by Arlene Mae

Created on: December 01, 2008   Last Updated: January 08, 2009

The best place to watch the Independence Day fireworks display in the Nations capitol is dependant on if you want easy access, crowds or simplicity. The Mall or across the river in Virginia would be the best place to watch the fireworks against the monuments reflecting in the night sky. Access to a high vantage point whether it's a hotel room or office building, would make an excellent view and safe from the elements.

Hundreds of thousands of people flock to the Nations capitol in anticipation of the firework display. There are events going on all day downtown, concerts, folk festivals, and food tasting to mention a few. There will be no parking, road closures and the metro will packed to capacity. Many arrive early in the day to beat the last minute firework crowds that descend on the city at about 8 PM on the fourth of July. Also, the summer heat in D.C., in July can be almost unbearable. The heat is not so bad but the humidity levels can get very high here in the summer making it miserable to just stand outside for any length of time, not to mention walking. So with that said the best place to watch the fireworks may be from the comfort of your own home on TV.

If you can time a trip from MD to DC using Route 395 south bound would be stupendous. Speaking from experience, when the fireworks start, traffic on the freeway comes to a stand still. Over head, one can see fireworks bursting into the night sky right above from your air-conditioned car!

Another vantage point is from Route 295 North from Maryland to D.C. Traffic will pull over to the shoulder of the road in anticipation of the fireworks starting. Nationals Stadium would be in the foreground along with the Navy Yard.

The personal favorite is to drive down Columbia Pike in Arlington about 30 minutes before show time and pull over on the curb. Take your blankets and drinks and spread out on the hillside of the Navy Annex facing the Pentagon, across the Potomac River to the Mall. The firework display is somewhat in the distant sky, but with a backdrop of the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, reflecting pool in the background and the Pentagon in the foreground. A stunning display is above, with the occasional plane flying low into Reagan National Airport.

Another good place to watch the Nations Capitol display would be again, from Columbia Pike, just not so far down this time. Pull into the ice cream shop on top of the hill at the intersection of 4 Mile Run and Columbia Pike. Get an ice cream cone and go sit on the hood of the car for a cool display overhead, further away from the crowds, but guaranteed to get you home fast!

So you see there are many vantage points around the city and in the surrounding suburbs. The best place is not always right next door.

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