Get away this July 4th weekend with Getaround

Jul 2, 2015 3 min read

It’s almost the Fourth of July! The anticipation of the coming long weekend is hanging in the air. Road trips, family reunions, and the best places to see fireworks are on all of our minds.

We at Getaround want to help you get away this Independence Day to celebrate freedom wherever you choose to be. May it be among the whispering pines, in the the charming small town of yore, or at the very heart of the city, get there with Getaround.

Where will you be going this July 4th?

Check out the lists below for some of our favorite places to go:

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San Francisco Bay Area

  1. Head to San Rafael for good food, family fun, and an awesome firework show. Every year, the Marin County Fair falls on the Fourth of July weekend. This Independence Day you can look forward to the Great American Pig Races, the International Desserts Contest, and an elaborate fireworks show staged over Lagoon Park.

  2. Attend the Fillmore Jazz Festival, if you’re staying in San Francisco. The largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, the Fillmore Jazz Festival brings some of the best live music to the streets of the city for two days.

  3. Retreat to the Vichy Springs in Napa. The Vichy Springs Resort, opened 160 years ago, offers visitors the chance to lounge in the naturally carbonated mineral water of Vichy Springs. End your day with a tour of the wine cave at Del Dotto Vineyards, dug in 1885 by migrant Chinese laborers using only picks and shovels.

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Portland

  1. Stroll through the Waterfront Blues Festival, if you’re staying in the city proper.  Celebrate Independence Day with music from talented artists like Terry “Harmonica” Bean, Sister Mercy, and Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas. At the end of the day, sit back and enjoy the largest fireworks display in Oregon.

  2. Taste the many varieties of craft beer in Portland at the first annual Portland Craft Beer Festival. Did you know that Portland has more breweries within its city boundaries than any other municipality in the world?

  3. Escape to Corbett for a truly hometown Fourth of July. Begin your day with a Pancake Breakfast, then follow the Parade to the the K9 Kings Flying Dog Show, and end the day with the Community Square Dance and the Corbett Fireworks Spectacular.

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Washington DC

  1. Watch the National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue. The Parade will feature bands, fife and drum corps, military and specialty units, drill teams, and national dignitaries. Afterward, check out the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall to learn from practitioners of living folk traditions.

  2. Head to the National Mall after the sun sets to claim a spot for the spectacular fireworks display administered by the National Park Service. Fireworks will begin at 9:09 PM and can also be seen from the US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Get to the National Mall early to hear the A Capital Fourth concert (it’s free!).

  3. Attend the Foo Fighters 20th Anniversary Blowout at RFK Stadium. The all day event includes a motorcycle rally, BBQ, and fireworks. Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and LL Cool J, will perform along with the Foo Fighters.

Chicago

  1. Attend the Chosen Few Picnic to celebrate Independence Day with the sounds of house music, Chicago’s homegrown dance genre. Nicknamed the “Woodstock of House Music,” the daylong event will feature performances by Stephanie Mills, Evelyn “Champagne” King and Cory Daye, and more.

  2. Head 30 miles west of Chicago for the Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle. A unique event, the festival brings together fireworks, hot air balloons, music, and classic carnival activities. Don’t forget to check out the craft fair for handcrafted artwork, jewelry, and clothing.

  3. Check out Freedom Fest on the rooftop terrace of the Navy Pier for the best view of the Navy Pier’s annual firework spectacular. The family friendly event will feature lots of BBQ, music by a live DJ, and a full bar.