There are lots of places to see fireworks in Northern Virginia this Independence Day. But the big show is on the National Mall.
With this July 4 marking the nation’s 250th birthday and organizers planning to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest fireworks show, you can expect an even bigger crowd than usual. But you don’t have to travel to the National Mall to get great views of the celebration.
Here are some excellent spots to watch the fireworks without leaving Northern Virginia. Just keep in mind that while you’ll avoid crowds on the Mall, there still may be a whole lot of Virginians flocking to these vantage points.
Gravelly Point: Thanks to its proximity to Reagan National Airport, Gravelly Point is a popular place to watch planes come and go. Its position on the west bank of the Potomac River also makes it an excellent spot to watch the DC fireworks.
LBJ Memorial Grove: According to map boundary lines, this is technically in DC, but let’s ignore that for now. According to the National Park Service, the grove is where President Johnson went to de-stress. It features serpentine paths, white pines, a granite monolith, and an open meadow. There’s an excellent view of the National Mall and the fireworks from the lawn in front of the memorial.
Marine Corps War Memorial: The Marine Corps War Memorial sits atop Arlington Ridge straight across the Potomac from the National Mall. The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the Capitol can all be seen from it — as can the Independence Day festivities.
Mount Vernon Trail: The Mount Vernon Trail stretches from George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate to Roosevelt Island. It winds along the Potomac River for 18 miles and offers unimpeded views of the DC skyline. This makes it a great spot to see all the fireworks.
Netherlands Carillon: The Netherlands Carillon and its 53 bells sit between the Marine Corps War Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Like the war memorial, the grounds offer sweeping views of DC and the colorful fireworks of the Fourth.
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Featured photo courtesy NPS/Chalice Keith
