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

By Erika Owen
April 29, 2016
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

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

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MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images

The Licoln Memorial Fourth of July Fireworks

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Visions of America/UIG via Getty Images

Fireworks Stand on Route 29 in Virginia

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Vladimer Shioshvilli/Flickr

The Washington, D.C. Capitol Building

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VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm/Getty Images

Balloons Around the U.S. Capitol Building

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Enjoying a Sunset Fireworks Show

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John Foust

Skydiving with the American Flag 

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Visions of America/UIG via Getty Images

The July 4th Rock Hall Parade in Maryland

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Scott Dunn/Getty Images/Flickr RF

A Fourth of July Evening in Ocean City

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Steve Ruark via Fort George G. Meade Public Affairs Office

The Fort Meade Independence Celebration

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U.S. Army Photo by Sgt 1st Class Jeff Troth

The Camp Casey Fireworks in South Korea

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The Statue of Liberty on Independence Day

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Jeff Pang

A New York City Sunset on the Fourth of July

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Steven L. Shepard, Presidio of Monterey Public Affairs

Seaside's 65th Independence Day Parade of Champions

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A 4th of July Scene in Maine, 1979

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Dan Nguyen

The Brooklyn Bridge During a Fireworks Show

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Don Sullivan

Disney World Fourth of July Fireworks Show

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Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

The Independence Day Celebration at Gasworks Park in Seattle

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Getty Images/Flickr Select

Fireworks on the Beach

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Getty Images/Aurora Creative

Fourth of July Dog Parade

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Kazuend

Fireworks Show Finale

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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

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Fourth of July Children Parade

Cyndy Sims Parr

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Chalk Illustrations on the Fourth of July

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American Flags in Boston

Ludovic Gauthier

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Getty Images/Moment RF

American Flag Fruit Cake

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