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    Patriotic Places

    Houston skyrockets up ranking of the best cities to celebrate 4th of July

    Megan Ziots
    Jul 3, 2018 | 10:33 am
    Houston Symphony Fourth of July fireworks at Miller Outdoor Theater July 2013
    There will be fireworks aplenty in Houston on July 4.
    Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com

    Houston is a star-spangled place to celebrate the Fourth of July this year. A recent report by personal finance website WalletHub ranks the best and worst places to celebrate Independence Day, and Houston comes in at No. 29, up from No. 51 in 2017.

    Using 19 key metrics such as length of fireworks show, beer and wine prices, weather forecast, and safety, the website bases rankings on how well the 100 largest cities balance cost and fun.

    Houston now ranks No. 16 for celebrations (up from No. 20 last year) and No. 28 for attractions and activities (a huge leap from the No. 72 spot last year). While affordability has fallen a tad (No. 12, down from No. 6), Houston's weather ranking jumped from No. 83 last year to No. 62 in 2018. Clearly, these surveyors like heat and humidity. Where H-Town doesn't shine, however, is safety and accessibility, coming in at No. 81.

    Typically on the Fourth of July, Americans spend about $6.9 billion on food and more than $825 million on fireworks. A staggering 150 million hot dogs are devoured on the holiday, and 46.9 million people travel more than 50 miles from home to celebrate, WalletHub says.

    If you want to celebrate in the best city in the U.S. of A., New York is the place to be, the survey says, followed by Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and Seattle. But steer clear of San Bernardino, California, which comes in last at No. 100.

    The top city in Texas for Independence Day is Dallas at No. 11, followed by Austin at No. 25. Big D takes the No. 3 spot for celebrations, while ATX ranks among the top 10 for affordability.

    And if you're staying close to home but still need plans, check out our ultimate list of Fourth of July fireworks shows in Houston and beyond.

    holidayswallethublists
    news/city-life

    most read posts

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    This Week's Hot Headlines

    New Mexican restaurant sizzles into Houston's 5 most popular stories

    CultureMap Staff
    Feb 7, 2026 | 11:00 am
    Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina restaurant exterior
    Photo by Hasan Yousef
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    Editor's note: It's time to catch up on the top Houston news of the week, including restaurant comings and goings and a local suburb that is booming with wealth. Read on for our five most popular stories, then plan your weekend via this guide.

    1. New restaurant shakes up Houston with Oaxacan and Tex-Mex classics. A Houston hospitality veteran has opened a new Mexican restaurant in Lindale Park. Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina debuted Friday, February 6.

    2. Houston suburb has top-20 highest rate of new wealthy residents in U.S. A new income study has revealed Houston's wealthiest aren't settling down in Pearland anymore — they've set their sights on Conroe, instead.

    3. Arizona Mexican restaurant is the latest to shutter at the Galleria. A Mexican-inspired restaurant in the Galleria has quietly closed. Blanco Cocina + Cantina has shaken its last margarita.

    4. Veteran French chef blows into Bellaire with a new neighborhood bistro. One of Houston’s most well-regarded French chefs has opened a new restaurant in Bellaire. Bistro Mistral is the latest project from chef David Denis.

    Bistro Mistral French onion soup Bistro Mistral serves classic fare like French onion soup. Courtesy of Bistro Mistral

    5. Houston sushi spot's Dubai outpost named to prestigious 50 best list. The Dubai location of a Houston-based Japanese restaurant has been named one of the best restaurants in the Middle East. Kokoro ranks No. 15 on the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

    most popular storiesopeningsclosingsmexican foodgalleria-houstonbellaireconroehot headlines
    news/city-life
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