Washington DC

How to Celebrate the Fourth of July in DC This Year

Watch the fireworks, party the long weekend away, or see a parade on the National Mall.

gary718/Shutterstock
gary718/Shutterstock
gary718/Shutterstock

Independence Day in Washington, DC is a pretty big deal, considering it’s the nation’s capital and all. Throughout the year, millions of visitors flock to the District to learn about American history and witness iconic sites and monuments, from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial.

For Washingtonians, though, a stroll through one of DC’s best museums or a jog around the Jefferson Memorial is just another day. That changes on the night of the Fourth of July, when the sky above the National Mall is transformed into a patriotic display of fireworks. Beyond the fireworks, there’s so much more to do like party at the nearest outdoor watering hole, take advantage of special daytime programming at historic sites such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and, of course, see the annual National Independence Day Parade stomp its way down Constitution Avenue.

So, fire up those grills, grab a pack of cold ones, and get ready to toast to the occasion. From rooftop parties to under-the-radar fireworks viewing locations, here’s what to look forward to in Washington, DC this year on the Fourth of July.

Flickr/Hilary Woodward
Flickr/Hilary Woodward
Flickr/Hilary Woodward

Have some family-friendly fun

This year, the National Independence Day Parade is finally returning after a two year COVID hiatus and will be bigger than ever. Starting at 11:45 am, the parade will travel along Constitution Avenue NW from 7th over to 17th Street, with marching bands, floats, equestrian riders, drill teams and much more in tow. There are also smaller local parades happening, like the 20th annual Capitol Hill 4th of July Parade, starting by the Eastern Market Metro Station at 10 am and set to head north along Barracks Row.

Catch the tail end of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, happening June 22-27 and June 30-July 4 on the Mall, or head over to George Washington’s former pad, Mount Vernon, where you can celebrate America’s independence like its 1798. Admission costs $26, and gets you in to watch daytime fireworks, observe a moving ceremony in which people from across the world become US citizens, and dance along to some of the Founding Fathers’ favourite hit singles.

Just make sure, whatever you do, that you’re in position for the main event, the Fourth of July fireworks show, by the oddly specific time of 9:09 pm. Fireworks will be launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and should be visible from the National Mall and across the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.

Dirt Farm Brewing
Dirt Farm Brewing
Dirt Farm Brewing

Toast to the red, white and brews

For those who want to get an early start on celebrating, Hi-Lawn, one of the District’s largest, most expansive open-air rooftop bars, is celebrating the 4th with a free-to-attend, four-day-long Independence Day rooftop picnic party from Friday through Monday. The celebration will feature fantastic city views of neighbourhood fireworks, live music, DJs, grilled eats, summer cocktails, and extended hours.

Over at Hotel Hive they’re putting on their annual Fourth of July Great American Bash with &Pizza. Enjoy a rooftop view of the fireworks and an all-American barbecue buffet that includes hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and other Independence Day staples.

For something a little more interactive, participate in a Heritage Beer Hunt at The Mansion on O Street in Dupont. The event starts bright and early at 9 am, and features free beer and a hunt that takes you across 100 rooms and 70 secret doors, embracing DC history while searching for hidden patriotic items.

Another chance for some interactive fun is at Hook Hall’s Big Flip Cup Tournament starting at 2 pm. This pet-friendly event will also feature a Dog Eat Dog competition where adoptable rescue pups will race to finish a hot dog, and donations will also be welcome during the event to help even more dogs to get adopted.

If you feel like getting out of the city, Dirt Farm Brewing in Virginia is hosting a Fourth of July bash starting at 5 pm. The brewery’s 1,100 foot elevation means pristine views of multiple firework displays, and it doesn’t hurt that there will be a whole roasted pig, charcuterie boards, shrimp tacos, and snow cones available.

Flickr/m01229
Flickr/m01229
Flickr/m01229

Where to watch the fireworks

Let’s admit it: all that grilling and beer crushing you’re doing earlier in the day is pretty much an extended pregame for the fireworks show. This year, Washingtonians are spoiled for viewing options, from scenic lawns and parks to rooftops and boats.

Head to the highest rooftop restaurant and lounge in the Mount Vernon Triangle, Ciel Social Club, which boasts nearly 360-degree views of the US Capitol dome, Washington Monument, and downtown DC. They’re throwing a National Fireworks Viewing Party from 7 to 10 pm featuring incredible views of the fireworks, passed hors d’oeuvres, a two-hour premium open bar, and a live band.

Meanwhile in Georgetown, the Rosewood and CUT Above (the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge) are hosting an elevated July 4th dinner for guests to enjoy the fireworks and celebrations from new heights. The dinner includes chef Andrew Skala’s family-style menu and a bottle of Krug Cuvée Champagne, followed by a prime view of the fireworks display.

For something a bit more relaxed, Victura Park at the Kennedy Center makes a great place to watch the fireworks, with its ample green space and prime Potomac views. On the Fourth they’ll be open from 10 am until the fireworks end, with food trucks and grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Guests are welcome to bring blankets, but chairs and outside food are a no-go.

At the District Wharf’s Tiki TNT, the fourth annual viewing party starts at 7 pm on the rooftop. Watch the fireworks while you enjoy a welcome cocktail and dig into American classics, followed by dessert. Other rooftop bars with great views include the Conrad Hotel’s Summit Rooftop, CityBarDC, Top of the Gate at the Watergate Hotel, La Vie, Flight Wine Bar, and more.

One of the perks of living on the Potomac is that you can also find yourself floating on top of it that night by way of a fireworks cruise. Go all out with a cruise that offers three hours of a top shelf open bar with reserved tables, or opt for something a little more understated and classic aboard the Washington Spirit.

Finally, for those on the search for low-key fireworks viewing experiences, just head to a park with a blanket and your favourite brews. Any park will do, but Lady Bird Johnson Park provides some of the best unobstructed views of the display (from land). Located on an island in the Potomac River, the park is right across the water from the show, which translates to an extremely epic fireworks viewing.

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Austa Somvichian-Clausen is a freelance food and travel writer, who lives in Brooklyn with her girlfriend and two fur babies.

Washington DC

15 Totally Free Things to Do in DC

A full itinerary, completely free of charge.

Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery
Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery
Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery

Washington DC is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, and for those of us who call the District home, it’s easy to see why. With dozens of world-class museums, murals that transform streets into galleries, and sites brimming with history, DC offers a full agenda-completely free of charge. Whether you want to try a new farmer’s market, explore a new hike, or polish off your roller skating or canoeing skills, here are some of our favourite free things to do in the District.

Flickr/gawnesco
Flickr/gawnesco
Flickr/gawnesco

Hike, bike, or stroll along the C&O Canal

The historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal is one of the most accessible nature escapes from the District. Thanks to a multi-year restoration project, the first mile of the canal is an idyllic walk that’s easy to access in Georgetown. Stick to a short stroll there, or grab a bike or lace up your hiking shoes for a longer adventure along the 184.5-mile canal.

Jump on the pickleball craze

Pickleball is working its way up the ladder past kickball and softball as one of America’s favourite games. Jump on the craze and practice your paddling at one of the District’s pickleball courts in Takoma Park, the Palisades, and more. Plus, Washington DC Pickleball invites guests to drop in to beginner sessions to try their hand at the sport before signing up for a $30 annual membership.

Flickr/mcfeelion
Flickr/mcfeelion
Flickr/mcfeelion

Bike the Mount Vernon Trail

DC is incredibly bike-friendly, and luckily that applies to the land immediately outside of the city as well. Start in the city and bike along the Mount Vernon Trail, a scenic route that hugs the water and cuts through the woods. It’s about a 10-mile trip from DC to Mount Vernon, but you can cut the trip slightly short and end at the Old Town Alexandria waterfront-just make sure to factor in time for ice cream before pedalling home.

Explore a sculpture park

While not located in the District proper, Glenstone, an expansive sculpture park in Maryland, is worth the 45-minute drive. Tickets to the park are free (just be sure to reserve several weeks in advance), and the 300-acre space offers stunning art, architecture, and open land. In addition to its indoor gallery spaces, you can spend hours walking on paths that wind through sculptures, meadows, and forests.

Flickr/Geoff Livingston
Flickr/Geoff Livingston
Flickr/Geoff Livingston

See the monuments at night

When the sun goes down-and the summer humidity somewhat dissipates-head to the National Mall for the rare chance to see the monuments without busloads of tourists. Moonlight will give you a different perspective as you traverse the marble steps of the Lincoln Memorial or gaze up at the Washington Monument set aglow with lights.

Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery
Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery
Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery

Museum hop the day away

One of DC’s greatest strengths is its world-class Smithsonian museums that are open to the public free of charge. There is no shortage of options, from the intimate Renwick Gallery, to the sprawling National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonians offer something for everyone. Pro tip: Some of the museums are open late in the evenings, making for an ideal date night.

muralsdc
muralsdc
muralsdc

Explore the city’s murals

Washington is home to hundreds of murals that are becoming as much a part of the city’s landscape as the monuments on the National Mall. Take a self-guided tour of these colourful creations no matter which neighbourhood you happen to be in. MuralsDC, the organization behind 150 of the District’s public artworks, is a great resource for mapping out a route to explore the city’s street art.

Hotel Washington
Hotel Washington
Hotel Washington

Take in a birds-eye view of the city

Washington looks pretty stunning from up high, and there are few spots within the city that make for phenomenal vantage points. Rooftop bars and restaurants offer epic views for the price of a drink or two, but there’s no more iconic sight than seeing the city from the top of the Washington Monument, which is completely free. Book a ticket ahead of time and ride an elevator all the way to the top of the monument and step out on the 500-foot observation deck.

Flickr/Nicolas Raymond
Flickr/Nicolas Raymond
Flickr/Nicolas Raymond

Wander through a garden

DC is home to some of the most beautiful urban gardens in the country, and many of them are open to the public for free. There is nothing like an afternoon spent strolling through, or picnicking, at the expansive 446-acre United States Arboretum or wandering through the Botanic Garden on the edge of the Mall. For something a bit smaller, explore the grounds at Tudor Place or Dumbarton Oaks (free in the winter), both of which are in Georgetown.

Flickr/ehpien
Flickr/ehpien
Flickr/ehpien

Hike the Billy Goat Trail

You can catch one of the District’s most popular hiking trails, the Billy Goat Trail, from the C&O canal. The full trail is 4.7 miles and ranges from easy to strenuous, so hike a section in and back or make the full loop for the variety.

Pay your respect at Arlington National Cemetery

Just across the Potomac from DC, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 400,000 veterans. The cemetery is an expanse of 639 hallowed acres and the ANC Explorer allows visitors to locate graves, notable sites, and take self-guided walking tours to spots including the tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the final resting place of President John F. Kennedy.

Lace up your roller skates

When was the last time you went roller skating? Chances are it’s been too long. So get back into this nostalgic activity at the Anacostia Park roller skating pavilion. You can rent skates for free, just show proof of a government-issued ID, and the skating pavilion is open from 9 to 5 every day.

Help clean up the Anacostia River

We all know there’s a lot of work to be done to keep our waterways clean. Do your part, and have some fun, by participating in the city’s Green Boat initiative. On select weekends, DCers can join a two-hour guided paddle along the Anacostia River to collect trash and monitor the river’s progress.

Eastern Market
Eastern Market
Eastern Market

Stroll your local farmer’s market

DC’s close proximity to the farms of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and beyond mean that the city’s farmers’ markets always have something to offer. Check out the year-round markets like Eastern Market in Capitol Hill and the Sunday market in Dupont Circle or head to seasonal markets like the pop-up in front of the White House that draws vendors like Cucina al Volo and Call Your Mother Deli.

The Library of Congress
The Library of Congress
The Library of Congress

Play tourist all around the city

It’s easy to forget that all those traditionally touristy activities can be fun for locals too. If you haven’t been on a tour of the White House, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, or the Capitol, this is your sign. All are free with advanced reservations. Plus, tucked in the northern quadrant of NW, the Washington National Cathedral is free and open to all. Tour the cathedral’s impressive architecture, 215 stained glass windows, 112 Gothically-inspired gargoyles, and enormous pipe organ. See if you can spot the sculpture of Darth Vader.

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Madeline Weinfield is a Thrillist contributor.

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