All The Ooohs & Ahhs According to Nycci Nellis: Your Ultimate July 4th Guide

This is not just any Fourth of July. This is America's 250th birthday and this July 4th belongs to everyone here in Washington DC. I have been going through every option so you do not have to,  and let me tell you, this year the DMV is bringing it. Whether you want a rooftop cocktail with fireworks reflected on the Potomac, a Michelin-starred dinner, a New England lobster roll, or a spa day far away from the crowds, I have you covered.

Here is everything you need, organized, opinionated, and very much according to me.

WHERE TO WATCH

La Vie — Diamonds in the Sky This is my pick for the most spectacular fireworks view in the city. La Vie's open-air rooftop at The Wharf sits high above the Potomac and on July 4th that means fireworks reflected on the river with a craft cocktail in your hand and the whole city sparkling below you. DJ sets, full bar, festive atmosphere. Tickets available here. La Vie, 88 District Square SW, 5th Floor. lavie-dc.com

Azure DC — Hi Lawn Rooftop at Union Market DC's premier rooftop house-music day party is going all out for the Fourth. From 2:00 to 11:00 p.m., Hi Lawn at Union Market fills with world-class house music DJs, fireworks lighting up the skyline, food vendors, and craft cocktails. Tickets are just $20. Get them here.

The Key Arlington — The View, 36th Floor Skip the crowd on the Mall and head 36 floors up. Hilton Arlington Rosslyn's The Key is hosting an America 250 celebration at The View with floor-to-ceiling windows, panoramic fireworks views, live music, an open bar, and chef-curated hors d'oeuvres. This is 21 and older, tickets are limited, and they have an overnight "Key to America 250" package with breakfast at Locket and complimentary parking. Book here.

Willard InterContinental — Ardbeg BBQ Block Party This is a DC institution and this year it is on a whole new level for America's 250th. From noon to midnight, the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street becomes a full-on block party with a custom-built Ardbeg smoker, live barbecue, all-American classics, seasonal cocktails, and DJ Greg keeping the music going all day. Admission is free. Want to upgrade? The ticketed America 250 Courtyard Celebration runs 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. with seafood towers, a sushi bar, caviar service, and pours of the hotel's special Woodinville Willard InterContinental 250th Anniversary Bourbon. Steps from the National Mall. washington.intercontinental.com

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

Jônt — Gastronomy of America. Chef Ryan Ratino and his two Michelin-starred Jônt are doing something really special for the Fourth. One night, two seatings (4 and 6 p.m.), five courses celebrating the ingredients, producers, and traditions shaping American cuisine, $375 per person. The wine pairings are extraordinary: "The Stripes" at $450 features terroir-driven wines from Oregon, Virginia, New Mexico, and the Finger Lakes. "The Stars" at $950 goes deep with California cult producers and rare benchmark selections from across the country. This one will sell out. Reservations here.

The Dabney — Open at 3PM for July 4th. Chef Jeremiah Langhorne is lighting the hearth early, dinner service begins at 3 p.m. on July 4th. Michelin-starred Mid-Atlantic cuisine celebrating local farmers, fishermen, and purveyors from the region. À la carte or prix fixe menus. Reservations on Resy.

Fiola — Liberty & Limoncello From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Fiola is hosting an elevated Italian picnic cocktail experience, think aperitivo bites, seasonal food stations, chilled seafood, summer sweets, Limoncello Spritz, specialty cocktails, and optional rosé and spirit flights. A short walk from the National Mall. Perfect pre-fireworks. fiolaDC.com

Fairmont DC — Red, White & BBQ. Ffrom 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Fairmont's festive courtyard. Executive Pastry Chef Lyndsey Barton is handling the patriotic desserts. The menu includes Roseda Farm Black Angus sliders, half-smokes, New Orleanian gumbo, rockfish with mango salsa, and deviled eggs. $50 per adult, $30 for children 12 and under. fairmont.com

Fish Shop — Crab Pickin' Party Skip the crowded Mall and celebrate the season like a local. Fish Shop's waterfront patio is kicking off its monthly crab feast series right on July 4th. Each $90 ticket includes a half-dozen steamed crabs, crab hush puppies, corn bread, kohlrabi coleslaw, and salad. Tickets here. Fish Shop, 610 Water Street SW.

The Roost Food Hall — New England Fest (July 3rd) Get your weekend started right. The Roost is hosting a one-night-only New England Fest from 5:00 p.m. until close — butter-poached lobster rolls, maple-glazed Sap Dogs, crispy cod fritters, smoked bluefish dip, clam pie with fresh clams and mozzarella, warm apple cider donuts. The Maine Event cocktail (apple brandy, maple, cranberry, Maine blueberry sparkling wine) and a Lobster Bloody Mary made with lobster butter-washed vodka. Nine regional craft beers from Allagash, Trillium, Narragansett, and more. Come hungry.

2fifty BBQ x Denizens Brewing Co. — All American 250 Lager RAMMYS Restaurateur of the Year Fernando González's 2fifty BBQ has teamed up with Denizens Brewing Co. on a limited-edition All American 250 Lager, this is a celebration of immigrants and the American Dream. Crisp, light, built to sit alongside brisket, ribs, and sausage. Available now at Denizens and both 2fifty BBQ locations.

Love, Makoto / Dear Sushi — Sushi-Making Class The 2 p.m. session on July 4th still has tickets. Gather in the private dining room for a hands-on lesson in maki and hand rolls. $66 includes a welcome drink, a sushi lunch you make yourself, and supplies to take home. Book via Resy.

GET OUT OF TOWN

Wildset Hotel + Ruse — St. Michaels, on the Chesapeake knows exactly how to do the Fourth of July. Lawn chairs on the harbor, live bands, fireworks over the Miles River, a Saturday farmers market, sailing charters with front-row fireworks views, and the Children's Parade around St. Mary's Square on the morning of the Fourth. Stay at The Wildset and have dinner at Ruse. This is the move if you want out of the city without sacrificing the holiday.

The Inn at Little Washington — A Private Celebration If you are going to go, go all the way. July 3rd brings an all-American concert, a private poolside cocktail reception, and dinner with live music and classic American picnic fare. July 4th brings horse-drawn carriage rides through town, a festive reception in the historic colonial ballroom, dinner in the Michelin-starred dining room, and a private fireworks display over the property's new lake. Reserved for overnight guests only. theinnatlittlewashington.com

Gaylord National Resort — The "1776" Experience Two nights in an Executive Suite, champagne and macarons on arrival, nightly resort credits, American whiskey tastings, valet parking, and VIP-style service throughout. A genuinely luxurious way to spend America's 250th.

OTHER THINGS TO DO

National Building Museum — "The Playground" New York design team Snarkitecture has installed an immersive play space made from plywood and scaffolding where kids (and let's be honest, adults too) can climb, dig, and move. Open through August 30th. $19 for adults, $16 for ages 1 to 17, free for infants. Penn Quarter.

Museum of Illusions DC — New America 250 Installation Opening July 4th, internationally recognized artist Marwan Chamaa has created an immersive new installation exclusively for the museum, curated by DC-based artist and creative leader Lina Alattar. Large-scale murals, suspended elements, an Infinity Room flag installation, and museum-wide artistic experiences exploring freedom, unity, identity, and the American story. moiwashington.com

Balian Springs — Spa Day Hate the crowds? Same. Balian Springs just renovated its rooftop infinity pool and it is the perfect place to spend July 4th. Cold plunges, infrared sauna, red light therapy, heated saunas. $165 per person. Treat yourself, America would want it that way. baliansprings.com

GIVE BACK

Medium Rare x Feed the Fridge — Feed 250 Military Families This one matters. Cleveland Park's Medium Rare has partnered with Feed the Fridge founder Mark Bucher to feed at least 250 food-insecure veteran and military families across the greater DC area through July 4th. $10 feeds one veteran or military member. $40 feeds an entire family. One hundred percent of donations go directly into restaurant-prepared meals. Donate via GoFundMe. Do it.

Happy 250th, America. Now go eat something delicious and watch some fireworks. — Nycci