Two Minnesota Cities Just Ranked Among the Best in America for 4th of July Fun

A new national ranking just dropped, and Minnesota isn’t sitting this one out. Two cities from the Land of 10,000 Lakes are among the top five places in the country to celebrate the 4th of July.

“The 4th of July is one of the most beloved holidays in America,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, “The best cities for the holiday help you make the most of your day, with affordable food options, good weather, fun recreation choices, and long, spectacular fireworks shows.”

READ MORE: Minnesota Fireworks Laws Explained: What’s Legal, What’s Not

Every year, Americans spend billions celebrating Independence Day. This year alone, we’re expected to drop $8.9 billion just on food, according to the National Retail Federation. We clearly take this holiday seriously.

And with that much money being spent, it makes sense to celebrate in a place where your dollar stretches a little further, without sacrificing any of the fun. That’s why WalletHub’s analysis didn’t just look at where the biggest parties are; it also factored in affordability, comparing cities on everything from burger prices to hotel rates.

WalletHub looked at the 100 largest U.S. cities and compared them across five key categories:

• 4th of July celebrations
• Affordability
• Attractions & activities
• Safety & accessibility
• Weather forecast for the holiday

Minneapolis and St. Paul Are in the Top 5 Best Cities for Celebrating the 4^th of July

If you needed one more reason to love the 4th of July in Minnesota, here it is: both Minneapolis and St. Paul just made WalletHub’s list of the top cities in the nation for Independence Day celebrations.

READ MORE: Minnesota River Named a Top 10 Tubing Spot In the US

Minneapolis snagged the #4 spot, and St. Paul followed closely at #5, beating out cities like San Diego, Chicago, and even Orlando. That’s right. We aren’t just good at long winters and hotdish; we also know how to throw a patriotic party.

The cities ranking better than the Twin Cities are heavy hitters Las Vegas, New York, and Los Angeles.

What Makes the Twin Cities Great Places to Celebrate the 4^th of July?

WalletHub’s rankings included everything from how long the fireworks shows last, to how many 4.5+ star restaurants are affordable, to pedestrian safety and public transportation access. Even the weather forecast for July 4th was part of the equation.

Minneapolis scored especially high in affordability (ranked 2nd overall) and came in 13th for attractions and activities. St. Paul wasn’t far behind, with top marks in safety and accessibility (ranked 6th).

So, while you’re enjoying the fireworks over the Mississippi or stretching out a blanket at a lakeside park, just know you’re celebrating in one of the best spots in the country.

Here are the top 20 best cities to celebrate the 4th of July, according to WalletHub:

1. Las Vegas, NV
2. New York, NY
3. Los Angeles, CA
4. Minneapolis, MN
5. St. Paul, MN 
6. Seattle, WA3
7. San Diego, CA
8. San Francisco, CA
9. Orlando, FL
10. Sacramento, CA
11. Scottsdale, AZ
12. Atlanta, GA
13. Buffalo, NY
14. Kansas City, MO
15. Chicago, IL
16. Cincinnati, OH
17. Washington, DC
18. Boston, MA
19. Portland, OR
20. Miami, FL

READ MORE: Find Your Perfect Campsite: Minnesota’s Top-Rated Outdoor Escapes