**New!** A great place to watch the national fireworks is Arlington's own Long Bridge Park, located on the north end of Crystal City. It's easy to get there by bicycle -- connection to the Mount Vernon Trail is nearby. There are a number of on-site parking spots, and it is easily accessible from Metrorail (Crystal City station, Blue Line), and Metrobus. Use the Metrorail/Metrobus Trip Planner.
Popular spots in Arlington to watch the national display are the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), and areas along the Virginia side of the Potomac River that can be reached from George Washington Memorial Parkway.
To reach the George Washington Memorial Parkway’s Gravely Point parking lot, head south on the Parkway until you reach Reagan National Airport. At the airport, circle back to head north onto the Parkway towards the 14th Street Bridge. About a quarter of mile before the bridge, turn right into the parking area. No glass bottles, alcohol or fireworks are allowed at the Gravely Point parking lot or anywhere along the Parkway.
Another place people can go to watch the fireworks is Gateway Park in Rosslyn and the Key Bridge, which crosses the Potomac River between Georgetown and Arlington. Take Metro’s Orange line to the Rosslyn Metro station. Get there early to grab a spot at the bridge. There's no seating at the bridge, and you can stand on the sidewalks only.
A great place to watch fireworks is from the Air Force Memorial, located on a hill on Columbia Pike. Closest Metro stations are Pentagon and Pentagon City. You can park at Navy Annex parking lots (enter from Joyce Street or Columbia Pike) or park at Pentagon Mall; be sure to be parked no later than 7:30 p.m.
Traffic alert: a number of streets will be closed on July 4th. Take Metro where possible.
Arlington County residents and visitors are also reminded that:
Independence Day event attendees are strongly encouraged to use public transportation. The Rosslyn Metro stop on the Orange Line is approximately 5 blocks north of the Iwo Jima Memorial, and the Air Force Memorial is within walking distance of the Pentagon City Metro station.
Any questions about traffic or street closings should be directed to the Special Operations Section of the Arlington County Police Department at 703-228-4147 (recorded message) or 703-228-4141.
A number of Arlington neighborhoods host community celebrations as well.
Lyon Village's Independence Day celebration is a neighborhood tradition dating to 1971.