Top 10 Places to Watch Fireworks on the Water

Shakespeare's Fireworks Here they are, the Top 10 Places to Watch Fireworks on the Water for the 4th of July in the United States. Okay, I maybe didn’t need to specify they’re in the U.S., but you never know who may question such a thing.

Austin, Texas: Marked by beautiful symphony music and a spectacular fireworks display, Austin’s Town Lake is the place to be for this annual celebration. Rent a kayak or bring your own boat to find the best seat in the house on the water. (July 4, 9:30 p.m., Zilker Park)
Chicago, Illinois: Join family and friends aboard a boat as the skies above Lake Michigan and Chicago’s famous skyline are illuminated with accompaniment from the Grant Park Orchestra and U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants. (July 4, 9 p.m., Grant Park)
Los Angeles, California: Enjoy a variety of live music and big booms over the main channel in Marina Del Rey for free family fun and a patriotic fireworks display. (July 4, 9 p.m., Marina Del Rey)
Memphis, Tennessee: The Beale Street Fourth of July celebration is a festive time with great food, live music that the city is famous for and, of course, a thunderous grand finale of fireworks. Enjoy the boisterous display on the mighty Mississippi as the fireworks burst over Tom Lee Park. (July 4, 9 p.m., Tom Lee Park)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Named Discover Boating’s “2006 Top City to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks from a Boat,” Milwaukee’s annual Summerfest hopes to help this fantastic fireworks display return to defend its title. On July 3, thousands gather along the Lake Michigan shoreline to watch the U.S. Bank fireworks show, but being aboard a boat for the display provides an unmatched panoramic view. (July 3, 9:30 p.m., Veterans Park)
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: With an entertainment megaplex featuring shops, restaurants, nightclubs, theatres, miniature golf course, Ripley’s Aquarium and a 23-acre lake, Broadway at the Beach is the place to be for fireworks on the Fourth of July. (July 4, 10 p.m., Broadway at the Beach over Lake Broadway)
New York, New York: With more than 35,000 pyrotechnic shells in a half-hour display, Macy’s dazzles viewers each year with the nation’s biggest birthday fireworks display. Fireworks are launched from two East River locations, anchored in the East River is sure to be the best seat in the house. (July 4, 9 p.m., East River between 23rd & 42nd Streets)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: In the city of our nation’s birth, July 4 is all about history, music, fun and fireworks. After visiting the Liberty Bell and Independence Mall, hop aboard a boat on the Delaware River to view the flashes and booms of a roaring fireworks display as the City of Brotherly Love shines in the background. (July 4, 8:30 p.m., along the Delaware River)
St. Paul, Minnesota: St. Paul’s “Taste of Minnesota” is a six-day food and music extravaganza at Harriet Island and is the perfect place for family fun this Fourth of July. As the sun sets, hop aboard a boat to watch the largest fireworks display in the Midwest over the Mississippi River. (July 4, 10:20 p.m., Harriet Island)
Tacoma, Washington: Freedom Fair events cover two miles of the Ruston Way waterfront on July 4. After the annual log boom competition, Tacoma boaters anchor to end the day with the Tacoma Air Show and spectacular Emerald Queen Grand Finale Fireworks Extravaganza. (July 4, 10 p.m., Ruston Way waterfront)

I can’t believe my hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas isn’t on the list, seeing as the famous Osborne fireworks family lives there. It is quite a nice display over the Arkansas River. The view is actually better from the North Little Rock side. If you find yourself in any of these locations over the holiday, enjoy the show.