A scorching late-August or early September day slowly fades into a balmy summer night, and the smell of grill residue lingers in the air. Your bathing suit is infinitely damp from spontaneous cannonballs in the pool and your stomach begins to growl after a full day of sun-soaked bliss. Grass clippings from the latest mow stick to your bare feet as you wander toward the picnic table in search of a snack. Dad just threw the burgers and hotdogs on the barbeque, you can hear them hissing against the hot metal grates. Your eyes dart past the cooler of ice …

Fourth of July is a day for a great many things (eating red, white & blue food, drinking, being outdoors), but really no one can deny the magic of fireworks. To make sure you don’t miss out this holiday weekend, here’s a guide to the best places in the country to watch fireworks on Independence Day.

1. National monuments. Nothing beats gazing at landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, or the Washington Monument lit up with a bouquet of bright fireworks.

2. Historical cities. Cities like Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia all …