Where to Watch the 4th of July Fireworks in Washington, DC in 2023

Planning to watch the 4th of July fireworks in Washington, DC, this year? It doesn’t get much more patriotic than being in the nation’s capital to see red, white, and blue lights bursting in the sky over the monuments. It's always worthwhile to queue up with the crowds and watch pyrotechnic displays from the National Mall or from the Capitol’s West Lawn, but if you have access to a rooftop, you’ll get a panoramic view of the city’s distinctive skyline and the Washington, DC, fireworks launching from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Read below to find hotels and restaurants in DC that are hosting fantastic 4th of July fireworks viewing parties, complete with craft cocktails and all-American snacks—from the usual hot dogs and sliders to even crab feasts.

The rooftop bar at the Rosewood Washington, DC, will have a picturesque view of the fireworks.

If you’re looking to spread out a blanket and gaze up at the sky, try to snag a spot in Georgetown Waterfront Park. But for a higher-up vista (and bubbly drinks), Georgetown hotels are throwing 4th of July parties on their rooftops. Top of the Gate offers a 360-degree view of the Washington Monument and Potomac River from atop The Watergate Hotel, and there will be an open bar along with a Champagne toast and a buffet in honor of the holiday. The 4th of July party starts at 6 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m., with tickets ranging from $150 to $595 per person (special Fourth of July hotel room offers are available).

At CUT Above—the rooftop bar by celeb chef Wolfgang Puck at the Rosewood Washington, D.C.—you’ll be able to dine on a three-course meal in addition to enjoying a picturesque view of the fireworks. Your 4th of July dinner will include jumbo lump blue crab salad with grapefruit, avocado, basil, and pink peppercorn; a bone-in ribeye served with Argentinian chimichurri; and strawberry-watermelon popsicles for dessert. The evening starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. and costs $325 per ticket, which includes a half-bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve to drink.

Hotel Washington’s VUE Rooftop is throwing a party on July 4th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Hotel Washington’s VUE Rooftop is just half a mile from the White House, which means this is one of the most unique vantage points for sight-seeing in town. The hotel is throwing a “Red, White and VUE” party for the 4th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with an open bar and entertainment from a DJ and a cover band. The buffet is a riff on a cookout, with choices like smoked brisket, mac and cheese, and a slider bar. General admission tickets, which do not include the open bar and buffet, are $75; while all-inclusive VIP tickets are $200.

The sleek and ultra-modern Conrad Washington, D.C. is hosting an exclusive fireworks party just for hotel guests at Summit, its 11th-floor rooftop bar, with sweeping views of the downtown skyline and the US Capitol Building. Make a reservation at the hotel for the evening and call to reserve your spot on the rooftop, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The food menu includes pulled pork barbecue sandwiches, lobster rolls, a crab feast, and a play on a root beer float that features caramelized vanilla puff pastry and root beer mousse.

If you book a room at The Jefferson during the holiday, this historic downtown hotel is partnering with boat company Embark DC to allow guests to seamlessly hire a private boat tour and watch the fireworks from the Potomac River, starting at $900 for an unforgettable 4th of July.

L’Ardente, a glam Italian spot downtown, is throwing for the 4th of July a three-course, seafood-focused dinner party, serving dishes like cauliflower panna cotta with Alaskan king crab. The festivities then move upstairs to the restaurant’s glass-enclosed, air-conditioned rooftop conservatory on the 13th floor for fireworks viewing. There, partake in wine, bubbles, and an array of bite-size desserts (including mini cannoli that look like ice cream cones). You can buy a ticket for dinner and the rooftop viewing party for $225, or just the fireworks viewing party for $100, and the entire event runs from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The artsy Eaton Hotel on K Street often hosts live music at its rooftop bar dubbed Wild Days, and this holiday is no exception. You’ll be able to have a view of the 4th of July fireworks in Washington, DC, while listening to Wild Days’s monthly vocal and instrumental improvisation show, Creator’s Jam. This will be a non-ticketed event, and admission to Wild Days will be available on a first come, first-serve basis. Also on K Street is Lucha Rosa, the new petal-pink-accented rooftop bar atop the Moxy Hotel that will be in full swing on the 4th of July. Order shrimp ceviche, chips and guacamole, tortas, and tacos while you’re enjoying the view.

A 4th of July fireworks display, as seen from The Wharf, a new development in Washington, D.C.

This new development in DC is always a tourist magnet, and the mile-long waterfront neighborhood along the Potomac River will draw even bigger crowds for the 4th. To watch the fireworks, you can snag a spot along the water, or secure tickets for The Wharf’s own viewing party at the Dockmaster Building at the tip of District Pier. Each $60 ticket includes two drink tickets, and there will be access to a cash bar, light fare like mini hot-dogs and sliders, games, raffles, and a photo station.

Like its sister property in Baltimore, the Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf is perched on the water. This newly-opened hotel is taking advantage of the incredible riverfront views seen from its rooftop restaurant Moonraker, and throwing a DJ-ed Fourth of July party dubbed “Red, White & With A View.” Moonraker’s Japanese-inspired menu will merge with classic Americana fare for the evening, with dishes like wagyu cheeseburger sliders, Japanese potato salad, karaage chicken wings, and a pie bar for dessert. The party runs from 6 to 10 p.m. and costs $200 per person; the event is for adults age 21 and over.

Salamander Washington DC, which debuted in 2022 in the former home of the Mandarin Oriental’s DC property, is right near The Wharf development. It’s the closest hotel in the city to the National Mall and the Tidal Basin, just a four-minute walk away. The Salamander is throwing a July Fourth backyard barbecue in its beautiful garden patio, with family activities, grilling demonstrations on the Big Egg Grill, and performances of the national anthem and American folk songs by the 21st Grey Coat Battalion Fife and Drum Corp. The party begins at 5 p.m. and costs $175 for those partaking in the open bar, $135 for those who opt for non-alcoholic beverages, and $65 for children ages four to 10. After the festivities end at 8 p.m., head to the Mall for fireworks—or view them from the pedestrian bridge right near the hotel and the Tidal Basin.

The faux grass-covered Hi-Lawn on the roof of Union Market

The view of the Capitol is crystal clear from the rooftop of new NoMa hotel The Morrow, so it makes sense that this would be the place for a 4th of July party with DJs, Stars n’ Stripes margaritas, and s’mores with red, white, and blue marshmallows. Party packages range from $35 to $1000 for seating for up to 10 around a firepit; call for bookings at The Upstairs. Le Clou, the hotel’s French brasserie by chef Nicholas Stefanelli, is also hosting a 4th of July barbecue buffet starting at $75 per person or $39 for children under 12, which includes general entry to the fireworks viewing party on the rooftop. Hotel packages with entry to the party are also available.

Union Market’s rooftop is a favorite picnic spot, thanks to its faux grass-covered outdoor oasis called Hi-Lawn. The massive rooftop is planning five days of free-to-attend festivities around the 4th of July weekend, culminating in cornhole, sack race, and tug-of-war competitions during the day on the actual holiday before you watch the fireworks display from the rooftop in the evening. The menu includes adult juice boxes, boozy ice pops, Tajin-and-lime watermelon salad, and hot dogs cooked on a rooftop grill, including a half smoke-style “DC Dog.”

About the author: Adele Chapin is a Washington, DC-based writer who regularly covers the cities best offerings, from restaurants to museums. She has also contributed to the Condé Nast Traveler's Washington DC city guide.