8 Great Spots for Fireworks

Enjoy food, games, music and dazzling pyrotechnic displays at these prime gathering places to celebrate America's birthday.

U.S. Air Force Band (website photo)

If your July 4th style is to celebrate at a local festival — or just scope out a place to watch the District’s fabulous fireworks — check out these suggestions to make your celebration memorable (and, if we’re lucky, rain-free).

ARLINGTON

Long Bridge Park

Due to budget cuts, Long Bridge Park’s annual July 4th shebang will not take place this year, but the park will be open and remains a great spot for viewing D.C.’s fireworks as they pop over the Washington Monument.

Location: 475 Long Bridge Drive; parks.arlingtonva.us/july-4th

Air Force Memorial

The Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants will perform from from 8-9 p.m. during this free event at the outdoor Air Force Memorial. The hillside setting offers great views over the Potomac.

Location: 1 Air Force Memorial Drive, Arlington; airforcememorial.org

Gateway Park

Located at the base of the Key Bridge, this park in Rosslyn features paved trails, fountains, an ornamental garden and an amphitheater. Bring a blanket and picnic, or just set up a portable chair and prepare to ooh an aah over D.C.’s firework display.

Location: 1300 Lee Highway, Arlington; www.rosslynva.org/go/gateway-park

Gravelly Point

This national park along the George Washington Memorial Parkway is on the west side of the Potomac River, north of Ronald Reagan National Airport. Catch sight of fireworks launching from Arlington and D.C. with bonus views of planes landing at DCA.

Location: Off the GW Parkway near Reagan National Airport (see map); www.nps.gov/gwmp

Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial)

This grassy vantage point is situated near Arlington National Cemetery, on Arlington Ridge along the axis of the Mall. Viewers can see the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Capitol building from its grounds, which are open from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Location: U.S. Marine Memorial Circle is just south of Rosslyn and north of Arlington National Cemetery; www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/usmc_memorial.htm

Washington Golf & Country Club

Located due west of Marymount University, the country club will be accessible for fireworks viewing, although ARLnow reports that visitors will have to stand for this year’s spectacle. The golf course, where locals normally camp out with blankets and beach chairs, is closed for renovations.

Location: 3017 N. Glebe Road, Arlington; http://www.washingtongolfcc.org/4th_of_July_Fireworks

McLEAN

Churchill Road Elementary School

Fireworks will light up the night during this free event produced by the McLean Community Center. Grounds will open at 6:30 p.m., with music and food preceding the fireworks celebration, set to begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Location: 7100 Churchill Road, McLean; mcleancenter.org/special-events

FALLS CHURCH

George Mason High School

Gates open at 6:00 p.m with food trucks on site, a live performance at 7 p.m. by Turtle Recal and fireworks beginning at 9:20 p.m.  If you want to start the party earlier, Mike’s Deli at Lazy Sundae, located just down the street at 7049 Leesburg Pike, will be staging a “parking lot party” starting at 1 p.m. with food, drinks and live music (cover charge $10; kids 12 and under free).

Location: 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; fallschurchva.gov/Fireworks