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Fourth of July Fireworks

Fireworks on the Fourth of July are as American as apple pie. But where are destinations to catch the best fireworks displays? ProfessionalTravelGuide.com has the answer.Check out their list of the best fireworks displays in the country, as well as their choices for the best accommodations in those destinations. From sea to shining sea, ProfessionalTravelGuide.com has all of your 4th of July fireworks cities covered.NEW YORK CITYThe Big Apple is a popular destination at any time of the year, but July 4th is always a special time. Barges line the East River between 23rd and 42nd streets and FDR Drive is closed for onlookers to revel in the Macy’s July 4th fireworks display. For those who want a closer view of the show, dinner cruises on the East River can’t be beat – but they do need to be booked early.Hotel RecommendationsDon’t want to leave your hotel to watch the fireworks? Then the best place to be is Millennium UN Plaza, just across from the United Nations and boasting some of the finest vantage points of New York in the city. If you’re looking to venture among the crowds, then check into the InterContinental, The Barclay, which is just a short walk from FDR Drive and the East River waterfront. .WASHINGTON, D.C.What can be more patriotic than spending Independence Day in the nation’s capitol? There are plenty of vantage points around the National Mall to take in one of the most captivating displays in the country. During the day, take in the parade along Constitution Avenue.Hotel RecommendationsThere are two places to best view the fireworks along the National Mall – at the steps of the U.S. Capitol and at the Lincoln Memorial. If you’re looking to stay near the Capitol, then head to the Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill, a property that is a leader for those in-the-know in D.C. At the other end of the Mall, stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. While a little further from the action than other hotels, this five-star property is on the Potomac River and you can head north to the Lincoln Memorial. If you choose to stay away from the throngs on the Mall, take a short walk and view the fireworks from the Jefferson Memorial.Las VegasWhile there is no true organized Fourth of July celebration in the city, casinos along the Las Vegas Strip each put on their own shows and events during the holiday. From special concerts to all-night dance clubs, there isn’t a hotter place to be or be seen. And at night, the Strip lights up as fireworks are shot from each of the casinos. Whether you’re in your hotel room or on the Strip, you can’t miss the action from anywhere.Hotel RecommendationsWhere can’t you view the fireworks? But for the best vantage points, head to the highest peaks in the city. That means the Eiffel Tower deck at Paris Las Vegas in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. If you want to view everything from afar, head to the far north end of the Strip to Stratosphere Hotel and Casino and head to the 1,200-foot high observation deck. If your plan is to party, then the best place for viewing and dancing is Ghostbar at Palms Casino Resort.BostonAn event not to be missed is the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, held on the banks of the Charles River. The two-hour concert preceding the fireworks display is an event unto itself, but then you add fireworks to the mix and it becomes an all-out celebration of America. While you can view the fireworks from most anywhere in the city, the Esplanade is the place to be.Hotel RecommendationsThere are a few truly grand hotels within walking distance to the Esplanade, the most luxurious being the Four Seasons Hotel Boston and the Taj Boston near the Public Garden and Boston Common. But for a truly unique and (dare we say) value hotel experience, check out the Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro on Charles Street. This boutique hotel is just three blocks from the festivities.PhiladelphiaIndependence Day is so big in the City of Brotherly Love that the city takes an entire week to celebrate. There are festivals and concerts in the days leading up to the Fourth of July, with the traditional fireworks display taking place at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A definite must-do is the city’s Fourth of July Parade along Benjamin Franklin Parkway.Hotel RecommendationsThe place to stay during the Fourth of July holiday is the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, one of the city’s lone five-star hotels. Why stay here? It is nearby all of the activity, just a short trip from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. And it also boasts one of the city’s most complete spas.St. LouisAnother all-day festival, the Fair Saint Louis/Celebrate St. Louis Fourth of July event is one of the largest in the Midwest. With a backdrop encompassing the Mississippi River and the famed Gateway Arch, these fireworks are some of the best in the country. And St. Louis doesn’t stop the party after July 4th – the great LIVE on the Levee series, complete with free music and fireworks, continues through July and August.Hotel RecommendationsThe top two hotels nearby should vie for your attention while attending St. Louis’ Independence Day events. The Hyatt Regency St. Louis, which occupies a 19th century rail terminal, is one of the leading hotels in the city. The Westin St. Louis is another top-notch hotel property and is one of the most talked-about hotels in the city.New OrleansThis southern city continues its comeback, and the Go 4th on the River celebration is just another reason to make your way back to New Orleans. Dueling barges shoot off fireworks on the Mississippi River while visitors watch from numerous spots, the most popular being the Riverwalk Marketplace.Hotel RecommendationsFor the best viewing, you’ll want to stay by the river, which offers such luxury accommodations as the Westin New Orleans Canal Place and the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. For those looking for value (and maybe a slot machine or two), check out Harrah’s New Orleans Casino, which opened its own 26-story hotel in 2007.HoustonEverything’s bigger in Texas, and the Fourth of July is no exception. Featuring the largest land-based fireworks display in the United States, Houston’s Independence Day celebration is as big as they come. More than 100,000 people crowd Eleanor Tinsley Park along the Buffalo Bayou outside of downtown Houston to watch the fireworks and listen to more than four hours of live entertainment.Hotel RecommendationsThere aren’t any hotels within walking distance to the festivities, so you’re going to have to venture into the downtown Houston area to stay. That’s not a bad thing, though, considering the numerous choices available. While luxury accommodations exist at some top-notch hotels, including the always luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Houston and the sophisticated Hotel Icon, you may also want to check out the Doubletree Hotel Houston Downtown for a good value pick.

Hello Everyone. Wanted to share with you the TOP destinations where folks are traveling in the United States in "2008". Out of this list of destinations, Walt Disney World is the feature for this BLOG.Walt Disney World

Disney WorldDisney World is a huge resort complexWalt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is not just a theme park, but a huge resort complex covering 47 square miles. The resort contains four separate theme parks, three water parks and 99 holes of golf on several different courses. Miles of outdoor recreation are available including hiking, biking, boating and swimming. It has three separate areas containing shopping, dining and entertainment facilities as well as a fourth area with nightclubs. A fairly new addition to the resort is the state of the art sports complex where Disney hosts a wide variety of sporting events. Finally, there are about 18 Disney owned and operated hotels and several non-Disney hotels in the resort. All this combined with many other attractions in the Orlando and central Florida area can be quite overwhelming.Cinderella's CastleNo other Disney Park equals Disney World in FloridaNo other Disney resort comes close to the size and diversity of Disney World Florida. If you have previously visited one of the other Disney resorts such as Disneyland California, Disneyland Paris or the new Disneyland Tokyo, you should still visit Disney World in Orlando, Florida. All other Disney resorts consist of a single theme park and are quite small compared to the massive resort complex in Florida. Each of the other parks are no larger than the Magic Kingdom theme park in Disney World, which is only one small part of the complex. Remember, that only the resort in Orlando, Florida is referred to as Disney World or Walt Disney World. The other parks are usually called Disneyland. The size and diversity of the Disney World resort ensures that it will probably remain the number one vacation destination in the world for years to come.DWTickets is your discount source for all central Florida attractions, including Disney World Tickets, Sea World tickets, Orlando Dinner Shows, Pirates Adventure, Arabian Nights, and Park Hopper Tickets. Buy your Disney Tickets today at DWTickets.com.The main attractions at the resort are divided into four theme-parksMagic Kingdom, the first theme park built at the resort, has rides, shows and attractions divided among seven fantasy areas. This is the place to find all your favorite Disney characters and attractions.Epcot, the second theme park built at the resort, is divided into two areas: Future World and World Showcase. The attractions in Future World are based on modern and futuristic advances in communication, transportation, energy, agriculture and much more. World Showcase allows you to explore culture, cuisine, shopping and entertainment from many countries including Canada, UK, France, Japan, Morocco, US, Italy, Germany, China, Norway and Mexico.Light ParadeThe Disney-MGM Studios offers behind-the-scenes looks at the making of movies and popular TV shows and provides live original shows. There are also a number of thrilling rides or attractions based on blockbuster movies, which provide exciting stunts and amazing special effects.Animal Kingdom is the newest and largest theme park to open in the Disney World resort. This 500-acre park is divided into three areas: The Real, The Mythical and The Extinct. The Real area features live animals in exotic landscapes and provides a safari-like experience. In The Mythical area, guests come face-to-face with magical and make believe creatures. In the Extinct Area, dinosaurs come to life.Disney TransportationThe Water Parks are a great way to cool offThe four theme parks are the heart of Disney World, but there are many other attractions including three full-sized water parks. Typhoon Lagoon is a tropically landscaped 56-acre water park based around a huge wave pool that covers 2.5 acres and holds 2.75 million gallons of water. At certain times the pool is even used for surfing. Blizzard Beach is Disney's newest and largest water park and the most interesting. It is made to look like a snow-covered ski-resort and offers the most slides and the most thrilling attractions. River Country, the first water park built at Disney World, is actually a roped-off section of Bay Lake and is designed to give the feeling of "an old swimming hole." It is the most tame and relaxing. Spending a day at one of the Disney World water parks can be a pleasant break from the theme parks as well as a great way to cool off from the hot Florida sun.There are many recreational activitiesDisney World offers lots of outdoor recreation. It has five challenging 18-hole golf courses as well as a 9-hole beginner's course and a 36-hole miniature golf course for family fun. If you prefer tennis there are many courts throughout the resort including Disney's Contemporary Resort Racquet Club. Water sports are plentiful including water-skiing, parasailing, fishing and many types of boat rental. For the extremely adventurous, there is the Richard Petty driving experience where you can drive an actual Nascar racing car. The car has about 600 hp and can attain speeds of up to 160 mph.Disney World even offers cruises and educationDisney World has still more vacation options such as the Disney Institute and the new Disney Cruise Line. The Disney Institute offers many great hands-on classes designed for fun and education. It is located in the Disney World resort so you are still close to all the other attractions as well. The Disney cruise line combines a Disney World resort vacation with a Caribbean cruise. You stay at the resort in Florida for several days, then board a Disney cruise ship and sail to Disney's own private-island resort in the Bahamas.The Official Ticket Center is Orlando's #1 discount attraction ticket broker agency, serving millions around the world. All prices are TAX INCLUDED with no hidden fees for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, Sea World Orlando, and other World Famous Attraction Theme Parks. Discounted Dinner Show tickets also available for Arabian Nights, Sea World's Makahiki Luau, Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Show, Pirates Dinner Show Adventure and Medieval Times Save time and money without standing in line at the theme park ticket windows.Work at Disney and earn college creditsDisney World has a special college program for young adults. Students can earn college credits while working and living in the Disney World resort. This program is extremely popular with young adults from around the world. Several links are included for anyone wanting more information.As you can see, there is plenty to do at Walt Disney World, and there are many other attractions in the Orlando area and the rest of Florida. Some planning is required to get the most out of your Disney vacation but don't worry, the planning can be half the fun.Written by: Gerry LecoLas Vegas

On any given evening in Las Vegas, you will find hundreds of entertainment events such as the renown Las Vegas stage shows, world class sporting events, performances by world famous entertainers plus music, dance and comedy at large and small venues throughout the city. This city never seems to sleep. The frivolity continues long into the night and the serious gamblers continue their pursuit of riches until well after the morning sun has risen on a new day.Written by: Mike LecoLos Angeles

Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second largest city in the United States of America. It is located on the southern coast of California about 75 miles (120km) north of the Mexican border and 400 miles (600km) south of San Francisco. The original name of the city was "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles" or "The Village of Our Lady the Queen of Angels", but the name was shortened for obvious reasons.Written by: Mike LecoTop Photo Credit: Mike Leco © USATourist.comPhoto Description: Downtown Los Angeles- San Francisco

San Francisco is on the coast of California about 400 miles north of Los Angeles. It is situated along the shore of a large bay sheltered behind the California Coastal Mountains. The city is renown for its steep streets with panoramic views of beautiful San Francisco Bay and the surrounding mountains. It has a very moderate climate with warm summers and chilly winters but without extremes. Constant breezes off of the Pacific Ocean keep the summers from becoming too hot and also prevent freezing winter weather. Take a sweater, as the evening breezes can be quite brisk all year round!Written by: Mike LecoTop Photo Credit: © J. Paul MeurantPhoto Description: Golden Gate BridgeOrlando

Orlando is located in central Florida 75 miles northeast of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach. It is 50 miles due west of Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach. Best known as the home of Disney World, this city is also the center of the largest concentration of family entertainment attractions in the world.Written by: Mike LecoMiami

Miami is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida at the southern tip. It is warm year around and usually very hot and humid during the summer months. Most tourists prefer to visit during October through April. Outdoor sports and swimming are open all seasons, so be sure to take your swimming suit and plenty of cool clothing. A sun hat and a good sunscreen are essential even in the winter months. In Miami, dress is always casual, with sundresses, jeans or walking shorts appropriate during the day. A few higher-class restaurants require jackets and ties, but most do not.Hundreds of thousands of Hispanic immigrants from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Central America and South America have settled in Miami. Spanish is spoken almost everywhere in the city. Many signs are in both English and Spanish especially those near the Latin district known locally as "Little Havana". Cubans originally settled in the area around Calle Ocho Street (Southwest Eighth Street) more than 20 years ago. Today, this colorful area embraces immigrants from all over Latin America.Written by: JoaneNew York City

New York City is located on the eastern coast of the United States about 1000 miles north of Florida and 200 miles South of Boston. It is situated at the mouth of the Hudson River, and is divided into five districts called boroughs. Long Island stretches almost 100 miles to the east of New York City and the state of New Jersey lies just across the Hudson River to the west. The "Big Apple", as the city is often called, is the largest city in the US with over 7 million residents. It is filled with a diverse mixture of inhabitants including immigrants from many countries. Some of its many neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Little Italy, and Spanish Harlem reflect the rich ethnic heritages of the resident's original homelands.Manhattan and Central ParkWritten by: Mike Leco

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Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.