It's an open invitation to the United States' big birthday party, with colourful parades, spectacular fireworks and historical re-enactments all part of the patriotic fun.
1. Philadelphia The Declaration of Independence, a document unifying the American colonies in their struggle for freedom from British rule, was signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. The building, at 500 Chestnut Street, is now a Unesco-designated World Heritage site. At 2pm, the Liberty Bell, which rang to summon citizens for the first public reading of the declaration, will be symbolically tapped by descendants of the signers, setting off a nationwide bell-ringing ceremony. The City of Brotherly Love takes its role as the birthplace of the United States seriously but it enjoys a party too. The Welcome America! festival (
www.americasbirthday.com) is a week-long series of events. Free concerts, carnivals and a parade precede one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the country.
2. New York Determined not to be outdone by rival cities, the Big Apple throws a spectacular birthday bash. Dating back to 1916, Nathan's Hot-Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island, Brooklyn, has become a fourth of July tradition. Thousands turned up last year to watch the winner, Joey Chestnut, wolf down 66 frankfurters and buns in 12 minutes. With 80,000 fizzing explosions lighting up the night sky, you can pay US$175 for a place in the viewing gallery atop the Empire State Building or, for US$75, hop aboard Circle Line's July 4th Cruise (
www.circleline42.com), which chugs over to the Statue of Liberty, returning just in time to catch the fireworks.
3. Mount Rushmore (below right) Thousands of sightseers descend upon South Dakota's Mount Rushmore National Memorial to celebrate Independence Day beneath the giant sculptures of four presidents gouged out of the Black Hills. Walk along the Avenue of Flags to the visitor centre then follow the Presidential Trail until you're face to face with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. This year, the majority of activities have a military theme and are planned for July 3. The schedule includes a B52 bomber flyover, veteran tributes and armed forces bands.
4. Boston New England is where independence from 'Old England' is commemorated with the most patriotic fervour. This year, the Boston Harborfest celebrates its 27th anniversary, with more than 200 events over seven days. A flag-raising ceremony will be followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House and a re-enactment of the heated debate that led to the Boston Tea Party, the infamous protest against the British government. There are concerts, historical tours and even a Chowderfest, with restaurants competing for the crown of 'Boston's best chowder'. As dusk falls, an audience of up to half a million gathers for the annual performance by the Boston Pops Orchestra. For more information, visit
www.bostonharborfest.com.
5. Washington President John Adams started it all by leading a procession of steamboats and barges up the Potomac River to mark the first fourth of July parade. Nowadays, the National Independence Day Parade passes along Constitution Avenue and features more than 3,000 performers dressed to dazzle against a backdrop of imposing monuments. Initiated in 1967, the two-week Smithsonian Folklife Festival (
www.folklife.si.edu) is a platform for musicians, storytellers, artists and craftspeople to showcase living cultural heritage. The event draws up to 1 million visitors to the National Mall from late June until July 4. On the West Lawn of the Capitol Building, the free Capitol Fourth concert featuring the National Symphony Orchestra precedes - you've guessed it - another fireworks display.
6. San Francisco The Bay City kick-starts America's birthday a week early by hosting the Pinot Days Wine Festival. The event is staged by 170 producers who encourage consumers to sample from a selection of 400 pinot noirs from around the world. Bottles will be uncorked on June 29 this year. San Francisco's fireworks show is best appreciated from a Red and White Ferry anchored in the middle of the bay. Departure times and Alcatraz night tour add-ons can be booked online at tickets.
