Posted by: Richie Bernardo

There’s nothing more American than going all out on Fourth of July. We grill, we drink and we blow stuff up — all in the name of freedom. But freedom is not free. Everything from hotdogs to travel to hospital bills following fireworks accidents costs major scratch. In fact, the National Retail Federation projects that American households this year will spend a collective $7.15 billion — up from $6.8 billion in 2016 — on Fourth of July food alone.

So in order to help Americans find the best and cheapest places to celebrate this star-spangled occasion, WalletHub’s data team compared the 100 largest U.S. cities based on how well they balance holiday cost and fun. Our data set of 18 key metrics ranges from average beer and wine prices to duration of fireworks shows to Fourth of July weather forecast. Read on for the complete ranking, followed by expert money-saving tips and our full methodology.

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts
3. Methodology

Main Findings Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/4651/geochart-july4.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2u6OPZM;

 

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	“Entertainment & Food” Rank	“Attractions & Activities” Rank	“Fourth of July Weather Forecast” Rank
99	North Las Vegas, NV	36.05	86	100	28
100	Laredo, TX	35.58	74	98	86

Ask the Experts

As Americans, we value our freedom a lot, judging by the amount of money we spend on Fourth of July festivities. But there are ways to strut your patriotic stuff — and have a great time doing it — without breaking the bank. For money-saving advice, we asked a panel of experts for their thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What money-saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for the Fourth of July?
2. Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday this year. How does holiday timing affect people’s spending and travel plans?
3. Should cities invest in a large fireworks display and/or parade in order to attract tourists and generate new economic activity? Is there a good return on investment?
4. When evaluating the best cities for Fourth of July celebrations, what are the top five indicators?

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• Tarik Dogru Assistant Professor of Hospitality Finance and Accounting at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration
• Jack Falvey Lecturer in Marketing at University of Massachusetts Boston and Founder of MakingTheNumbers.Com
• Sue M. Tinnish Dean and Professor of Hospitality Management at Kendall College
• Jian Ni Assistant Professor of Economics at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
• Bob Ambrose Instructor in Gaming & Hospitality at Drexel University
• Brendan Cronin Operations Manager and Assistant Professor in the School of Hospitality Management at Endicott College
• Mario Gonzalez-Fuentes Assistant Professor of Marketing at Trinity University
• Emily N. Garbinsky Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Mendoza College of Business at University of Notre Dame
• Lan Jiang Assistant Professor of Resort & Hospitality Management in the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University

Tarik Dogru Assistant Professor of Hospitality Finance and Accounting at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration What money saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for the 4th of July? Stay local. Almost every city in the US organizes, from very moderate to extravagant, a range of free events to celebrate the 4th of July. These events include concerts, parades, and, most importantly, firework displays. People should take advantage of these free events in their cities that otherwise they would have to pay for it. Public transportation is more reliable on days such this one. You will not only have a stress-free transportation but also you will save bunch of money on parking. Many restaurants and coffee shops have 4th of July deals that offer some freebies or discounts. A five-minute search on the web, if you have not already received email or mail offers, would save you couple of bucks. Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year. How does holiday timing affect people’s spending and travel plans? On average, people spend less on Mondays and Tuesdays and more on Fridays and weekends. 4th of July falling on a Monday will definitely affect people's spending because the weekend is now 3 days, which simply means more vacation days and more spending. In terms of travel, people are reluctant to travel long hours (even 4-6 hours) for one night, but more likely to travel long hours when the number of nights spent in a destination is more. This is because of the fact that people don't want to spend the half of their vacation on the road or spend a lot of money on airplane tickets for a short-stay trip. While some people will be traveling to a city famous for its 4th of July celebrations like New York City, Boston, or Washington, D.C. instead of celebrating the 4th of July home, some people will take advantage of one extra day and travel to a destination they want to visit. Regardless of the purpose, people will spend more money simply by staying in hotel or AirBnB one extra day, eating at restaurants, visiting attractions, and so forth. Should cities invest in a large fireworks display and/or parade in order to attract tourists and generate new economic activity? Is there a good ROI? I think large firework displays offer advantages to the local economy, even though these events may not attract significant amount of tourists (and I define tourist as a person traveling 50 miles distance from home). Nonetheless, local people's spending during these events can generate substantial economic benefits for local businesses, which will have direct and indirect economic impacts to overall local economy. While the question of whether there is a good ROI requires further investigation, I believe most cities have corporate sponsorships for firework displays. Otherwise, I don't think they can afford it, especially in cities like Boston, Vegas, and New York. Jack Falvey Lecturer in Marketing at University of Massachusetts Boston and Founder of MakingTheNumbers.Com What money saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for the 4th of July? The best and most cost effective city to celebrate the 4th is your own. There is always something. Fireworks down the street beats fireworks over some harbor or corn field or lake somewhere. Sometimes the neighbors will fire them over your house. Try to count that as a blessing. Watching their money go up in smoke can’t be all that bad. Getting very close, within reason, amplifies the effect of even the smallest show. The best city in America to do the 4th is Boston. The 1812 overture, live with real 105mm cannon salutes fired by Army gun crews is hard to beat. Park in the burbs and take the train. A Charlie card gets you onto to the MBTA and unlike the Charlie in the song, you can get off right in the middle of the action along with 500,000 other friendly people. It is a happening. One trick of the tourist trade is to book a hotel room within sight of the Charles River Basin and turn up the TV for the music and watch as professionals attempt to detonate three barges of the most expensive explosives this side of an Army proving ground. The occupancy rates are often very low over the 4th! You can deal! The music of the 4th transmits on TV far better than the visuals. Surround sound will put you in the middle of a feel good patriotic extravaganza. Transportation and rooming costs are already covered. You just have to go upstairs to bed when it’s over or you have reach saturation, which usually comes first except for those dressed in flags and face paint. Sue M. Tinnish Dean and Professor of Hospitality Management at Kendall College The Fourth of July represents a time for the American people to celebrate our values of equality, liberty and independence. We also celebrate our country’s birthday. Anniversaries, like the celebration of the USA’s birth, represent a rich and dynamic way to celebrate and reconnect with people. What money saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for the 4th of July?

1. Enjoy the local festivities; take advantage of local festivals, parades and festivities.
2. Have a party or BBQ at home and don’t overdo the food or décor. Focus on connecting with family and friends.

Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year. How does holiday timing affect people’s spending and travel plans? When the 4th falls on a Monday, people are more inclined to travel farther and make weekend trips. Activities and events (BBQs, parties) also get spread over the weekend. Next year, in 2017, we will have another long 4th of July weekend as the holiday falls on a Monday. In 2018, the holiday is mid-week; we will all enjoy a Wednesday off in 2018. Should cities invest in a large fireworks display and/or parade in order to attract tourists and generate new economic activity? Is there a good ROI? The Fourth of July, unlike many festivals or community event, is fairly contained, typically running only one day. As such, the positive effects of the event are smaller but also the negative impacts are minimized. Festivals and events, including Fourth of July parades and fireworks, generally contribute to a local community in various ways, including:

• Enhance the community’s image;
• Build community pride;
• Help create/preserve the local culture;
• Help create cohesion in the community as people have an opportunity to connect with other local families.

In addition, Fourth of July parades and fireworks:

• Provide recreational opportunities;
• Promote organizations and businesses, often through sponsorship or participation;
• Offer family-based activities;
• Enhance community image to outsiders.

Primarily because of the size, scale and duration of events, it is unlikely that the Fourth of July offers economic ROI in terms of:

• Increase employment opportunities;
• Increase standard of living;
• Encourage locals to develop new facilities.

These events are typically not significant to result in economic benefits. However, likewise, Fourth of July events do not necessarily contribute to significant negative impacts, including:

• Air Quality - pyrotechnic products (like fireworks) can affect ozone and carbon monoxide levels. In 2015, Chinese authorities urged citizens to light fewer fireworks in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Dozens of cities in China banned fireworks, while others have reduced the number of fireworks vendors allowed to operate. Another consideration is the amount of contaminated debris falling on the ground surface.
• Water Resources – fortunately, fireworks do not contain large amounts of contaminated debris falling on the ground surface which could subsequently enter the groundwater or a surface water potentially resulting in impacts to water resources.
• Hazardous Materials and Waste – fireworks or a parade do not generate large amounts of hazardous materials or waste. Large-scale festivals do generate significant waste.
• Infrastructure and Utilities - No significant or adverse impacts to infrastructure or utilities are typically anticipated (like major parking problems, traffic issues, built facilities or added stress to utilities).
• Safety – typically, a fireworks celebration or parade requires local police resources to ensure safety. Another safety issues is the personnel required to launch the fireworks.

The bottom line: Small communities should not host fireworks displays or parades if only seeking economic goals. If the community can afford a fireworks celebration which generates softer returns like community cohesion, then the event is worth pursuing. Larger cities can perform a competitive analysis to determine their competition offering a show in the free space of the sky. If other communities in the larger urban area are not offering a fireworks display, then this alters the economic conditions and may generate economic returns to justify the activity. Jian Ni Assistant Professor of Economics at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School What money saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for the 4th of July? Planning ahead: booking hotels, buying air tickets, etc. It always helps reduce cost by planning. Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year. How does holiday timing affect people’s spending and travel plans? Mondays and Fridays are usually good for people because they can combine the holiday with the weekends to travel or do something which may not be so convenient if the break is not long enough, especially compared to the times when it falls in the middle of the week. This allows some efficient planning. Should cities invest in a large fireworks display and/or parade in order to attract tourists and generate new economic activity? Is there a good ROI? It depends. If the city is not attractive enough to start with, people won’t come for the fireworks or parade. However, if the city is a tourist destination or has the potential to be one (i.e., Baltimore Inner Harbor), then such investment might be helpful, which is considered a good ROI, if planned well. Bob Ambrose Instructor in Gaming & Hospitality at Drexel University What money saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for the 4th of July? I think the question is part of the answer. “Plan!” Whether it’s a trip involving a train, plane or automobile; in today’s world of social media and apps for everything, why would you not create some groundwork for your trip? Unless you prefer the lifestyle of the independent road warrior, take advantage of technology in putting your trip together. Remember, your travel experience may be enhanced by visiting areas where the locals go rather than always seeking out just where the tourists visit. Local community events can be culturally enriching and a nice diversion from the tourist crowds. Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year. How does holiday timing affect people’s spending and travel plans? We are seeing lower gas prices this year, which equals more people on the road. The economy is manageable so there does seem to be more discretionary income. Three day weekends are always a great boost to the economy for any community. And if people choose not to travel and enjoy a local experience at home, the local community will financially benefit from the purchases made. Should cities invest in a large fireworks display and/or parade in order to attract tourists and generate new economic activity? Is there a good ROI? These events do promote a sense of community and allow for a diversified cultural celebration. And if marketed well, can boost an area economy. Holiday fireworks and related celebration are an expense for any city. Not to include the accompanying public safety measures, the supplemental entertainment as well as the clean-up afterwards. In recent years, we have seen corporate sponsorships absorb some of the community cost; which is good corporate business. If a community has a lack of funds, I guess the question is “would people accept buying a ticket to an event that has been free for years if sponsorship is not available?” There are options and ultimately, the community itself has to customize a model that works for them. It takes creativity and planning and all segments of the community involved in the planning. Brendan Cronin Operations Manager and Assistant Professor in the School of Hospitality Management at Endicott College What money saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for the 4th of July? Hospitality and Tourism is one of the few industries which benefits financially from travelers of all age groups – whether in food and beverage, lodging, transportation, or recreation. With a little advance planning and establishing a budget, travelers can save money, and still have an exciting vacation if they do a little homework. The following points – while fundamental – can be incorporated in planning a vacation resulting in substantial savings. It is often the small expenses (coffee break – or breakfast out – every day for the entire family) which add up. For families with children, involve the children early in the travel planning – let them choose exciting projects and destinations to research and then they become the family guide for that day/destination/excursion. Getting children involved in the vacation process and giving them ownership of certain situations helps to avoid boredom while giving them a sense of importance. Happy children equals happy parents. Build the excitement well in advance by asking them to save their pocket money and make a budget – which helps them be on board with money-based decisions during vacation. Establishing a daily budget in advance is also a neat way for parents to prepare for discretionary spending during vacation. Traveling by car? Make room for a cooler, involve the children in filling it with exciting snacks, interesting lunch combinations, and creative drink flavors. This avoids pulling over for expensive fast food. Invest in a portable water filter to save on expensive bottled water. Pay less for gas by paying cash for each fill up – or use a credit card offering benefits. Have the vehicle completely serviced prior to traveling to avoid any surprises. Use an AAA or AARP subscription to avail of many discounts. For longer road trips, include toll costs in the budget. Traveling by air? Fly mid-week if possible for lower fares and purchase tickets well in advance. This is the time to use points. Pack one suitcase for children and save on the cost of one (possibly more) checked bag. Before leaving for the airport, save dollars by packing a meal (and snacks) for the plane ride. Ask a family member, or a friend, for a ride to the airport to save on a taxi fare, or take an Uber. Many hotels offer rollout beds in the parent’s room for a nominal fee which is lower than the cost of a second room. Consider using Airbnb lodging for more savings. Save on dining out costs by visiting one of the many supermarkets offering prepared and partially prepared meals. They provide a large selection of restaurant style dishes for a fraction of the price. Desserts can be the children’s favorite ice cream, or a traditional apple pie – then spread a blanket in a local park (or a spot overlooking a river or lake) and have a family evening meal while giving the children some adventure and a choice in food selection and eating location. Research for free outdoor concerts that are offered in the area – to provide an evening entertainment (supermarket dinner with a concert). Visit the local tourist office to learn about free entry to museums and other attractions. Buy coffee to brew for breakfast in the hotel room and save on expensive lattes. Consider a supermarket breakfast in the room. For evening entertainment, buy a bottle of wine, select a movie on the iPad – connect it to the flat screen TV – and have a family movie night in the hotel room or on the balcony – with creative snacks and the children’s favorite drinks. Make it more exciting (and less expensive) than going to the movies. While the above points may seem like a lot of work, they add excitement to children’s vacation and can collectively save hundreds of dollars on a vacation for a young (and not so young) family. Use some of the savings to splurge on one great night out for the entire family. Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year. How does holiday timing affect people’s spending and travel plans? This year, the fourth of July falls on a Monday and many people will take the entire week off for vacation or staycation. Historically, people spend more on a three-day weekend than a traditional weekend. The purchase of additional food, beverages, decorations and fireworks add to the cost of the Independence Day holiday. For family gatherings, plan with less food – no one will go hungry! Most people eat only one burger with some salad. For back yard barbeques, calculate 1.5 burgers per person. Avoid cooking them all at the same time, so if there are some leftovers, they can be frozen for use later – freeze the buns also, so they do not go to waste. Keep salad in chilled containers so it too can be used the next day. For added savings, purchase food and disposable serving utensils at value centers such as Costco – or better still, use regular utensils and put them in the dishwasher. Ask family members to bring certain food items to spread the cost. Calculate decorations sparingly – most will not be saved for use next year. Travelers planning to fly for the holiday may pay more for flights on the weekend. One possibility is to fly mid-week to mid-week. Explore AirBnB apartments with kitchens – dining out is a major cost when on vacation. Single travelers willing to wait until the last minute to book flights and accommodation will find deals via smartphones such as discounted rooms rates and standby flight discounts. The use of travel agents is on the rise. Use these professionals to help finds deals, particularly with complex itineraries. They typically have access to inventory not available to the public. Should cities invest in a large fireworks display and/or parade in order to attract tourists and generate new economic activity? Is there a good ROI? Historically, large fireworks are at the heart of any Independence Day celebration. However, given the increasing cost of such displays, today’s environmentally-conscious society, in addition to towns and cities strapped for funds, it may make sense to scale back, or eliminate, such displays. At the risk of sounding unpatriotic, the funds used for firework displays could be diverted to schools and summer programs for children. The latter would provide a more lasting ROI. A dynamic parade involving local organizations, bands, and members of the community can have a very positive effect on tourists while still celebrating the birth of a nation. Mario Gonzalez-Fuentes Assistant Professor of Marketing at Trinity University What money saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for the 4th of July? My best recommendation is to get off the beaten path. That is, in my opinion, the best way to save money in this season. If you want to go to the most popular destinations (the beach, major cities, etc.) you will face high-season prices in almost everything: flights, hotels, entertainment, etc. However, if you venture into some of American hidden jewels you will find more reasonable and affordable options... plus you will avoid the crowds! Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year. How does holiday timing affect people’s spending and travel plans? It could steer people to travel farther than in past years given the long weekend opportunity. If that's the case, it may also imply longer hotel stays, more meals, etc. On the other hand, for those staying in their home towns, the long weekend creates amazing opportunities to treat themselves as tourists at home without the hassle of large crowds or lack of parking. Should cities invest in a large fireworks display and/or parade in order to attract tourists and generate new economic activity? Is there a good ROI? I don't think so. I believe people travel to different destinations during this holiday for reasons that are different to the fireworks display. I think cities should invest in a strong and diverse touristic offer to engage visitors during their stay. People want alternatives when it comes to dining, nightlife, attractions, arts and culture scene, as well as events, like public picnics and barbecues, happening during that weekend. The more diverse this touristic offer is, the more socioeconomic and demographic segments they can appeal to. Emily N. Garbinsky Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Mendoza College of Business at University of Notre Dame What money saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for the 4th of July? With some advanced planning, combine a holiday weekend with your family vacation, thus saving a vacation day for future use. Travel during non-peak hours to save fuel used in traffic jams. Take advantage of grocery store reward programs when purchasing food or fuel. Combine parties with friends and neighbors to take advantage of economies of scale. Forego purchase of your own fireworks, which are expensive and dangerous. Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year. How does holiday timing affect people’s spending and travel plans? I think less people will travel this year compared to years when they have the day after the holiday off. There may be smaller parties because friends and family who live farther away may decide to stay home. Should cities invest in a large fireworks display and/or parade in order to attract tourists and generate new economic activity? Is there a good ROI? I think that cities should examine their respective ROI on fireworks displays and parades. Communities should consider charging admission or offering refreshments for sale so that the costs of such events do not exceed the benefits. Lan Jiang Assistant Professor of Resort & Hospitality Management in the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University What money saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for the 4th of July? I do have some tips for those who plan to travel for the 4th of July (other holidays as well):

1. Plan ahead of time, book flight and hotel early. If you want to save money, you'd better plan everything ahead of time. Normally the rates would be much lower if you book flight and hotel early (i.e., 30 days in advance).
2. Avoid those "hottest" destinations. You should avoid travelling to the hottest destinations during the holidays, not just because it is too crowded, but also because of the higher costs! It is a wise decision to travel to those hot destinations during low season.
3. Take advantage of emerging booking channels. Although it is still controversial, Uber can save you some money in most of the cases. As for hotel and flight, bidding or opaque booking websites can also save you money.
4. Check if you are qualified for any discounts. You may get discounts at many places if you are veteran, teacher, or even student. Check their website if you are qualified for those discounts.

Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year. How does holiday timing affect people’s spending and travel plans? I believe many people are happy with that (4th of July falling on a Monday) because they now have a long weekend! In my own opinion, holiday timing has significant effect on people's spending and travel plans, because with longer holidays, more people will choose to go for a trip rather than staying with the family at home. Should cities invest in a large fireworks display and/or parade in order to attract tourists and generate new economic activity? Is there a good ROI? It depends. I personally believe international tourists will be more interested in a large fireworks display and parade than domestic tourists. My theory is, international tourists can be attracted by any fancy stuff, but most domestic tourists may just want to relax or spend some time with their families/friends. I have not done any research on if there is good/bad ROI on this, but this is very difficult to measure.

 

Methodology Entertainment & Food – Total Points: 40

 

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