I would appreciate any ideas for a great family East Coast trip for a week over the 4th of July. I'm the only one in our family that has been to the East Coast, so while I think NYC and DC would be must dos, we are open to ideas. We would need to fly in and will not have a car, but could rent one if necessary. Thanks!

May I suggest that Independence Hall in Philadelphia is THE place to be on July 4th.

Consider Boston, sitting on the Esplanade listening to the Boston Pops and watching the fireworks.

I can't imagine a first trip to the East Coast to be anywhere other than NYC. One week would be a good amount of time to spend there.

Washington DC has a lot going on during the week of July 4th. In addition to the fireworks on the Mall, there is the "A Capitol Fourth" concert at the Capitol (or the dress rehearsal on July 3rd) and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Golly, for just one week, NYC + DC would make for a packed but fun vacation. Or NYC + Boston. I would choose one of those pairs.

For this type of trip you don;t need a car - it would be a nonsense. I would fly into NYC and out of DC and take Amtrak in between. All of the cities have major celebrations on the 4th - with hundreds of thousands - or a million plus - people and a huge fireworks event. You just need to plan where you will be in advance.

It would help to know family members and what people's interests are to reco the best sights for everyone.