Where to spend 4th of July weekend

A place brimming with history, patriotism comes easy in one of America’s oldest cities. During the day, walk through colonial America on the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile journey through iconic sites like Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church. When night falls on the 4th, join locals along the Charles River for the legendary Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular—an all-out celebration with special guest artists and a dazzling fireworks show. While in town, head to Quincy Market for a lobster roll and people-watching or wander down classic cobblestone streets past red-bricked homes on Acorn Street in Beacon Hill.

The 4th of July is synonymous with fireworks. But what if you witnessed a dazzling star show instead? The Grand Canyon is an International Dark Sky Park, where once the sun dips below the horizon, stars burn bright across the inky sky. I recommend catching nature’s light show that will paint the canyon in blush colors (aka the sunset) from the South Rim and wait for the stars to emerge. I promise it’s as dazzling as any fireworks show. And don’t forget to hike part of the Bright Angel Trail, stop by Mather Point for canyon-edge views or cruise along Desert View Drive for lookout spots and climb up the historic Watchtower.

What’s more patriotic than spending the Fourth of July at Mount Rushmore? In true road trip fashion, cruise the scenic curves of Iron Mountain Road and arrive at the faces of four American Presidents carved into the mountainside. The holiday is marked with flag-raising ceremonies and ranger talks that bring the nation’s story to life. Follow the one-mile Presidential Trail around the monument’s base to learn why Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt were chosen.

The heart of country music, a genre born and bred in the U.S., is alive with the American spirit year-round. That only intensifies during Independence Day. This 4th catch fireworks and tunes at Let Freedom Sing on Broadway, or head to the Red, White & Boom event at the Adventure Science Center, the biggest fireworks show in the Midwest. Keep the fun going at Nashville’s iconic country bars or experience some history at sites like the National Museum of African American Music.

Fourth of July weekend in NYC. The rooftops are buzzing, the streets are alive with energy and the skyline shines. For a view you won’t forget, ride the elevator up to The Edge—NYC’s highest outdoor sky deck—where a glass floor and angled platform put you above the skyline with front-row seats to the show. Claim a spot for the Macy’s Fireworks Show, a tradition since 1976 that lights up the East River in a dazzling burst of color. Beat the heat with a boat ride on the Hudson or a laid-back picnic in Central Park. Head to Coney Island for the legendary hot dog eating contest, or dance at a waterfront bash with the Statue of Liberty in the distance. Beyond the Independence Day festivities, NYC offers endless summer adventures. Explore its bustling neighborhoods, indulge in world-class dining, or unwind in its many parks and green spaces.

What better place to spend Independence Day than in America’s capital, a city where U.S. history lives and breathes. Kick things off at a free star-studded concert at A Capitol Fourth or Jazz in the Garden. Don’t miss the National Independence Day Parade down Constitution Avenue—it’s the capital’s ultimate birthday bash. The Smithsonian museums offer free air-conditioned breaks between patriotic sights, and come evening, all eyes turn to the sky—fireworks burst above the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, or you can head to a rooftop for a dazzling view of the capital in full celebratory glow.

Whether you're drawn to history, dazzling firework shows or just want to wave the flag, these all-American destinations deliver a dose of patriotic pride backdropped by the celebration of the country’s independence.