The 4th of July Fireworks in DC: NO!
The 4th of July fireworks in DC certainly have their devotees, but AlteCocker is not one of them. Years ago she went when she lived in adjacent Southwest DC and could walk over (years before Metro existed!). Since moving out to the suburbs in 1976 she has not been. The fireworks are just too much hassle.
Now if you have unlimited money and are staying downtown where you can walk to your hotel afterward, you may want to do this extravaganza. Be well aware, however, that the price of hotel rooms skyrockets for this event. It's about demand and supply.
Being in the tour guide business, AlteCocker occasionally has a gig during the day on the 4th, but she gets the hell out of town as it becomes harder and harder to move.
If you are going to do this, you can either book a table on the top of the Hotel Washington and pay for overpriced drinks and a spectacular view or you can schlep into town early to claim your spot for the annual fish fry. Fish fry? Where's the fish fry? There isn't one. You are going to be the fish frying in the sun. Bring sun screen--lots!
AlteCocker has seen them schlepping wagons filled with coolers, blankets to sit upon, and other paraphernalia. These people make an annual event of it scoping out their fish fry territory 9:00am in the morning. Alcohol is not, by the way, permitted on The Mall so getting sloshed to while your way through many boring hours before the fireworks is not an option to pass the time.
Toilets there will be a plenty with plenty of Don's Johns and the like artfully decorating The Mall area between the Capitol (where the concert occurs) and the Washington Monument (where the fireworks will be set off). For the more fastidious, try the Smithsonian Museums for "regular" toilets. Expect huge queues to get through security.
As usual the Declaration of Independence will be read on the steps of the Archives with costumed (and very hot) reenactors running around looking like various founding fathers. Then there is the parade down Constitution Avenue and hours to go before the concert and fireworks.
And, AlteCocker? She'll be at home perhaps sipping wine or at a neighborhood cookout. When fireworks time comes, she'll have a ringside view watching the spectacle on TV. PBS does such a nice job. And, she'll be cool in her air conditioned house. She will not have the hours long struggle to get home via Metro either (and not be able to regale her friends and all of you with the lamentable tale of how she finally got home at, say, 2:00am). This year, 2013, by the way, is the first time she has even been in town for the fireworks in years. Customarily she is gone on home exchanges by the 4th, leaving home exchangers to cope with the meshugana mischigas that is the 4th of July in DC. Don't worry, AlteCocker will get the hell out of Dodge a few days later. Fireworks?
Have a happy 4th however you are doing it. For further information on the big day in DC, check here.
Now if you have unlimited money and are staying downtown where you can walk to your hotel afterward, you may want to do this extravaganza. Be well aware, however, that the price of hotel rooms skyrockets for this event. It's about demand and supply.
Being in the tour guide business, AlteCocker occasionally has a gig during the day on the 4th, but she gets the hell out of town as it becomes harder and harder to move.
If you are going to do this, you can either book a table on the top of the Hotel Washington and pay for overpriced drinks and a spectacular view or you can schlep into town early to claim your spot for the annual fish fry. Fish fry? Where's the fish fry? There isn't one. You are going to be the fish frying in the sun. Bring sun screen--lots!
AlteCocker has seen them schlepping wagons filled with coolers, blankets to sit upon, and other paraphernalia. These people make an annual event of it scoping out their fish fry territory 9:00am in the morning. Alcohol is not, by the way, permitted on The Mall so getting sloshed to while your way through many boring hours before the fireworks is not an option to pass the time.
Toilets there will be a plenty with plenty of Don's Johns and the like artfully decorating The Mall area between the Capitol (where the concert occurs) and the Washington Monument (where the fireworks will be set off). For the more fastidious, try the Smithsonian Museums for "regular" toilets. Expect huge queues to get through security.
As usual the Declaration of Independence will be read on the steps of the Archives with costumed (and very hot) reenactors running around looking like various founding fathers. Then there is the parade down Constitution Avenue and hours to go before the concert and fireworks.
And, AlteCocker? She'll be at home perhaps sipping wine or at a neighborhood cookout. When fireworks time comes, she'll have a ringside view watching the spectacle on TV. PBS does such a nice job. And, she'll be cool in her air conditioned house. She will not have the hours long struggle to get home via Metro either (and not be able to regale her friends and all of you with the lamentable tale of how she finally got home at, say, 2:00am). This year, 2013, by the way, is the first time she has even been in town for the fireworks in years. Customarily she is gone on home exchanges by the 4th, leaving home exchangers to cope with the meshugana mischigas that is the 4th of July in DC. Don't worry, AlteCocker will get the hell out of Dodge a few days later. Fireworks?
Have a happy 4th however you are doing it. For further information on the big day in DC, check here.