Where the Views Are…For Celebrating Independence Day in the Capital City
Edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
There’s no better place to celebrate the nation’s birthday
than in the nation’s capital.
District first-timers may opt to view the fireworks from
the
National Mall , against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol, while visitors seeking to
shake things up a bit may choose from the many memorials, restaurants, rooftop
bars, hotels and even boats offering unique views of the display. In DC,
everyone from family excursionists to urban explorers and history buffs will
find the powerful and inspiring view that is the best fit for them.
Close to the Action
 Visitors opting for an up-close and personal experience
should start out early and head straight to the
National Mall. The best views are from the U.S. Capitol Lawn, the Lincoln,
Jefferson or FDR Memorials, or from East Potomac Park, which is located south of
the Jefferson Memorial. Early arrival is essential for visitors hoping to stake
out the perfect spot to spread out their blankets. The Smithsonian Folklife
Festival can be enjoyed during the day. Then, the West Lawn of the Capitol
Building will be abuzz for the PBS Capitol Fourth concert (starts at 8 pm) with
host Tony Danza, American Idol singer Elliott Yamin and Tony-Award winner Bebe
Neuwirth. All eyes are on the sky surrounding the Washington Monument for the
Grand Fireworks display beginning at 9:30 pm. Insider Tip: While Metro is the
best way to get to the Mall, the Smithsonian Metro station will be closed on
July 4, so use Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Judiciary Square, Federal
Triangle and L'Enfant Plaza stations.
Views from a Comfortable Distance
 To celebrate the lights without the crowds, fireworks can
be viewed from the grounds of the
Marine Corp Memorial in Arlington. The site is accessible by Metro, and is
located about six blocks from the Rosslyn Metro station in Virginia.
For a waterfront view,
Indigo Landing, a waterside restaurant in Alexandria, offers spectacular
views of the fireworks, complimented by the low country classics on its menu.
After a three-course dinner buffet featuring menu items like shrimp ceasar
salad, citrus barbequed chicken and buttermilk whipped potatoes ($50-$75/adults,
$25-$37.50/children), guests are encouraged to move down to Indigo’s lawn area
to view the colorful display across the Potomac River.
If sailing on the Potomac with your significant other seems
appealing,
The Odyssey and
Nina’s Dandy both offer special dinner cruises featuring live
entertainment, multi-course dinners and skyline views that provide a beautiful
frame to the fireworks display. A great option for couples seeking to make the
Fourth a bit more romantic, the cruises are each under $230 per person.
Up on the Roof
 Another way to view the fireworks is from the rooftops of
local restaurants, bars and hotels. Visitors longing to mix with a younger,
local crowd should head to
The Reef in Adams Morgan,
The Beacon Bar & Grill near Dupont Circle or
Tabaq Bistro on U Street. On the hotel side, the rooftops of
Hotel Washington and
The Hay-Adams Hotel offer amazing views. But they come at a price – at Hotel
Washington, $125 per person buys guests an overnight stay and a seven-course
dinner preceding the fireworks. The swanky rooftop view from the historic Hay
Adams is available as part of a package including a one-night stay, an elegant
dinner for two and of course, the firework views from the roof, overlooking the
White House. Rates start at $799 for deluxe accommodations and rooftop access
for two.
Hot Savings
Take advantage of the Washington, DC Convention & Tourism
Corporation’s Summer
FREEdom Savings promotion, which mixes the magic of summer in the District
with an unbeatable lineup of fantastic, free attractions and affordable hotel
rates starting at just $109 per night. By booking a Summer FREEdom Savings
package, guests will also receive two complimentary tickets to ride the DC
Circulator, the city’s newest transportation option.
Packages are available at
Washington.org,
summerfreedomsavings.com or by calling 1-800-422-8644.
Madelyn’s favorites in Washington DC
WHERE TO STAY
Park Hyatt Washington DC
24 & M Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20037
+ 1 202 789 1234 Telephone
+ 1 202 419 6644 Facsimile
www.ParkHyattWashington.com
WHERE TO EAT
Blue Duck Tavern
Park Hyatt Washington D.C.
24 & M Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20037
www.blueducktavern.com
(202) 419-6755
TenPenh
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC, 20004
202-393-4500; fax 202-393-4744
www.tenpenh.com
Acadiana
901 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-408-8848; fax 202-408-0889
www.acadianarestaurant.com
DC Coast
1401 K Street, NW
Washington, DC, 20005
202-216-5988; Fax: 202-371-2221
www.dccoast.com
Ceiba
701 14th Street, NW
Washington, D.C., 20004
202-393-3983; fax 202-393-1863
www.ceibarestaurant.com
Check details in Zagat Survey 2007
Washington DC/Baltimore Restaurants
www.zagat.com
GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
10 Best Washington DC Travel Guide
Synergy Books
www.10Best.com
VegOut Vegetarian Guide to Washington DC
Gibbs Smith Publisher
www.gibbs-smith.com
www.vegoutguide.com
HISTORIC HOTELS AND HIDEAWAYS
By Trish Foxwell
A Washington Weekends Book. A series of two-day adventures in and around
Washington D.C.—each based on a travel theme
Capital Books
www.capital-books.com
WASHINGTON DC from A to Z
The look-up source to everything to See & Do in the Nation’s Capital
By Paul Wasserman and Don Hausrath
Canine Washington
Where to play and stay with your dog.
By Cheryl S. Smith
Fulcrum Publishing
www.fulcrum-books.com
IF YOU WANT TO GO A LITTLE FURTHER
Where to Weekend around Washington DC
Fodor’s
www.fodors.com
BEST WAY TO FIND YOUR WAY AROUND
Wear your favorite city on a scarf! Tasaram's 100% silk Map
Scarves feature detailed street plans of London, Paris, Rome, New York, San
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www.mapscarves.com
Madelyn Miller is a food, travel and wine writer who loves
Washington Dc and fireworks. Read her stories on
www.travellady.com,
www.chocolateatlas.com
www.cocktailatlas.com,
www.teaatlas.com
www.carladynews.com and
www.americanwinery.com
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