by James Thornton

Created on: June 22, 2010

Growing up, July Fourth was one of my favorite holidays even rivaling Christmas.  It’s a time to celebrate our freedom and take pride in being American.  Some of my fondest memories of the Fourth include good food, parades, and, of course fireworks.  These can all be enjoyed at home, but vacationing on the Fourth will make for a memory which lasts a lifetime.  If the destination is tied to the Fourth this is doubly true.  Here are three great destinations for your Fourth of July vacation (I’ve been to all three, but only two on the Fourth).

1.  Washington, D.C.  Our nation’s capital can inspire patriotism and a sense of awe on any day, and the Fourth is even more special.  The best thing about Washington is the monuments and public museums are free.  Younger children will love the National Zoo.  Older children and history buffs will have a blast at the Smithsonian, which is a series of museums where you can see moon rocks, George Washington’s uniform, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the T-Rex everyone loves from the movie.  The monuments are something you never forget seeing with the Lincoln Memorial being the most popular.  The Vietnam Memorial is haunting and poignant because of the heart moving tributes left for the fallen.  There is a fireworks display and most people like to sit near the Lincoln Memorial to watch them, but you have to stake a claim pretty early on and it is going to be hot.  Crowds will also cause long waiting times to view the Declaration and Constitution.  While the attractions are free, staying in a hotel in the city is expensive (over $100 per night), and traffic is horrendous.  If you do stay in the city the metro train is the best way to get around and it’s affordable and safe.  In the DC – Baltimore area there is also Six Flags America, Kings Dominion, and Busch Gardens at Williamsburg where there is also a historical “living” museum showing life in Colonial America. 

Recommended length of stay:  Three days to see everything without being rushed.

Recommended place to eat:  Five Guys (make sure you try the fries cooked with peanut oil).

2.  Boston, MA.  The Revolution began here, more and less, and for an event packed day easily rivals Washington.  The Freedom Trail is highly recommended for history buffs and patriots, which lead to several historic,

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