10 Best Small Town Fourth of July Celebrations

Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

The people of Murrells Inlet, a small town near Myrtle Beach, celebrate the Fourth in true sailor style. The holiday is kicked off with a 9:00 a.m. parade on the water. Boats decorated in festive red, white, and blue float past the Murrells Inlet shoreline in the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina." After the parade, a series of big and boisterous boat parties commence.

To round out your experience, dine on a freshly caught lunch post-parade. Several of the best boat-parade-viewing spots are seafood eateries, including the Hot Fish Club and Nance's Restaurant.

Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia

Monticello's got fireworks galore. In fact, the local tourism board claims that Fourth of July fireworks in Thomas Jefferson's hometown are "the most spectacular fireworks display in the South." But the most extraordinary part of the local festivities is arguably Monticello's Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony, in which immigrants take their official oath of U.S. citizenship. More than 3,000 people have become American citizens in this ceremony since it first began in 1963.

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, one of the oldest continually inhabited places in the U.S., goes big on the Fourth with one of the largest fireworks shows on the East Coast. For the best possible view, head to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum. Reserve your tickets ahead of time, so you can watch the sunset over the ocean and the subsequent fireworks from the top of the lighthouse. (Otherwise it's free to watch the fireworks from the ground.)

Hannibal, Missouri

Mark Twain's historical hometown has been celebrating National Tom Sawyer Days (from July 3 through 8 this year) annually for over 57 years. Events include a frog-jumping contest, tricycle races, the National Fencepainting Championship contest (who knew?), and, naturally, fireworks over the mighty Mississippi.

Mammoth Lakes, California

What could make the rugged mountains and crystal clear water at Mammoth Lakes more awe-inspiring? A soothing musical soundtrack provided by a live 45-piece orchestra, perhaps. On Independence Day, Chamber Music Unbound will be hosting a free concert at Mammoth Creek Park after the local holiday parade.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

More than 100,000 patriotic night owls flock to Gatlinburg's Fourth of July Midnight Parade, which starts when the clock strikes 12 on the night of the Fourth. Get ready to salute! The parade highlights U.S. armed forces: Tuskegee Airmen serve as grand marshals, World War II veterans walk in the procession, and the 100th U.S. Army Marching Band from Fort Knox, Kentucky, leads the charge.

Oatman, Arizona

Driving down Route 66 and winding up in a former gold-rush enclave in Wild West country is a unique—yet certainly appropriate—way to celebrate America's birthday. In Oatman, Arizona, a historical small town in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Fourth of July festivities are whimsical to say the least. A highlight of the holiday hoopla: The town holds a competition to see who can fry an egg on the sidewalk. (Use of solar devices is permitted.)

The Kennebunks, Maine

The Kennebunks consist of Kennebunkport and Kennebunk, Maine—two side-by-side towns that are closely associated with one another. An Independence Day celebration in this coastal New England destination features beaches and plenty of lobster, naturally. A free fireworks show will take place at Gooch's Beach at sunset in Kennebunk. You'll be able to see the fireworks from both towns or—if you're really lucky—by boat. But before you see the sky light up, throw on some pink khakis and partake in a live lobster bake at Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport.

Seward, Alaska

Every year on Independence Day, Seward's population goes from roughly 3,000 to 30,000 as it celebrates with a 3.1-mile foot race. Participants head up Mt. Marathon, past waterfalls, cliffs, and stunning views of the Alaskan landscape. This long-standing tradition has been taking place on the Fourth regularly since 1915.

Curtis, Michigan

Curtis welcomes roughly 16,000 visitors who flock to the tiny town because it's said to be one of the best places to see fireworks pop and sparkle over the water in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. After all, Curtis is flanked by the area's largest lake complex, known as the Manistique Lakes. Celebrations this year will be held on July 1 and will include a parade, barbeque and beer tents, and, of course, those colorful bursts above the water.

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