A New Ranking Names the Best U.S. Cities for the Fourth of July — and Some Classics Miss the Top 10

WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities using factors like fireworks, affordability, activities, safety, and weather.

Fourth of July always sounds like an easy holiday to plan. Fireworks, food, maybe a parade, done.

Then you start factoring in crowds, parking, hotel prices, weather, restaurant reservations, and whether the fireworks show is actually worth leaving your backyard for. That is where a new ranking from WalletHub gets interesting.

WalletHub looked at the best and worst places for Fourth of July celebrations in 2026, comparing the 100 largest U.S. cities across 18 metrics. The study considered things like fireworks, party supply stores, restaurant affordability, beer and wine prices, attractions, safety, public transportation, walkability, and the holiday weather forecast.

The timing makes sense. WalletHub also noted that the National Retail Federation expects U.S. households to spend a collective $9.4 billion on food for Fourth of July festivities this year alone. Between the burgers, drinks, fireworks, and travel, this holiday can add up fast.

Here are the 15 best U.S. cities for Fourth of July celebrations in 2026, according to WalletHub’s ranking.

15. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is at its best in summer, especially when the lakefront, patios, parks, and skyline views are all in play. It is one of those cities where a Fourth of July weekend can be as simple as walking by the water, grabbing dinner outside, and finding a good fireworks view.

The city scored especially well for attractions and activities, plus safety and accessibility. The weather ranking was much weaker…you can plan the perfect summer day on Lake Michigan and still have the forecast betray you.

14. New Orleans, Louisiana

No one needs to be convinced that New Orleans knows how to celebrate. This is a city built for food, music, late nights, and turning an ordinary weekend into something louder than expected.

Its strong celebration score helped push it into the top 15, but there are tradeoffs. New Orleans ranked much lower for safety and accessibility, and the weather ranking was not exactly flattering either. A July trip here can still be fun, but you need to be realistic about heat, humidity, crowds, and transportation.

13. Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale in July is not for the heat-averse, but the city still makes a strong case for a holiday weekend. If your ideal Fourth includes resorts, pools, restaurants, and a more polished desert getaway, the ranking starts to make more sense.

This is probably not the place to wander around aimlessly at 2 p.m. in July. But for travelers who want a pool-heavy trip with good dining and plenty of ways to keep the weekend easy, Scottsdale has a clear lane.

12. Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati is one of the more practical Midwest picks on the list. It scored especially well for attractions and activities, which gives visitors more to work with than just showing up for fireworks and heading home.

It also ranked better for affordability than many bigger-name destinations. For travelers who want a city celebration without New York or Los Angeles prices, Cincinnati is a solid option that does not feel overly complicated.

11. San Diego, California

San Diego feels like one of the safest bets for a Fourth of July weekend. You get beaches, waterfront views, restaurants, parks, and weather that is usually incredibly pleasant.

This is also one of the cities where the ranking lines up with what a traveler might actually want from the holiday. You can make it beachy, family-friendly, food-focused, or turn it into a full Southern California weekend without forcing the itinerary. There are tons of fun things to do in San Diego!

10. Sacramento, California

Sacramento may not be the first California city people picture for the Fourth, but that is part of why it stands out. It had a strong weather ranking and enough attractions to make the top 10 without leaning on the same coastal-city appeal as Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco.

It can also feel more manageable than some of California’s bigger tourist magnets. You still get city amenities, restaurants, parks, and holiday events, but without quite the same level of “why did we think driving here was a good idea?” energy.

9. Seattle, Washington

Seattle has a major advantage in July: it can actually be comfortable outside. While much of the country is dealing with heavy heat, Seattle can be a much easier place to enjoy a summer holiday when the forecast cooperates.

The city also ranked well for attractions and activities. Between the waterfront, parks, restaurants, and nearby natural scenery, Seattle works well for travelers who want the holiday to feel festive without spending the entire weekend sweating through their outfit. (It’s also a great place to start a Washington road trip.)

8. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta brings the restaurants, parks, entertainment, and one very specific Fourth of July tradition: the Peachtree Road Race. The 10K starts at Lenox Square and finishes in Piedmont Park, drawing more than 60,000 runners and walkers through the city.

That helps explain why Atlanta scored well for Fourth of July celebrations and attractions in WalletHub’s ranking. The planning side is where I would pay attention, though. Between race crowds, holiday events, heat, and traffic, this is not necessarily the easiest trip to wing. Have a plan for parking, transportation, and cooling off.

7. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is strongest as a full-weekend city, not just a fireworks stop. Visitors can easily fill a few days with neighborhoods, parks, waterfront views, museums, restaurants, and nearby day trips. (Hello, Wine Country!)

The city ranked No. 1 for attractions and activities, which helped push it high on the list. It did not rank nearly as well for affordability or Fourth of July celebrations specifically, so this may be better for travelers who want an overall city getaway rather than a cheap, fireworks-first holiday.

6. St. Paul, Minnesota

St. Paul is one of those rankings that makes more sense the longer you look at the categories. It may not have the biggest national reputation as a Fourth of July destination, but it performed well for safety/accessibility, weather, and overall balance.

That can matter a lot on a holiday weekend. The “best” city is not always the flashiest one. Sometimes it is the place where the costs are not absurd, and you are not spending half your time battling logistics.

5. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis feels like a very livable version of a Fourth of July trip. It has lakes, parks, breweries, restaurants, trails, and enough summer energy to make the holiday feel like more than a single fireworks show.

The city scored well for attractions and activities, safety/accessibility, and weather. For travelers who want a Midwest city break that can still feel active and outdoorsy, Minneapolis is one of the stronger picks in the top five.

4. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles has the kind of range that helps it score well in a study like this. Beaches, theme parks, rooftop views, restaurants, hikes, concerts, and fireworks all fit under the same very large, very traffic-filled umbrella.

Its celebration and weather scores helped it land near the top. The catch, of course, is that L.A. is still L.A. It ranked lower for affordability and safety/accessibility, so this is not the kind of trip where everything will be quick, cheap, or easy. But for sheer options, it is hard to beat.

3. Orlando, Florida

Orlando is basically built for big, family-friendly holiday weekends. Theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, resorts, and fireworks are already part of the city’s DNA, so it is not surprising that it ranked No. 1 for Fourth of July celebrations.

WalletHub also found that Orlando had the most party supply stores per capita. The weather ranking was much weaker, which is not shocking for Florida in July. If you go, plan around heat, storms, and the very real possibility that your hair will simply do whatever it wants. (Plus, Florida has a lot to do outside the theme parks!)

2. New York, New York

New York has the fireworks, the parks, the restaurants, and the public transportation advantage. It is also one of the most obvious places to spend the Fourth if you want the holiday to feel big.

WalletHub noted that New York was the third-most popular city for people traveling during the holiday. The funny part is that it ranked No. 99 for affordability. So yes, it may be one of the best places to celebrate, but it is not exactly doing your wallet any favors. This is the splurge pick, not the budget-friendly backyard barbecue alternative.

1. Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas taking the top spot is not subtle, but it is not hard to understand. This is a city that already knows how to handle a party weekend, and Fourth of July gives it one more excuse to go big.

Vegas ranked first for affordability and second for Fourth of July celebrations, which is a strong combination for travelers who want fireworks, food, pools, shows, and plenty to do. WalletHub also pointed to its entertainment options, recreational facilities, party supply stores, and affordable highly rated restaurants as reasons it came out on top.

A Fourth of July trip to Las Vegas is obviously not going to be quiet or low-key. But if you want a holiday weekend with built-in energy and no shortage of ways to celebrate, this ranking makes a lot of sense.

For more travel rankings, city guides, and brutally honest trip ideas, follow me here on Yahoo.

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