Where to Watch the 4th of July Fireworks in Washington, DC, This Year

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The nation's capital puts on the ultimate 4th of July fireworks show, with Washington, DC's famed monuments and namesake memorial silhouetted against a sky of red, white, and blue pyrotechnics. This year's show begins at 9:00 p.m. with fireworks launching from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and crowds gather to see the dazzling display from the National Mall or from the Capitol’s West Lawn. The star-spangled lights can be seen from miles around, and one classic way to see sparks fly is from a DC rooftop where you can see a panoramic view of the city skyline.

For a DC Fourth of July to remember, here are rooftop hotels and restaurants celebrating Independence Day in style. The options are grouped by neighborhood, from the Wharf to downtown DC and beyond, spanning low-key barbecue hangouts to parties with elaborate multi-course meals and craft cocktails—all to complement views of Washington's spectacular fireworks display.

Georgetown

This historic neighborhood offers plenty of free scenic spots to catch the fireworks show, from atop the Key Bridge to Georgetown Waterfront Park. But The Watergate Hotel is a favorite for its fantastic front row Fourth of July fireworks view from the Top of the Gate rooftop, with 360-degree views featuring glimpses of DC icons like the Kennedy Center and Washington Monument. VIP tickets for the hotel's Independence Day party ($395 per person) and VIP Premium tickets ($595 per person) include earlier access to the rooftop from 6:00 to 10 p.m, and extra perks like a champagne toast, food buffet, and reserved seating. The general admission tickets ($195 per person) allow access from 7:30 to 10 p.m. and include an open bar with spirits and wine and beer for all guests.

Enjoy a sit-down dinner with a picturesque view at celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck's CUT Above, the rooftop bar situated atop of luxe Georgetown hotel Rosewood Washington, DC. The Independence Day party runs from 6 to 10 p.m. and includes a welcome glass of champagne and a three-course surf and turf dinner with 35-day dry-aged ribeye and a whole grilled lobster from executive chef Ari Miller. The night ends with a bang, courtesy of fireworks and mini-cakes from acclaimed pastry chef Ligia Barros. All seats will have great views of the firework display, and the meal rings in at $350 per person and $175 for children aged 10 and under.

Foggy Bottom

Hotel Hive is partnering up with local fast-casual chain &Pizza for an Independence Day party from 5:00 p.m. on the microhotel's rooftop. General admission tickets to the DJ-fueled shindig are $75 and include access to an open bar and a buffet stocked with hamburgers, hot dogs, and a dessert station with strawberry shortcake.

Downtown

The Conrad Washington, DC at CityCenterDC is known for its sleek design and Summit rooftop bar with downtown skyline views and sight lines to the U.S. Capitol Building. Summit will celebrate the Fourth of July with a party from 7 to 10 p.m. that includes an open bar and food stations as well as a photobooth and patriotic themed decor. Tickets for the reception-style event are $159 plus 20% gratuity, taxes, and fees. The hotel is also offering a $5,000-per-night 4th of July package that includes access to the Summit party, dinner for two at Conrad's restaurant Estuary, and more over-the-top extras.

Sceney Italian restaurant L’Ardente will once again take advantage of access to its building's air-conditioned, indoor rooftop conservatory with open-air terrace by throwing a lavish Fourth of July dinner party. The night kicks off at 6 p.m. with a three-course dinner including wine downstairs in the restaurant. The menu embraces the sea, featuring soft-shell crab tempura with cream of corn and pickled beech mushrooms, lobster ravioli with leeks and lemon confit, and halibut served with sweet peas, asparagus, and a carrot-ginger emulsion. Next, diners will be whisked 13 stories upstairs at 8:30 p.m. for L'Ardente's "dessert extravaganza" and a wine and bubbles bar amidst fireworks viewing. Dinner downstairs combined with the fireworks party upstairs costs $275 per person plus a tax and service charge, while the rooftop fireworks celebration is $125 per person plus a tax and service charge.

It doesn't get much closer to the White House than Hotel Washington’s VUE Rooftop, which offers incredible views of the Executive Mansion and the Washington Monument. The hotel's Fourth of July party is back this year with tickets starting at $175 per person, including a buffet of picnic staples like hamburgers and corn on the cob. Drinks are available for purchase at the bar. A DJ and a live band will perform during this reception-style event that runs from 6 to 10 p.m.

Ciel Social Club, perched above the AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center on K Street, boasts glitzy decor and more importantly, a nearly 360-degree view of the D.C skyline with floor-to-ceiling windows and a wraparound terrace. The hotspot's Fourth of July party runs from 7 to 10 p.m. with a dress code of "casual chic." Tickets begin at $180 for general admission, and include three hours of an open bar, heavy passed hors d'oeuvres, live music, and party favors in addition to the view of the fireworks.

Also on K Street, Eaton Hotel's rooftop bar dubbed Wild Days will host a Fourth of July happy hour before the fireworks festivities where you'll score half-off select drinks from 4 to 7 p.m.. During the fireworks, the terrace will be open and guests can book their spots at Wild Days to enjoy the festivities.

The Wharf

This new development in DC. has become a favorite sight-seeing spot in the city, and that's definitely true for the Fourth—catch the fireworks from one of The Wharf’s three piers or make a beeline for one of the neighborhood's many new-construction rooftops.

The Potomac river views from Moonraker, the rooftop restaurant and lounge atop the Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf are stunning on any day of the week. But the Fourth of July will be extra scenic, with an Independence Day party featuring themed drinks, passed bites inspired by Moonraker's Japanese-American menu, and a dessert bar. Live music and star-spangled party favors round out the festivities, which run from 6 to 10 p.m. Moonraker offers several ticket options for the event, beginning with a $200 base ticket with standard open bar, $350 which includes the addition of bottomless Veuve Clicquot Brut, or $450 for upgraded bottomless Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame.

For a Hawaiian-style barbecue and tropical drinks on July 4, turn to Todd Thrasher's rum bar Tiki TNT with multiple open-air bars and expansive rooftop views of the fireworks, the District Wharf and the Potomac waterfront. The beachy bar's Fourth of July Viewing Party runs from 7 to 10 p.m. and the $30 ticket includes a welcome drink and guaranteed seating from one of the two outdoor patios.

Located just a short stroll from the National Mall and the Tidal Basin, Salamander Washington DC is once again throwing a Fourth of July Fourth garden party right before the fireworks on the hotel's lovely and newly renovated Grand Lawn overlooking the Washington Marina. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. and include entertainment like a brass band, DJ, and a caricature artist. A raw bar will be stocked with local oysters, while a Big Green Egg grill station will be fired up alongside an ice cream bar. Tickets for those enjoying an open bar presented by Woodford Reserve and Moët & Chandon are $265 per person, while tickets for adults who aren't drinking alcohol are $175 and tickets for children ages four to 12 are $75. After the festivities end at 8 p.m., head to the Mall for fireworks—or view them from the pedestrian bridge right near the hotel and the Tidal Basin.

City Cruises Washington, DC's three-hour Fourth of July Fireworks Dinner cruise will set sail from the Wharf's Pier 4, floating along the Potomac from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The voyage includes a three-course dinner with menu options like za'atar steak or chili-rubbed salmon and a soundtrack by a DJ, with tickets starting at $275 per person.

Adams Morgan

Hip AdMo hotel The LINE DC is throwing a Fourth of July party that's very on-brand, bringing acclaimed musician Brandon Woody’s band UPENDO to its rooftop for live music and a view of the fireworks display. Entry for the event is free for all with an RSVP, with preferred seating reserved for hotel guests. An a la carte menu pairs hot dogs with fancy cocktails and popsicles to beat the heat. The LINE DC's party will run from 6 to 10 p.m., with live music until 9:00.

Northeast

Located five stories above Union Market's Hotel Nell, Treehouse aims to transport guests to a Tulum state of mind thanks to its jungle-inspired design and menu with dishes like Yucatán chicken tacos. The rooftop lounge will go all out for the Fourth of July with craft cocktails and a DJ, starting at 7 p.m. Reserve a spot in advance: food and beverage minimum-reservations begin at $50 for an indoor table, $75 for table seating outdoors and $125 for outdoor patio seating.

Hi-Lawn, the gigantic rooftop bar above Union Market, goes all out for the Fourth of July weekend with lawn games and boozy snow cones. The free-to-attend party begins at 2 p.m. and runs until 11:00, with limited table reservations available on Resy starting at 5 p.m., and first-come first-served seating on the turf lawn all night. In addition to boozy and non-alcoholic snow cones from a shaved ice machine, the grill will be fired up for hot dogs, brats, and burgers. The bar will serve draft cocktails like tropical rum-spiked Hi-Waiian Punch, strawberry guava mojitos, and spicy jalapeño margarita. Meanwhile, you can even pick up picnic baskets packed with snacks like poblano black bean dip or smoked gouda and cheddar pimento cheese, or retro coolers filled with mix-and-match canned brews, spiked seltzers, and adult juice boxes. Rooftop Hydration Stations equipped with misting fans and sprinklers will keep partygoers cool.

Alexandria, Virginia

The 134-room Hotel Heron opens in June with a claim to fame that the hotel's rooftop bar, dubbed Good Fortune, is the tallest of its kind in Old Town Alexandria. Good Fortune will capitalize on those panoramic views with its first-ever Fourth of July party. The party starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m., featuring a soundtrack courtesy of DJ Ulises Morello. Tickets include entry and a Fourth of July-inspired cocktail, ringing in at $20 for general admission or $50 for VIPs.

Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler