park Place Community Middle School Choir from Brooklyn. The show starts at 8 p.m. ET, with NYC Transit offering increased subway service before and after.Top viewing spots: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Promenade, South Street Seaport, Roosevelt Island promenade, Long Island City boardwalk.
Boston
Photo from Flickr by ADupnik
Concerts at the DCR Hatch Shell in Beacon Hill kick off Friday at 8:30 p.m. The highlight, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular with pyrotechnics, begins Saturday at 8 p.m., with fireworks at 10:30 p.m.Top viewing spots: Charles River esplanade, Bunker Hill, Castle Island, or from the water.
Washington, D.C.
Photo from Flickr by U.S. Department of Agriculture
Launched from the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall at 9:09 p.m. ET, these fireworks are visible across D.C. and northern Virginia.Top viewing spots (per National Park Service): U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, FDR Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, White House Ellipse, West and East Potomac Parks, Anacostia Park, U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Virginia), George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Philadelphia
Photo from Flickr by Rob Bulmahn
The Grand Finale Fireworks at the Philadelphia Museum of Art features The Roots with guests like Miguel and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, capping citywide patriotic parties. Prelude with Party on the Parkway on Benjamin Franklin Parkway (20th Street to Eakins Oval) featuring food trucks and kids' games.Top viewing spots: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Paine’s Park, Martin Luther King Drive, Schuylkill River Park, Lemon Hill (Fairmount Park), Kelly Drive, Belmont Plateau.
Chicago
Photo from Flickr by Jonathan Rockway
Navy Pier hosts the main event starting at 9:30 p.m., paired with the family-friendly Freedom Fest BBQ on the rooftop deck with live DJ.Top viewing spots: Millennium Park, lakefront beaches north or south, lakefront suburbs, or shorefront rooftops.
Nashville
Photo from Flickr by nelsocs
Two days of festivities: Eve concert at Jack Daniel's Main Stage (1st and Broadway) from 4 p.m. with Gabe Dixon, Elise Davis, and DJ DU. July 4th brings Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing! with Martina McBride, Mikky Ekko, and the Nashville Symphony—billed as the country's biggest fireworks show.Top viewing spots: Riverfront Park, Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge, Adventure Science Center, East Park.
Dallas
Photo from Flickr by Kelly DeLay
Kaboom Town in a Dallas suburb delivers a massive display around 9:30 p.m.—a must-see even by Texas standards.San Francisco
Photo from Flickr by Beatrice Murch
Fireworks over the Bay launch from Pier 39 at 9:30 p.m., following family concerts and events from noon, sponsored by Discovery's Shark Week.Top viewing spots: City hills, waterfront, Coit Tower, the Cannery, Ghirardelli Square, Embarcadero.
