Massachusetts Bed and Breakfast Provide Glimpse of Nation's Beginnings



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 many historic bed and breakfasts. The College Club is within walking distance of the Charles River, where you can watch the city's Fourth of July fireworks show. The guest rooms are decorated with antiques, and the rates include breakfast and afternoon refreshments. At Clarendon Square Inn, guests enjoy the amenities of a boutique hotel and the hospitality of a bed and breakfast. Each guest room is unique, with an eclectic mix of fine furnishings. There is even a rooftop hot tub. Both of these bed and breakfasts are located in historic buildings.

Let Freedom Ring 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.

Enjoy easy access to all of the historic gems of Philadelphia at the Thomas Bond House. This Philadelphia bed and breakfast was built in 1769 and boasts rooms filled with period reproductions and four-poster beds. The home is located in the Independence National Historic Park and is within walking distance of Independence Hall.

Spend the Fourth at a Washington, D.C., Bed and Breakfast

For the total Fourth of July experience, why not spend the holiday in the nation's Capital? Washington, D.C.'s bounty of historic sites is seemingly endless. Independence Day celebrations begin with a parade along Constitution Avenue and ends with a breathtaking fireworks display above the Washington Monument.

Guests at the Swann House enjoy romantic accommodations conveniently close to all of the city's major attractions. Located in DuPont Circle, the historic bed and breakfast is a stunning example of Richardson Romanesque architecture. The interior includes many original features, and the guest rooms are decorated with antiques and more modern furnishings. Several rooms include a fireplace.

A Texas-style Fourth of July

While it might not be one of the original 13 colonies, Texas is big on patriotism, and there is no better place to enjoy the hospitality of the Lone Star State than at a Hill Country bed and breakfast. One town, Chappell Hill, hosts what is known as "the Best Little Small Town Parade in Texas." Another town, Comfort, celebrates throughout the day with a parade, barbecue, a kid's carnival and a beauty pageant to crown Miss Comfort.

Texas Hill Country is famous for its bed and breakfasts. For those who seek the privacy of a quaint, country retreat try Kriegal's Guest Haus in Chappell Hill. The innkeepers offer a room in the main historic home, which dates to 1868, and private accommodations in the Country Cottage. Part of the cottage once served as summer kitchen for the main house. The Holekamp House Bed and Breakfast in Comfort, is another Texas Hill Country Bed and Breakfast. The historic home features five individually decorated guest rooms, as well as a rustic wood-paneled cabin with a two-person Jacuzzi tub.

Go West for a Memorable Fourth of July

While California might not boast the Revolutionary War history of Philadelphia or Boston, it can hold its own as a fabulous vacation spot. From the sunny beaches of San Diego to the historic charm of Pasadena, there are plenty of options for Fourth of July Fun. California 's bed and breakfasts are some of the best around, as well.

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.