Top cities to celebrate Independence Day with kids

The 4th of July is something American families depend on each and every summer. It is a day when families and friends come together for parades and picnics and ultimately the day’s finale, Fireworks! If you are looking for an excuse to get away and do something different with your kids, Travel100Group can create a fun and unique family itinerary in one of these exciting cities.

CHICAGO

On July 3rd, Lake Michigan will light up with what is called one of the country’s most spectacular fireworks displays, accompanied by Christopher Bell leading the Grant Park Orchestra.

Navy Pier presents a ten-minute firework show over Lake Michigan on July 4th, complete with patriotic music. Many of Chicago's hotels will supply you with a picnic basket filled with the best July 4th recipes. Another fun option is to take advantage of the several dinner cruises offered where you can enjoy the amazing display up close and on the water.

WASHINGTON D.C

What better place to celebrate our country’s independence than in our nation’s capital? Head to The National Mall where an all day event will take place. Enjoy a parade along Constitution Avenue. Take in all the monuments. Experience the cultural festivities at the Smithsonian Folk life Festival and the White House Visitor Center. Listen to “A Capitol Fourth Concert” put on by the National Symphony Orchestra. Bands, giant balloons, floats, equestrian teams, celebrities, and dignitaries all participate in the parade. It will be quite a spectacle that should not be missed.

NEW YORK CITY

A tradition in the Big Apple, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage to what would become New York, the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks this year will move to the Hudson River. Anchor yourself somewhere close to the river or Roosevelt Island displays a great view, as well as music, face painting, and a food court. Long Island City holds an annual Fireworks Festival at Gantry Plaza State Park offering music, food, games, and a fantastic view of the fireworks as well.

Another fun idea is to take the kids to the top of the Empire State Building for a spectacular view of the show. There are a limited number of tickets available, however, so it is important to purchase your tickets now! A dinner and fireworks cruise is also bound to keep the children's interest as well.

LAKE TAHOE, NEVADA

The American Pyrotechnics Association rates South Shore’s spectacular 4th of July fireworks celebration as one ofthetop 5 displays in the nation and is one of the largest shows west of the Mississippi. The fireworks show is nothing less than breathtaking. Shot from a barge on the lake, the fireworks can be seen from almost anywhere. Viewers gatheron the shores, on docks, and some even venture into the lake on paddleboats to experience the fireworks from the water!

To make the evening all the more special for the kids, we can book South Shore’s two Mississippi paddle wheelers. The Tahoe Queen and the M.S. Dixie II offer a unique opportunity to view the show from the water. Board the Tahoe Queen for a Dinner Dance Cruise or the M.S. Dixie II for a Fireworks Cruise. Both feature live entertainment and fantastic views of the evening’s display.

City zoos…your kids will remember

Zoos today are going beyond the classic petting zoo. Many zoos offer special programs for children, families, and adults to have hands-on encounters with a variety of animals. Kids will connect with and learn about animals, natural resources, habitats, and feeding practices in a way that can also teach them about conservation efforts. Travel 100 Group has listed a few that you should consider for this summer's family travel.

Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Area
A world class zoo in a park setting; there is a lot going on for kids at this interactive zoo! The Brookfield Zoo has the Hamil Family Play Zoo, where children and adults can interact and play with over 300 animals. Their zoo classes are also a great way for kids, families, teachers, and other community conservationists to get in tune with wildlife and nature. Brookfield has one of the largest indoor outdoor animal exhibits in the world allowing kids to feel as though they are really in the jungle with the animals.

The Bronx Zoo, New York
The Bronx Zoo is the flagship of the largest network of metropolitan zoos in the country. With award-winning, cutting-edge exhibits featuring over 4,000 animals, there is no other zoo in the world that offers the diversity, superb viewing, and world-renowned expertise that assures an unforgettable experience. Whether you're nose-to-nose with Western lowland gorillas in their famous Congo Gorilla Forest, spotting snow leopards in their naturalistic Himalayan Highlands Habitat, or experiencing almost an acre of an indoor Asian rain forest, your kids will be within roaring distance of the world's most amazing wildlife.

Columbus Zoo, Ohio
Where the infamous Jack Hanna got his start, the Columbus Zoo is home to over 5,000 animals representing over 700 species and sees over 1.8 million visitors annually. The animal exhibits are divided into regions of the world, with the zoo currently operating eight such regions. A real plus for dads is the zoo owns an 18-hole golf course, known as Safari Golf Club, can’t beat that!

Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia
America's first zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals representing six continents. It's small and well landscaped enough to feel pleasantly intimate, and the naturalistic habitats allow you to get close enough to hear the animals breathe. If birds are the main attraction for you and your kids then this Zoo in particular will be an unforgettable experience. The new McNeil Avian Center hundreds of birds will be flying overhead as you walk through the habitat, it is a true interactive experience.