July 4th - Boston, Philly or DC?
Jul 3rd, 2001, 09:52 AM
#1
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July 4th - Boston, Philly or DC?
Maybe it's the time of year (4th of July), but we're already planning for next summer. I have lived around Amarillo, TX my entire life and would like to experience a "traditional" July 4th (fireworks, parades, music, maybe the beach), but do not know where to go.
My choices are Washington DC, Philadelphia or Boston. NYC is not being considered (went there last October, besides it doesn't strike me as being very traditional in an Independence Day sort of way).
We'll plan on spending less than a week (2 or 3 in the city, maybe 2 or 3 at a beach or in the country). Any suggestions? Which would you recommend?
My choices are Washington DC, Philadelphia or Boston. NYC is not being considered (went there last October, besides it doesn't strike me as being very traditional in an Independence Day sort of way).
We'll plan on spending less than a week (2 or 3 in the city, maybe 2 or 3 at a beach or in the country). Any suggestions? Which would you recommend?
Jul 3rd, 2001, 10:22 AM
#3
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Any of the three frankly would be good choices. I don't know why Helen excludes Philadelphia; there's supposed to be some free entertainment at the Art Museum, with some big name musicians (although I forget who...Jill Scott is one) and the Ben Franklin Parkway closed off.
Incidentally, I'm not sure why you exclude NYC for July 4th exactly. New York would be equally a good choice and a perfectly TRADITIONAL place to celebrate July 4th, being a older US city and America's largest.
Philly, DC or Boston: you won't go wrong.
Incidentally, I'm not sure why you exclude NYC for July 4th exactly. New York would be equally a good choice and a perfectly TRADITIONAL place to celebrate July 4th, being a older US city and America's largest.
Philly, DC or Boston: you won't go wrong.
Jul 3rd, 2001, 10:44 AM
#4
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Wanda,
Go to Boston! It is a great city with so much history and sights to see. I was there last July 4th and had a great time! I spent 5 days there and was busy sightseeing the whole time. Lots to see and do. Check out these websites...www.july4.org, Bostonharborfest.com, www.bostonusa.com.
Go to Boston! It is a great city with so much history and sights to see. I was there last July 4th and had a great time! I spent 5 days there and was busy sightseeing the whole time. Lots to see and do. Check out these websites...www.july4.org, Bostonharborfest.com, www.bostonusa.com.
Jul 3rd, 2001, 10:56 AM
#5
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This New Yorker votes for Boston
I actually agree that NYC isn't the most
exciting place for the fourth of July.
I've been to all the other places on the fourth.Philly was Ok, but not great; DC was fun but is often so unbearably hot then that I didn't enjoy myself as much as I could have- (The festival on the mall that the Smithsonian sponsors each year at that time is actually wonderful, though). Thoroughly enjoyed Boston, and the big free , crowded Boston Pops concert then, and (since Boston is perhaps the most compact of the three cities) was able to walk back to my hotel clear across town afterwards and prolong the evning a bit more
I actually agree that NYC isn't the most
exciting place for the fourth of July.
I've been to all the other places on the fourth.Philly was Ok, but not great; DC was fun but is often so unbearably hot then that I didn't enjoy myself as much as I could have- (The festival on the mall that the Smithsonian sponsors each year at that time is actually wonderful, though). Thoroughly enjoyed Boston, and the big free , crowded Boston Pops concert then, and (since Boston is perhaps the most compact of the three cities) was able to walk back to my hotel clear across town afterwards and prolong the evning a bit more
Jul 3rd, 2001, 11:27 AM
#6
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Definitely DC. Shouldn't even be a question. Besides, it's nice and cool here today, and is supposed to be in the low 80s for the next week or so.
Hang out on the Mall, here the National Symphony Orchestra play (Irish Tenors and some other guests, too), watch the fireworks with the Washington Monument as a backdrop. It doesn't get much better. One drawback--you can't bring alcohol onto the Mall any more, as part of a concerted effort to get us to wait in line for 2 hours and pay $8 for watered-down beer.
Hang out on the Mall, here the National Symphony Orchestra play (Irish Tenors and some other guests, too), watch the fireworks with the Washington Monument as a backdrop. It doesn't get much better. One drawback--you can't bring alcohol onto the Mall any more, as part of a concerted effort to get us to wait in line for 2 hours and pay $8 for watered-down beer.
Jul 3rd, 2001, 12:38 PM
#9
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Ann, you hammered that nail over the fence ... metaphor city. But I must disagree (slightly) about the alcohol. Your interpretation of the NPS rule is peerless. As is your consumer rating of the beer wagons. You didn't, I am relieved to say, describe the porto-john lines. But some of us, and don't quote me, studiously ignore anything NPS says, and we bring it with us ... and imbibe carefully. I may be the only one ... but that passes not the laugh test. Have a great 4th, and we'll be just SW of the WM if you care to drop by. I'll be with the great looking redhead (well, she had to happen to someone, and my luck is normally pretty okay, and holding, I am so pleased to say). Ciao
Jul 3rd, 2001, 01:34 PM
#10
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OK Morgan Freeman, Jill Scott and Garth Brooks are all participating in this year's Philadelphia July 4th celebrations; there will be fireworks. Don't listen to Jim (where's your hometown pride?); there's some amazing stuff to see and do in Philadelphia outside the historical sites.
