Top 6 Patriotic Vacation Destinations
With the 4th of July coming up, families are using the holiday to plan their family vacations. It's the dead of summer, the kids are getting restless, and maybe an escape will make the heat feel a little less oppressive. So why not take the family, or just yourself, somewhere that celebrates this country we celebrate on our Independence Day? Here are a few of our best suggestions.
Washington, D.C.
Obviously you can't have a list of patriotic vacation destinations without including our nation's capital. They host an annual National Independence Day Parade, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the obligatory fabulous fireworks display, and so much more. Speaking of the Smithsonian, you can even celebrate the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's 40th birthday party at an all-night celebration on July first! But if you'd like something a bit more subdued, Washington is rich with museums that simultaneously celebrate and educate us on our nation's history.
Yellowstone National Park
Really any national park is going to make your American pride swell. No other country in the world has as much diversity in their natural beauty as ours, in my opinion. We have deserts, mountains, oceans, islands, forests, volcanos, caves, canyons, and more. Yellowstone is even home to Old Faithful, one of America's favorite natural wonders as well as incredible wildlife. But please, don't go near the animals.
New Orleans
If a long road trip isn't your style, maybe a trip to New Orleans is up your alley. New Orleans is a fun destination for innumerable reasons, from its rich history and architecture to its legendary nightlife. For the history buffs, there are innumerable museums to visit including the National World War II Museum and the Old U.S. Mint, and while it would be impossible to visit them all in one trip, any New Orleans excursion would be incomplete without soaking up our nation's history. If you're more of a partier, New Orleans has their annual Go 4th on the River party and fireworks show, and a slew of riverboat cruises to enjoy.
New York City
Everyone has seen the Independence Day fireworks display on TV each year, but a first-person experience would be absolutely magical. And obviously, New York has a plethora of historical sites of its own. There are Revolutionary War walking tours in most New England cities, and New York is no exception. If you want to take in a show with a bit of Revolutionary taste, Hamilton is really big right now and it delves into the lives of several key members of the Revolution, but good luck getting tickets; the show is so popular that the only way to get tickets for the fourth would be by entering their daily lottery.
A Disney Park
Don't discount me just yet on this one. Walt Disney World and Disneyland both have such an incredible tribute on the third and fourth of July that includes fireworks, music, a light show, etc. Additionally, every day at Disney parks, they do what they call a "Flag Retreat Ceremony" where they lower the American flag that stands in the middle of Main Street Square with a live marching band, a color guard, the Dapper Dans singing, and they present the flag to a veteran who is visiting the park that day. In fact, this has been a tradition that Walt himself insisted be a part of every day at his parks. It will bring a tear to your eye. But beware: it will be busy. July fourth and New Year's Eve are the two busiest holidays at Disney parks.
Your House
I know that this one is a popular destination, but at the very least, you won't have to worry about crowds and finding your way around a strange city. Instead of a vacation, how about a stay-cation? At-home cookouts are a tradition for a reason, so why mess with a good thing? Amp up your holiday with our two newest segments on delicious 4th of July recipes like this patriotic monkey bread recipe and these refreshing watermelon recipes. Plus, there are so many ways to easily and beautifully decorate your home to show your patriotism.
BONUS: If you are homebound for the holiday but you still want to sight-see, most places have live-feeds online of their attractions, even Yellowstone!
Are you and your family going on an Independence Day trip or throwing a party in your own backyard? We'd love to hear about it! Let us know on our Facebook or Instagram, where you can find more information about other projects, design advice, and inspiration. We love hearing from our friends!