Are you looking for the coolest places to go for 4th of July? Fire up the grill and lather on the sunscreen, because we’re about to show you the top destinations across America for beach bums, fireworks fanatics, and history buffs. Plus, we’ll tell you about all the stunning vacation rentals where you can save a few Benjamins without skimping on comfort or luxury. Independence Day will be here before you know it, so there’s no time to waste. Here are our picks for the top 6 cool places to go for 4th of July!
Cool Places to Go for 4th of July for Beach Bums
Nothing says 4th of July like a day at the beach. Check out our picks for the best beaches to visit this Independence Day on the East and West Coasts!
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is one of the top beach destinations in America. Home to the famous Grand Strand, a 60-mile strip of coastline characterized by mild surf and soft white sands, it’s ideal for families, with relatively safe swimming conditions for kids and spacious beaches where grownups can spread a blanket and catch some rays. But the real reason families flock to Myrtle Beach isn’t the sea itself; it’s the seaside attractions. From the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade to Broadway at the Beach, the shopping, dining, and entertainment options are truly endless in Myrtle Beach.
If you’re looking for Fourth of July celebrations, Myrtle Beach is a wonderful place to visit. Along the Grand Strand, you’ll find more than a dozen places to watch the spectacular fireworks show at Cherry Grove Pier. Other Independence Day celebrations include the 4th of July Golf Cart Parade, 4th of July Fireworks at Barefoot Landing, the Murrells Inlet Boat Parade, and the Surfside Beach 4th of July Celebration.
Cool Places to Stay in Myrtle Beach for Fourth of July
San Diego, California
If Myrtle Beach sounds a little mild, head due west for roughly 2,500 miles and get ready for the gnarliest Fourth of July ever. San Diego is a surfer’s paradise, with 30 public beaches boasting a variety of waves and breaks for all experience levels and surfing styles. Popular beaches include La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, and Torrey Pines State Beach. When you aren’t riding the waves, you’ll find more than enough ways to have fun on dry land, including the Mission Beach Amusement Park, SeaWorld San Diego, and the San Diego Zoo.
San Diego hosts a variety of July Fourth celebrations. Be sure to check out Big Bay Boom, one of the largest fireworks displays on the West Coast. For the best seats in the house, head to the USS Midway Museum, where you can watch the show from the deck of an aircraft carrier! Alternatively, SeaWorld San Diego hosts a fireworks show synchronized to music. Meanwhile Old Town, Ocean Beach, and Mira Mesa each offer smaller-scale celebrations of their own.
Cool Places to Stay in San Diego for Fourth of July
Cool Places to Go for 4th of July Fireworks
Sure, Myrtle Beach and San Diego’s fireworks displays are nothing to sneeze at. But if you want a show where the ooh’s and ahh’s start early and don’t let up, we’ve got the destinations for you.
New York City, New York
If you’re looking for the biggest boom for your buck this Independence Day, look no further than the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show in New York City. The largest fireworks display in America, the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show boasts tens of thousands of choreographed pyrotechnic and drone effects over its 25-minute runtime.
The show is held at one of five locations each year – East River, Empire State Building, Hudson River, Upper New York Bay, and West New York, New Jersey – with East River having hosted the most shows since the inaugural 1976 celebration. However, the best place to watch the fireworks is from a Macy’s 4th of July Cruise, regardless of where they’re being shot off.
Cool Places to Stay in New York City for Fourth of July
St. Louis, Missouri
Every summer, St. Louis hosts “America’s Biggest Birthday Party,” Celebrate St. Louis (formerly Fair St. Louis). The festivities run from July 3rd until July 4th and include everything from free concerts to delicious food, to carnival rides. Of course, the star of the show is the fireworks display. Taking center stage both nights, the fireworks show features over 15,000 pounds of pyrotechnics set against the backdrop of the iconic Gateway Arch.
Looking for a smaller celebration? Then don’t miss the Kirkwood Freedom Festival! Held in Kirkwood Park, in the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood, this annual Independence Day celebration boasts a fleet of food trucks, live music, and a breathtaking fireworks display.
Cool Places to Stay Near St. Louis for Fourth of July
Cool Places to Go for 4th of July for History Buffs
Independence Day is synonymous with fireworks and the beach. But it’s history that’s the reason for season. Here are the coolest places to go for 4th of July for history buffs!
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia, is home to the world’s largest living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg. Here, history buffs, families on holiday, and anyone looking for a unique memory-making opportunity can experience Williamsburg as it once was. Explore 301 acres of colonial experiences, including themed events, tours of historic homes and buildings, historical reenactments, arts, trade, and weapons demonstrations, craft fairs, carriage rides, and more!
As you might expect, Williamsburg spares no expense when it comes to Independence Day celebrations. Fourth of July events range from public readings of the Declaration of Independence to performances of colonial-era music, to meet-and-greets with the “nation’s founders.” It all culminates in a breathtaking fireworks display at 9:30 pm above the Governor’s Palace. And best of all, admission to the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area is completely free on July Fourth!
Cool Places to Stay in Williamsburg for Fourth of July
Boston, Massachusetts
What better place to celebrate Independence Day than in the city that sparked the revolution? Two of the most important inciting incidents of the Revolutionary War – the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party – took place here. Visit the sites of these historic events, the former marked by a cobblestone ring, the latter by a floating museum, and step into the shoes of America’s first patriots.
Boston is also home to two incredible Independence Day celebrations. At the week-long Boston Harborfest, you can enjoy live music, a Fourth of July parade, tours of the Freedom Trail, and an impressive fireworks show on July 2nd. If you want to party like it’s 1974, check out the nation’s oldest fireworks display, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. Presented by the Boston Pops orchestra and featuring a star-spangled lineup of special guest artists, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is the ultimate salute to the Red, White, and Blue in the cradle of the American Revolution. Enjoy two and a half hours of patriotic music and popular tunes, followed by a half-hour fireworks display over the Charles River.
Cool Places to Stay in Boston for Fourth of July
Other Cool Places to Go for Fourth of July
Looking for more cool places to go for Fourth of July? Here are some more of the best destinations to celebrate Independence Day!
- Fisherman’s Warf, San Francisco
- National Mall, Washington D.C.
- Garden City Point, Garden City, South Carolina
- Navy Pier, Chicago
- Riverfront Park, Cocoa Beach
- Potomac River, Colonial Beach, Virginia
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