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Summer is already upon us, and the Fourth of July is just around the corner. Why not skip the backyard barbecue and really jump into the spirit of the holiday. These historic bed and breakfasts provide not only a glimpse into our nation’s past, but also ideal locations from which to enjoy some of the best fireworks shows and Independence Day events in the country. With all the romance of a bed and breakfast, you might even make some fireworks of your own.

Boston, Concord Bed and Breakfasts Serve Up History, Romance

Concord is one of the United States’ most historic towns. Not only was it here that the Revolutionary War began, but it also was home to some of the most celebrated Americans. Authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson lived here, as well Henry David Thoreau. Visitors can tour the Old North Bridge , the site of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which is part of the Minute Man National Historic Park. On the Fourth of July, there is a Picnic in the Park event at Emerson Field, which includes a parade and live music.

The village of Concord offers several historic bed and breakfasts. The Colonel Roger Brown House, built just a year before the War for Independence, is a Colonial-style home with rooms decorated with a mix of antiques and contemporary furnishings. Each of the five suites includes a kitchenette, as well. The Hawthorne Inn dates to 1870, but the land’s previous owners include the likes of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Lousia May Alcott. The guest rooms are filled with a beautiful collection of antiques, including canopy beds in several bedchambers.

What better place to experience the Fourth of July than Boston with its myriad historic attractions and one of the world’s great fireworks shows? Travelers can visit Boston Harbor, site of the Boston Tea Party, or walk along the Freedom Trail and visit historic sites and museums. Each year, the famous Boston Pops hold a Fourth of July Concert, which features a huge fireworks show, as well.

Boston offers several great bed and breakfast choices. The Clarendon Square Inn, which dates back to 1860, is located in a six-story townhouse in Boston ’s South End. Each of the guest rooms is spacious and beautifully decorated. The innkeepers even have a roof-top hot tub for their guests where you can soak, relax and take in the city view. This boutique hotel is within walking distance of many area attractions, and just five minutes to public transportation. From the College Club, another great Boston bed and breakfast, you can walk to the edge of the Charles River to watch the city’s annual fireworks show. The historic inn, which serves as the home of the oldest women’s college club in the United States, has eleven guest rooms, each decorated with period antiques. Amenities include breakfast and afternoon tea.

Celebrate Life, Liberty, Happiness at a Pennsylvania Bed and Breakfast

There is a lot to love in the City of Brotherly Love, especially around the Fourth of July. Philadelphia pulls out all the stops for its family-friendly Party on the Parkway. The event includes an all-day festival, parade and after the sun sets, there is the Liberty Concert and Fireworks event. Add to that a city filled with historic sites, and you can create your own perfect Independence Day getaway. Travelers can tour Independence Hall, where the first Continental Congress met, or snap a picture of the Liberty Bell.

Thomas Bond House, built in 1769, is located in Independence National Historic Park, so its serves as a great home base for exploring all of Philadelphia ’s famous attractions. The bed and breakfast is decorated in period style with four-poster beds and fine reproductions in its guest rooms. Visitors can walk to Independence Hall, as well as museums, shops and restaurants.

Enjoy Bed, Breakfast and History in Washington, D.C.

Of course, Washington, D.C., is an ideal choice for a total Independence Day experience. For history buffs, what could top touring the White House, gazing at Mr. Lincoln, walking along the Reflecting Pool at the National Mall or perhaps spending a few days exploring the Smithsonian? The city’s Fourth of July celebration begins with a parade down Constitution Avenue and ends with a huge fireworks show that lights up the sky above the Washington Monument.

DuPont Circle, resting at the intersection of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire avenues, was once home to some of the wealthiest of the city’s restaurants. The picturesque neighborhood is filled with architectural gems and none so fine as the Swann House. The Richardson-Romanesque-style manor home boasts a second-story balcony and a turret. The interior still includes many of the original features, such as carved marble fireplaces, crown molding and wall panels. Guest rooms are decorated in a romantic style with a selection of antiques, and some rooms include a fireplace. The bed and breakfast is close to all of the city’s popular attractions, shops and restaurants.

Celebrate Independence at a Texas Bed and Breakfast

Popular with tourists, Texas Hill Country boasts several charming towns that will remind you of days gone by. Chappell Hill is such village. Throughout the year, the town hosts a historic home tour, scarecrow festival and bluebonnet festival, but on Independence Day they hold what is known as “the Best Little Small Town Parade in Texas.” Watch as parade floats, antique cars, cowboys and even a marching kazoo band entertain the crowd. Residents of Comfort, Texas, have declared their burg “the Most Patriotic Little Town in Hill Country,” and celebrate with a parade and huge barbecue, as well as a family-friendly carnival.

Kriegal’s Guest Haus is an intimate hideaway in Chappell Hill. The bed and breakfast offers accommodations in an 1868 German-style home or in the private Country Cottage. The white picket fences, flowers and porches with rockers provide a down-home feeling. In Comfort, the Holekamp House Bed and Breakfast is a historic haven. The rooms range from cozy Aunt Dolly’s room to the spacious King’s Room, which includes a private balcony and pedestal bathtub.

Go West for a Memorable Fourth of July

Whether you choose opt for the opulence of Millionaire’s Row in Pasadena or the charm of a Victorian park in San Diego, Southern California bed and breakfasts are perfect for a Fourth of July getaway. Dozens of cities host annual Independence Day events, you’re innkeeper can help find the perfect place for you to enjoy the holiday.

One might be surprised to find grand Victorian architecture in the middle of San Diego, but that’s just what you’ll discover at Heritage Park. The seven-acre area is part of Old Town San Diego, and includes the lavish Victorian Heritage Park Inn. The guest rooms are spread among two restored historic homes. Guest rooms are decorated in period style with antiques. The inn is within walking distance to many shops and restaurants. On Independence Day, head to Mission Bay and watch one of the nation’s best fireworks shows.

As California bed and breakfasts go, Bissell House in South Pasadena is one of the best. It combines history, romance and a great location, nestled in the town’s Orange Grove Mansion District among many other architectural gems. The bed and breakfast’s grounds are shaded by tall trees and decorated by flower gardens. Guest rooms range from the quaint and cozy Victoria ’s Room, which includes a private solarium, to the Garden Room, which boasts antiques and a Jacuzzi tub for two. The inn is close to Old Town Pasadena, museums, shops and historic sites. For more than 80 years, the place to be in for Fourth of July fun is Pasadena is the famous Rose Bowl. The day’s events include a concert and one of Los Angeles ’s best fireworks shows.