Best July Fourth fireworks + concerts

The Fourth of July and fireworks displays go together like hot dogs and mustard, kids and ice cream.

Here are four of the best places in the United States for Fourth of July celebrations:

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

This year’s 37th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks also features a first-ever collaboration with global superstar Usher, who helped design the display. There’s an all-star cast of performers, featuring  multi-platinum singer-songwriter Mariah Carey and Grammy Award winning country star Tim McGraw.  The two-hour show is hosted by Nick Cannon of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” broadcast live by NYC from 8-10 p.m. ET, with an encore presentation of the second hour of the fireworks special airing at 10 p.m.

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Washington, D.C.  — The Washington Monumnent is the back-drop for the fireworks on the National Mall, starting at 9 p.m., after a one-hour show hosted by Tom Bergeron from “Dancing With the Stars”.  Performers include Barry Manilow, Darren Criss from “Glee,” Megan Hilty from “Smash” and the cast of Broadway’s “Motown The Musical” and “American Idol” winners Candice Glover and country singer Scotty McCreery.  Also, composer John Williams will conduct music from the Oscar-winning film “Lincoln” with the National Symphony Orchestra.  A Capitol Fourth is broadcast live both by PBS and NPR, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m..

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Boston — This year’s July Fourth celebration includes performances by Grammy-winner Susan Tedeschi, singer/songwriter Howie Day, national recording artist Ayla Brown and multi-instumentalist and vocalist Ellis Hall, plus, of course, the Boston Pops.  2013 is the 40th Anniversary celebration of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, with the traditional ndependence Day rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, which features real cannons and the live ringing of area church bells, plus the John Philip Sousa march The Stars & Stripes Forever, which includes the ceremonial American flag drop and confetti shot. It’s all  happening on the Esplanade along the Charles River. Event website.

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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 annual Go Fourth on the River fireworks can be viewed from either side of the river. On the French Quarter side the best views are from Woldenberg Park. Or, hop aboard the Canal Street Ferry and grab a great view of the fireworks and the city framed behind, from the levee in Algiers Point.

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Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.