In an effort to avoid irritating one set of parents, next July 4 we are going to go all in and irritate BOTH sets by spending July 4 on a family vacation (with just our little family).

So - we're hoping to plan an early July family vacation for 2011. Our kids will be 7.5 and 5. What we're hoping to find:

-Great fireworks that can be seen without terrible traffic (i.e. - from our hotel or somewhere with numerous vantage points)

-Location with other family friendly activities or that is within a road trip of other attractions.

We're pretty open to locations, but would have to stay within the contiguous US for flight costs!

We've considered Lake Tahoe, Chicago, Seattle...suggestions? Thoughts?

We hate crowds and usually can't stay awake late enough for fireworks but I love a parade. If you go to VT, both Brandon and Bristol have good sized parades, some kid activities, etc. The year we went, the parades were on different days so we went to both. Bristol had an 'outhouse race' before the parade started. Both had great Shriner units with mini versions of trucks and cars. In Brandon we were able to find a shady spot for our lawn chairs before the parade started. Driving out of Bristol on the Lincoln Gap to get over to Rt 100 we saw a lot of cars parked and could see people in the river. We checked it out and came back another day with a picnic lunch. In one place the river was low enough to wade across (but rocky bottom, people wore rubber sandals) but up stream was a small waterfall and a pool deep enough so bigger kids and adults could jump off the ledges. No big crowds. Not much traffic.

Another summer we enjoyed the Bath ME Heritage Days which coincided with 4th of July. In addition to a great parade, there was an area of amusement rides and a park full of craft booths and food stands. Bath is in mid-coast Maine. The water is cold but there is a sandy beach not too far away. I think some boat companies in Maine have cruises to see the fireworks.

Many years ago when we could stay awake we watched the fireworks over Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfboro NH. That is a great family friendly area, esp so close the White Mountains.

I have to confess that while viewing the fireworks at Epcot, Disney World, it crossed my mind that it was too bad my kids were seeing it because every fireworks display for the rest of their lives would be a let-down. Not that I would recommend going there in July, though.

Here is another outside-the box thought -- the Montreal International Fireworks Competition takes place over several weekends in June and July. It is not necessarily 4th-related but it is extremely spectacular -- the most impressive shows I've seen, anyway. You can watch it over the river, from a bridge that is closed to traffic, or buy tickets to the amusement park on the island, play all afternoon, and enjoy the fireworks after sundown (viewing seats cost a little extra, though). Probably there are good hotel views, too.

Other than that -- Boston, Washington DC, and New York have spectacular shows/concerts but I understand the crowds can be bad.

Here's another recommendation for the International Fireworks Competition in Montreal. As mentioned above, viewing seats (which are very reasonable) include all day admission to the amusement park.

BOSTON!!!

And every year, Boston hosts "Harborfest", a 6-day celebration with TONS of special activities and events around the July 4th holiday. Take a look at the website to see what was offered for this year (2010): http://www.bostonharborfest.com/

I saw the fireworks one year at South Tahoe, and want to go there again.

Next year at Valhalla?

http://www.tahoeroyalvalhalla.com/

I'm loving the idea of Lake Tahoe. We went there on our honeymoon 12 years ago. My conflict is that I'd imagined going back with the kids and combining it with a trip to Yosemite...and I'm pretty sure I don't want to be at Yosemite in July (crowds!).

I will definitely look into the Montreal competition.

Boston sounds wonderful...but Tahoe and Montreal sounds less hot and crowded??