Watch fireworks burst over places where America’s formative history unfolded.
From Annapolis Harbor in Maryland to Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, America’s Mid-Atlantic region is dotted with historic destinations that played pivotal roles in the early days of the U.S.
The locals here know how to throw big Independence Day parties on July 4, complete with star-spangled parades and cutting-edge pyrotechnics.
Beyond the Fourth, you’ll find plenty of ways to have a good time, and we’ve listed a slew of local Good Sam Parks that welcome RV travelers. So buckle up and make the Mid-Atlantic your July vacation destination.
Delaware
Delaware Legislative Hall in Dover on July 4.
Dover 4th of July Fireworks & Parade, July 4–5, Dover. Watch a colorful, patriotic parade put on by the American Legion, then stick around for fireworks that light up the night sky.
Delaware’s Tall Ship: Kalmar Nyckel Sailing Trips, July 7, Wilmington (through summer). You haven’t lived until you’ve sailed on a tall ship. Take a cruise in the Atlantic on an amazing vessel.
Kalmar Nyckel sailing ship.
Delaware State Fair, July 20–29, Harrington. Held at the Fairgrounds, this event hosts traditional fair pastimes, from rides to food to concerts.
Good Sam Campgrounds in Delaware:
| Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Delaware, Lincoln | Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay, Millsboro |
Maryland
Downtown Annapolis Parade & Fireworks, July 4. Watch a parade down West Street and then see a spectacle over Annapolis Harbor.
Firework explosions over the harbor from the Queen Anne’s Battery. Getty Images
Queen Anne’s Country Annual Fireworks, July 4, Kent Narrows. Fireworks combust over the Chesapeake Bay in a family-friendly celebration. A DJ will add to the fun at 59 Piney Narrows Road.
Sad Summer Festival, July 12, Baltimore. The Pier Six Pavilion erupts with modern music during this fun-filled event.
Good Sam Campgrounds in Maryland:
| Cherry Hill Park, College Park | Ramblin’ Pines Family Campground & RV Park, Woodbine |
| Sun Outdoors Ocean City Getaway, Whaleyville |
New Jersey
Tropicana Atlantic City Fireworks, July 4, Tropicana Hotel & Casino. View stellar detonations from the beach and boardwalk between rounds at the tables.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Atlantic City area:
| Holly Acres Campground, Egg Harbor City | Ocean City Campground and Beach Cabins, Ocean View |
| Mays Landing Campground, Mays Landing | Chestnut Lake RV Campground, Port Republic |
| Echo Farms RV Campground, Ocean View | Thousand Trails Sea Pines, Swainton |
| Lake & Shore RV, Ocean View | Atlantic Shore Pines Campground, Tuckerton |
Independence Day Celebration, July 6–7, Cape May. Tour historic buildings and partake in family-friendly patriotic in Historic Cold Spring Village activities in one of the Garden State’s most stunning seaside communities.
Patriotic flags in Cape May. Getty Images
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Cape May area:
| King Nummy Trail Campground, Cape May Court House | Echo Farms RV Campground, Ocean View |
| Acorn Campground, Green Creek | Lake & Shore RV, Ocean View |
| Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Delaware, Lincoln | Ocean City Campground and Beach Cabins, Ocean View |
| Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay, Millsboro | Sea Pines RV Resort & Campground, Swainton |
Getty Images
Jersey City Restaurant Week, July 17 – 31. This citywide celebration features food from every culture, from Italian to Japanese.
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Jersey City area:
| Delaware River Family Campground, Columbia | Tip Tam Camping Resort, Jackson |
| Indian Rock RV Park, Jackson | Black Bear Campground, Florida (NY) |
Fireworks at dusk over the Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge.
New York
New York Fireworks, July 4, New York City. The Big Apple serves up several opportunities to view fireworks in the city. See the pyrotechnics from a Harbor Cruise, the Empire State Building, or the Staten Island Ferry.
Good Sam Campgrounds in the New York City area:
| Rondout Valley Resort, Accord | Indian Rock RV Park, Jackson (NJ) |
| Black Bear Campground, Florida | Tip Tam Camping Resort, Jackson (NJ) |
| Deerpark NYC Campground, Godeffroy |
Taste of Buffalo, July 8–9, Buffalo. Celebrating its 40th birthday, this town on Lake Erie treats visitors to succulent treats during the ultimate street fair. And yes, there will be Buffalo wings.
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Buffalo area:
| HTR Niagara, Niagara Falls (NY) | Scott’s Family RV-Park Campground, Niagara Falls (ON) |
| AA Royal Motel & Campground, North Tonawanda | Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Niagara Falls (ON) |
| Campark Resorts Family Camping & RV Resort, Niagara Falls (ON) | Bissell’s Hideaway Resort, Pelham (ON) |
Fireworks in Upstate New York.
Corn Hill Arts Festival, July 9–10, Rochester. The Empire State’s Finger Lakes region showcases its creative side with an event featuring art, music, crafts, and food on nine streets.
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Rochester area:
| Skyline RV Resort, Darien Center | Niagara County Camping Resort, Lockport |
| Beaver Meadow Family Campground, Java Center | Cherry Grove Campground, Wolcott |
Fireworks at Independence Hall National Historic Park in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania
Wawa Welcome America July 4th, Philadelphia. Gaze skyward as fireworks explode above the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Start the day by visiting Independence Hall, the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Philadelphia area:
| Ocean City Campground and Beach Cabins, Ocean View | The Depot Travel Park, West Cape May |
Competition at the Poconos Raceway.
NASCAR Doubleheader, July 21-23, Pocono Raceway. The “Tricky Triangle” hosts thrilling race action with the Arca Menards Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Poconos area:
| Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South, East Stroudsburg | Four Seasons Campgrounds, Scotrun |
| Timothy Lake North RV Park, East Stroudsburg | Thousand Trails Scrotun, Scotrun |
| Clayton Park RV Escape, Mount Cobb | Delaware River Family Campground, Columbia (NJ) |
| Mount Pocono Campground, Mount Pocono |
Harrisburg Dessert Festival, July 22, Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center. Satisfy your sweet tooth with treats ranging from cookies to donuts to sodas.
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Harrisburg area:
| Thousand Trails Gettysburg Farm, Dover | Thousand Trails Hershey, Lebanon |
| Hershey Road Campground, Elizabethtown | Pinch Pond Family Campground, Manheim |
| Harrisburg East Campground & Storage, Harrisburg |
Fourth of July crowd on Virginia Beach.
Virginia (Chesapeake Bay Region)
Back @ the Beach, July 4, Virginia Beach. Fireworks, music, food, and fun reign during this event.
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Virginia Beach area:
| Chesapeake Campground, Chesapeake | North Landing Beach RV Resort & Cottages, Virginia Beach |
| Holiday Trav-L-Park, Virginia Beach |
Getty Images
4th of July Stars in the Sky, July 4, Newport News. Victory Landing Park welcomes families for wholesome fun along with great food. Fireworks after dark exploding over the Chesapeake complete the picture.
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Newport News area:
| Chesapeake Campground, Chesapeake | Davis Lakes RV Park and Campground, Suffolk |
Sunsets on the River, July 14, July 28, Norfolk. Hermitage Museum & Gardens serves as the perfect setting for music, cocktails, craft beer, and delicious fare from food trucks.
Good Sam Campgrounds in the Norfolk area:
| Chesapeake Campground, Chesapeake | Holiday Trav-L-Park, Virginia Beach |
| Davis Lakes RV Park and Campground, Suffolk | North Landing Beach RV Resort & Cottages, Virginia Beach |
