Men's Journal

Celebrate this Fourth of July weekend with some flare: paddle a kayak over a bio-lit river, enjoy the tucked-away quiet of an authentic log cabin, or listen to classic rock underneath a fireworks show by the world’s best pyro-artist. Then drink beer.

By Chris Gayomali, Tara House, and Robert Moor

Bioluminescent Kayak Tour, July 2-4

Titusville, Florida

If you’re near central Florida, consider taking in a different type of fireworks display: an all-natural underwater light show. A Day Away’s Bioluminescent Kayak Tour is a two hour nighttime paddle through Merritt Island and the Indian River. During the warm summer months, scores of dinoflagellates–tiny, photosynthetic marine plankton–populate the river, filling the water with brilliant flashes of movement-activated light. Slow-swimming manatees and zipping schools of mullet all work together to paint the river aglow. (Word of warning: slather on an extra layer of bug repellent for thirsty mosquitos and other flying critters.) Swirling your paddle will never look as good again.

Travel and Accommodations

The departure starts at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (launching from the Haulover Canal) and is a 20-minute drive east of Titusville. Consider staying at one of the many hotels near the Kennedy Space Center, or park your RV and enjoy the grounds of the Manatee Hammock Camping Area. -C.G.

4th of July Weekend at Linville River Log Cabins

Newland, North Carolina

Not a beach person? Can’t stand the sand or exuberant crowds the shore brings this holiday weekend? Do something different and head for the hills of North Carolina for some peace and quiet–riverside and among the mountains.

Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest areas of North Carolina lie cozy log cabins and beautiful terrains stretching and fading infinitely into the horizon. With Linville River Log Cabins all this and more could be yours. So grab your family, friends, and loved ones, and spend a wonderful holiday weekend wrapped in nature, and in the comfort of your own private log cabin.

Boasting some of the best natural habitats and wildlife, the Linville River area is jam packed with things to do. Go hiking along the many trails of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain; fly fish in the Watauga River, where the seasonal catches include an abundance of small mouth bass, muskie, and trout; horseback ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains; and explore all the Pisgah National Forest has to offer. Everything is just a short hike–or car ride–away. And let’s not forget the reason for the season! Be sure to check out the multiple firework shows going on around the area.

Travel and Accommodations

Linville River Log Cabins offers many different housing options to chose from, all showcasing their own beauty and uniqueness. You can perch along the river or beneath the mountains, and if you’re in the mood for utter seclusion, settle completely off the map in the serenity of the deep woods. All cabins sleep between 4-6 people, and rates start at $130 a night. Amenities include luxurious hot tubs, large outdoor decks, full kitchens, and up-to-date entertainment units. -T.H.

Gasworks Park Fireworks and a Beer Festival, July 2-4

Seattle, Washington

For arguably America’s finest fireworks display, head to Seattle’s Gasworks Park. The glassy surface of Lake Union will provide the ideal stage for famed pyro-artist Eric Tucker, who has amassed an arsenal of explosives from around the world–from old-fashioned boomers to high-tech aquatic effects, light-bathing parachute shells, and fractal-esque “electrical storms”–to paint the skies in psychedelic hues. Tune your radio to 97.3 FM to hear music like Hendrix’s “Star-Spangled Banner” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” synced up with millisecond precision. Interesting side note: This year’s fireworks display was almost canceled due to lack of funding, but local businesses and citizens rallied to raise the necessary $500,000. It’s a good thing, too. When the skies are clear (you can check the forecast here), this is a can’t-miss spectacle for fireworks lovers young and old.

If your favorite part of the time-honored “Beer, Barbecue, and Blowing Stuff Up” triumvirate was always the beer, make sure to check out the suds at the Seattle International Beerfest. Selections will include local oddities (a Kentucky Uberwine from Flyers Brewery), exotic foreign beers (a 10-hop IPA from Denmark) and even a beer flavored with bacon. What’s more American than that?

Travel and Accommodations

Downtown Seattle features a wealth of hotels. For something posh, book a three-night-stay at Hotel Ändra ($179) and receive the third night free. For something cheaper, consider the Marco Polo Motel, which is within walking distance of Gasworks Park. -R.M.