Travelocity Experts Share Great Fourth of July Destinations to Celebrate America's Birthday

DALLAS, June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- While most current studies of travel behavior show that today's travelers are most interested in the prospect of adventure and new experiences, a new TravelocityⓇ survey suggests that for July Fourth, travelers are more likely to seek out the familiar and traditional to celebrate the nation's birthday.

In Travelocity's June 2016 survey of 1,021 Americans, almost two-thirds (65%) find a fireworks show to be one of the best parts of any July Fourth getaway. This is followed by about one-third (32%) of respondents who called out traditional July Fourth foods like hot dogs and apple pie and over a quarter (28%) who crave fun-in-the-sun at the beach.

Travelocity's team of travel experts combed through an extensive list of domestic destinations that met one or more of the identified criteria to select the best nine examples of where these most-wanted July Fourth experiences can be found.

Fireworks

The importance of a great fireworks show on July Fourth is underscored with the vast majority of survey respondents calling out a pyrotechnics display as an essential part of the celebration. And while most everyone is familiar with the iconic displays in New York and Washington D.C., there are other shows around the country that are also worth taking a journey to experience:

• Nashville - Music City's celebration is a day packed with performances by top music artists across all genres - not just country. But beyond the two stages featuring free music all day, the fireworks show set to a synchronized performance by the Nashville Symphony that has been named by a number of outlets as one of the nation's best.
• Houston - Its 2016 July Fourth celebration will be headlined by Darius Rucker, the Eli Brown Band and local favorites, The Suffers. Other Independence Day festivities include a parade, activities for kids and a fireworks spectacular that has recently been named among the top 10 in the U.S.
• Las Vegas - While the Las Vegas skyline glitters 365 days a year, the Independence Day weekend sparkles even brighter with six fireworks shows taking place across the city. Named one of Travelocity's best summer vacation destinations earlier this year, Las Vegas also features plenty of rooftop venues to enjoy all of the pyrotechnic displays.

Traditional July Fourth Foods

The next most appealing attraction in Travelocity's survey is "eating holiday themed food, such as hot dogs or apple pie." While the apple pie has few variations from region to region, the hot dog has been reinvented many times over to reflect unique culinary traditions nationwide. While there are countless variations across the country, three of the best known that may be worth checking out include:

• Chicago - The Chicago-style hot dog is easy to recognize. Starting with a standard Kosher beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, the hot dog is topped with yellow mustard and then "dragged through the garden" with chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, a dill pickle spear and covered in unnaturally bright green relish. And a tip for first-timers - never, ever ask for ketchup - a condiment considered verboten for a real Chicago-style hot dog.
• Cincinnati - For an authentic Cincinnati-style cheese coney, the hot dog itself is not the star of the show. Rather, the main feature is a healthy slathering of Cincinnati chili, a Mediterranean-inspired meat sauce which features a unique blend of spices, including cinnamon. Finished with mustard and onions, then buried in an epic heap of grated cheese, the Cincinnati-style cheese coney is truly an American original.
• Phoenix - Recently named the third-best destination for a summer vacation in Travelocity's Summer Vacation Index, Phoenix can also lay claim to one of the country's most unique hot dog variations - the Sonoran hot dog. An authentic Sonoran is a hot dog wrapped in bacon and cooked on a grill - and rather than dropped on a traditional hot dog bun, is nestled into a bolillo roll - a crusty Mexican baguette. Topped with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, mayonnaise, mustard and salsa, the Sonoran hot dog is a taste of the southwest on a roll.

Hitting the Beach

While the beach makes for a perfect spot anytime during the summer, some beaches stand above the crowd on July Fourth. With the addition of other Independence Day must-haves to the sand and surf, it becomes obvious why the beach was mentioned by so many survey respondents.

• Huntington Beach, CA - Along with miles of beach, Huntington Beach gets high marks as a July Fourth destination for its annual two-mile long Independence Day parade - a Surf City USA tradition for over a century - as well as a fireworks display off of Huntington Beach pier.
• Virginia Beach, VA - With a number of nearby military bases, Virginia Beach's July Fourth celebration has always had a dash more patriotic flair than most. But for 2016, the annual "Stars & Stripes Explosion" steps up its patriotism with the addition of the U.S. Fleet Forces Four Star Edition Band and U.S. Fleet Forces Wind Ensemble as part of the day's festivities. These performances are then followed by a fireworks spectacular on the water's edge.
• Coney Island, NY - Coney Island manages to combine all of the most anticipated July Fourth traditions, and roll them up onto an island measuring less than one square mile. Take two and a half miles of sandy beaches, add one stunning fireworks display, and then multiply the fun with Coney Island's famous hot dog eating contest for a July Fourth with something for everyone.

Methodological Notes

The Travelocity July Fourth Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,021 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18+, between June 7-13, 2016, using an email invitation and an online survey. Quotas have been set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. adult population ages 18+.

About Travelocity
Travelocity encourages travelers to "Wander Wisely™" and is dedicated to being the champion of the customer with its Customer 1st Guarantee, making the traveling experience both simple and memorable with competitive prices, 24/7 customer service and more. Based in Dallas, Texas, Travelocity is owned by Expedia, Inc., one of the world's leading travel companies, with an extensive brand portfolio that includes many of the world's leading online travel properties.

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