5 D.C.-area cities and towns to spend July Fourth

Washington Post

6 hours ago

July Fourth falling on a Friday is the perfect excuse to get out of D.C. These Independence Day activities make for a fun day trip — or an overnight excursion, if you prefer.
Maryland's capital centers its celebrations on the water, with an evening parade leading the way to the City Dock beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks are launched over the harbor at 9:15, observed from boats, bridges and waterfront parks. Get in the patriotic spirit earlier in the day by touring four historic sites open on the Fourth, all staffed with living-history reenactors: the William Paca House and Garden, home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence; the Hogshead Trades Museum; the Waterfront Warehouse; and the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Or just stroll down the side streets and enjoy antiques shops and bookstores.
Where to eat and drink: Cross Spa Creek to Eastport for oysters and rum drinks at Boatyard Bar and Grill, a favorite of local sailors, or the neighborhood favorite Davis' Pub, where crab cakes and steamed shrimp are the stars. For something fancier, try the farm-to-table Preserve on Main Street.
Side quest: Craving a taste of the beach? Family-friendly Sandy Point State Park is fun for wading and has views of the Bay Bridge. Beverly Triton Nature Park has a more rustic 'swimming beach' on the Chesapeake Bay, but the narrow strip of sand is generally peaceful. Plan ahead: Both parks require visitors to reserve an entry pass in advance.
Maryland's capital centers its celebrations on the water, with an evening parade leading the way to the City Dock beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks are launched over the harbor at 9:15, observed from boats, bridges and waterfront parks. Get in the patriotic spirit earlier in the day by touring four historic sites open on the Fourth, all staffed with living-history reenactors: the William Paca House and Garden, home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence; the Hogshead Trades Museum; the Waterfront Warehouse; and the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Or just stroll down the side streets and enjoy antiques shops and bookstores.
Where to eat and drink: Cross Spa Creek to Eastport for oysters and rum drinks at Boatyard Bar and Grill, a favorite of local sailors, or the neighborhood favorite Davis' Pub, where crab cakes and steamed shrimp are the stars. For something fancier, try the farm-to-table Preserve on Main Street.
Side quest: Craving a taste of the beach? Family-friendly Sandy Point State Park is fun for wading and has views of the Bay Bridge. Beverly Triton Nature Park has a more rustic 'swimming beach' on the Chesapeake Bay, but the narrow strip of sand is generally peaceful. Plan ahead: Both parks require visitors to reserve an entry pass in advance.
Baltimore is probably the easiest get-out-of-town option for D.C. residents without cars, thanks to MARC commuter rail service and regular Amtrak trains heading north. (Note that you will have to take Amtrak home if you want to see the party at the Inner Harbor and you're not spending the night.) The main event is fireworks over the Inner Harbor, beginning at 9 p.m., though the party gets going around 6, with live music leading up to the show. In South Baltimore, the annual Cherry Hill Arts and Music Festival has a new attraction — a drone show, starting after the city's fireworks have ended — to go with a full day of music, art displays, hands-on art activities and family fun.
Where to eat and drink: Baltimore has every cuisine you could want, but on July Fourth, just go for crabs. Try the legendary crab cakes from Faidley's at Lexington Market or the homey version at Koco's Pub, endorsed by Mayor Brandon Scott (D). If you prefer to pick your own crabs, head for L.P. Steamers in Locust Point and hope there's room on the rooftop deck.
Side quest: Baltimore museums get in on the fun, too. The B&O Railroad Museum, a destination for train lovers young and old, is the site of the Star Spangled Bash, which features splash pads, lawn games and a red, white and blue tie-dye station and is included with museum admission.
Baltimore is probably the easiest get-out-of-town option for D.C. residents without cars, thanks to MARC commuter rail service and regular Amtrak trains heading north. (Note that you will have to take Amtrak home if you want to see the party at the Inner Harbor and you're not spending the night.) The main event is fireworks over the Inner Harbor, beginning at 9 p.m., though the party gets going around 6, with live music leading up to the show. In South Baltimore, the annual Cherry Hill Arts and Music Festival has a new attraction — a drone show, starting after the city's fireworks have ended — to go with a full day of music, art displays, hands-on art activities and family fun.
Where to eat and drink: Baltimore has every cuisine you could want, but on July Fourth, just go for crabs. Try the legendary crab cakes from Faidley's at Lexington Market or the homey version at Koco's Pub, endorsed by Mayor Brandon Scott (D). If you prefer to pick your own crabs, head for L.P. Steamers in Locust Point and hope there's room on the rooftop deck.
Side quest: Baltimore museums get in on the fun, too. The B&O Railroad Museum, a destination for train lovers young and old, is the site of the Star Spangled Bash, which features splash pads, lawn games and a red, white and blue tie-dye station and is included with museum admission.
The day-long Frederick's 4th party takes over downtown Baker Park, with multiple stages of entertainment; gardens featuring local craft beer, wine and spirits; a children's area with rides and inflatable games; cornhole and pickleball tournaments; food and drink stands; and, at the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, Colonial games and food. Gates open at noon, and fireworks are launched at dusk. The park, which spans both sides of Carroll Creek, is steps from the boutiques and antiques stores in the heart of Frederick.
Where to eat and drink: Wye Oak Tavern, the newest restaurant from hometown chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, 'might be their best restaurant yet,' says Post critic Tom Sietsema, with pot roast and beet salad among the dishes earning raves. (Psst: Get there between 4 and 6 p.m. for 'social hour' with $10 cocktails and small bites.) A few blocks from the park, White Rabbit Gastropub pairs a selection of top regional craft beers with some of the best Detroit-style pizzas in the area.
Side quest: Need a new beach read? You'll find one or several on the seemingly endless shelves of Wonder Book, which boasts that it's the largest bookstore on the East Coast, with more than a million books, comic books, CDs and DVDs in stock to browse.
The day-long Frederick's 4th party takes over downtown Baker Park, with multiple stages of entertainment; gardens featuring local craft beer, wine and spirits; a children's area with rides and inflatable games; cornhole and pickleball tournaments; food and drink stands; and, at the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, Colonial games and food. Gates open at noon, and fireworks are launched at dusk. The park, which spans both sides of Carroll Creek, is steps from the boutiques and antiques stores in the heart of Frederick.
Where to eat and drink: Wye Oak Tavern, the newest restaurant from hometown chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, 'might be their best restaurant yet,' says Post critic Tom Sietsema, with pot roast and beet salad among the dishes earning raves. (Psst: Get there between 4 and 6 p.m. for 'social hour' with $10 cocktails and small bites.) A few blocks from the park, White Rabbit Gastropub pairs a selection of top regional craft beers with some of the best Detroit-style pizzas in the area.
Side quest: Need a new beach read? You'll find one or several on the seemingly endless shelves of Wonder Book, which boasts that it's the largest bookstore on the East Coast, with more than a million books, comic books, CDs and DVDs in stock to browse.
Baseball fans suffering through disappointing seasons from the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles might be able to find hope in the future, as their Class A minor league teams, the Fredericksburg Nationals and Delmarva Shorebirds, face off at Virginia Credit Union Stadium at 5:05 p.m. A fireworks show follows the game. During the day, the city's Fourth in Fredericksburg Festival brings live music, an arts and crafts show, and children's activities to Riverfront Park.
Where to eat and drink: Since 1947, Carl's has been serving frozen custard, shakes and sundaes from a neon-lit stand, which is now a Virginia landmark. Custard still comes in three flavors — chocolate, strawberry and vanilla.
Side quest: No spirit is more American than bourbon, and Fredericksburg is home to the award-winning A. Smith Bowman distillery, the oldest in Virginia. Tours are free and followed by a guided tasting of various whiskeys. Reservations are recommended.
Baseball fans suffering through disappointing seasons from the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles might be able to find hope in the future, as their Class A minor league teams, the Fredericksburg Nationals and Delmarva Shorebirds, face off at Virginia Credit Union Stadium at 5:05 p.m. A fireworks show follows the game. During the day, the city's Fourth in Fredericksburg Festival brings live music, an arts and crafts show, and children's activities to Riverfront Park.
Where to eat and drink: Since 1947, Carl's has been serving frozen custard, shakes and sundaes from a neon-lit stand, which is now a Virginia landmark. Custard still comes in three flavors — chocolate, strawberry and vanilla.
Side quest: No spirit is more American than bourbon, and Fredericksburg is home to the award-winning A. Smith Bowman distillery, the oldest in Virginia. Tours are free and followed by a guided tasting of various whiskeys. Reservations are recommended.
Great Meadow is known as the home of the Virginia Gold Cup and International Gold Cup steeplechase races, but on July Fourth, the only horses on the field are the ones offering pony rides for kids. The annual Big Boom party, which peaks with a huge fireworks display at 9 p.m., marks 40 years of Great Meadow with activities including lawn games and a rock climbing wall, a marketplace with local vendors, a beer and wine garden, live music and DJs, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and a flyover by the Flying Circus Airshow. Car passes are $60 to $120, with more expensive options for tailgating spaces and buses.
Where to eat and drink: Guests are welcome to bring their own provisions for tailgating, but organizers say there will be more than 20 vendors selling food and drinks, as well as the beer and wine garden.
Side quest: Take your route through Middleburg, the heart of Virginia horse country, where the streets are lined with boutiques, antiques shops and galleries, catering to visitors seeking French housewares or Christmas gifts as well as supplies for the equestrian set. Stop into the Mount Defiance Cidery and Distillery for ciders made with Virginia apples and small-batch spirits, including absinthe and apple brandy, in the barnlike tasting room, or try an award-winning IPA at Lost Barrel Brewing, a brewery located on a horse farm. Live music is featured on its patio over the July Fourth weekend.
Great Meadow is known as the home of the Virginia Gold Cup and International Gold Cup steeplechase races, but on July Fourth, the only horses on the field are the ones offering pony rides for kids. The annual Big Boom party, which peaks with a huge fireworks display at 9 p.m., marks 40 years of Great Meadow with activities including lawn games and a rock climbing wall, a marketplace with local vendors, a beer and wine garden, live music and DJs, a petting zoo, bounce houses, and a flyover by the Flying Circus Airshow. Car passes are $60 to $120, with more expensive options for tailgating spaces and buses.
Where to eat and drink: Guests are welcome to bring their own provisions for tailgating, but organizers say there will be more than 20 vendors selling food and drinks, as well as the beer and wine garden.
Side quest: Take your route through Middleburg, the heart of Virginia horse country, where the streets are lined with boutiques, antiques shops and galleries, catering to visitors seeking French housewares or Christmas gifts as well as supplies for the equestrian set. Stop into the Mount Defiance Cidery and Distillery for ciders made with Virginia apples and small-batch spirits, including absinthe and apple brandy, in the barnlike tasting room, or try an award-winning IPA at Lost Barrel Brewing, a brewery located on a horse farm. Live music is featured on its patio over the July Fourth weekend.