Hey, DCist, I like fireworks and celebrating the birth of our country. Where should I go, what should I do, help a sister out.
-DCist reader Sarah

The best (and entirely serious) tip we have for you is of course to avoid the National Mall like it’s going to give you cancer. It’s a sea of tourists and transit trauma every year down there, but this year it’s shaping up to be even worse, with extra security measures in place thanks to the recent attempted terror attacks in Great Britain. Parking will be banned near the Mall on Wednesday and many streets will be closed as early as 6 a.m. Larger than usual police presence and security checkpoints will be in place, and the Smithsonian Metro station will be closed all day. You could use the Archives-Navy Memorial stop, or you could stop the insanity and head to one of these excellent, alternate fireworks viewing locations.

Remember, the fireworks themselves begin around 9:20 p.m. above the grounds of the Washington Monument. If none of the locations we suggest below appeal to you, search high and low for a friend with a deck or roof access with views of the Monument, and you’ll probably be sitting just as pretty. And if you’re missing the traditional A Capitol Fourth concert from the National Symphony Orchestra, just tune in to 90.9 WETA FM for the simulcast.

Read on for our recommendations of where to watch the ‘works, and click here for a handy map of the locations. And of course, be sure to add your favorite places to view the fireworks in the comments.

Photo by ohad*.