One of the best times to visit the United States is on Fourth of July when the whole country is wrapped up in a pageant. As the celebrations are in every nook and corner of the country, WalletHub, a personal finance website, makes choosing the location easier. It says San Francisco is the best destination in US to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day, July 4.

Independence Day, also called Fourth of July or July 4 in the United States, is one of the most important and annual celebration of the country. It is also one of the most iconic and loved holiday. With a variety of activities, including family holidays, picnics, barbecues, outdoor games, fireworks, and more, it represents the beginning of hot days, summer fun, and the pleasure of being outdoors.

This year with the ease in Covid-19 restrictions, the celebration is expected to be grander than ever as travel demand for US carriers is expected to be the strongest this summer. AAA, an auto membership group, expects 47.9 million people will travel 50 miles (80 km) or more from home over the holiday weekend spanning June 30 to July 4. This is up 3.7 pc from last year and close to pre-pandemic levels.

As people are excited to once again hit the roads and take up on the air to celebrate the holiday, WalletHub, a personal finance website ranks the top 5 cities to visit in US to do so.

San Francisco

With a total score of 73.30, San Francisco has been ranked as the best city in US to celebrate July 4.

Ranked second in the nation for its gorgeous attractions and endless activities and first for its weather forecast, it is no surprise that many would be rushing to the city to spend and enjoy the celebrations of the country’s biggest and favourite holiday.

Enjoy fireworks along the waterfront, and activities all day around Fisherman’s Wharf, and a ferry ride around the bay.

Take part on the popular activities of the city that people take part on this day, such as biking around the city, going on wine tasting tours, or joining one of the SF Public Library’s free walking tours in the morning or afternoon.

Other fun things to do include a free concert in Stern Grove Park and both the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics baseball throughout the holiday weekend.

Every year at the end of the Municipal Pier and on the barges in front of Pier 39, San Francisco holds large spectacular display of fireworks. At the time large parts of the city’s waterfront are closed to cars due to crowds for the fireworks display. It is best recommended to head down early and use public transit to get to and from this area of town for the fireworks display.

Los Angeles

After San Francisco, the city with a total score of 73.19 to make it to second for the best place to visit during the nation’s Independence Day, 2022 is Los Angeles.

Though best known for its boardwalks and beaches, the city doesn’t back away when it comes to July 4 celebrations.

The Hollywood Forever cemetery annually celebrates the day with a movie and fireworks afterwards. This year’s movie is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a 1986 American teen comedy film. One can enjoy a picnic while watching the movie and later marvel at the fireworks. Tickets are USD 44 per person.

Downtown LA’s largest free Fourth of July celebration, Grand Park’s Fourth of July Block Party, returns this year after its two-year hiatus. The gates will open at 4 pm and the nearly 6 hour-long festivity will include a spectrum of LA’s global and diverse sounds such as Afrobeats, Cumbia, Samba and many more.

Spectacular fireworks show will be launched from the rooftop of The Music Center’s iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Washington DC

In the third with a total score of 72.66 is Washington, DC for its high rankings in Fourth of July celebrations, attractions, and safety.

With no shortage of monuments or museums for people to visit in order to get an insight on the nation’s history, or for the fact that the White House, official residence of the nation’s President, lies there itself it leaves little doubt to wonder about the site’s popularity during that day.

In the morning, there will be a showdown between Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins, American professional baseball teams at National Park, and a large crowd will be expected to rush to the National Mall.

After 2 years of cancellation, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival is back, as is the parade down Constitution Avenue, and the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn of the capital city.

Atlanta

July 4 celebrations in Atlanta are described in 3 Fs: fireworks, food and fun. This year, this capital city of Georgia, scored a total of 70.62 and came in as fourth to celebrate the nation’s biggest celebrations.

On the occasion of the celebrations, the City of Decatur will present the Pied Piper Parade, concert, and fireworks. Visitors and locals alike will be able to take part in the parade. Whether it is on a bike, a skateboard or just through walking, the parade will welcome and not restrict anybody from participating. The parade will begin at 6 pm and at 7 pm will showcase a music selection at the Pied Piper Parade concert.

People looking for some volunteer action should check out the 2022 AJC Peachtree Road Race where opportunities such as holding down the water stations or becoming a course marshal for the day is provided.

For a change in pace in order to seek a bit of adrenaline rush a fun trip to Six Flags presented by Coca-Cola over Georgia for the annual July 4th Fest is a must. There are also numerous daring rides and water-attractions to keep one engaged.

Las Vegas

Finally, in the fifth position with a total score of 70.02, Las Vegas is another city to be listed in one’s bucket list for the July 4 celebrations.

The city is famous for showing enthusiasm in hosting celebrations and July 4 is no exception. With hotel bars, casinos and pool parties all decked out in patriotic decorations, many resorts compete to host the largest 4th of July fireworks show. So, yes one can expect the city to display spectacular fireworks in the evening.

Partying already started on Friday and will extend till Monday this year. Aside from this, the Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade that begins at the corner of Hillpointe Rd. and Hills Center Dr in the Trails Village of Summerlin, will feature floats, parade balloons, veteran and military groups, community organisations, performing troupes, and representation from the destination’s professional sports teams.