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I am still at the Art Museum and I had a pleasant suprise. Friday evening is meet, greet and be entertained and I was by the music of Scythian and a glass of chardonnay! Scythian is described as a "unique hodgepodge of Irish, Celtic, klezmer, and gypsy influences". And since I am from Nashville, I could hear the bluegrass influences. Believe me, the Art Museum was not a stuffy quiet place, because people were clapping, stamping and dancing, children were off their ADHD meds and the flow of alchohol made you think that you were in a pub, instead of place of high culture.The day was one of emotional highs and lows. I loved the granduer and architecture of the buildings along the Parkway, but was brought back to reality when I saw a homeless camp on the back side of the Youth Study Center. I had to reflect about homelessness because this building is scheduled to be torn down and in its place will go the Barnes Museum. The homeless will have to find another place to go. Some of the rooms in the Art Museum caused me to be reflective and pray, because they were so peaceful. One such room was The Indian Temple.So, in all, I had a great day, but, my ankles were so swollen from all of the walking. My sister laughed when I had to bounce down the steps on my bottom!

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.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.