4th of July Fireworks on the Mall - Any Tips?

My in-laws will be in town from Washington state and we thought we'd go down to the Mall to see the fireworks on the 4th of July. We haven't been in years. We're thinking about possibly watching from the Iwo Jima Memorial in order to avoid some of the crowd.

Has anyone been recently and can offer some tips?

 

Patience no matter where you watch it from unless you get a room within walking distance. It is well worth watching tho

 

You are brave! hehe. I went one time with my husband and mother-in-law and I will never go again. It is way too crowded and not worth it to me. Too many high and drunk individuals. Plus, I didn't care for the 'after show' when we were waiting for the metro (because it was THAT crowded) I ended up with a couple in front of us - guy had to have been in his 20s and the girl looked all of 15 - all they did was grope each other.

It was a wonderful display of fireworks, I loved it... but now I weigh it against what I would have to deal with after the show.

In all sincerity though, I hope you and your family have a great time!! It's a wonderful show.

 

In the past this worked for us. Your mileage may very.

Get down to the mall before 10AM. Park your blanket and low rise lawn chairs between the Capitol and the concert stage. It will be a fenced in area. This will become your base of operations for the next 12 or so hours. The trick is to get within the fenced area.

Bring a cooler(s) with you with lots of ice, food, and drinks. I brought a hand cart to haul all the stuff. An umbrella for shade is also very nice to have. Lots of sunscreen. Don't count on buying any supplies while you are there. Hard to find and lines are ridiculous.

Now that you are situated, take turns leaving your base. We always left someone with the stuff to protect the turf and supplies. Others can walk around the mall and sightsee. You can use the bathrooms within the Capitol and the Smithsonians. I am not sure if they are available the entire time, but were for us until the evening.

The closer you get to concert time the more frenzied things get. You'll probably want to have your whole crew back at base camp by 4 or so, as people start to squeeze in and getting in and out becomes more difficult. Now have dinner, sit back relax and wait for the show to start.

We took metro down and back. It will be an absolute mad house getting out of there. So be mentally prepared and just enjoy the mayhem.

This was experience from several years ago. Obviously things may have changed a bit, to include access to the Capitol.

Was it worth it? Absolutely. But it's not something to do every year, but it is something to be done at least once. Then you'll be able to determine for yourself when you're ready to do it again.

 

Do you know anyone who works in The Pentagon or Crystal City that is going? If they can get you visitor passes you have a great spot!

 

I agree, it is something you do every now and then. And at least once!

 

I would book a hotel room (if you can find one) that is walking distance to the Mall and avoid being on the roads that night.

 

Sitting on the hill by the Navy Annex (near the Pentagon) offers a great view but traffic leaving is terrible.

 

are there some high quality fireworks shows out west here? the mountains, the fresh air, the kettle corn...

 

Not since NOVA closed shop many, many years ago. Ida Lee is nothing compared to what NOVA was. The mall isn't that huge either. But, at least they are local options.

 

Ida Lee is a good local option. They also have a concert before dark (I haven't seen confirmation this year), then roll into the fireworks. A lot of food vendors, lots of people. Old town feel.

Traffic is heavy but they are very efficient at traffic control getting people in and out.

 

I bet those graffiti kids might put on quite a firesworks show right there in the broadlannds I know some of our neighbors put on quite a show every year and we don't even have to leave.

 

Ashburn Village puts on a fireworks display. I think there's usually something by Dulles Town Center.

 

i was thinking like Middleburg or Long Branch, or even a vineyard...

 

If you can't get a hotel room (easiest way), I agree with the "go early, manage your expectations" approach proposed by afgm. If you don't want to go to the Capitol, I would advise seeking a spot on the Lincoln Memorial side of the Wash Monument. If you take 66 east onto Constitution Ave, there are Softball fields on your right at the corner of 23rd St where they have, in years past, allowed parking in the grass. If you walk 2-3 blocks further down Constitution past the Vietnam Memorial there is a large field/gentle hill that leads to the large pond adjacent to the reflecting pool (I forget the name). Anyway, you have a great view of the fireworks over the monument and a (relatively) quick escape route once you reach the car. Following afgm's basic schedule and approach is very effective in this spot. I will also include a "things might have changed" warning as it has been several years since I went down for the fireworks personally. But it worked for my family and friends for 30+ years. If you haven't been, it is definitely worth it. Good luck!

 

We've gone once, and stayed at the Marriott. I wouldn't mind going again, but would have to steel myself.

Harper's Ferry National Historical Park used to have a festival the weekend before the 4th, with a fireworks show that was actually the rehearsal for "Capitol 4th." I don't think they've done it in 4 or 5 years.

Locally, I think Old Town Manassas has the largest display. We've been to Dulles Town Center and it's OK, but not the quintessential 4th of July experience.

If you're ever in Montreal in the summertime, check out the Montreal International Pyromusical Competition. We happened to be up there once and decided to go. There were 3 displays scheduled - I forget the countries - but about midway through, a gigantic thunderstorm with spectacular lightning rolled in and we fled. The man-made fireworks were no match for Mother Nature!

 

Off topic, but where? I was born, raised, and lived the first 29 years of my life there!

 

Did you do this in the last year or two? Hubby says there is a lot of construction in that area right now that makes him wonder if that's a good plan for this year or not.

 

My husband grew up in Yakima, WA, which is where the in-laws are coming from.

They're considering this a "once in a lifetime" experience, so we do want to get down to the Mall. They don't normally come here during the summer because they don't like the humidity.

Ah - it was all so easy when I was living at GWU and could walk down to see the show. I think we're leaning towards the Iwo Jima in the hopes it won't be such a zoo. We'll take the Metro vs. trying to park in the area.

 

I'm from Wenatchee! We'll have to swap apple growing and picking stories sometime.