Top 5 Places to View July 4th Fireworks

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

Fireworks have been the traditional way to celebrate the birth of our country since its very first birthday. It was the vision of John Adams that July 4th would “be solemnized with pomp and parade…bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”

But in the 232 years since 1776, fireworks displays have gotten bigger and so have the crowds. Which city has the best show, and the best place to watch it? Here's our top 5:

1. National Mall, Washington, D.C.

The nation's capital always seems to have the edge on tradition. Not to mention, this city was practically designed for fireworks. With the huge, open, grassy fields of the national mall ready for millions to descend upon it to enjoy the spectacle, Washington finds itself at the top of our list of cities to watch fireworks. With our nation's most famous monuments in the backdrop, the huge display, comprised of thousands of shells, makes this a serene place to enjoy Independence Day. Be sure to get there the day before, as July 4th in Washington is not limited to fireworks in the night sky. Follow the parade on Constitution Ave; visit the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival and be sure to check out the National Archives July 4th display.

2. The Esplanade, Boston

Coming in a close second, the birthplace of the Revolution, Boston. The cobblestone streets of this historic city are decorated in patriotic spirit come July 4th. But Boston makes sure to build into the event with its famous Harborfest and Chowderfest festivals. But most of all, Boston is famous for the nationally broadcast Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. This year, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Neil Diamond will take the stage. A Red Sox tradition, Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" will play in the middle of the 8th in their home game against the Seattle Mariners, kicking off the night's celebrations. Diamond will be playing at the Esplanade on Boston Harbor just before Boston's famous fireworks show.

3. The Hudson River, New York City

Never to be outdone, this year's 4th of July fireworks display is being moved from the East River to the Hudson River. 2009 also marks the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's explorations of the Hudson river, and in celebration this year's display will be comprised of 40,000 shells at a rate of 1,500 shells per minute, that's eight times as many shells as last year. This year's show will definitely be one for the history books. In New York fashion the show will be proceded by streams of red, white and blue from the NYCFD tug boats, followed by a fighter jet flyover. One thing is for sure, New Yorkers know how to make things larger than life.

4. Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

In the black hills of South Dakota, President Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned a huge stone carving of our nation's best presidents. As said by its creator, Gutzon Borglum, Mount Rushmore is an ode to "the constructive and dramatic moments or crises in our amazing history." Every year Mount Rushmore plays host to a huge festival to celebrate our nation's birthday, including modern Lincolns, parades, and special tours. At night, with the face of the rock all lit up, the fireworks display can only be described as epic.

5. San Diego Bay, San Diego

Though the United States was born in the east, the exploration of the West was important to its success. Though San Diego may not have the tradition and iconic nature of our other picks, its one of the few places where you can sit out on beautiful sandy beaches and watch the fireworks. San Diego's county fair also runs the week before the 4th at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The fireworks will take off from many different locations at all times of the night from PETCO Park to Seaworld, but the best show to watch is the Big Bay celebration. Shells are launched from Harbor and Shell islands off the coast and make for a beautiful scene as the light shines off the waters of the Pacific.

Photo credit: flickr cc Julie Berlin