Don't miss the National Independence Day Parade. It begins at 11:45 a.m. on Constitution Ave, NW and goes from Seventh to 17th Street. This is a wonderful way for the whole family to kick off America's birthday celebration before the fireworks.

The US National Mall is "the" place to be to celebrate Independence Day and with the US Symphony playing patriotic tunes beginning at 8 p.m.and the fireworks beginning at approximately 9:15 p.m. you really get to be in the thick of things. Check-out my tips on road closures and parking to help make your Fourth of July as carefree as possible.