The Best High-Rises For Watching Fireworks

Millions of Americans love watching fireworks on the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. In fact, people like them so much that they pile in the car, sit in traffic for hours to get a good spot, and then deal with traffic again to get back home a few hours later. What if, instead, you could just step out onto your terrace for one of the best views in your city? Then, when it's over and everyone else has to schlep back to their car, you just step inside for another glass of wine.

If that sounds like a good way to enjoy the show, then take a look at this list of the best high rises for watching fireworks in the United States. If you like to entertain on holidays, one of these condos might be just what you need. Or find the next best thing — a friend who lives in one!

Boston

The Esplanade is one of the best high rises for watching Boston's fireworks. The building provides unobstructed views of the Charles River, which is where the fireworks are launched. It's also close enough to hear the concerts at the historic Hatch Shell which often feature conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra.

Las Vegas

If you have an unobstructed view of the Las Vegas Strip, you're going to see a great fireworks show. That’s exactly what you’ll get at the MGM Grand Signature. All of the Signature’s units that end in an odd number face the Strip and the higher the floor, the better. Plus, all of its one-bedroom units have balconies. There’s also the Panorama Towers, which have 180-degree views of the Strip from all odd-numbered units. All units at The Martin units that end in -09 or -10 have the best views. Veer Towers puts you in the center of the action with a rooftop pool deck in the heart of the Strip. Palms Place is off the strip, but the even-numbered units on high floors give you a view of the entire skyline.

Houston

Residents of the historic Bayou Lofts in Downtown Houston gather on the rooftop terrace to watch fireworks ignite the sky at the nearby Eleanor Tinsley Park’s Freedom Over Texas event. Another benefit is that afterward you're in the hottest part of town and can walk to nearby Market Square, trendy restaurants, cocktail bars, and the easily accessible Metro-Rail. The Royalton on Allen Parkway also offers prime viewing from the balconies of its east-facing condos.

San Diego

At Pinnacle, the condos ending in -01 and -08 are on the southeast and southwest corners respectively and all have great, unobstructed views of the bay. The -02 and -05 “bubble” units of the Harbor Club face south and also offer spectacular views of the bay. They're also the closest residential buildings to the water. Finally, Park Place’s -03 and -04 units face southwest and also allow for excellent fireworks views.

Seattle

Mosler Lofts, located directly across from the Space Needle, is arguably a perfect viewing spot for seeing Seattle fireworks — it feels like you can almost reach out and touch them! The Gallery and Concord Condos in nearby Belltown are also great choices. If you want to host a viewing party then consider The Cosmopolitan, Cristalla, and Fifteen Twenty One Second because they all have amazing rooftop terraces complete with barbecues.

Tampa

To see fireworks in Tampa, head for the south side of SkyPoint — the higher the floor, the better the view. You can see fireworks from all the way down Bayshore Boulevard to Channelside. If you want to be in the heart of the action, check out the south-facing views from the Towers at Channelside where the firework debris nearly lands on your deck!

San Jose

The city’s fireworks take place at Discovery Meadow in downtown San Jose, which means that The 88, which has a west-facing observation deck on the 21st floor, is an excellent choice for seeing the show. There is also a rental high rise, 360 Residences, that has some great west-facing views that also overlook Discovery Meadow.

Orlando

This town is no stranger to fireworks with nightly shows at the city’s many theme parks. But when the Fourth of July hits, they really put on a show. Vue at Lake Eola gets its name from nearby Lake Eola Park which attracts 150,000 people to its annual Fireworks at the Fountain event. Residents of The Vue’s east-facing condos can relax on their balcony and enjoy the fireworks. For those with west-facing units, you can simply head to the amenities deck on the 7th floor and enjoy the festivities from there. In fact, The Vue is such a popular destination for watching the fireworks display that the building has to give everyone, including residents, wristbands. There is a limit of three guests per condo. Beyond that, guests are charged $15 each.

San Antonio

Wait, San Antonio on a list of high-rises? You better believe it. America's seventh-largest city is quickly embracing the high-rise lifestyle. When the Fourth of July rolls around, The Broadway is where you want to be. With views overlooking the San Antonio Country Club and Fort Sam Houston, you’ll see arguably the best and most extravagant firework shows in San Antonio. Another great choice is The Alteza where south-facing units and anyone on the pool deck will get a great show of fireworks surrounding the iconic Tower of the Americas.

Southeast Florida

There is one building in Bonita Springs that gives residents great views of all three of the area's biggest fireworks shows and it's La Scala at Vanderbilt. To the east, you can see the Miromar Outlets’ Independence Day Celebration that takes place over the lake next to Germain Arena. To the west, you can look out over the bay to Fort Myers Beach and watch the fireworks show at the fishing pier. To the north, you can see the famous Red, White, and Boom show on the Cape Coral Bridge.

Austin

Fireworks on the Fourth of July are an Austin tradition and an event you won't want to miss! Not only are the city’s fireworks spectacular, but they’re accompanied by music from the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The event is held at Auditorium Shores on the south side of Lady Bird Lake. If you're lucky enough to live at the Spring condominiums, you'll have a bird’s-eye view of the whole celebration. Several other buildings on the southern edge of downtown also provide incredible views, such as the W Hotel Residences and the Club on the 55th floor of The Austonian.

Whether you attend the fireworks in person or from your high-rise terrace, we wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July!