Boston or Washington would be my picks.

We watched them every year when we still lived full time near Washington, DC, but be aware there is the usual battle as to whether or not the ones in New York are "better."

Don't forget: the actual events that are celebrated on July 4th did NOT take place EITHER in New York or Washington or Boston -- they took place in PHILADELPHIA. Which is why that city has a week-long celebration of those events. Here's what happened in 2012; the 2013 events are yet to be announced.
http://www.welcomeamerica.com/
Are the FIREWORKS in Philly as good as those in other cities? No.
Is the CELEBRATION of the ACTUAL EVENT bigger in Philly? Since I've been to all three places on this day, I'd say yes.

I'd like the "feeling" on the Mall or the Charles River better than the Hudson.

For NYC, it's best to be a high floor of a building or a rooftop along or near the Hudson, approximatly 23 rd St north to 42 nd. Firworks are shot off from a series of barges on the river.

I'm New Yorker who loves this city, but 4th of July here is just about the fireworks. They are wonderful, but can be hard to get to and back from . They are launched from one of the rivers on each side of Manhattan so the best views are from buildings I don't have access to (and most visitors won't either), or you have to make your way across the highway or other busy areas where you may or may not get a place to stand and see the show anyway

Boston and DC on the other hand have other events, concerts, fairs etc. for several days that make it a more festive holiday in my opinion

NYC has bigger fireworks but I prefer the concert and fireworks in Boston. It;s don eon the Esplanade next to the river and you ned to get there quite a few hours in advance if you want to be anywhere near the front.

The Boston Pop plays a bunch of patriotic songs and there is a sing along by the entire crowd for many of the favorites. IMHO much more homey that NYC (huge fireworks sponsored by Macys on the river) or DC (more of a professional show with a bunch of pop singers - but more formal.

For any of them you need to realize crods aer from the hundreds of thousands up to a million or more and getting there far in advance is necessary.

Washington DC was wonderful; we took our family this past summer. Click on my name to see my trip report for details and my suggestions if you choose DC. Scroll down to the last day of the trip.

Five Alive

Another vote here for Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation. To be in the center of things, a hotel in the historic district would be good (i.e. the Holiday Inn at 4th and Arch.) However, Center City is reasonably compact and easy to walk/find your way around, so really just about any Center City (downtown area) hotel should be fine. There are parades, speakers, concerts, fireworks, and lots of good street food!

When I lived in DC, I went to the Capitol steps every year to hear the great concerts and watch the fireworks with the Washington monument in the foreground blinking those weird lights. It was wonderful and worth fighting the crowds every single time.

Thanks all of you for taking time to reply.
I would love to see a bit at all the places. But finally after reading everyone's opinion, would opt for Washington DC.
Where is it that I should be at what time. Besides that, How many days are OK to see Washington DC?
I am planning to stay at "Morrison Clark Historic Inn" at 1015, L street, North West Washington DC for the ambiance and location. Any suggestions?

Will I see some celebrations on the following weekend. If yes, then I would love to visit Philadelphia and get a bit of it.

Please help.

I would spend at least 3 days in DC if you can manage it. That will give you 1 day for July 4th celebrations and 2 days for sightseeing. If you have more time though, 4-6 days would probably be ideal.

I am not familiar with that hotel, but the Mt Veron Sq metro station is only a couple blocks away. Wherever I stay in DC, I always try to be very close to a Metro station.

I live in Florida but I HAVE to watch the 4th of July celebration in Boston on TV every year. The Boston pops playing "Stars and Stripes Forever" is the 4th of July!

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/epic-east-coast-vacation-for-family-of-5.cfm#comment-7858146

In case you didn't find my trip report, here is a link to Day 16, when we saw the fireworks.

There are two locations for concerts on the National Mall (which is easily a mile long by the way). The official concert shown on PBS National Television takes place on the Capitol Lawn. This is the better concert, but then you are farther away from the fireworks. This is a tradeoff.

The other concert is one or more of the US Military bands, and it takes place right near the Washington Monument. In 2012 at least, this concert took place earlier in the evening, perhaps at 6 pm. Locals also bring a blanket there and hang out and bring a radio to hear the symphony concert from the Capitol on the radio as they watch the fireworks go off. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

During the day on the 4th: All of the Smithsonians and the National Archive were open. Also, during the week or so before the 4th of July, the Smithsonian will have booths out with different themes/activities. In 2012 it was cancelled due to some freak weather leading up to the 4th.

Here's a link with more info:

http://washington.org/article/10-ways-celebrate-independence-day-washington-dc

Thanks capxxx, 5alive. November-moon. I have about 9 days on the east coast. Planning to spend 2 days in DC and the rest in NY meeting friends and relatives. May be a couple of days in Philadelphia.
Your info will come handy..

Friends of ours always watch the fireworks from the grounds of the National Cathedral, perched high above the city.

%alive, I am printing your trip report and taking it with me.. quite in detail and nice. Thanks.
Underhill, I will check National cathedral. . Don't know if it is the best place for watching fireworks. Some suggest a boat cruise..

The National Cathedral is great place to see the fireworks but not the best place if you're a first time visitor to DC on the 4th of July. Same for a boat cruise. Because you already have what most people want, a place to stay within walking distance of the National Mall, the heart of all of the activity. Parade on Constitution Ave, the museums, and the concerts all culminating with the fireworks.

You can walk from the Morrison Clark to the Mall in about 20 minutes. Public transportation will be bustling all day long but will be a madhouse at the conclusion of the fireworks. If you do attend the fireworks display you'll almost certainly want to walk, not ride, back to the inn. There will be tons of people on the street, it's a very festive atmosphere.

My recommendation: Spend time on the Mall during the day doing whatever interests you. It will almost certainly be very hot & humid so plan for that. If you want to see the concerts you will have to stake out a space early in the day and stay there. We've tended to skip that (they stream live on a smart phone). Fireworks begin around 9:15 and last about 30 minutes. We have, in the past, made a booking in a near by restaurant and then walked down to the mall to watch the fireworks.

>>Also, during the week or so before the 4th of July, the Smithsonian will have booths out with different themes/activities.<<

I believe 5alive is referring to the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival which usually spans the Independence Day holiday. Hungary is one of the countries whose culture is being highlighted this year. Great annual event -- you will enjoy it.

<I believe 5alive is referring to the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival >

Exactly, obxgirl. I was sorry to miss it. I remember seeing