I typically like to take advantage of the long weekend to get out of the city for the 4th, but, if you are staying in town, here is a good list of firework shows in Atlanta and Creative Loafing has an awesome full list of Atlanta 4th of July events that may or may not include fireworks.
I personally have only been to Centennial Park and downtown Decatur for fireworks. Decatur is nice...low-key and family-friendly. Centennial offers a neat perspective of the fireworks reflected off the buildings downtown and the water in the park. I hear Lenox offers a big show. For all these events I'd recommend taking the train, as they are very accessible to MARTA and means you don't have to worry about parking and trying to fight traffic getting home. Decatur has a station, Lenox has a station, and there are two ways to get Centennial Park on MARTA.
More off the beaten path ideas include Reclaim Independence Day Block Party at the Five Spot for punk, indie, rock and soul music or the Buckhead Beach Party, which has a free shuttle to the Lenox fireworks show. If you don't know someone who has a rooftop deck for firework viewing, you can also pay for your own sky view by getting a hotel room downtown or in Buckhead, or even doing the Sun Dial downtown in the Westin Hotel. They have several firework-watching packages from the top of the hotel:
Level 71
• menu price $69 p/p
• reservations available 5:30-10:45 p.m.
• half off for children 6-12
children 5 and under - free
• credit card required to hold reservation
• parking validation only 3 hours and
only upon availability in hotel
• access to lounge upon availability
Level 72
• $45 ticket price includes food + non
alcoholic beverages (iced tea, lemonade
& soda)
• event is from 7-10p.m.
• tickets can only be purchased at
www.ticketalternative.com and not at
the door
• validation only 3 hours and only upon
availability
• access to lounge with $10 up-charge and
based on availability (able to choose
lounge access when purchasing tickets on-
line or when they arrive that evening)
Level 73
• cover charge beginning at 5:00pm--$30.00
p/p includes 1 alcoholic beverage
• half off for children 6-12 and free 5
and under
• limited food menu
• no validation for parking
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Supposedly STATS Restaurant downtown also has a rooftop deck with a great view and the $10 entry includes an appetizer buffet.
Other ideas include watching and cheering on the Peachtree Road Race runners. They end up at Piedmont Park at 10th and Charles Allen this year. Getting breakfast at TAP on Peachtree (opens at 6:30am on race day) or at the Flying Biscuit in midtown or the neighboring restaurants can be a festive way to start the day. If you are running or wanting to watch, here are the MARTA directions for the Peachtree Road Race.
