Alexandria

Your Fourth of July Fireworks Finder: 2017 Edition

By Kyle Rempfer, Courtney Edwards and Allison Pecorin • •

Independence Day approaches, and with it, the rush for the best spot to watch the fireworks.

A Capitol Fourth on the National Mall is likely to be crowded, but the good news is there are plenty of other great spots inside the Beltway to view it.

If fighting the crowds is still not your cup of tea, check out the local shows in Maryland and Virginia we've compiled below and on the map above.

THE DISTRICT:

A Capitol Fourth: The festivities begin with a concert featuring the Beach Boys, the Four Tops, Yolanda Adams and more, hosted by John Stamos, followed by a stunning fireworks show around 9 p.m.

You can catch them from many vantage points around the National Mall, as well as as rooftop bars, the Lincoln Memorial steps or a Spirit of Washington cruise. Local parks will also be available for those who want to picnic and watch fireworks.

Here are a few places to see the National Mall Celebration away from the mall crowds:

  • Washington National Cathedral: 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW
  • Georgetown Waterfront Park: 3303 Water St. NW
  • Spirit of Washington: departs from 600 Water St. SW
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We feel like the islands of Assateague (which has land in both Maryland and Virginia) and Chincoteague, Virginia, end up on a lot of Top 10 lists — but there are wild ponies! On the beach! Set up your tent for beach-front camping. (Just be sure to hide your food from the ponies.) On Assateague's Virginia side, you can join a nature cruise to see the wildlife refuge. One note of warning, though: This is an untamed area, so bring along that mosquito repellent. DISTANCE: 170 miles from downtown D.C.
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Sandy dunes open up to 70 miles of mostly undeveloped beaches at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The open-ocean waves are great for surfing or boogie boarding, or you can visit historic lighthouses. Drive to the southern end and you’ll find Ocracoke Beach, which Dr. Beach declared one of the best in the nation. Beach driving and bonfires are allowed here with a proper permit. DISTANCE: 330 miles from downtown D.C. to Hatteras Island Visitor Center
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You'll find pretty much everything you need from a seaside town in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. We're talking go-karts, mini-golf, hang-gliding, boardwalk games and rides for kids — plus frozen custard, obviously. Rehoboth is also home to some fantastic farm-to-table restaurants, so if boardwalk cuisine isn't your thing, you will definitely still be quite happy here. Dewey Beach offers a slightly quieter atmosphere from busier, more crowded cousin Rehoboth. DISTANCE: 120 miles from downtown D.C.
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We're putting Cape May and Wildwood, New Jersey, together because it's easy to do both in a single weekend. On the southernmost point of New Jersey's barrier islands, Cape May is famous for its eye-popping Victorian mansions and B&Bs (and the historic tours that go along with them). Its neighbor to the north, Wildwood, offers a more typical shore experience on a larger scale than its Delaware counterparts, with a different kind of retro via its 1950s-era motels. You'll also find the requisite boardwalk, tons of rides and two water parks. Just "watch the tram car, please." DISTANCE: 185 miles from downtown D.C.
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Ocean City, Maryland, is a destination that kids (or your own inner child) will love. Go for water slides, boardwalk rides and haunted houses, or head to the water to parasail, kayak, surf or, you know, just swim. You can also catch free concerts and movies many nights during summer. DISTANCE: 145 miles from downtown D.C.
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Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head are among the most easily accessible towns in North Carolina’s Outer Banks if you’re coming from the D.C. area. Swim, surf, charter a boat or go fishing off the Avalon Pier. There are also historic sites devoted to the lost colony on Roanoke and the Wright Brothers’ first flight. DISTANCE: 270 miles from downtown D.C.
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Aside from outdoor activities from fishing to kayaking to dolphin watching, Virginia Beach also offers a boardwalk full of rides and restaurants, plenty of festivals, bars, clubs and breweries, plus the Virginia Aquarium and the Military Aviation Museum. DISTANCE: 210 miles from downtown D.C.
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Bethany Beach markets itself as a "quiet resort," offering a more serene option away from the party-hardy bustle of some other spots. There's a limited number of bars, but plenty to do in the way of water sports, a farmers' market, a water park, pirate mini-golf, a boardwalk and movies on the beach. Catch free live music at the Boardwalk Bandstand on weekend nights. You can find something to do in Bethany right up until the end of summer when the town famously bids goodbye to the season with a jazz funeral. DISTANCE: 125 miles from downtown D.C.
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That other Ocean City (the one in New Jersey) offers plenty of family-friendly fun, with a boardwalk that — although often crowded — features a ton of rides and all the old faves when it comes to shore food, including pizza and fried Oreos. What else could you want? DISTANCE: 192 miles from downtown D.C.
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Craving fresh seafood? Tilghman Island, a traditional watermen’s village just off the mainland, has just what you're looking for. Sit down for waterfront dining on the Chesapeake Bay and spend the night at a cozy B&B. One note of warning: If you're looking to swim, you'll be disappointed, because there's no swimming area, but you can still sail, fish, kayak or paddleboard. If you absolutely must swim during your trip, consider an inn with a pool, such as the Black Walnut Point Inn. DISTANCE: 90 miles from downtown D.C.
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Headed to the beach? Tag NBC Washington in your photos on Instagram.

The beaches on this list are open to visitors in 2021, but be mindful of local rules on masking. Be aware that some businesses may have different hours or capacity rules. Here's information from the states of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to get vaccinated, health experts say.

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VIRGINIA:

Alexandria: The city will hold its Independence Day celebration on July 8 to celebrate America's 241st birthday and Alexandria's 268th birthday on the same day. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. along the Potomac River Waterfront at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St., Alexandria). The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will play live music; patriotic birthday cake will be provided, and the event will culminate in a fireworks display over the waterfront.

Colonial Williamsburg: The evening July Fourth fireworks show is free and open to the public, but if you want to experience the full range of activities, you'll need to buy a ticket. A variety of ticketing options offer extras such as a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a performance by a drum-and-fife group, children's games and meals.

Falls Church: Festivities will be held at George Mason High School (7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) starting at 7 p.m. Classic rock ballads will be performed by the Darby Brothers, followed by a fireworks show at 9:20 p.m. Seating is available at Jack Gambill Athletic Fields or the Northern Virginia Graduate Center Parking Lot. The event is free to the public, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. Parking will be available on campus on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fairfax: The City of Fairfax celebrates the Fourth by hosting its annual Independence Day Celebration, featuring a parade at 10 a.m., free cake and lemonade, historic house tours, a superhero fest and more, followed by live music and fireworks. See the full schedule and event locations online here.

Herndon: An Independence Day celebration will be held at Bready Park at the Herndon Community Center (814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon) on July 4. Free games, bingo and children's arts and crafts begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m., choreographed to music. Rain date is July 5.

Leesburg: After an Independence Day Parade at 10 a.m., a firework show will be held at Ida Lee Park (60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg). The gates open at 5:45 p.m. and music by the Robbie Limon Band and others will start at 6 p.m. Fireworks begin at around 9:45 p.m.

Mount Vernon: George Washington's historical estate will host a variety of celebrations on and leading up to Independence Day. Go June 30 or July 1 for evening fireworks and ice cream making. Tickets for the evening event are $34 for adults and $24 for children. On the Fourth of July, visitors can see daytime fireworks, war reenactments and several other patriotic events. Tickets for the daytime event are $18 for adults and $9 for children when purchased online.

Reston: Fireworks will be held on July 1 (or July 2 in case of rain), at Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston). Parking is $10 per car. The park opens at 7 a.m. Boat rentals are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A puppet show will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by live music from 3 p.m. until fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Food vendors will be set up at the park's main office, and campgrounds are available for overnight reservations. Call the Fairfax County Park Authority at 703-471-5415 to reserve a space.

Vienna: On July 4, residents can enjoy fireworks after dark (approximately 9:30 p.m.) at Southside Park (1315 Ross Drive SW, Vienna). Little League Concession will be open. Some seats will be available near the playground at Southside Park, but the majority of seating will be at Yeonas Park, which is located immediately to the east.

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Plunge into a fresh-water quarry via rope swing or spend the afternoon swimming in one of two pools at Beaver Dam Swim Club. If you need a break from the water, hit up one of the club's basketball or volleyball courts, or use the club's grilling facilities to make up your own feast. You can bring your own food and drinks, but alcohol is not allowed. See admission fees here.
Where: 10820 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, Maryland
Opens: Open starting Sunday, May 26
Hours: Weekends and holidays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; weekdays 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Distance from D.C.: 57 miles
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You can swim or fish (or both) at the surprisingly close Lake Anna, one of Virginia's larges freshwater lakes. Other nearby attractions include vineyards, antiques shops, golf, historic sites and the Kings Dominion theme park. If you're just day-tripping, be sure to arrive early because the parking area closes once it hits capacity, but you'll also find plenty of nearby lodging.
nWhere: 6800 Lawyers Road, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
nOpens: Saturday, May 25
n Hours Weekends and holidays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; weekdays from May 27 to Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; hours TBD from Aug. 11 to Labor Day
nDistance from D.C. 84 miles
Beth Brown, News4
Sink your toes into the sand or take a dip in the water at the pristine waterfront of North Beach on Maryland's western shore, south of Annapolis. Looking for some exercise? Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard at the Welcome Center. (Note: No lifeguards are on duty, so swimming is at your own risk.) See beach fees here. Special events include monthly movies on the beach.
nWhere: 9023 Bay Ave., North Beach, Maryland
nOpen: The beach and bathrooms are open year-round from dawn until dark.
nDistance from D.C. 34 miles
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Float along the pristine Shenandoah River for gorgeous views of downtown Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, after renting an inner tube from the Harpers Ferry Adventure Center (37410 Adventure Center Lane, Purcellville, Virginia). While there, you can also go ziplining, rafting or take a ropes course. Lodging is available on the grounds via cabins and riverside or mountain-top camping.
Hours: See all hours here.
Distance from D.C.: 64 miles
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The James River Park System (including Pony Pasture Rapids Park, pictured) runs along both sides of the James River as it passes through Richmond, which the city says makes it the only U.S. city to have Class IV white water rapids right in the middle of downtown. Enjoy kayaking, tubing, hiking, rock climbing, swimming and nearly any other outdoor activity you might want.
nWhere: Pony Pasture Rapids, 7200 Riverside Drive, Richmond, Virginia
nSwimming information: Go here
nDistance from D.C.: 111 miles
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Hunting Creek Lake at Cunningham Falls State Park has three designated swimming areas where you can cool off. Looking to extend your stay? Make it a weekend getaway by renting a nearby camper cabin.
Where: William Houck Campground, 14039 Catoctin Hollow Road, Thurmont, Maryland
Opens: Memorial Day, May 27
Hours: 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Distance from D.C. 70 miles
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Stroll the boardwalk at swim in the bay at the nearby Chesapeake Beach on Maryland's western shore, south of Annapolis. Note: There's no lifeguard at the beach, so swim at your own risk. See beach fees here. Looking for more active fun? Head to the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, which opens for the 2019 season on Saturday, May 25.
nHours: Bay Front Park (Brownie's Beach) is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. See admission fees here.nDistance from D.C.: 35 miles
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CORRECTION: May 24, 2017, 5:05 p.m.: An earlier image incorrectly showed North Beach instead of Chesapeake Beach. This slide has been updated with an image of Chesapeake Beach.
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Watch a stunning sunrise over the Chesapeake Bay or spend a day out on the water with a boat rental. Grills and picnic tables next to the beach at Sandy Point State Park make this the perfect spot for an afternoon cookout.
nWhere: 1100 E. College Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland
nOpens: Memorial Day
nHours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends and holidays
nDistance from D.C.: 37 miles
Bill Crabtree Jr., Virginia Tourism Corporation
Virginia's Northern Neck region offers multiple beaches, quaint inns and plenty of shops. If you're in search of a swim, consider Windmill Point (good for families and weaker swimmers), Hughlett Point (surrounded by forests and a good spot to launch kayaks or paddleboards), Belle Isle State Park (which also offers cabins and camping) or Colonial Beach (a town great for fans of water sports).
Distance from D.C. Mileage varies on your specific destination. Colonial Beach is 63 miles from D.C., while Hughlett Point is 123 miles.
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The star attraction of the 3,000-acre Rocky Gap State Park is Lake Habeeb, which offers two public beaches surrounded by the scenic Evitts Mountain. Camping, cabins, and hot and cold food are also available.
Where: 12500 Pleasant Valley Road NE, Flintstone, Maryland
Distance: 131 miles
nNOTE: Stock image
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Didn't see your fave spot listed? Look for it in our other galleries:
• Top 10 Beaches
• Top 10 Day Trips Less Than 100 Miles From DC
• Top 10 Weekend Getaways
• Top 10 Virginia Getaways
• Top 10 Maryland Getaways

MARYLAND:

Annapolis: The celebration begins with a parade, a performance by the U.S. Naval Academy Band and a fireworks cruise for a closer view. Fireworks will launch at 9:15 p.m. from the Annapolis Harbor. There are many places around the harbor available to view the show and park, with parking available at multiple locations around Annapolis. From 5 p.m. to midnight, a $1 shuttle provided by the city will transport people from the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to Lawyers Mall.

Bowie: The Prince George's Stadium (4101 Crain Highway, Bowie), home of the Bowie Baysox, will begin their Independence Day Celebration at 6:35 p.m. with the Baysox vs. Hartford Yard Goats game. Food is available for purchase, but it must be ordered by June 28. The fireworks display begins after the game. Tickets are $25.

Columbia: Howard County's Department of Recreation will host a free 4th of July festival from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dark. Bring your own picnic food or purchase food on-site from vendors. Parking is free. Rain date is July 5. 

Gaithersburg: The city is holding its SummerFest at Bohrer Park (512 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg) on July 1, featuring live music, food and kids' activities. The evening will be capped off with fireworks after dusk, around 9:45 p.m.

Laurel: On July 1, there will be an Independence Day Parade at 11 am., and fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at the lake. 

Germantown: This Fourth of July celebration at South Germantown Recreation Park (14501 Schaeffer Road, Boyds) will offer live music starting at 7 p.m. featuring the band Quiet Fire, followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Rockville:The city's Independence Day event is celebrating its second year at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park (1800 Piccard Drive, Rockville) in King Farm. The farm has great views and plenty of parking. Live music begins at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Six Flags America: The theme park will host Independence Day festivities from July 2 through July 4. Catch the fireworks pre-show at Hurricane Harbor at 8:45 p.m. each night, followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Tickets are required to watch the show inside Six Flags.

Takoma Park: A parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues. By 7 p.m. at Takoma Park Middle School (7611 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring), catch live music by Elena & Los Fulanos, a bilingual folk-rock band, and the Takoma Park Community Band. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.

CORRECTION (June 27, 2017, 4:28 p.m. EST): Fireworks at Six Flags America were initially listed as beginning at 9:45 p.m. They will begin at 9:15 p.m.

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AlexandriafireRockvilleViennaIndependence Day
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