The average high temperature for July 4 in Washington, D.C., is 88 degrees Fahrenheit, but the highest recorded was 100, and when the humidity kicks in, you can find yourself drained of energy and sightseeing enthusiasm. Remember to pack sunblock and take your water bottle everywhere with you to stay hydrated.
Plan your sightseeing to visit outdoor monuments in the cooler mornings or after the sun goes down, and tour inside venues, such as the White House or the Smithsonian, during the afternoon heat. Visit the Jefferson Memorial, open 24 hours a day and beautifully illuminated at night; take along a copy of the Declaration of Independence to read or just enjoy the selected quotations from Jefferson's works that are engraved on the walls.
With so much to choose from, let your interests dictate your sightseeing choices. Among the most visited spots are monuments to the presidents, including the Washington Monument and memorials to Jefferson, Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt; war memorials for World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War; the many museums that make up the Smithsonian Institution, including the National Air and Space Museum, the National Zoological Park, the National Portrait Gallery and several other art museums; and government buildings ranging from the White House -- tours must be arranged ahead of time and are not available on national holidays -- to the National Archives and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
For less obvious choices, consider the International Spy Museum, the National Postal Museum, the Folger Shakespeare Museum or the Textile Museum. Many of the attractions are free, but keep in mind that some, including the Washington Monument, are closed on holidays such as the Fourth of July.
With your trusty GPS system, navigating D.C.'s one-way and circular streets may pose no challenge, but you'll find your vacation more carefree if you can skip the driving and parking. Any number of buses, trams and trolleys offer hop-on, hop-off tours give you an overview of the city and allow you to stop at the sights of most interest. Or try the city's metro system, one of the nation's busiest, which includes both buses and trains.
Washington, D.C., offers a range of lodging options, from five-star hotels to charming bed-and-breakfast inns, but if you're planning to spend your days sightseeing and simply want a place to sleep and shower, consider a less expensive chain hotel or motel on the outskirts of the city. The metro system extends into neighboring Maryland and Virginia. It's less than half an hour from Silver Spring, Maryland, to Dupont Circle in D.C. and about a half an hour from Vienna, Virginia, to the Metro Center in D.C. Wherever you choose to stay, make sure to book early for holidays such as the Fourth of July.
The fireworks on the National Mall are the culmination of a day packed with events and activities for the whole family. Watch a parade or historical reenactments before one of several concerts, including a free 90-minute "Capitol Fourth" concert on the west lawn of the Capitol Building. The concert concludes with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," during which the fireworks over the National Mall begin.
