It seems that with each passing year, the number of restrictions on the personal use of fireworks grows. This is actually a good thing, because thousands of people used to be injured each year and numerous serious fires had to be put out. However, it does make celebrations of Independence Day less exciting, at least for many young boys. However, if you seek out the best 4th of July fireworks shows, you will find that these are better than ever before.

The key to maximum enjoyment of a fireworks show is to get as close as possible to the action. To do this, you need to arrive quite early in most cases. So pack your grill and your hot dogs and your beer and your baseballs and footballs so you can enjoy all of the other ways to celebrate the 4th as you wait for the show to begin.

Shows are better in some places than in others. For example, the "Lights on the Lake" show at Lake Tahoe is wonderful, as is the show put on each year in New Orleans. In general, the best shows are in the northeast. Some of the 4th of July fireworks in New York, Boston, and Washington D.C. are really outstanding.

In New York City, this year the Macy’s show at 9pm, which is the nation’s largest, will be even better than usual because it is returning to the Hudson River, where it was last done in 2000. This is to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Hudson’s exploration. The display will last a full 26 minutes, with about 40,000 shells. They will be launched from six barges on the river and explode at the rate of over 1,500 a minute.

4th of july fireworks

In Boston, the Boston Pops show is always among the very best. The fireworks are synchronized with music from the Boston Pops orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture" is played, complete with cannons, before the fireworks go off at 10pm. This year’s show will be the largest so far, and feature shells ten inches in diameter that will go up to 1500 feet. 

The fireworks show in Washington D.C. starts at 9:10 at the National Mall, with the best viewing areas being by the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington monument. One thing that makes it among the most spectacular is the backdrop of all the monuments and historic buildings like the Capitol building. The parade that comes beforehand is also not to be missed. 

Note – Here are some 4th of july trivia and facts just in case you get bored waiting for the fireworks to begin.

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