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  1. Home
  2. Holiday Travel
  3. 4th of July Events
  4. Fourth of July Celebration Photos to Get You Planning a Patriotic Summer Vacation

Fourth of July Celebration Photos to Get You Planning a Patriotic Summer Vacation

By Erika Owen
April 29, 2016
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American Flag Cake
Credit: Getty Images/Moment RF
Some might say that the best holidays come during the summer (the ability to eat potato salad on a blanket in the park is key), and it doesn't get much more festive stateside than during Fourth of July weekend. Come Independence Day, fireworks stands, watermelon slices, and bunting are ubiquitous. Parades blare through the streets, day-drinking is standard, and the hot dogs are plentiful. July 4 events span family-friendly fare (bike parades! fireworks displays!) and good old-fashioned debauchery.

While it's great to spend the holiday in your hometown, there's plenty of reasons to consider a full-fledged July 4 vacation. Washington, D.C., for instance, has a string patriotic celebrations to make our Founding Fathers proud. New York hosts the largest fireworks show in the continental U.S., as well as a hot dog-eating contest on the beach.

We've already shared the must-see parades and events around the country—if that wasn't enough to kick your summertime wanderlust into high gear, these images certainly will. 

Erika Owen is the Audience Engagement Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @erikaraeowen.
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Fireworks at San Diego Del Mar Park

Fourth Of July Fireworks Del Mar California
Credit: Daniel Knighton/Getty Images

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flag dresses for 4th July Independence Day Parade, Washington DC
Credit: Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

4th of July Parade in Washington, D.C.

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Lincoln Memorial Fourth of July Fireworks
Credit: MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images

The Licoln Memorial Fourth of July Fireworks

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Fireworks stand on route 29 in rural Virginia
Credit: Visions of America/UIG via Getty Images

Fireworks Stand on Route 29 in Virginia

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Washington DC Captitl Building
Credit: Vladimer Shioshvilli/Flickr

The Washington, D.C. Capitol Building

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Capitol Building with red, white, and blue balloons
Credit: VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm/Getty Images

Balloons Around the U.S. Capitol Building

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Friends running with fireworks on a beach after sunset
Credit: Getty Images

Enjoying a Sunset Fireworks Show

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American Flag Sky Diving
Credit: John Foust

Skydiving with the American Flag

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Woman July 4th Parade Rock Hall Maryland
Credit: Visions of America/UIG via Getty Images

The July 4th Rock Hall Parade in Maryland

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Fourth of July Evening in Ocean City
Credit: Scott Dunn/Getty Images/Flickr RF

A Fourth of July Evening in Ocean City

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Fort Meade Independence Celebration
Credit: Steve Ruark via Fort George G. Meade Public Affairs Office

The Fort Meade Independence Celebration

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Camp Casey Fireworks South Korea Fourth of July 2012
Credit: U.S. Army Photo by Sgt 1st Class Jeff Troth

The Camp Casey Fireworks in South Korea

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USA, Massachusetts Parade
Credit: Getty Images

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Independence day Statue of Liberty
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Statue of Liberty on Independence Day

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New York City Fourth of July Sunset
Credit: Jeff Pang

A New York City Sunset on the Fourth of July

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Independence Day celebrations by participating in Seaside's 65th Parade of Champions
Credit: Steven L. Shepard, Presidio of Monterey Public Affairs

Seaside's 65th Independence Day Parade of Champions

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Maine, 4th July 1979
Credit: Getty Images

A 4th of July Scene in Maine, 1979

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New York City Fireworks Show Brooklyn Bridge
Credit: Dan Nguyen

The Brooklyn Bridge During a Fireworks Show

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Disney World Fourth of July Fireworks Show
Credit: Don Sullivan

Disney World Fourth of July Fireworks Show

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Liberty balloon 4th of July celebrations Gasworks Park Fremont
Credit: Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

The Independence Day Celebration at Gasworks Park in Seattle

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Fireworks on the Beach
Credit: Getty Images/Flickr Select

Fireworks on the Beach

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Fourth of July Dog Parade
Credit: Getty Images/Aurora Creative

Fourth of July Dog Parade

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Firework Show
Credit: Kazuend

Fireworks Show Finale

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Dale City Virginia July 4 Parade Outstanding Teen of Hampton Roads, Alanna Ball
Credit: Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images

A Scene from Dale City, Virginia's July 4th Parade

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America in sparklers Independence Day celebration
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

America in Sparklers Independence Day Celebration

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Fourth of July Children Parade

American Independence Day Celebration
Credit: Cyndy Sims Parr

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Chalk Illustrations on the Fourth of July

American Flag Chalk Drawing
Credit: Getty Images/Blend Images

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American Flags in Boston

American Flags Boston
Credit: Ludovic Gauthier

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American Flag Cake
Credit: Getty Images/Moment RF

American Flag Fruit Cake

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