Our Favorite Last Minute Getaways for July 4th Weekend
June 28, 2022
We are less than two weeks away from the 4th of July holiday weekend, but it’s not too late to start planning and celebrate Independence Day with an all-American summer getaway.
The AAA has predicted that 47.9 million Americans will travel over the 4th of July holiday weekend with a record-breaking 42 million planning a road trip, despite gas prices surging above the $5 mark! Air travel looks a little different too, with only 7% of travelers taking to the skies this Independence Day, the lowest since 2011.
Whether you’re seeking small-town parades or big city fireworks, we know where to stay and play on Independence Day. . Our last minute 4th of July getaways will have you searching frantically for flights or picking your favorite patriotic playlist and packing up the car for an epic 4th of July road trip.
Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida is the ultimate beach vacation destination and one of America’s top spots to celebrate Independence Day! Spending the 4th of July on the Emerald Coast of Florida sets summer into full swing – miles of white sand beaches and warm emerald-green waters for sun and fun, waterfront seafood and oyster bars, and weeklong festivities to celebrate our nation’s 246th birthday.
Visitors to Destin can take their pick of Independence Day celebrations and spectacular fireworks extravaganzas all along the Emerald Coast and Scenic Highway 30A.
Celebrate the USA with live entertainment, a vintage airshow and hero salute, fire spinning shows, and festive fireworks at All American Thursday in Destin’s HarborWalk Village. Saturday evening will have the whole family dancing under the stars at the free Rock the Docks music concert, then head to Destin Commons for the annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ and Fireworks Festival on Sunday. The festivities kick off at 5pm with live music, family activities, a pop up magic show, and the best BBQ in Florida. The evening ends with an Independence Day Firework Extravaganza, rated one of the best fireworks shows on the Emerald Coast.
It’s birthday party time and you’ll find 4th of July celebrations all along the Emerald Coast. Rent a cruiser from Fun Pug Bike Rentals and deck it out to participate in the 30A small town parades, the kids will love the festivities at the Red, White and Baytowne celebration at Baytowne Wharf, or rent a pontoon and head to Crab Island for a day of play on the water. And now for the grand finale – a Destin sunset followed by explosive 4th of July firework displays along the Gulf of Mexico.
Join in the celebrations with the crowds, watch them the from the beach, or indulge a little and book a Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise on the Original Sea Blaster and watch the display of Emerald Coast fireworks from the water. Here’s when and where to find the 4th of July fireworks in Destin.
- Navarre Beach: 9 PM
- Fort Walton Beach Landing: 8:45 PM
- HarborWalk Village: 9 PM
- The Village of Baytowne Wharf: 9:15 PM
- Alys Beach: 9:00 PM
- Seaside Beach: 8:30 PM
Our Destin vacation rentals offer the perfect base to enjoy Florida’s Emerald Coast, watch the 4th of July fireworks from your private beachfront balcony, enjoy Destin’s top activities for free, and create lasting vacation memories with Xplorie.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Take a road trip through the desert (or fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ) and spend the 4th of July holiday weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale is hot in the summer months but there’s plenty opportunity for outdoor activities in the Sonoran Desert, cool indoor attractions to chill out, and 4th of July festivities for old-fashioned family fun.
Set out on a sunrise hike up Camelback Mountain, book an early tee time on Scottsdale’s favorite golf course, and stay cool tubing, kayaking, or rafting the Salt River rapids or boating on Saguaro Lake in Tonto National Forest. You’ll find playgrounds and splash pads in the local city parks or step it up a notch and spoil the family this Independence Day. Scottsdale’s top resorts have pool day passes to spend a family day in the shade of a private cabana, play in the outdoor pools and splash pads, ride the water slides, or get wet and wild at a legendary 4th of July Scottsdale pool party.
You can always beat the heat at one of Scottsdale’s cool indoor attractions. Ignite the kid’s imaginations in a Lockdown escape room, explore Scottsdale’s many museums, go shopping in Old Town Scottsdale, and experience unique interactive encounters in the cool of the OdySea Aquarium – where the desert meets ocean.
Scottsdale’s Independence Day holiday festivities kick off on Sunday with old-fashioned fun for the whole family at Scottsdale Railroad Park’s Red, White & Choo & Choo event. Festivities include train, carousel, and mechanical bull rides, bouncy houses and waterslides for the kids, pie-eating contests, a classic dunk tank, DJs and dancing, food trucks, and a fantastic fireworks display.
Scottsdale’s annual 4th of July festival is Red, White & Cool! Celebrate America’s birthday with family fun, patriotic activities, and a touch of the old wild west in the cool, airconditioned arena at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Feast on an indoor backyard BBQ, learn the chicken dance and cha cha slide, go wild with bull riding and mutton busting and end your 4th of July celebration with Scottsdale’s largest fireworks display against the McDowell Mountains.
Whether you’re planning a last-minute couples getaway or a family vacation, you can beat the desert heat and find the perfect oasis in Scottsdale with Xplorie. Our selection of Scottsdale vacation rentals range from charming condos with community pools and spas to spacious family vacation homes with private swimming pools. Enjoy great off-season savings and free admission to some of Scottsdale’s coolest attractions and activities for each and every day of your stay.
Savannah & Tybee Island, Georgia
Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and delights visitors with an abundance of southern charm, scenic riverfront parks, historic town squares, sightseeing tours, and easy access to miles of unspoiled beaches on Tybee Island to stay cool in the southern summer heat.
Free, fun, and family-friendly festivities await at Savannah Stars & Stripes in the Plant Riverside District, Savannah’s vibrant entertainment district. The four-day event is fantastic with non-stop live music along Savannah’s Riverwalk, world-class street circus performers, patriotic fountain shows, a 4th of July boat parade, and a grand finale of fireworks illuminating the Savannah skies in red, white, and blue.
Pack your chairs and picnic blankets, book a 4th of July Fireworks Cruise on a classic Savannah Riverboat, or secure a spot at one of Savannah’s waterfront restaurants or hottest rooftop bars for front row seats to Savannah’s Independence Day fireworks.
For a quieter and nostalgic 4th of July beach getaway, stay oceanfront with Tybee Time Vacation Rentals and enjoy the local Tybee Island Pier firework extravaganza from the comfort of home.
When you’re not reveling in the birthday celebrations, Savannah has an abundance of outdoor activities geared for the whole family. Surprise the kids with a unique dolphin surfing experience on Captain Derek’s Daytime Dolphin Tour (or set out on a romantic sunset cruise just for two!), explore the secret waterways and nature preserves on a kayak eco-adventure, learn to surf, or simply soak up the sun on the beaches of Tybee Island.
Find the best places to stay and play along with star-spangled savings when you plan your last-minute 4th of July holiday weekend getaway with Xplorie.
