DC for the 4th of July?

[Jolt]

Can't really help you with any of the details as I have never been there, but I would tend to agree with the person who said it sounds like a hassle in these post 9/11 days. The kayak idea might be good...then you'd be away from the crowds. I've done the 4th in Boston a couple of times (a friend wanted to go and talked me into it) and because I was familiar with the area and ready to move fast at the end of the fireworks, was able to strategize how to avoid the worst of the mob scene. However, I don't think I would go to an event like that in an area I was not familiar with--too stressful to be stuck in a crowd and not know where to go. If you'll be with anyone who knows the area they might be able to help you avoid that scenario. Otherwise, I second the recommendation to watch it on TV!

[Cataboo]

Despite having lived close to it all my life, I've never actually done the 4th of july in DC. I've only seen the cherry blossoms twice - this year by kayak and that's the way to do it. Crowds irritate me.

I have done a couple events in DC in the last year - the rally to restore sanity & the white house easter egg roll... And yes, you need a lot of patience with the added security and just the difficulty getting into the city - but it's not all that bad. Just make a day of it and get there early. But at the end of it all - You are on the national mall by the monuments watching fireworks... When else will you have the chance? I still get a thrill anytime I drive/bike/kayak around DC and see the monuments and that's despite having seen them most of my life.

If your friends that you are staying with have no desire to go into DC, but are willing to chaffuer you - that might be a good option. They can just drop you in as close as they can, and you can walk from there to get a good spot. I know with the rally to restore sanity, the metro system was overwhelmed... People were getting on to go outbound from the inner stations and then riding the metro in when it turned around - so trains were arriving at the inner stations full... Lines were horrendous to get on the trains. So leave early.

There are a few towns around DC that also have nice 4th of July celebrations - so if you want to considerate that, Frederick does a nice one:
http://www.celebratefrederick.com/Ev....aspx?page=200