With America celebrating its landmark 250th birthday this year, Independence Day events are bigger than ever. Instead of battling traffic and paying for overpriced parking, ride a train. Regional commuter rail and Amtrak can take you to celebrations across the country, some of which are a short walk away from the local train station.
To plan your last-minute trip, here are 15 Fourth of July events that you can easily reach by train. For route options and directions, use Google Maps with the train icon or visit Amtrak.com and input your start and end destination in the “Find Trains” feature on the homepage.
Tip: Book accommodations on July 4 in your destination city as regional trains will be very crowded that night and most Amtrak trains won’t be in service.
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Overview
The following cities all have July 4 firework shows that are easy to reach by train and foot, no car required.
| City | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | Free concert, free admission to the National Constitution Center |
| Boston | Boston Pops concert, USS Constitution sail, historical reenactments |
| Washington D.C. | Free museums, free concerts, original Declaration of Independence document |
| Williamsburg | Fifes and Drums performance, colonial village |
| Raleigh | Family-friendly park celebration |
| Hartford | Party in the park with live music, food trucks, historic carousels |
| Old Orchard Beach | Beach fireworks, amusement park |
| Wisconsin Dells | Walkable resort town, water & theme parks |
| Chicago | Firework cruises, lakefront viewing locations, orchestral concert |
| Kansas City | FIFA Fan Fest, WWI Museum, picnic in the park |
| Denver | Coors Field baseball game |
| Whitefish | Small-town celebration with lake fireworks and nearby national park |
| Emeryville | Golden Gate Bridge fireworks |
| Santa Barbara | Beach fireworks, live music |
| San Diego | Huge firework show, cruises, nightlife |
Philadelphia
Celebrating Independence Day in the birthplace of America will be extra epic in 2026. There are World Cup games, a huge concert in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, Kathy Sledge, and more), and a massive firework show that you can view along Benjamin Franklin Parkway or the banks of the Schuylkill River. Learn more on the Visit Philly website.
How to get there
- Station: Philadelphia 30th Street
- Service: Amtrak, SEPTA, NJ Transit
- Walking time: 6 minutes (river bank), 18 minutes (Benjamin Franklin Parkway), 23 minutes (art museum)
Boston
Boston is another historic place to spend the Fourth of July. A unique attraction is the USS Constitution, which is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat (it was in service during the War of 1812). The ship sails once a year on July 4, a must-see if you love history. In the evening, enjoy the free Boston Pops concert before the firework show over the Charles River.
How to get there
- Stations: North Station, South Station, Back Bay, Charles/MGH
- Service: Amtrak, MBTA
- Walking time: 9-26 minutes
- Directions: Walk 20 minutes from the Back Bay Station via the Dartmouth Street foot bridge. Walk about 25 minutes from North Station. From South Station, board the red line MBTA train to the Charles/MGH Station to reach the Charles River Esplanade (10-minute walk).
Washington D.C.
For performances from top artists, a large parade, and fireworks on the National Mall, plan a visit to Washington D.C. George Washington’s estate in Mt. Vernon is a great day trip, or stay in the city and enjoy the free museums (National Archives has the original Declaration of Independence) or go to the Washington Nationals baseball game. View the Salute to America event information to learn more.
How to get there
- Station: Washington Union Station
- Service: Amtrak, MARC, VRE
- Walking time: 15 minutes to the edge of the mall (view map)
Williamsburg
Step back in time and experience a historic Fourth of July in Colonial Williamsburg. The living history museum is filled with 18th-century buildings and costumed interpreters, and special holiday events include the reading of the Declaration of Independence and Fifes and Drums performance.
How to get there
- Station: Williamsburg
- Service: Northeast Regional
- Walking time: 13 minutes (view map)
Raleigh
Raleigh is full of museums, breweries, and parks, one of which is the prime firework watching spot on July 4. Dorothea Dix Park will have lawn games, food trucks, and live music. Plus, you can bring blankets, chairs, and your own food (view event information to learn more).
How to get there
- Station: Raleigh Union Station
- Service: Carolinian, Piedmont, Floridian
- Walking time: 20 minutes (view map)
Hartford
The Hartford Bonanza takes place on July 4 in the historic Bushnell Park. The downtown greenspace will have live music (including a symphony concert), food trucks, and the opportunity to climb the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch for views of the city. Kids will enjoy the 1914 carousel, playground, and duck-watching at the pond.
How to get there
- Station: Hartford Union Station
- Service: Acela, Northeast Regional, Valley Flyer, CTRail
- Walking time: 8 minutes (view map)
Old Orchard Beach
For a coastal Fourth of July celebration, travel to Old Orchard Beach in Maine. There’s a morning parade and evening fireworks over the ocean (view event information). The town is very walkable, with the beach, pier, hotels, vacation rentals, and an amusement park a short walk from the train station.
How to get there
- Station: Old Orchard Beach
- Service: Downeaster
- Walking time: 5 minutes (view map)
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells is a family-friendly resort town near lakes, rivers, and glacier-carved rock formations. On the Fourth of July, you can choose from multiple firework shows, including in downtown next to the train station. During the day, you can go on a boat tour or book a stay at Mt. Olympus for a firework show at the onsite waterpark (use rideshare or taxi to get there).
How to get there
- Station: Wisconsin Dells
- Service: Borealis, Empire Builder
- Walking time: 5 minutes (view map)
Chicago
South Shore and Metra Electric trains provide easy access to July 4 fireworks, events, and beaches in Chicago. Board trains on Chicago’s South Side and in Northern Indiana and exit at Museum Campus/11th Street for stunning skyline and firework scenery. Or travel to the Millennium Station for easy access to firework cruises, the Independence Day Salute concert, and firework views from Dusable Harbor.
How to get there
- Stations: Museum Campus, Millennium Park
- Service: Metra Electric, Monon Corridor, Lakeshore Corridor
- Walking time: 8 minutes from Museum Campus (view map), 8 minutes from Millennium Station to firework cruises (view map), 16 minutes from Millennium Station to Dusable Harbor (view map)
Kansas City
Kansas City’s annual Fourth of July event (Stars and Stripes Picnic), takes place around the National World War I Museum (which is open during the day). Enjoy live entertainment and fireworks from the FIFA Fan Fest or Penn Valley Park in front of the museum. If you plan to go to the park, you can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcohol can be purchased on site.
How to get there
- Station: Kansas City Union Station (KCY)
- Service: Southwest Chief
- Walking time: 15 minutes (view map)
Denver
Watching a baseball game on July 4 is a classic way to spend the holiday, and Denver has you covered. The Rockies play the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field (view tickets), which is a short walk from the Amtrak station. There are also other attractions, hotels, and restaurants in walking distance, making Denver an easy car-free trip.
How to get there
- Station: Denver
- Train Service: California Zephyr
- Walking time: 10 minutes (view map)
Whitefish
Whitefish is a charming and walkable mountain town on Amtrak’s Empire Builder route. You can view Fourth of July fireworks over the nearby lake and spend the day swimming, hiking, fishing, or kayaking. As a bonus, there are many vacation rentals near the water and you can check out the Whitefish Arts Festival in town or take day trips to Glacier National Park.
How to get there
- Station: Whitefish
- Train Service: Empire Builder
- Walking time: 24 minutes (view map)
Emeryville
For views of the Golden Gate Bridge firework show, ride Amtrak to Emeryville, California. Trains stop near the waterfront, with the Emeryville Marina Park offering the best views of fireworks around San Francisco Bay. Shorebird Park is a less crowded option, where you’ll find a small beach and pier. Note that fog may limit visibility.
How to get there
- Station: Emeryville
- Service: California Zephyr, Capitol Corridor, Gold Runner
- Walking time: 16 minutes to Shorebird Park (view map), 30 minutes to Marina Park (view map)
Santa Barbara
For beachfront fun and fireworks over the ocean, plan a train trip to Santa Barbara. Enjoy a full day of live music on West Beach with options to buy food from vendors or at nearby restaurants (including Finney’s Crafthouse & Kitchen, a gastropub with local beer). Book a place to stay near West Beach to be close to the activities and the Amtrak station.
How to get there
- Station: Santa Barbara
- Service: Coast Starlight, Pacific Surfliner
- Walking time: 9 minutes (view map)
San Diego
Board Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner or a COASTER train from cities in Southern and Central California for a fun Fourth of July in San Diego. The Big Bay Boom firework show is easily viewable along the downtown waterfront. During the day, you can visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo or enjoy beaches, water sports, a bike trail, and more at Mission Bay.
How to get there
- Station: Santa Fe Depot
- Train Service: Pacific Surfliner, NCTD
- Walking time: 9 minutes (view map)
More Information
- 10 best Amtrak routes to ride in the summer
- 7 beautiful lakes you can easily reach on Amtrak
- 25 hidden-gem Amtrak destinations
Top photo:“Washington, D.C. July 4th fireworks. Original image from Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress collection. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.” by Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, CC BY 2.0
