Where to celebrate the 4th of July in the USA in 2024

18.06.2024 - 09:39 / lonelyplanet.com / Abraham Lincoln / Hudson River / Theodore Roosevelt

Jun 17, 2024 • 9 min read

Baby it's time for fireworks! Light up the grill, watch the night sky and don't forget to protect your ears – the 4th of July is one of America's most raucous and cacophonous holidays, and this year's crop of celebratory revels are next-level.

From monumental events and big-city barges to wild-west rodeos, here are the best places to rock US Independence Day in 2024.

Go for historical re-enactments

A 4th of July celebration with no fireworks? For many, that is a welcome alternative given the stream of loud explosive sounds that accompany the tradition. For those averse to the intensity of pyrotechnic displays, consider visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota for a 4th of July experience like no other. Want to shake hands with the presidents? Re-enactors will be on hand portraying the four presidents on the sculpture (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt). On July 3, the re-enactors will stage a press conference in the Carvers’ Marketplace. And yes, you can even ask a question!

Over July 3 and 4, the faux former presidents will be on hand to mix and mingle with visitors and sign autographs. On both nights at 9pm, enjoy the traditional sculpture lighting ceremony from the park's amphitheater, accompanied by more music and performances.

Local tip: Note that while accessing the park is free, you do have to pay to park.

Go for a dazzling choice of celebrations including fireworks

The home of Lady Liberty goes all out for America's birthday with events scattered around NYC's five boroughs. In Brooklyn, the nation's bravest bellies gather at Coney Island for Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, followed by a Cyclones baseball game and an evening fireworks show. In Staten Island, the tiny town of Travis dons stars and stripes for a historic parade dating back to 1911.

But nothing holds a candle to Macy's Fourth of July Spectacular — one of the country's biggest pyrotechnic performances. The event begins around 9.30pm, with over 65,000 shells launching from five barges on the Hudson River.

Local tip: Prime viewing locations for Macy's celebrations include First Avenue at East 20th, 34th and 42nd Streets in Manhattan, Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City, and Marsha P. Johnson State Park, Newtown Barge Park and Transmitter Park in Brooklyn. 

Go for sunshine, a fun run, and fireworks over the ocean

When the surf capital of SoCal threw its first Fourth of July fête in 1904, there were roughly 50,000 attendees. Now, 500,000 people flock to this sunny Los Angeles suburb to participate in what's become the largest Independence Day shindig west of the Mississippi. 

Visitors can take part in four days of events