The Fourth of July brings parades, patriotism and picnics in the park all across the country since 1776 – with people, places and things decorated in red, white and blue.
American Historic Inns (AHI) and www.iloveinns.com have selected bed and breakfasts and country inns that are planning special events and offering creative packages.
FROM THE PORCH
Relax in a front porch rocker at The Wilmingtonian in Wilmington, North Carolina while watching the fireworks over the water. A spectacular view is also seen from the Cupola Suite which leads to the belvedere on the very top of the mansion via a spiral wrought iron stairwell in the suite. Enjoy a Dixieland Band and family picnic.
The front porch of Holladay House Bed & Breakfast is in the center of the festivities on Main Street in Orange, Virginia as the historic town comes alive with a parade, musical entertainment, a street fair and fireworks.
Inn at the Crossroads in Charlottesville, Virginia will commemorate the July 1907 speech given on the front porch of the Inn by Teddy Roosevelt and the 1936 speech by FDR. As an eight-year-old boy, John Deis attended the speech given by FDR and will be a special guest this year in 2007.
In Banner Elk, North Carolina the local parade features everything from bagpipes to decorated dogs and can be enjoyed from the wraparound front porch of Perry House Bed & Breakfast. The B&B also owns a deli on Main Street with parade seating on the patio with lunch.
ON THE WATER
Watch the fireworks over the Mississippi River from Covington Inn Bed and Breakfast in St. Paul, Minnesota, the only floating B&B in the Midwest. Experience the six-day Taste of Minnesota on Harriett Island with free music and lots of food.
Stay in the waterfront Gingerbread Cottages in Nice or get in your boat and watch the fireworks burst over Clear Lake, the largest natural lake in California and the oldest in North America. Local festivities and parades will be held nearby.
Camden Harbour Inn boasts great views over the water, perfect for when the fireworks on the islands are displayed in Camden, Maine. Festive meals created by the executive chef will be served at Natalie’s, the inn’s restaurant.
Indulge in a backyard barbecue at A White Swan Bed and Breakfast in Plymouth, Massachusetts before oohing and aahing at the fireworks on a private beach.
FRONT-ROW SEATS
Celebrate in Bristol, Rhode Island where they boast the country’s oldest Independence Day parade. Point Pleasant Inn & Resort offers family-friendly packages that include a shuttle to the parade, goodie bag, theme tee shirts and loaner chairs. They also provide a cookout during the fireworks display. Watermelon, lemonade, ice cream churning, pool contests are all-American food and fun to experience.
Two lawn tickets to Tanglewood for the Independence Day concert and fireworks are included in the package available from Christine’s Bed-Breakfast & Tearoom in Housatonic, near Great Barrington, Massachusetts in the Berkshires.
North Conway Village in New Hampshire holds a weeklong event full of festivities. The five-night package for two at Cranmore Mt. Lodge includes tickets for The Little Engine That Could, three concerts in Schouler Park, a juried artisan show, village sidewalk sale and fireworks on the Fourth.
Grab a chair to sit along the curb and watch the parade while staying at Candlelite Inn. The Fourth of July Committee in Bradford, New Hampshire has planned something for everyone from food to crafts to a midway. At dusk, munch popcorn in the backyard during the fireworks display, rated the third best in the state. Before turning in, indulge in the mouth-watering dessert buffet.
Still undecided? Go to www.iloveinns.com and browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns that specialize in other events that may interest you. Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate.
About American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com
American Historic Inns, Inc. founded in 1981, runs www.iLoveInns.com a top bed & breakfast and country inns directory listing 19,500 properties. Also, it is the leading publisher of bed & breakfast guidebooks, with more than 2.5 million bed & breakfast guide books sold.
Note: For photos or interviews, please contact Barbara Naylon at 949-497-2232, ext. 305.
