If youre going to celebrate the 4th of July, what better way to do it than by loading up the family station wagon (or at least thats how they used to do it now its more likely to be an SUV) and heading out on a family trip? It wasnt long ago that the 4th of July meant a family BBQ at a local beach or a park in your area. Now however, you and your loved ones can take that extra step and head out on a short vacation. With so many options to choose from, where should you go? With so many America trips available, weve broken down some of the top destinations that you can head out to for this beautiful holiday weekend:

Boston
Trips to Boston have long been one of the top 4th of July destinations. More than 200 events make up a fun-filled week-long event, including the citys annual Boston Harborfest, which actually begins in late June and continues through the 4th of July weekend. Most events are free and range from fireworks, concerts, days cruises for kids, tour of Boston and more. Theres also Boston Chowderfest, where more than 12,000 people choose the citys best chowder from area restaurants and a reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House.

Mount Rushmore
A 4th of July trip to Mount Rushmore is a great way to celebrate the holiday. Visit this historic national monument and follow the Avenue of Flags from the Concession Building to the Presidential Trail and celebrate the slew of events planned including a military flyover and a firework display (not at the same time). Rumor has it that Abraham Lincoln himself will show up to take pictures with fans to celebrate this glorious holiday.

Philadelphia
Birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Philadelphia trips are a great way to commemorate this upcoming holiday. Celebrate by visiting Philadelphia and see the Liberty Bell, Independence Mall and more before heading over to the Delaware River and experiencing the fireworks show thats on display for the holiday weekend. A culmination of the celebration will find you at the Sweet Sounds of Liberty Concert where youll hear several top bands play before the city puts on its own annual fireworks display.

Washington, D.C.
Not surprisingly, the nations capital puts on a great celebration each 4th of July with several exciting events leading up to the holiday. Featured among them are the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, with food, crafts, concerts and more. This free festival strives to encompass the culture and customs of each of our nations 50 states. After indulging in all those delights, youll get a chance to head out to the National Independence Day Parade, which incorporates a stream of lavish floats, bands, giant balloons, and military groups against the backdrop of all of the amazing national monuments that youll see on a trip to Washington, D.C. As you can see, while they may be just a touch bit pricier than a holiday trip to your local park, a tour to any of the destinations above can make your 4th of July just a little bit more special!