Estes Park, CO
Estes Park, home to Rocky Mountain National Park, is known for its huge fireworks display. However, this quintessential Colorado mountain village doesn’t stop just at spectacular fireworks. In Estes Park, they get Independence Day started early on July 3rd with their Go 4th Festival, which has a pig roast, live music, a beer garden, and even human bowling. On the 4th, get outdoors and spend the afternoon hiking, bike riding, or paddle boating on Lake Estes. Or enjoy the annual Independence Day pancake breakfast, bull-riding show, and Coolest Car Show before catching the glorious fireworks display over the lake. Estes Park has something for everyone on the 4th of July!
Flagstaff, AZ
With its ponderosa pines, frontier spirit, and easy access to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff Arizona is the perfect place to celebrate Independence day. On the morning of the 4th make sure to wear your red, white, and blue to Heritage Square and get a front row seat to the celebrated 4th of July parade. Lace up your tennis shoes for a fun run, catch a concert by the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, and peruse the art at Flagstaff’s Art in the Park in Wheeler Park, before topping off your day with a picnic on the lawn and fireworks galore at one of the best 4th of July celebrations in the U.S.
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island is one of Georgia’s most idyllic barrier islands and is another great place to head to for the 4th of July. Enter a summer dream by taking a stroll through the charming cottages of the historic district. Thousands of people travel to Jekyll Island each year for the festivities, which are often described as a giant family gathering, chock-full of the best hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes and ice cream the island has to offer. At dusk, don’t miss the sea turtle release that happens at Great Dunes Park, and then stick around as the park is also the best place to catch the fireworks extravaganza over the water.
Navy Pier, Chicago
Some 4 million Chicagoans and visitors will gather on the 50 acres of shoreline and promenade that make up the historic Navy Pier. Catch a live concert at Millennium Park, delight your tastebuds at the Taste of Chicago or take part in America’s pastime by going to a Chicago White Sox or Chicago Cubs game. Fuel up with some sugary fried dough or a classic Chicago dog and watch the fireworks display from atop the 150-foot ferris wheel, or grab a spot on Navy Pier to watch the explosions of light dance to the synchronized music over Lake Michigan.
Rockaway Beach, Oregon
With one of the largest celebrations on the northern Oregon coast, Rockaway Beach welcomes more than 10,000 spectators for their fireworks display. Rockaway has some unique Independence Day celebrations including a bake sale, Dachshund races at the park and a flyover by the National Guard. Gear up and head to the beach for one of the best fireworks displays in the country, and be sure to bring a grill with you for some post-firework burger-flipping and socializing. Independence day at Rockaway does not disappoint!
We can’t wait to hear about the Airstream community’s 4th of July celebrations this year! Be sure to share pictures with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
