Originally Posted by
mhnadel
This is decidedly NOT true about the Fourth of July. Between the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Archives and accompanying parade, the Smithsonian Folk Festival on the Mall and the fireworks at night, it is one of the busiest times in DC. Not quite as crowded as the Cherry Blossom Festival but pretty damn close.
Yes, but since they banned booze on the National Mall some time in the late 90s, the numbers have been getting smaller. Plus, these are day-tripper tourists for the fireworks, etc. On the days preceding the Fourth, DC is fairly empty. Then again, I've been living in the city for 20 years now and could just be well used to ignoring the tourists.