Here are our top picks for holiday festivities in Richmond, Virginia, Houston, Texas and Raleigh, North Carolina. If you don’t live in one of these fantastic cities, contact Corporate Housing Associates today to find a great deal on a vacation apartment. We’ll help you have a July 4th vacation housing experience you won’t want to forget!

Richmond, VA
Start the holiday weekend with the Let Freedom Ring Bus Tour on Saturday, July 3 from 1:00 to 4:00pm. You’ll get a glimpse into the city’s rich history and the integral role Richmond played in the birth of America. The cost is $27, with discounts available to members of the Richmond History Center. Kids under 6 are free. Parking is free, and be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Even though it’s a bus tour, you’ll do some walking. Here’s a map to the Valentine Richmond History Center, located at 1015 E. Clay Street. Check the website for more details and reservation information.
On July 4th afternoon, the Valentine Richmond History Center is also hosting its Walking Tour: Capitol Square. Capitol Square is a must-see for your entire family. It’s home to the Executive Mansion, the State Capitol and the Civil Rights Memorial, as well as numerous other buildings and monuments significant to Virginia’s past and present. Tickets are $10, and members pay only $5. The tour starts at 2:00pm at the 9th and Grace Street gate. Check the website for more details.

What’s the Fourth without fireworks? Be sure to finish off the day with the Genworth Financial Annual Independence Day Concert. This is a free evening of fun for the whole family, culminating in a spectacular July 4th fireworks show! Show up early to enjoy the afternoon with a variety of activities for all ages. Food vendors will satisfy any craving you have for traditional summertime fare. You’ll hear a performance by the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America band at 7:30pm, followed by the fireworks. This event is sight-impaired and wheelchair accessible, and parking is free for everyone. Please leave your pets at home. The exact location is 6620 West Broad St, Richmond VA 23606.

Houston, TX
Houston’s official July 4th celebration is Freedom Over Texas. This year the event promises to be nothing less than extraordinary. Pat Green, of Little Big Town, headlines the event, and his performance will culminate in America’s largest land-based fireworks show! You’ll also hear the very best local and regional musical talent all day long, on four stages. You’ll find a Kids Zone, a Bud Light Zone, and if you’re one of the first 30,000 people to arrive, you’ll get a free American Flag. The fireworks will be simulcast on KILT 100.3 FM. The best part is that admission to this event costs just one can of food per person, to be donated to the Houston Food Bank. These are just a few details – check the website for more information about this event.
If you’re in the Woodlands area, stay right there for the Red, Hot & Blue Festival! This free festival, held at Town Green Park, features live music, strolling performers, hot dog eating contests, face painting, modestly priced concessions and so much more. Parking is free, too. Check this website for details about the Little Firecracker Essay Contest that your child can enter to win great prizes. The best place to view the fireworks is the nearby Waterway Square. Show up early and plan to have tons of fun from 6:00 to 10:00pm. The 23-minute fireworks extravaganza will be simulcast on Sunny 99.1.

The Miller Outdoor Theater is one of our very favorite places in Houston, and you won’t want to miss the Star Spangled Salute. This is a Houston Symphony event, complete with earth-shaking cannons, and topped off by an incredible fireworks show. Like all Miller performances, this one is free! You can get four free tickets on the day of the show until all the tickets have been given away. Seating on the hill is always open, no ticket required. Click the link above, or check the Miller website for more details about location, seating, concessions and more.

Raleigh, NC
Just outside of Raleigh, you can celebrate Independence Day in Apex, NC. On Saturday, July 3 from 9:00am to 1:00, Apex will offer a variety of family friendly activities… all for free! You’ll enjoy games, live music, a parade and more. Don’t miss the cake walk and giant slide, and be sure to dress appropriately…. for the Fire Department’s Splash Down! Kids who show up with a decorated bike, wagon or scooter can even participate in the parade. Check the website for more details.

Celebrate the 4th on the Capitol Grounds! This is a free family-oriented celebration that includes musical performances, food and historic demonstrations. You’ll get to see how people in North Carolina celebrated the Fourth of July in years gone by. The event is held on the grounds of the State Capitol from noon to 4:00pm. Here’s a map to get you there.

If you simply don’t want to celebrate the 4th without a huge fireworks display, head over to the July Fourth Celebration at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. The most impressive July 4th celebration around offers free parking, free admission, and free activities starting at 5:00pm. You’ll enjoy activities like hat-making, a nature program, musical performances, an obstacle course, a scavenger hunt, bingo, and more. Please leave your pets, alcohol and coolers at home. The fireworks begin at 9:15pm.

No matter where you choose to celebrate America’s birthday, please be safe! Happy 4th!