About 86 percent of Americans plan to celebrate July Fourth, the birth of the nation, this year and food spending for the holiday is expected to reach $8.9 billion, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation.
With July Fourth one of the biggest holidays of the year in the U.S., Americans go all out for the occasion, from elaborate parades to cookouts with extended family and friends.
To help Americans find the best and cheapest places to celebrate this star-spangled occasion, WalletHub, a personal finance website, compared the 100 largest U.S. cities based on how well they balance holiday cost and fun. WalletHub looked at 18 key metrics ranges from average beer and wine prices to duration of fireworks shows to the July Fourth weather forecast.
“The 4th of July is one of the most beloved holidays in America, allowing many of us to not only celebrate our independence but also get a day off of work and gather together with family and friends,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst. The best cities for the holiday help you make the most of your day, with affordable food options, good weather, fun recreation choices and long, spectacular fireworks shows.”
Top 10 cities for July Fourth celebrations
- Las Vegas
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Minneapolis
- St. Paul
- Seattle
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Orlando
- Sacramento
Bottom 10 cities for July Fourth celebrations
- Hialeah, Fla.
- Birmingham
- Corpus Christi, Texas
- Garland, Texas
- Baton Rouge
- Jersey City
- Cleveland
- Laredo, Texas
- Aurora, Colo.
- Newark
Planning ahead is the single most important way to cut travel costs for the Fourth of July weekend, said Christian E. Hardigree, regional chancellor at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and professor of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at USF. “Booking flights, hotels or vacation rentals early can help reduce the inevitable price surge.
You can also continue checking websites for last-minute deals, Hardigree said. For those Costco and Sam’s Club fans, their travel programs offer significant discounts for members. She also said consider traveling on off-peak days, such as leaving Thursday and returning Saturday, which is likely to be cheaper than staying during the traditional Friday through Sunday window.
“Finding accommodations with kitchens can help you save by cooking a few meals instead of eating out,” Hardigree said. “Perhaps reach out to your social network to see if there are friends you can visit, eliminating the expense of lodging and providing kitchen access.”
She also suggested if you’re driving, apps such as GasBuddy, Waze, or Gas Guru can identify cheaper gas options or help calculate gas expenses.
Finally, Hardigree recommends checking out local parks and community events for free fireworks displays.
