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The Best 4th of July Fireworks in the USA

There’s only one thing America loves more than America: fireworks. Many cities compete for the honor of having the best 4th of July fireworks in the U.S., but we can't choose a favorite. Here are 11 of the biggest and most spectacular celebrations, plus tips on how to get the best view for all of them this Independence Day. (This gallery has been updated.)
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    42nd Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, New York City

    Macy’s massive show is the biggest display in the country, using 3,000 effects in a 25-minute extravaganza that's viewed live by 3 million people annually. This year, the pyrotechnics will be launched from seven barges along the East River between East 23rd and East 40th Streets, with pre-show performers including Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton.

    Where to watch: Set up shop anywhere with open views of the East River: In Manhattan, the South Street Seaport or along FDR Drive; in Brooklyn, Domino Park, Grand Ferry Park or the East River State Park in Williamsburg; and in Queens, along the waterfront in Long Island City.

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    DO A.C. 4th of July Fireworks, Atlantic City

    The famed resort town's annual fireworks display will be set up on a platform in the Marina District, while the Borgata show will last 20 minutes, as will the fireworks at Tropicana. Atlantic City is always packed in the summer, but 250,000 spectators flock here each year to catch the show.

    Where to watch: Grab a spot on the Boardwalk or any of the city’s many beaches, or watch from the carousel at Steel Pier. Most of the major casino-hotels also have viewing areas.

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    Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing!, Nashville

    Nashville goes all out for the 4th of July, with a full day of free music (the lineup includes Lady Antebellum and Kid Politics) and fireworks choreographed to a live set from the Nashville Symphony. The event draws in nearly 200,000 people each year to downtown Music City. In the past, the city has allegedly set off more fireworks than New York City, putting it in the running for the most over-the-top display in the country.

    Where to watch: Park yourself anywhere along Broadway or in Riverfront Park. For lighter crowds, look for a spot on the east side of the Cumberland.

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    National Mall Independence Day Celebration, Washington D.C.

    It doesn’t get more patriotic than the Fourth of July in D.C.. To watch fireworks burst over the reflecting pool in front of the Washington Monument, make sure to show up early and nab a grassy spot on the National Mall—we recommend bringing a picnic and making a day of it. The pyrotechnics are concentrated in a small part of the sky for maximum effect, and the show lasts 18 minutes.

    Where to watch: If you can get into the National Mall, try for a seat on the steps of the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorials. Otherwise, scope out a place in East or West Potomac Park, just south of the Mall.

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    Addison Kaboom Town!, Dallas

    Though the Dallas suburb of Addison is only home to 15,800 permanent residents, a staggering 500,000 swell the town come Independence Day. That’s thanks to its epic, 30-minute-long display on July 3, which uses 5,000 pounds of fireworks. Before the bangs, check out an airshow put on by the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, featuring aerobatics and pyrotechnics.

    Where to watch: The show can be seen from pretty much anywhere in town, but Addison Circle Park is where the action happens. You can also watch a live broadcast of the show at the ’burb’s many restaurants—Addison is home to the most restaurants per capita of any town in the United States (almost 200).

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    Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular

    This historic American city’s display is renowned for its accompaniment—live music performed by the legendary Boston Pops Orchestra, which features—yes—real cannon fire. The fireworks are nothing to sneeze at, either—an impressive array of pyrotechnics are shot from barges along the Charles River.

    Where to watch: Home base is the DCR Hatch Shell, an outdoor band shell where the Pops perform along the Charles. You can also get killer views from the Harvard and Longfellow Bridges, or from anywhere along the three-mile Esplanade.

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    Fair Saint Louis, St. Louis

    The 1,371-acre Forest Park, site of the 1904 World’s Fair, is the setting for “America’s Biggest Birthday Party” for the fifth year running. Fair St. Louis will release 15,000 pounds of fireworks over three nights (July 4, 6, and 7). Concerts and exhibitions over the course of the fest include performances by Jason Derulo, Martina McBride, Andy Grammer, and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra on the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Stage.

    Where to watch: Fireworks will be shot from the northwest quadrant of the park, north of Lagoon Drive. The best vantage point is Art Hill, the site of the Saint Louis Art Museum.

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    Lights on the Lake, Lake Tahoe

    The reflections cast by fireworks in the crystal-clear water of Lake Tahoe, with the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop, makes this one of the most visually arresting shows in the country. Around 125,000 visitors head to the California–Nevada border to see this 25-minute display.

    Where to watch: The fireworks are visible all over town and around the lake, but try spots along the south shore including El Dorado Beach, Nevada Beach, and Timber Cove Marina. The intrepid can even watch from the summit of Mount Tallac. But nothing beats being out on the water for the show; book a spot aboard paddlewheel boat the M.S. Dixie II.

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    Big Bay Boom, San Diego

    San Diego may be best known for the spectacular fireworks fail of 2012, where an entire 18-minute fireworks display accidentally exploded in a matter of 15 seconds. But, with possibly the loudest display five years in the past, the Big Bay Boom continues to draw more and more people to watch fireworks launch off four barges in the bay.

    Where to watch: The Big Bay Boom's four barges are spread throughout the bay, so the fireworks can be seen from various locations including Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Marina District, Seaport Village/South Embarcadero and Coronado Ferry Landing. But, the best way to see the fireworks is actually on the water, where boaters gather around the barges to get a front row seat to the action.

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    Wawa Welcome America!, Philadelphia

    The City of Brotherly Love pulls out all the stops for its weeklong Fourth of July celebration—as well it should, considering the Declaration of Independence was signed here. It all culminates in one of the largest free concerts in the country and a 14-minute, more than 4,000-shell fireworks display viewed by more than 500,000 gawkers. This year’s live-music lineup includes Pitbull and Heather Headley.

    Where to watch: Prime viewing for both events is Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where both the fireworks and the concert will go down against the backdrop of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

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    July 4th Celebration at the Pier, San Francisco

    San Francisco Bay is the setting for this dramatic spectacle, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers. Fireworks launch from barges in the water and off the Municipal Pier, north of Pier 39 in the Fisherman’s Wharf district. Show up earlier in the evening to catch the event's live performers.

    Where to watch: Pier 39 is the epicenter, and will get you up close to the show. Anywhere else on Fisherman’s Wharf is a solid bet as well. If you want to get a vista (and avoid the mobs), climb the hill to Coit Tower in Pioneer Park.