Five Best Places for July Fourth Fireworks and Concerts

The Fourth of July and fireworks displays go together like hot dogs and mustard, kids and ice cream. Here are five of the best places in the United States to watch Fourth of July fireworks:

New York City

The biggest and best, of course, is the annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display. This year again, the pyrotechnics are from barges parked in the Hudson River, near the Statue of Liberty, who will be basking in the glow of 40,000 shells in a 26-minute display synchronized to music.

A special symphony of patriotic music, Broadway show tunes and other favorites is being provided by The New York Pops orchestra, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as well as a capella, gospel, choral groups and barbershop quartets.

There’s a FREE download of the music on the Macy’s website. The show is being televised by NBC at 9 p.m. EST, which will be broadcasting from the brand new cruise ship Norwegian Epic, berthed in the Hudson River.

Washington, D.C.

The Washington Monumnent is the back-drop for the fireworks on the National Mall, starting at 9 p.m. 2010 is the 30th anniversary broadcast of A Capitol Fourth by PBS. The show starts at 8 p.m. EST, hosted by by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits, with performances from some of the country’s biggest musical names.

The list includes country music superstar Reba McEntire legendary R & B artist Gladys Knight, country music sensation Darius Rucker, American Idol star David Archuleta, actor and singer John Schneider, and world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Boston

Country music superstar Toby Keith is the headline entertainer for Boston’s July Fourth concert and fireworks, which includes the Boston Pops Orchestra, of course, including a rousing performance of The 1812 Overture, complete with the musical equivalent of canons.

There’s also a concert on July 3rd, but without fireworks. It’s all happening on the Esplanade along the Charles River. The national broadcast of Boston’s Fourth of July festivities begins at 10 p.m. EST, with the fireworks display at 10:30.

New Orleans

This city knows how to party any time of year, and the Fourth of July is no exception. Party central is in the French Quarter, with marching bands and music until the wee hours, and the traditional “Dueling Barges” fireworks display just off shore. The party may be tempered a bit by the disastrous BP oil spill, the worst environmental disaster in US history that’s affecting the lives and income of everybody along the Gulf Coast.

But as I’ve said before, that’s all the more reason to visit the resort communities and cities along the Gulf now, when they need your tourist dollars to survive.

Lake Tahoe

Incline Village pulls out all the stops with a multi-day celebration and fireworks, called Red, White and Tahoe Blue. Elsewhere in North Lake Tahoe, both Kings Beach and Tahoe City have fireworks, July 3 and July 4, respectively, and Truckee hosts a Firecracker Mile fun run July 4.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

by Evelyn Kanter