I will be in D.C. on the 4th of July this year and was looking for some tips on going to see the fireworks.

I will be staying in Georgetown and have really no interest in going to the Mall that night to deal with numbers of people I can't imagine. Any good viewing spots elsewhere?

If you're in Georgetown you could cross over the Key Bridge to the Virginia side of the Potomac. From the Key Bridge head South a short distance down the George Washington Parkway Trail to watch the fireworks from the banks of the Potomac river. My boyfriend and I have done this a few times. We usually take some food and folding chairs and set up somewhere across from the Lincoln Memorial. It gets more crowded the closer it gets to dusk.

We've also been to some fun roof top parties in the District too.

shawn, thanks! That's what I was thinking of doing, figured it would be a good view.

Does it get really crowded or just crowded? I just don't want to be sitting there relaxing while some family with 3 kids are sitting 2 feet away playing duck duck goose or something of that nature... wink

It's not packed but if the weather is good, there will be a lot of people there. We've never felt uncomfortable though. People generally respect each other's space. Just be choosey about where you sit. I would recommend a spot close to some shirtless GW/Georgetown boys playing volleyball or something. wink

The few times I've been around the Georgetown U campus, I haven't been overly impressed with their men. However, this past time I was there I had a smoking waiter/Georgetown student at Clyde's. But damn it, the boyfriend's coming this time... :mad: wink

Thanks very much for the suggestions shawnq!

We went out by the Arlington bridge and watched the fireworks across the river. Since the weather was pretty much absolutely perfect, it was rather crowded, but still great - the key was there were no tourists!