Sure, you can spend Fourth of July in your backyard, slaving over a hot grill, feeding 30 friends and family members, just to end the day exhausted in front of the TV watching fireworks hosted by the latest American Idol. Been there, done that! So, grab your suitcase and some tiny toiletries because this year, you’re going to see these fireworks in person. If your boss won’t let you off for the week, just tell him he’s unpatriotic and suppressing your right to party for our country.

Boston flights | hotels | cars
Boston has a long and sordid history of patriotic partying that dates back to that infamous racy tea party. Rather than just celebrate the city’s contribution to independence on one day, Boston Harborfest takes seven days, from June 28th to July 4th. Participate in Revolutionary re-enactments, enjoy a walking tour, board a U.S. naval ship, and sit back with a Sam Adams during a concert. If you’re hungry, the annual Chowderfest ladles out more than 2,000 gallons of New England Clam Chowder from the city’s top restaurants. All this, plus a fireworks display on the 4th accompanied by the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Washington, DC flights | hotels | cars
There’s no better place to honor America and celebrate the old gal’s B-Day than Washington, D.C. Wave your tiny flag during the parade along Constitution Avenue or listen in on a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the steps of the National Archives. March to all the memorials and say your thank-yous to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Notice all the tents on the National Mall? That’s The Smithsonian’s annual Folklife Festival (June 27-July 1 and July 4-8) which this year celebrates the culture of the Mekong River, Northern Ireland and the great state of Virginia. When the heat dies down, grab a picnic basket and blanket and stake out a spot near the Capitol for a ferocious fireworks display accompanied by The National Symphony Orchestra.

St. Louis flights | hotels | cars
Kick off your Independence Day celebration on the 3rd with a party along the St. Louis riverfront. Catch the Goo Goo Dolls, Lifehouse and a pre-celebration fireworks display underneath the Arch. But you can’t officially celebrate in this beer city without a trip to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Clydesdale stables. Jump out of bed on the 4th to see the Annual Veiled Prophet Parade, and then explore the grounds and vendors setting up shop. Need a little entertainment to get you in the mood? Get a blast from the past with a performance by Cyndi Lauper before an amazing fireworks display over the backdrop of the Arch across the Mississippi River.

Saint John, Virgin Islands flights | hotels | cars
The US Virgin Islands party all summer and the 4th of July is no exception. St. John’s Carnival celebration starts in June and but really heats up on Emancipation Day on July 3rd and Independence Day on the 4th. The calendar of events includes concerts, a parade, a bike race, delicious island food, and of course endless sun and sand. You’ll find the pulse radiating from Cruz Bay, so grab a tropical cocktail and get lost in the crowd. The event attracts as many locals as tourists, so celebrate our melting pot by making new friends.

Featured Kayaker: Rockland, Maine flights | hotels | cars
After reading about the Lobster Festival in Rockland, Maine, I wanted to let you know about another in Rockland that’s one kick-#@% party, and that’s the annual North Atlantic Blues Festival, which is on July 14th and 15th this year. National touring Blues bands perform Saturday and Sunday. Everyone has a great time, and it’s very affordable: $45 for a weekend ticket.

a Blues fan from Massachusetts,

Jim Langley

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Proud to be American,

Steve and Paul, Kayak.com Founding Fathers

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 at 9:36 am and is filed under Newsletters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.