When it comes to Independence Day, there are a million ways to celebrate with your friends and family. There’s also a host of places to celebrate, from looking for the best places around the country to watch the 4th of July fireworks to switching up your typical family backyard cookout, the boating experts at Boatsetter have compiled their guide to the 10 best destinations to go for this spectacular summer holiday. From big festivals like the Key Lime Festival down in Key West to the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Show in New York City, there’s no better way to enjoy this national holiday than with the perfect Fourth of July boat rental from Boatsetter.
Key West, Florida
With the annual Key Lime Festival taking place this 4th of July, there are few better places to have a 4th of July party than Key West. With 5-days of fun activities from concerts to scavenger hunts, this is the perfect destination if you’re celebrating the 4th with your family. From your boat rental, you can watch the fireworks from White Street Pier as they sparkle and glitter on the reflection of the water. You can also enjoy the music from the festival without having to deal with all of the crowds on land.
New York City, New York
Nobody celebrates the 4th of July on a bigger scale than New York City. Known for hosting the famed Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show, this destination is one of the best places you can see fireworks on the 4th of July. If you’re looking to beat the crowds and see the spectacular show of fireworks from the water, then you can hop aboard your private boat rental and see New York City as you’ve never seen it before. With a yacht rental, you can even grill out on the boat and pop some bottles of champagne to celebrate this national holiday in style.
San Francisco, California
With live rock music throughout most of the day and fun activities from ship to shore, San Francisco is exploding with activities of all sorts on the 4th of July all day long. The annual City & County of San Francisco Fireworks Show is truly a sight to behold and sets the sky on fire around 9:30 p.m. With your boat rental, you can even get in on some water sports activities before the show and try your hand at everything from water skiing to wakeboarding. After wearing yourself out on the water, you can cool down as the sun begins to set and enjoy the San Francisco Bay like you’ve never seen it before.
Wilmington, North Carolina
With riverfront fireworks and live music on the beach, Wilmington is the perfect destination if you're looking to celebrate the 4th of July casually. Unlike the bigger cities such as New York City and San Francisco, Wilmington offers plenty of holiday activities for the entire family. If you’re looking to enjoy the cities annual Fireworks by the Sea celebration, then there’s no better way to watch those beautiful lights sparkle than from the water with your Fourth of July boat rental in North Carolina.
Orlando, Florida
Home to more than a dozen larger-than-life theme parks and the world famous Disney World, Orlando, Florida is a city that’s bursting with exciting ways to make your Independence Day a spectacle. With fireworks shows at three Walt Disney Resorts, from Magic Kingdom Park to Epcot and the Disney Hollywood Studios, you can rest assured that every show will be unique for the entire crew. With your Orlando boat rental, you can enjoy the fireworks from the water as you sip back on a cold beverage.
Houston, Texas
With live concerts on the water from places like the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, all the way to the annual fireworks show at Eleanor Tinsley Park, there are few better places to enjoy 4th of July on the water than Houston, Texas. At the Houston Symphony’s Star Spangled Salute, you can be serenaded by the beautiful music from the water and since the concert is free entry, you won’t have to worry about hopping off the boat to pick up tickets.
Honolulu, Hawaii
For the 28th consecutive year, the Ala Moana Center will be hosting its well-known Independence Day celebration which includes Hawaii’s largest and most spectacular Fourth of July fireworks parade. The celebration will culminate with a stunning fireworks show at Ala Moana Beach Park and since the show takes place right on the water, you can cruise on over with your Honolulu boat rental and enjoy the show from the water.
Sarasota, Florida
As it turns out, Floridian’s really know how to celebrate the Fourth of July. In Sarasota, Florida, you can join hundreds of thousands of other spectators for the display of the Fireworks Over Sarasota Bay show on the southern side of Ringling Bridge. While the show is free and there is free parking, the parking fills up fast and when you’re boat bound you don’t have to worry about finding a spot. From Island Park to Bayfront Park, you can anchor up near the shore and watch the fireworks as they sparkle in the reflection of the water. If a cookout is what you’re looking for, you can head on over to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for some of the best barbeque in town.
Boston, Massachusetts
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, known by locals and visitors alike as one of America's best Independence Day celebrations, will take place on July 3rd and 4th on the Esplanade next to the Charles River. You can head on over with your Boston boat rental and watch the dazzling Fourth of July fireworks display with over half a million other attendees. To make the event even more exciting, this year the celebrated musician and actor Queen Latifa will be performing as the headliner to the event with other jazz and hip hop musicians joining her during the show.
Seattle, Washington
With Independence Day at our doorstep, residents and visitors around Puget Sound are looking for ways to celebrate the Fourth of July this season. No matter the weather, July 4th brings an abundance of red, white and blue celebrations to the Emerald City. From the Bellevue Family 4th in Bellevue Park all the way to 4th of July Kirkland in Marina Park, you can your crew can enjoy everything from firework shows to live concerts and everything in-between.