To everyone else in the world, the 4th of July is a day like any other day, but in the United States, it is the perfect excuse for an all-out, rootin’ tootin’, hell blazing good time. And that’s just what Americans do on “the 4th” – U.S. Independence Day. Most 4th of July celebrations consist of family barbecues, sparklers and fireworks, parades and bandstands. Street fairs pop up in tiny towns along Main Street USA and everything turns a bright shade of red, white and blue. Here are our picks for the best places in America to party down with Uncle Sam this July 4.

Boston

There are few places in the U.S. with more historic American goodness than Boston, home to Old Ironsides and birthplace of the American Revolution. In addition to the many 4th festivities that are part of Boston Harborfest, including a reading of the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Old State House, the playing of the William Tell Overture by the Boston Pops at the hatch shell and fireworks over the Charles River, you can partake in all the wonderful heritage sightseeing on offer in Boston, such as a visit to Paul Revere’s grave and a walk down the Freedom Trail through some of the homes and government buildings that played a major part in the founding of America.

Washington D.C.

Where better to celebrate America’s birthday than in its capital city and site of its first 4th of July celebration more than 200 years ago? D.C. has a number of celebrations to commemorate the day, including a huge parade with all branches of the military present, a fireworks show and performances by the symphony. Plus, the view of fireworks exploding over the Washington Memorial is out of this world.

Mount Rushmore

The iconic carved images of America’s most beloved presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt play host to a two-day event in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Among the scheduled festivities are a variety of diverse events, including ranger talks, folk dancing, native music and costumed versions of each president represented in the stone effigy.

Los Angeles Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl football stadium in Pasadena each year plays host to Americafest on July 4th, with a range of family activities and entertainments, including drum corps performances, a full festival with a food court and plenty of games and activities and concerts. The day is rounded out with one of the best fireworks shows in all of California.

Philadelphia

Aside from Boston, Philadelphia is home to the largest collection of American heritage sites and events, as it was here that Benjamin Franklin and the country’s founding fathers decided the nation’s fate and signed papers declaring independence from Great Britain. Philly’s Independence Day parade and celebrations are collectively known as Welcome America!. It features a weeklong lineup of events that includes street festivals, historical reenactments, film screenings, art showings, orchestral performances, and, of course, fireworks. Don’t forget to pay homage to Independence National Historical Park, home of the famously cracked Liberty Bell, which called local citizens to the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.