It’s Like Leaving Paris on Bastille Day

fireworksNow they tell me! The Bacon family has just made plans to spend the 4th of July watching fireworks at the national mall in Washington, D.C., only to read that WalletHub lists Richmond, of all places, as the No. 1 place to be in its 2014’s Best & Worst Cities for 4th of July Celebrations.

Our humble home town does not win based upon the most spectacular fireworks displays, which are fine but nothing special. It turns out we’re tops for families on a budget. Richmond wins based on 14 metrics that encompass its entertainment & food appeal (No. 3 in the country among the top 100 metros), attractions and recreation/outdoor activity (No. 20) and the July 4th weather forecast (No. 31). Apparently, our fair city stands out for having some of the cheapest three-star hotels anywhere and for having less traffic congestion than anyone else. As a bonus, home fireworks are legal. The number of homeowners shooting rockets into the sky is quite impressive.

It is some consolation that our destination city, Washington, D.C., is ranked No. 5 in the country — and is tied for No. 1 for recreation and outdoor activities…. which is precisely why we’re heading there. Well, Richmond, there’s always next year.