If you haven’t experienced it before, you should check out the the Washington DC fireworks! It is even great to have on while your local fireworks are going off (PBS runs it multiple times.)

Live on PBS

From the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

Sat, July 4, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET

For most of us who are not in Washington DC at the moment, we can watch the Washinton DC fireworks on PBS Television tonight: A Capitol Fourth 2015. Every year has been just AWESOME!! PBS TV runs the program live and then re-runs it again for those who missed it! Here is the link: http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/

How to Get to the Mall for Washington DC Fireworks

If you are lucky enough to be physically in the neighborhood, here is an article about the best places to see them: Top Spots to Watch DC Fireworks

Here are suggestions for how to get to the Mall: Getting to the Mall

Going by car is not suggested. Use public transportation, i.e. take the Metro! Stations nearby include Smithsonian, Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Judiciary Square, Federal Triangle and L’Enfant Plaza. The Smithsonian Metro station will be open all day! It typically takes 1 ½ to 2 hours to clear the Mall after the fireworks.

If you must drive, here are parking garages near the Mall – but I’m not sure all of them will be available especially with the heightened security.

On the 4th of July all visitors must go through security checkpoints to enter the National Mall and areas along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Coolers, backpacks, packages and persons will be subject to inspection. Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages and the use of personal fireworks are prohibited.

*******

Here is an explanation of how fireworks work

*******

Check out ideas and activities to do with kids on http://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com  by the author of the award-winning children’s book “Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!”